Adding a paywall to an app is made simple with the help of ready-made software. Businesses can use in-app paywall software, for instance, Apphud, a paywall infrastructure service that helps you add a paywall to any app.
Here is how you can add a paywall to an Android app:
- Open the Play Console and head on to Manage > Products. Next, Subscriptions.
- Create a new subscription by entering the required details – name, description, and benefits.
- Enter pricing details.
- Define settings for your in-app paywall.
- Click Save and Activate.
Here is how you can add a paywall to an iOS app:
- Head on to your App Store Connect account and go to the My Apps section.
- Click on the app you want to add an in-app paywall to.
- Select Features > + button.
- Next, add the in-app purchase product.
- Click Create.
- Enter a reference name and product ID.
- Set the price, duration, and other details.
- Click Save.
What Is An In-App Paywall?
An in-app paywall acts as a wall that prohibits users from accessing content for free. The paywall asks users to pay for the content before allowing them to access app services. For instance, if it’s a newspaper reading app, an in-app paywall will not allow you to read the daily news for free once you have crossed a specific article threshold.
An in-apps will restrict the user and require them to get past the paywall by subscribing to the service. This subscription could be a weekly, monthly, or yearly subscription. The user has to pay a certain amount to get further access to the articles/content. Therefore, the business is able to generate income through subscriptions.
How Does an In-App Paywall Work?
An in-app paywall works through a subscription model. Some businesses use hard paywalls, while others use soft ones.
A hard paywall blocks all the app content, and users will have to purchase access. A soft paywall is more relaxed and blocks only specific content. Some content is kept free, while the high-quality content is kept behind a paywall.
Businesses must make sure the content that goes behind the paywall is worth it. So, the exclusive content should be valuable enough for the user to pay.
Once you’ve decided which type of paywall to use, it’s time to set the subscription prices and the types of plans. You also need to add payment methods for the in-app pay wall to work. It should be well encrypted, and users should have the ability to make payments through various modes like e-wallets, debit and credit cards, bank transfers, and internet banking.
Things To Know Before Setting Up Your Paywall
Businesses need to analyze their audience before going forward with an in-app pay wall. In addition, you may witness a fall in in-app usage if your audience is unwilling to enjoy your content with additional payment.
Taking such things into consideration, here are some of the things to know before setting up a paywall.
Know what your audience wants
Knowing what your audience wants can play a huge role in setting an in-app paywall. Are your readers engrossed enough to pay for the content? This also depends on many other factors like the audience’s disposable income and the customer behavior of your audience.
Doing proper research will help you make the right decisions when setting a paywall, like fixing the monthly or weekly subscription price.
Make content worth paying for
You can’t add a paywall to mediocre content and then expect your audience to pay for it. If you try this, they might ditch your service for your competitor.
The traffic may decrease
Be prepared to see a sudden decrease in in-app traffic. Even big brands like Financial Times and others that add a paywall initially saw a decline in traffic. Have patience and wait for your audience to come back. This is possible when the perks that lie on the other side of the paywall are consistent and of high quality.
Paywall Implementation Checklist
Use this table as a quick summary while you work on your paywall.
| Step | What You Need To Decide | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Define Value Proposition | Which premium benefits justify payment and how to express them in one sentence | Your paywall must sell an outcome, not a vague premium label |
| Choose Model | Subscription, one time purchase, hybrid, hard, soft, or metered paywall | Model alignment with value and usage pattern drives long term revenue and satisfaction |
| Design UX | Layout, copy, visuals, required legal text, and platform specific guidelines | Clear, compliant design improves trust and conversion |
| Configure Store Products | Product identifiers, prices, durations, and territories in Apple and Google consoles | Correct configuration prevents failed purchases and support headaches |
| Integrate Billing | Use platform APIs or a third party to handle purchases and subscription status | Reliable billing integration is the backbone of a working paywall |
| Set Entitlement Logic | Rules that decide what content or features a given plan unlocks | Clean entitlement logic avoids edge cases where users pay and still see locked content |
| Plan Trials And Offers | Trial length, intro prices, coupons, upgrade paths | Smart offers reduce first friction and support upsell later |
| Track And Experiment | Metrics, analytics events, and an experiment plan | Data shows what actually works so you can improve over time |
| Support And Refund Flow | How users cancel, get help, and request refunds | A safe, respectful experience keeps your reputation healthy |
Final Thoughts On Adding A Paywall To Your App
A paywall is more than a gate. It is a promise. You are saying if you invest in this app, you will get value worth more than what you pay.
When you understand your users, pick a model that fits your product, design a clear experience, and respect store rules, a paywall becomes a natural part of your app rather than an irritation. Start simple, test often, and keep your focus on long term relationships, not quick wins. That is how you turn a useful app into a sustainable business.
