I think early access makes sense.

The next identical unit of software is at practically zero cost to produce and is NOT SCARCE and not an economic good. However, the next non-identical unit IS SCARCE as it needs to be produced via labor.

Subscribers have first access to the next non-identical unit. If subscibers don't value the next more than the previous, they will likely unsubscribe. Therefore any issues or features that are valued by subscribers will likely be prioritized.

Also, I think this can be done entirely with free/libre software; no need for centralized markets (like for iOS) or non-free software. It can be with authentication for downloading releases as well as with encrypted releases and a shared key only sent to subscribers, for early access. That same release will LATER be released as normal.

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