Explore different types of subscription paywalls from 20 top mobile apps. Learn about paywall design patterns that can help increase your conversion rate.
We’ve studied hundreds of top apps and discovered similarities in the way their paywalls are designed. Here are 20 types of paywall for mobile apps with design patterns that you can test to help improve your conversion rate.
Featured Product Badge
Guide your users towards purchasing a particular SKU with this simple design pattern. Include a small tag or badge on top of or next to the product with text calling out why the user should buy this option.
Videoleap
The Videoleap app includes a small badge showing the savings if you purchase an Annual Subscription.
Videoleap Editor by Lightricks
Wattpad
The Wattpad reading app uses a small ‘Best Value’ badge. Strategic use of their brand color helps to draw the eye towards the Annual Subscription.
Mobile app users love to swipe through images. Capitalize on this by including a simple carousel with images of your subscription experience. You can even mix images and text or app reviews in a carousel.
Zombies, Run!
This running app includes a fun carousel of illustrations.
Zombies, Run!
Citizen
The Citizen app smoothly embeds a carousel of text and images with real examples of features you will unlock.
When thinking of paywall design elements, you don’t need to limit yourself to just static text and images! Video can be incredibly effective at representing the value proposition of your app, especially if your app is in the Photo & Video category.
Teleprompter
This video teleprompter app includes a tiny embedded video thumbnail. This helps demonstrate the Premium experience without being too distracting.
Teleprompter by Bigvu
VSCO
This popular video editing app not only embeds video in their paywall, but embeds it in a carousel to really show off all the features of their app.
Using a Tiered Plan can be very effective when building a dedicated user base. Introduce users to the app with the ‘basic’ tier plan, and then promote the ‘premium’ plan to engaged users.
Paramount+
The Paramount+ streaming app shows side-by-side plan options. Clicking each plan shows pricing and the list of benefits.
Paramount+
The Washington Post
Washington Post’s paywall includes 2 tiers of plan. A simple checklist shows you the difference in the 2 plans.
Product Buttons are often displayed in a vertical list, stacked on top of each other. But a horizontal product list is one of the most popular paywall design patterns because it encourages users to compare offers.
Wondery
This popular Amazon-owned podcast app features 2 product options with extra badges on the annual product to encourage purchasing.
Wondery - Premium Podcast App
Kahoot!
The Kahoot! education app has a simple paywall with 2 horizontal buttons.
Amanda Maricle is the Product Owner at Nami ML. She has an extensive background in app development and most recently product managed the Connect mobile app platform at HomeSpotter.
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