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.
End-to-end monetization guidance for Apple platform apps — from "should I charge?" to "here's your pricing page structure."
Use this skill when the user:
Before recommending a pricing model, evaluate whether the app is ready to monetize. Ask these questions via AskUserQuestion:
1. App Stage
2. Value Proposition
3. Current State
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:
Based on app type and user behavior, recommend the right model.
Is the app used daily/weekly?
├── YES → Does it provide ongoing value?
│ ├── YES → SUBSCRIPTION
│ └── NO → ONE-TIME PURCHASE (with optional tip jar)
└── NO → Is it a utility/tool?
├── YES → ONE-TIME PURCHASE or FREEMIUM
└── NO → Is it content-based?
├── YES → SUBSCRIPTION or CONSUMABLE IAP
└── NO → FREEMIUM with premium unlock
Read pricing-models.md for detailed comparison of each model:
Read app-type-guides.md for specific guidance by app category:
Once a model is selected, design the tier structure.
Two-tier structure (recommended for most indie apps):
FREE PRO ($X.99/mo or $XX.99/yr)
───────────────────── ─────────────────────────────
Core functionality Everything in Free
Limited usage/storage Unlimited usage
Basic features Advanced features
Priority support (optional)
Early access to new features
Three-tier structure (for apps with clear user segments):
FREE PLUS ($X.99/mo) PRO ($XX.99/mo)
──────────── ────────────────── ──────────────────
Basic use Power user Professional/team
Ads/limits No ads, more quota Unlimited + extras
The hardest decision. Follow these principles:
Free tier should:
Paid tier should:
❌ Bad splits:
✅ Good splits:
| 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 |
| 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 |
After strategy is set, guide implementation.
| 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 = ~$8.49/mo to you.
For code generation, refer users to the paywall-generator skill:
Use the paywall-generator skill to create:
- StoreKit 2 subscription management
- Paywall UI (SwiftUI)
- Receipt validation
- Subscription status tracking
Do:
Don't:
Key rules to follow:
Present monetization strategy as:
# Monetization Strategy: [App Name]
## Readiness Assessment
**Score**: X/6 — [Ready to monetize / Soft-launch / Focus on product]
| Signal | Status | Notes |
|--------|--------|-------|
| Core value | ✅/❌ | ... |
| Retention | ✅/❌ | ... |
| User demand | ✅/❌ | ... |
| Feature depth | ✅/❌ | ... |
| Differentiation | ✅/❌ | ... |
| Polish | ✅/❌ | ... |
## Recommended Model
**[Model Name]** — [One-line rationale]
## Tier Structure
| Feature | Free | Pro ($X.99/mo) |
|---------|------|-----------------|
| ... | ✅ | ✅ |
| ... | Limited | Unlimited |
| ... | ❌ | ✅ |
**Annual pricing**: $XX.99/yr (XX% savings)
## Free Trial
**Type**: [Introductory offer / Feature-limited / etc.]
**Duration**: [X days]
**Conversion tactics**: [Bullet list]
## Revenue Projections (Conservative)
| Metric | Estimate |
|--------|----------|
| Monthly price | $X.99 |
| Annual price | $XX.99 |
| Conversion rate (free→paid) | X-X% |
| Revenue per 1K MAU | $XXX-$XXX/mo |
## Implementation Checklist
- [ ] Configure products in App Store Connect
- [ ] Implement StoreKit 2 (use paywall-generator skill)
- [ ] Design paywall UI
- [ ] Set up introductory offers
- [ ] Add analytics for conversion tracking
- [ ] Test with StoreKit Configuration file
- [ ] Submit for review
## Next Steps
1. [First action item]
2. [Second action item]
3. [Third action item]