Top 12 Mobile App Paywall Examples in 2024: Key Strategies for Boosting In-App Revenue

Let’s cut through the noise to help you make smart, effective decisions in monetizing your app. Each paywall type offers unique advantages and strategies, crucial for maximizing your app’s revenue potential.
Henning Heinrich
January 15, 2024
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1. Standard Non-Scrollable Paywall

What it is: A single screen showcasing your app’s value proposition, key features, pricing and a call to action.

Advice: Ensure all critical information is immediately visible. Use a compelling headline, clear benefits and a strong call to action. Consider space limitations and prioritize content that will drive conversions.

Examples:

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/classdojo-by-classdojo-mobile-paywall-31fd

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/facey-mobile-paywall-ba0a

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/wallcraft-mobile-paywall-9e1b

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/baby-story-mobile-paywall-9dee

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/police-scanner-fire-radio-news-by-timrus-apps-oy-mobile-paywall-d34e

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/stocks-signal-by-sagamill-pte-mobile-paywall-5006

2. Landing Page Paywall

What it is: A long-form, scrollable paywall that acts like a landing page, providing more space to detail your app’s value.

Advice: Use this extra space wisely. Incorporate social proof, detailed feature explanations and compare plans. Keep the design clean and focused to guide users through the information without overwhelming them.

Examples:

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/waking-up-mobile-paywall-ae96

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/fishbrain-mobile-paywall-52dd

3. Modal Paywall

What it is: A popup that appears at strategic times, prompting users to subscribe or continue using the app.

Advice: Since space is limited, make your message concise and compelling. Use visuals and bullet points to quickly convey value. Timing is crucial; trigger the modal at moments when users are most engaged.

Examples: 

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/tiktok-by-tiktok-ltd-mobile-paywall-2c12

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/facebook-by-meta-platforms-mobile-paywall-21da

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/meitu-by-xiamen-meitu-technology-co-mobile-paywall-0202

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/the-guardian-mobile-paywall-a6a8

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/ladder-mobile-paywall-2843

4. Trial Paywall

What it is: Offers users a taste of premium features for free for a limited time.

Advice: Clearly communicate the trial’s duration and what happens afterward. Make the sign-up process easy and remind users before their trial ends to avoid surprises and encourage conversion.

Examples: 

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/amazon-music-mobile-paywall-c283

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/lose-it-mobile-paywall-0086

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/lingokids-mobile-paywall-aeaf

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/smule-mobile-paywall-89ea

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/sleep-cycle-mobile-paywall-7033

5. Trial Toggle Paywall

What it is: Similar to a trial paywall but with a toggle allowing users to opt-in or out of reminders before the trial ends.

Advice: Transparency is key. Users appreciate control over their experience, so provide clear, easy-to-understand options and consider offering different trial lengths to cater to varied user preferences.

Examples:

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/prequel-mobile-paywall-b157

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/themify-mobile-paywall-033f

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/ten-percent-happier-meditation-by-10-mobile-paywall-9ecf

6. Single Plan Paywall

What it is: A straightforward paywall offering one pricing plan.

Advice: Simplify the decision-making process. Highlight the value and benefits users will gain from this single plan, and why it’s the best choice for them.

Examples:

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/washington-post-by-the-washington-post-mobile-paywall-7cd7

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/picolo-mobile-paywall-6da8

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/lastpass-password-manager-by-logmein-mobile-paywall-b2da

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/at-t-mobile-security-by-at-t-services-mobile-paywall-a079

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/pray-com-mobile-paywall-888c

7. Multiplan Paywall

What it is: Offers several pricing tiers with different features and benefits.

Advice: Clearly differentiate between plans. Help users understand which is best for them based on their needs. Use visuals and charts for easy comparison.

Examples:

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/iqiyi-drama-mobile-paywall-7e03

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/google-drive-by-google-llc-mobile-paywall-a629

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/match-mobile-paywall-47d8

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/starz-by-starz-entertainment-mobile-paywall-2d72

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/grindr-mobile-paywall-e680

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/mcafee-security-mobile-paywall-8675

8. Offer Paywall

What it is: Presents special deals or limited-time offers to incentivize immediate action.

Advice: Create a sense of urgency with time-sensitive deals. Ensure the offer is attractive and clearly communicates the value and savings users will gain.

Examples:

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/simple-mobile-paywall-2987

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/aesthetic-kit-by-hbv-trading-sarl-mobile-paywall-d2eb

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/screenkit-mobile-paywall-079e

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/smartist-mobile-paywall-812a

9. Personalized Paywall

What it is: A dynamic paywall that adjusts its message and offers based on user behavior and data.

Advice: Use data analytics to understand user preferences and tailor the paywall accordingly. Personalized experiences can significantly increase conversion rates.

Examples: 

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/fabulous-daily-routine-planner-by-fabulous-mobile-paywall-9d63

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/home-fitness-for-weight-loss-by-montibus-ltd-mobile-paywall-173a

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/sketchar-mobile-paywall-fa06

10. Time-Limited Paywall: 

What it is: Grants full access for a specific period before reverting to a standard or modal paywall.

Advice: Clearly communicate when the access will end and what users can expect afterward. Use the time limit to create urgency and encourage early adoption.

Examples:

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/tipranks-stock-market-analysis-by-tipranks-ltd-mobile-paywall-5fe0

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/learn-33-languages-with-mondly-by-ati-studios-mobile-paywall-ae71

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/younow-mobile-paywall-47f7

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/brilliant-mobile-paywall-b493

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/gravity-fit-mobile-paywall-fff6

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/keto-cycle-mobile-paywall-9885

11. Content-Specific Paywall: 

What it is: Unlocks particular sections or types of content rather than the whole app.

Advice: Be clear about what’s included and excluded. This approach works well when users are only interested in specific content, so make those sections highly valuable.

Examples:

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/listen-to-the-audiobooks-by-litres-ooo-mobile-paywall-de31

12. Dynamic Pricing Paywall:

What it is: Adjusts pricing based on region, usage or other factors.

Advice: Transparency is crucial. Explain why prices may vary and ensure users feel they’re getting fair value.

Examples:

https://www.paywallscreens.com/apps/google-one-by-google-llc-mobile-paywall-d6c1

When designing your paywall, always keep the user experience in mind. Test different types and messages to see what resonates best with your audience. Remember, the goal is not just to convert users but to provide them with value that makes the subscription worthwhile.

At Glassfy we help developers, revenue managers and app owners with a completely FREE in-app revenue infrastructure. This includes amazing features like customizable paywalls, optimally timed to enhance user experience. Leveraging widely recognized technologies such as HTML, JavaScript (JS), and CSS, we offer a robust solution for creating and deploying paywalls with ease.

We provide a JavaScript file that integrates seamlessly into your paywall. This file streamlines the management of key paywall components, including the customization of button labels linked to SKUs, the setting of standard messages and the control of view management. Our user-friendly approach means that if you have a basic understanding of HTML and JS, you can construct a paywall in just a few minutes.

For Glassfy, this capability is a critical part of our mission: to provide a seamless, native end-to-end monetization platform for apps.


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