Apps Monetization is an art—one that balances making serious money without making your users rage quit your app forever. (Yes, we’re looking at you, apps that bombard us with 10 ads before we even open the home screen!)
In this guide, we’ll walk through smart, non-intrusive ways to monetize your app, ensuring that your users stay happy, engaged, and willing to pay rather than angrily uninstalling. And of course, we’ll sprinkle in some real-world examples to make this fun! 🇮🇳. Are you ready for this ride, sponsored by adwebcraft.?
Introduction: Why Most App Monetization Strategies Annoy Users
Let’s be real—some apps are so desperate to make money that they completely forget about user experience. You download an apps, and BOOM!
- Ad 1: “Watch this 30-second video to continue!”
- Ad 2: “Upgrade to premium now! Only ₹999 per month!”
- Ad 3: “Before you leave… another ad?”
By the time you’re done dodging these, your mood is already worse than Delhi/Mumbai/Bengaluru traffic at 6 PM.
Why Do Users Hate Traditional Monetization?
Here’s what turns users off when it comes to bad monetization:
- Too many ads (especially un-skippable ones)
- Expensive premium models (₹1000 per month for a to-do list app? Seriously?)
- Forced in-apps purchases (Pay ₹200 to unlock “special features” that should have been free!)
The goal is simple: make money without losing users. Let’s explore how to do it RIGHT.
The Golden Rule: User Experience First, Money Second
Ask yourself this: Would you rather have ₹10 today or ₹1000 over time?
The biggest mistake apps developers make is trying to earn everything instantly. Smart app businesses (like Zomato, Swiggy, and Cred) play the long game.
Here’s how:
Build trust first, then monetize later
- Zomato offered free restaurant listings & reviews first before pushing Zomato Gold and Zomato Pro.
- Swiggy let people enjoy free deliveries before introducing Swiggy One.
Lesson? If users love your apps, they will willingly pay for added benefits.
Let’s now talk about real, working, and user-friendly monetization strategies that don’t scare customers away.
Smart Monetization Strategies That Won’t Drive Users Crazy
There are two types of apps when it comes to monetization:
❌ The Desperate Ones – Show 10 ads per minute & beg for money like a traffic signal kid.
✅ The Smart Ones – Offer value first, then make users WANT to pay.
To be the smart one,
6 Brilliant Strategies To Monetize Your Apps
There are various strategies to monetize and move forward when it come to App earnings. We will dive separately into 6 of these, with accurate and appropriate examples.
Before that, have you ever thought that, what if Apps had feelings and they could talk with us? Also, about the weirdest apps that made themselves viral? Check it out Now, by clicking that link.
Freemium Model – Let Users Taste Before They Pay
Ever tried a free sample at a supermarket?
You take one bite, and next thing you know, you’re buying a ₹500 box of chocolates.
That’s exactly how the Freemium model works. You let users try the apps for free, and then offer premium features for those who want more.
Real-Life Example: YouTube vs YouTube Premium
- Free version: Watch unlimited videos (but with ads).
- Paid version (YouTube Premium, ₹139/month): No ads + Background play + Download option.
This works because users get value first, and then happily upgrade to avoid inconvenience.
How You Can Implement Freemium:
- Keep core features free
- Lock premium features behind a paywall (e.g., advanced analytics, exclusive content, etc.)
- Don’t make free users feel handicapped (nobody likes an apps that forces them to pay)
Subscription-Based Model – The Netflix of Apps
What if you could earn money every month, instead of just once?
This is where subscription models come in. Apps like Netflix, Hotstar, and Spotify charge monthly fees instead of one-time purchases.
Indian Example: JioCinema vs Disney+ Hotstar
- JioCinema: Free, but shows ads before & during movies.
- Disney+ Hotstar: ₹299/month for ad-free content & premium shows.
Now, Jio acquired hotstar and has become JIOSTAR.
Why Subscription Models Work:
- Predictable income (great for business growth)
- Users stay engaged to get continuous value
- You can offer multiple plans (basic, premium, family packs, etc.)
Subscription model is very risky in India, companies don’t succeed very easily and those who does, they have to burn some cash.
Non-Intrusive Ads – Ads That Don’t Scream ‘BUY NOW!’
Nobody likes ads, but we tolerate them when they’re done right.
Bad Ads vs. Good Ads
BAD: Un-skippable video ads every 10 seconds (like those annoying gaming apps)
GOOD: Rewarded ads, banner ads, or smartly placed native ads.
Example: Ludo King & Truecaller
- Ludo King: Offers rewarded ads where you watch a video to earn coins.
- Truecaller: Shows non-intrusive banner ads instead of pop-ups.
How to Implement Non-Intrusive Ads:
- Use rewarded ads (watch an ad to unlock something cool)
- Use native ads that blend naturally into the UI
- Avoid annoying pop-ups that block the entire screen
Referral Programs – Let Users Market for You!
Who doesn’t love free rewards?
Example: Paytm & Google Pay
- Google Pay gives cashback when you refer friends.
- Paytm offers vouchers when a friend signs up through your referral.
How to Make Referrals Work for Your App:
- Give users an incentive to invite friends
- Make the process simple & seamless
- Offer both parties a reward (win-win!)
In-App Purchases – Make It Irresistible, Not Inevitable
If users love your app, they’ll pay for exclusive stuff.
Indian Example: Valorant & BGMI
- Basic game = free
- Skins, costumes, and weapons = paid in-app purchases
Tips for Effective In-App Purchases:
- Keep it optional, not forced
- Offer valuable extras (not basic features)
- Keep pricing reasonable (nobody’s paying ₹500 for a virtual t-shirt)
Real-World Examples of Apps That Monetized Right & Wrong
Apps That Did It Right:
- Netflix (subscription model)
- Spotify (freemium + ads)
- Google Pay (referral-based growth)
Apps That Failed at Monetization:
- Facebook Gaming (too many ads, lost users)
- Clubhouse (delayed monetization, lost hype)
How AdWebCraft Can Help You Monetize Without Annoying Users
Want to monetize your app the right way? At adwebcraft, we help developers:
- Implement user-friendly monetization strategies
- Increase revenue without ruining user experience
- Optimize ad placement & in-app purchases
Contact adwebcraft today and start earning from your app—without annoying your users!
Conclusion – Make Money Without Losing Users!
Monetizing your app doesn’t have to be annoying. Use smart strategies like:
- Freemium & Subscription models
- Non-intrusive ads & In-app purchases
- Referral programs & Partnerships
Happy monetizing!
