Monetization strategy for iOS/macOS apps. Covers readiness assessment, pricing model selection, tier structuring, free trial strategy, and implementation guidance. Use when deciding what to charge, how to price, or planning monetization end-to-end.

Monetization Strategy End to end monetization guidance for Apple platform apps — from "should I charge?" to "here's your pricing page structure." Sub skills in this category: external purchases/ (US web checkout via the External Purchase Link entitlement, commission flip architecture) and bundles and licensing/ (own app bundles, Family Sharing, cross developer suites, institutional volume licensing). Route there when the question is beyond the single app price tag. When This Skill Activates Use this skill when the user: Asks "should I monetize my app?" or "is my app ready to charge?" Wants help choosing between freemium, subscription, or one time purchase Needs pricing tier recommendations Asks about free trial strategy Wants to plan monetization for a specific app type (kids, therapy, productivity, etc.) Mentions "pricing", "revenue model", or "how to make money from my app" Wants to understand Apple's commission structure Process Phase 1: Readiness Assessment Before recommending a pricing model, evaluate whether the app is ready to monetize. Ask these questions via AskUserQuestion: 1. App Stage Pre launch (idea/prototype) Beta / TestFlight Live with users (< 1K) Live with traction (1K+ users) 2. Value Proposition What problem does your app solve? Who is the target user? What alternatives exist (including doing nothing)? 3. Current State Do you have active users? What's your retention like? (Day 1, Day 7, Day 30) Are users asking for features / willing to pay? Readiness Scorecard Evaluate against these criteria: Signal Ready Not Ready Core value Clear, differentiated Still finding product market fit User retention D7 20% D7 < 10% User feedback "I'd pay for this" Silence or complaints Feature depth Enough for free + paid split Everything feels essential Competition You offer something unique Commodity feature set Polish Professional quality Rough edges everywhere Recommendation thresholds: 5 6 Ready signals → Monetize now 3 4 Ready signals → Soft launch pricing (low price, gather data) 0 2 Ready signals → Focus on product first, monetize later Phase 2: Pricing Model Selection Based on app type and user behavior, recommend the right model. Decision Framework Model Comparison Read pricing models.md for detailed comparison of each model: Subscriptions (auto renewable) One time purchase (paid upfront or freemium unlock) Consumable IAP (credits, tokens) Non consumable IAP (feature unlock) Tip jar / patronage Ad supported with premium upgrade App Type Recommendations Read app type guides.md for specific guidance by app category: Productivity / task management Health / therapy / wellness Kids / education Creative tools Social / community Developer tools Finance / budgeting Phase 3: Tier Structure Once a model is selected, design the tier structure. Subscription Tiers (if applicable) Two tier structure (recommended for most indie apps): Three tier structure (for apps with clear user segments): Pricing Psychology Anchor pricing : Show yearly first to make monthly look expensive Price ending : Use .99 for < $10, round numbers for premium ($19, $29) Yearly discount : 15 40% off monthly equivalent (sweet spot: ~30%) Decoy effect : Three tiers where middle looks like best value Regional pricing : Use App Store price tiers for automatic localization Free vs. Paid Feature Split The hardest decision. Follow these principles: Free tier should: Demonstrate the core value proposition Be genuinely useful (not a crippled demo) Create natural upgrade moments ("you've hit the limit") Let users invest time/data before hitting the paywall Paid tier should: Unlock power/convenience, not basic functionality Feel like "more of what you love" not "removing annoyances" Include at least one "hero feature" worth paying for alone ❌ Bad splits: Free: Can view data → Paid: Can edit data (feels hostile) Free: 3 day trial → Paid: Everything (no ongoing free value) Free: Everything → Paid: Remove ads (weak value prop) ✅ Good splits: Free: 5 projects → Paid: Unlimited projects + templates Free: Basic tracking → Paid: Insights, trends, export Free: Single device → Paid: Sync across devices + widgets Phase 4: Free Trial Strategy Trial Types Type Best For Apple Support Introductory offer (free) Subscriptions Built in via App Store Introductory offer (discounted) High value subscriptions Built in via App Store Feature limited free tier Freemium apps N/A (your logic) Time limited full access Productivity apps Built in via App Store Trial Duration Recommendations App Type Trial Length Reason Daily use productivity 7 days Quick to see value Health/fitness tracking 14 days Need time to build habit Creative tools 7 days One project cycle Business/professional 14 30 days Need to integrate into workflow Education/learning 7 days One learning cycle Trial Conversion Tactics 1. Onboard to premium features during trial (not free features) 2. Show "trial ending" reminder 2 3 days before expiration 3. Highlight value received ("You tracked 47 workouts this month") 4. Offer annual option at trial end (bigger commitment but better price) 5. Win back offer if they don't convert (promotional offer after 30 days) Phase 5: Implementation Guidance After strategy is set, guide implementation. Apple Commission Structure Scenario Apple's Cut You Keep Standard (Year 1) 30% 70% After Year 1 of subscription 15% 85% Small Business Program (< $1M/yr) 15% 85% Small Business + Year 2 subscription 15% 85% Important: Revenue calculations should always account for Apple's cut. A $9.99/mo subscription with Small Business Program = ~$8.49/mo to you. StoreKit 2 Implementation For code generation, refer users to the paywall generator skill: Paywall UI Patterns (HIG Compliant) Do: Show feature comparison (free vs. paid) Display price per period clearly Highlight savings on annual plan Include "Restore Purchases" button Show terms of service and privacy policy links Use system subscription views where available (iOS 18.4+) Don't: Block the app immediately on launch Use dark patterns (hidden close button, confusing language) Make it hard to dismiss the paywall Misrepresent subscription terms Auto select the most expensive option App Store Review Guidelines (Monetization) Key rules to follow: 3.1.1 : In app purchase required for digital content/features 3.1.2 : Subscriptions must provide ongoing value 3.1.3 : "Reader" apps can link to web for account management 3.2.2 : Unacceptable business models (bait and switch, etc.) 5.6 : Developer Code of Conduct (no manipulative tactics) Output Format Present monetization strategy as: References pricing models.md — Detailed comparison of all pricing models app type guides.md — Category specific monetization recommendations paywall generator skill — For StoreKit 2 code generation app store skill — For App Store description optimization Apple App Store Review Guidelines §3 (Business) Apple StoreKit 2 documentation