Offerwall

Hybrid monetization is a revenue strategy that combines two or more monetization models within a single app — typically a mix of subscriptions, in-app purchases, and advertising. Rather than relying on a single revenue stream, hybrid monetization allows apps to capture value from different user segments based on their willingness and ability to pay. For example, a freemium app might generate subscription revenue from its most engaged users, display ads to free users who are unlikely to convert, and offer one-time in-app purchases for specific features or content. The rise of hybrid monetization reflects the reality that most apps have diverse user bases with varied preferences. A user who won't pay $9.99/month for a subscription might still watch a rewarded video ad to unlock premium features for a session. Implementing hybrid monetization requires careful balancing — too many ads can degrade the user experience and reduce subscription conversion, while overly aggressive paywalls might drive away users who would have generated meaningful ad revenue. The most successful hybrid models segment users dynamically and adjust the monetization approach shown to each user based on behavioral signals and predicted lifetime value.

In-app subscriptions are a payment model in which users are charged on a recurring basis in exchange for access to premium content, exclusive features, or services. They are frequently used by developers as a way to monetize their apps by providing users with ad-free experiences or exclusive content.

ARPU stands for Average Revenue per User, and it refers to the average amount of revenue an app generates from each active user. App growth teams that develop subscription or revenue-driven apps often include ARPU as a key performance indicator to measure their financial success. By calculating ARPU, you can determine the average amount of money you earn from each user. While ARPU takes into account the revenue earned from both paying and non-paying users, there is another similar metric used specifically for subscription-based apps. This metric is known as ARPPU (Average Revenue per Paying User), which only considers the revenue generated by users who have made a payment.

Cross-selling in the mobile app context refers to the practice of promoting complementary products, features, or subscription tiers to an existing user who has already made a purchase or is subscribed to a plan. Unlike upselling, which encourages upgrading to a higher-priced version of the same product, cross-selling introduces adjacent offerings that add value alongside what the user already has. For example, a fitness app might cross-sell a meal planning add-on to a user subscribed to a workout program, or a language learning app might promote a business vocabulary module to a user enrolled in conversational courses. Cross-selling is particularly effective on web-based checkout pages and post-purchase confirmation screens, where users are already in a buying mindset. When implemented well, cross-selling increases average revenue per user (ARPU) without requiring new user acquisition, making it one of the most efficient revenue growth levers for subscription apps. The key is relevance — the offered product must feel like a natural extension of what the user already values, rather than an unrelated pitch.

Mobile app conversion rate (CR or CVR) is the percentage of users who achieve a specific goal within the app, such as making a purchase, creating an account, subscribing to a service, or completing a survey. Conversion rates are an important metric for mobile app developers and marketers as they indicate the effectiveness of the app in driving user engagement and achieving business goals. A higher conversion rate typically means that the app is successfully guiding users towards the desired action, while a lower conversion rate may indicate that there are issues with the user experience or the app's marketing strategy.