(AnkiDroid has always been run independently, which is good, considering the state of the iOS client, which has always been neglected.)
I don't mind so much that it's paid, given how much use I get for the price, but it sucks knowing it sucks and not being able to help make it better.
It improved my grades so much in college that I spent the 25 bucks as a broke student so I could have it on my second hand iPad. This was before AnkiDroid even existed so it's amazing the price is still the same.
I think this "problem" is somewhat made up
This fictional person you describe also has access to the web and Anki on there.
Anki is not a very useful tool if you are not making or editing your own decks or a teacher is for you. This is an incredibly painful experience on mobile.