Take this in the friendly way it's offered: provide more information, the brief summary at that link is way too sparse for me to start slinging my own hard-earned money at. You've got a friendly audience here (I guess, on the whole), but nobody gives handouts unquestioningly. Publicising is great, but only if you provide proof and details. Good luck!
Yes, I downloaded something recommended because I was curious and genuinely could not make heads or tails of what I was looking at. I've got about 4 pis and 80tb of storage kicking around, for context. Just noped out after a couple days
The narratives you mention in your last para are completely true, that's what annoys me, IF they had engaged in good faith with users. As it is, it's like a shopping centre that's been free to enter saying "right, it's now €100 to enter and any underwear shops are closed to you unless you wear our uniform."
Just completely crazy prices for a poor service. No shit that's unworkable. Just be honest and say you want to bring those users in-house, just fucking say that rather than trying to gaslight everyone into believing that all these competent developers are all unreasonable arseholes who are screwing you, a multi-billion-dollar corporation over.
Contracts are a meeting of minds with consideration for some benefit. I don't see why that can't be accomplished verbally, on WhatsApp, or on 500 sheets of foolscap, tbh.
She's super cute, looks like she rules the roost 😆