← All charts
Digital and e-commerce
Five app pricing models at a glance
| Model | How it works | Best for | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paid | User pays once before download | Niche tools with clear, specific value | Users cannot judge the value before paying |
| Freemium | Free core, paid advanced features or higher limits | Apps where heavy users clearly need more | Free tier too good or too limited |
| Subscription | Recurring weekly, monthly or yearly payment | Apps that deliver new value every period | Cancellations once the value is used up |
| In-app purchases | Free app, paid items or one-off unlocks inside | Games and apps with repeated small needs | Pushy prompts damage trust and reviews |
| Advertising | Free app, revenue from ads shown to users | Large audiences with frequent sessions | Small audience, poor experience, privacy limits |
| Model | How it works | Best for | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paid | User pays once before download | Niche tools with clear, specific value | Users cannot judge the value before paying |
| Freemium | Free core, paid advanced features or higher limits | Apps where heavy users clearly need more | Free tier too good or too limited |
| Subscription | Recurring weekly, monthly or yearly payment | Apps that deliver new value every period | Cancellations once the value is used up |
| In-app purchases | Free app, paid items or one-off unlocks inside | Games and apps with repeated small needs | Pushy prompts damage trust and reviews |
| Advertising | Free app, revenue from ads shown to users | Large audiences with frequent sessions | Small audience, poor experience, privacy limits |