Glossary

Freemium Pricing Strategy

Definition

The freemium pricing strategy offers a free basic version of your product to attract users, with the option to upgrade to a paid plan for access to premium features. It’s a common model for SaaS and digital products focused on rapid user growth.

Why it matters for startups
Freemium helps you lower the barrier to entry and build a large user base quickly. But acquiring users is just the start—converting them to paying customers is where the real challenge (and revenue) lies. For investors, a strong freemium model signals scalability and potential for recurring revenue.

When to use it

  • Your product has a clear distinction between basic and premium value
  • You want to grow fast and reduce friction to try your product
  • You have strong onboarding and retention strategies in place

What’s a good freemium-to-paid conversion rate?

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It varies, but 2–5% is typical. What matters more is the lifetime value of your paying users.

How do I decide what to include in the free vs. paid plan?

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Keep the free tier useful but limited. Premium features should unlock real value that power users can’t do without.

Can freemium work for all startups?

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No. It works best for digital products with low marginal costs, like SaaS or tools with viral potential.

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