Definition
In-App Purchases
In-app purchases (IAPs) allow users to buy digital content, features, or subscriptions within your app. They are the primary revenue driver for most free-to-download apps.
In-app purchases let you monetize your app without charging upfront. Types include consumables (coins, credits), non-consumables (feature unlocks), auto-renewable subscriptions, and non-renewing subscriptions.
Your IAP strategy should be reflected in your metadata — users want to know what they're getting before downloading. Apple requires you to disclose IAP availability on your listing, which can affect conversion rates.
Optimize your listing to pre-qualify monetization-ready users with AppDrift.
Related Terms
Subscription Pricing
Subscription pricing is a monetization model where users pay a recurring fee to access an app's features or content. It's the dominant revenue model for non-gaming apps.
Freemium Model
The freemium model offers a free base app with optional paid upgrades. Users can download and use core features for free, with premium features or content available through in-app purchases.
App Revenue
App revenue is the total income generated by your app through downloads, in-app purchases, subscriptions, and advertising. It's the ultimate measure of your app's commercial success.
Further Reading
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