Everything at the 1$ tier will eventually be free, but it's a slow process. As long as I'm releasing new content to free folks, the paywalled stuff stays paywalled. It helps support this game and another vore game that needs lots of art.
Yes, custom characters and online saves are the premium features of the game. You get both and full access to any other game I make at the $4 tier. That'll soon include a vore cardgame that's in alpha right now.