TL;DR
Price against what similar apps charge, not hope. Show a clear subscription with a trial, use clean round numbers, and be upfront about what is free versus paid.
Your price is a filter and a first impression at once. Browsers see the price badge and the in-app purchase notes and judge whether the app is worth it in an instant. Setting it well starts with what similar apps actually charge, not what you wish yours was worth.
Set the number from the market
- Look at what similar apps in your category charge, free or paid.
- Decide the model: free with a subscription is common for tools.
- Offer a free trial so browsers try before the subscription starts.
- Use clean round prices that read well, like 4.99 or 9.99 a month.
- State plainly in the listing what is free and what the paid tier adds.
Most successful small apps use a free download with a subscription and a trial, billed through the store. Apple and Google take a cut, but on the small-business program, if you make under a million dollars a year, you keep 85 percent. Price so the value clearly exceeds the ask.
Free, trial, and paid up front
A free download with a trial lowers the barrier and lets the app prove itself before charging. A paid up-front price sets a higher bar and needs strong screenshots to justify it. Pick the model that matches your app and be honest in the listing about what unlocks with payment.
If your app gets downloads but few subscriptions, the offer or the trial is usually the issue, not the price alone. Tools like RevenueCat let you test trial length and pricing. Change one thing, watch conversion for a couple of weeks, and keep what works.
Common questions
How do I decide what to charge for my app?
Look at what similar apps in your category charge and what users pay, then price within that range. Base the number on the market and the value you deliver, not on what you hope to earn from it.
Should I charge up front or use a subscription?
Most small tools do better with a free download plus a subscription and a trial, billed through the store. It lowers the barrier and lets the app prove itself. A paid up-front price needs strong screenshots to justify the ask.
What is a free trial and should I offer one?
It lets someone use the paid features for a set period before billing starts. It usually lifts conversion because people try before they commit. Offer one for a subscription app and pick a trial length you can test with RevenueCat.
Do round prices matter?
They help. Clean prices like 4.99 or 9.99 read well and match what people expect. The stores handle local pricing tiers, so pick a familiar round number in your base currency rather than an odd figure.
How much of the price do I keep?
The stores take a cut, but on the small-business program, if you earn under a million dollars a year, you keep 85 percent instead of 70. Enroll as soon as your account is set up so you never overpay the fee.
My app has downloads but few subscriptions - what now?
The offer or trial is usually the reason, not the price alone. Use RevenueCat to test trial length and pricing, change one thing, and watch conversion for a couple of weeks. Also confirm the screenshots sell the paid value.
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