I publish the version in the store. The only difference is in packaging and signing as required by the store process. Otherwise, as mentioned by @qubodup the other difference is that updates are automated via the store. The reason I charge money is because I make a living through the advertisements on the web site. If you no longer come to the web site to get updates, then you are not being served ads. I could have chosen to not publish in the store, but I wanted to prevent someone else from doing it (it already happened on Apple store not as Shotcut but as an illegitimate fork). Also, I simply wanted to get the option and brand in front of people who are looking in the store for a solution. In that case, it is like marketing. If it leads people to the web site to learn more and learn it is free though the web site, that is fine and a win-win situation.