Glossary
Glossary term

What Is Subscription (App)?

An auto-renewing in-app purchase that charges a user on a recurring basis (weekly, monthly, or yearly) for ongoing access to content or features.

Auto-renewing subscriptions are the dominant monetization model for consumer apps in 2026. Apple and Google both support multiple subscription tiers per app, free trial periods (typically 3-14 days), introductory pricing (limited-time lower price for new subscribers), and promo codes. Good subscription apps combine a clear value ladder (free tier → trial → paid) with lifecycle-event-based messaging (trial ending soon, renewal reminder, churn recovery). Most subscription apps use RevenueCat.

Common Questions

What's a good subscription price?
Depends on category — wellness $4-10/mo, fitness $10-20/mo, utility $2-5/mo. Annual options typically price at 50-70% of monthly × 12.
Do free trials increase conversions?
Yes, typically 3-5x vs. no trial. But trial length matters: 3 days for entertainment, 14 days for tools that take time to show value.

Related terms

In-App Purchase (IAP)RevenueCatPaywallFreemiumFree Trial

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