There are plenty of counterexamples to that. People making small games they want to give away for free, utilities that are too small to be able to charge for, free apps that have additional features behind an IAP or subscription.
Just because an app it’s free doesn’t mean it has to be something incredibly scummy.
#1 source of malware on the Android ecosystem was flashlight apps. I don't disagree that there are examples of apps or code that people have written and given away for free just because, my comment was more along the lines of "companies" giving away a free app.
No, it won’t many of the problematic apps that exist in the App Store have “paid“ versions that remove ads but probably continue to do all the other scummy stuff.
I think it’s a ratio thing. When it comes to good:scummy i’m guessing you’re more likely to end up on the good side of the scale by quite a bit for paid apps than free.
Just because an app it’s free doesn’t mean it has to be something incredibly scummy.