Can free and paid versions of an app be uploaded?

I would like to make an exact copy of my app available for the low income regions. A web page would be made available where the user creates an account and gets a link to the free version of the app. The free version would require the user to sign in.

The problem I had before, was the App Store detected there was another effectively identical app already in the. store and wouldn't let me upload a second version. I think it might be to do with reasonable concern around fraud detection and imitation of other peoples apps.

So I would like to know if other people have had success doing this type of thing, have you worked out a way to get two basically identical copies of an app approved for the App Store. I just figure if I cant sell in the app in the smaller low income countries, I still may as well let them use it.

Can free and paid versions of an app be uploaded?
 
 
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