> One issue for this is it makes the market of users for 3rd party applications a lot smaller and it makes it harder for them to acquire users.
Why is this an issue? 3rd party apps exist to solve a problem for users running into limitations of the web interface or Reddits own abomination of an app. So this will just drive existing users into premium accounts and provides a better UX for them with barely any extra cost for Reddit. If the need exists and the opportunity exists in the form of an API someone will build that app and could still collect money on that on top of Reddit premium fee. Just keep the two separated.
Why is this an issue? 3rd party apps exist to solve a problem for users running into limitations of the web interface or Reddits own abomination of an app. So this will just drive existing users into premium accounts and provides a better UX for them with barely any extra cost for Reddit. If the need exists and the opportunity exists in the form of an API someone will build that app and could still collect money on that on top of Reddit premium fee. Just keep the two separated.