In-App Purchases and Subscriptions Explained
If you plan to sell digital goods, premium features or content inside your app, you will almost certainly use the platforms' in-app purchase systems. These handle payment, but they also take a commission and impose specific rules.
Understanding the models and their economics early helps you build a pricing strategy that actually works.
Why the Model Matters
Choosing how you charge inside an app is as much a business decision as a technical one. A one-off unlock, a consumable top-up and a recurring subscription each shape revenue, retention and user expectations very differently. We help you pick the model that matches how people actually use your product, then build it so the purchase journey is clear, trustworthy and compliant with each store's rules.
The Main Purchase Types
- Consumable: used up and bought again, such as in-game credits.
- Non-consumable: a one-off unlock you keep forever.
- Subscriptions: recurring access, billed monthly or annually.
The Commission Reality
Apple and Google take a percentage of digital sales made through their systems. For most digital goods you must use their billing rather than your own. We factor this into pricing so your margins stay healthy.
| Model | Best for | Billed |
|---|---|---|
| Consumable | Credits, coins, one-time boosts | Each purchase |
| Non-consumable | Feature unlocks, ad removal | Once |
| Subscription | Ongoing content or service | Recurring |
If you need a hand with any of this, your Progressive Robot delivery team is ready to help. Raise a ticket from the Support area of your client portal or speak to your account manager and we will guide you through the next steps.