Monetize Your App: Cross-Platform Checklist for SaaS

Monetizing your app is not just about adding a payment button. It's about building a business that works on iOS, Android, and the web. Each platform has its own rules, best practices, and hidden challenges. If you want to maximize your revenue and avoid costly mistakes, you need a plan. This guide will walk you through every step, with clear advice and real-world tips. Let's get started!

1. Choose Your Monetization Model

Before you write a single line of code, decide how your app will make money. Your choice will shape your product, your marketing, and your user experience.

In-App Purchases & Subscriptions

Do you want to offer one-time purchases, subscriptions, or both? Subscriptions are great for steady income, while one-time purchases can attract users who dislike recurring fees. Many successful apps offer both. For example, a note-taking app might sell a premium feature as a one-time purchase, but also offer a monthly subscription for cloud sync and extra storage. See how to add in-app purchases everywhere.

Freemium vs. Paid

Will your app be free with paid upgrades (freemium), or will users pay up front? Freemium models attract more users, but you need to convince them to upgrade. Paid apps have fewer users, but you earn right away. Think about your audience and competition.

Ad-Supported

Will you use ads to make money? Ads can work, but they may annoy users or violate app store rules. Always check the latest policies. If you use ads, keep them minimal and relevant. Too many ads can drive users away.

Tip: Write down your monetization plan. Share it with your team. Make sure everyone is on the same page before you build.

2. Integrate Payments for Every Platform

Getting paid should be easy for your users—no matter where they are. But each platform has its own payment system. Here's how to cover them all:

Stripe for Web

Stripe is the gold standard for web payments. It's secure, easy to set up, and supports many countries. Make sure your web app can accept payments with Stripe. Test the flow from start to finish. Learn more.

StoreKit for iOS

Apple requires you to use StoreKit for in-app purchases and subscriptions. This means you can't use Stripe or PayPal for digital goods on iOS. Set up StoreKit, test every purchase, and handle errors gracefully. Apple reviews your payment flow before approving your app.

Google Play Billing for Android

Android has its own system: Google Play Billing. Like Apple, Google wants all digital purchases to go through their system. Set up Google Play Billing, test it on real devices, and make sure refunds work as expected.

Unified Purchase Flow

Your users expect a smooth experience. Try to make your purchase flow look and feel the same on every platform. Use similar screens, messages, and receipts. This builds trust and reduces confusion. See why a unified tech stack matters.

Example: A fitness app might use Stripe for web, StoreKit for iOS, and Google Play Billing for Android—but the user sees the same paywall and gets the same receipt every time.

3. Handle App Store Compliance

App stores have strict rules about payments, pricing, and refunds. Breaking these rules can get your app rejected or removed. Here's how to stay safe:

Platform Guidelines

Read Apple's and Google's payment guidelines. Follow them closely. For example, you must use their payment systems for digital goods, and you can't link to outside payment pages. Avoid common pitfalls.

Transparent Pricing

Show your prices clearly. Don't hide fees or use confusing language. Make sure your pricing is legal in every country where you sell.

Refunds & Cancellations

Both Apple and Google require you to support refunds and easy cancellations. Make it simple for users to get their money back if needed. This builds trust and keeps you compliant.

Tip: Review your app store listings and payment screens. Ask a friend to find the price and refund policy. If they can't, make it clearer.

4. Optimize for Conversion

Getting users to pay is an art and a science. Small changes can make a big difference in your revenue.

Onboarding

Your onboarding flow should highlight the value of paid features. Show users what they're missing. Use tooltips, banners, or short videos. The goal is to make users excited to upgrade.

Paywall Design

A good paywall is clear, persuasive, and easy to use. Use simple language. Show the benefits of upgrading. Use social proof, like testimonials or ratings. Make the purchase button big and easy to find.

Trial Periods

Free trials let users try premium features before paying. This can boost conversions, especially for subscriptions. Make sure users know when the trial ends and what they'll pay.

Localized Pricing

Set up pricing for different regions. Users are more likely to buy if prices match their local currency and expectations. Research what similar apps charge in each country.

Example: A language learning app might offer a 7-day free trial, then charge $9.99/month in the US and €8.99/month in Europe.

5. Track Revenue and User Analytics

You can't improve what you don't measure. Track every purchase, refund, and user action. Use this data to grow your business.

Analytics Integration

Add analytics to track purchases, churn, and user behavior. Tools like Umami, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics can help. How to track analytics everywhere.

A/B Testing

Test different prices, paywalls, and features. See what works best. Even small changes can have a big impact.

Cohort Analysis

Analyze how different groups of users behave. For example, do users who start on iOS spend more than those on Android? Use this data to improve your app and marketing.

Tip: Review your analytics every week. Look for trends and surprises. Use what you learn to make better decisions.

6. Support for Local-First and Offline Scenarios

Not all users have a fast, reliable internet connection. Your app should work well offline and sync when back online.

Offline Purchases

Can users make purchases when offline? If not, show a clear message and let them try again later. Why local-first matters.

Sync on Reconnect

When users go back online, sync their purchases and subscriptions. Make sure they get what they paid for, even if the connection was lost.

Example: A music app lets users buy songs offline. When they reconnect, the app syncs the purchase and unlocks the music.

7. Notifications and User Engagement

Keep your users engaged and informed. Good notifications can boost revenue and reduce churn.

Purchase Confirmations

Send instant confirmation and receipts after every purchase. This reassures users and reduces support requests.

Renewal Reminders

Remind users before their subscription renews. This is required by some app stores and builds trust.

Promotional Campaigns

Send targeted offers or discounts to bring users back. Use push notifications, emails, or in-app messages. See how to build a scalable notification system.

Tip: Don't spam your users. Make every notification useful and relevant.

8. Test Across All Platforms

Testing is key to a smooth launch. Bugs in your payment flow can cost you money and users.

Automated Testing

Set up automated tests for your payment flows. Test every scenario: success, failure, refunds, and edge cases. How to test cross-platform apps.

App Store Review

Test for issues that might cause rejection. Each app store has its own rules. Read the guidelines and check your app before submitting. Read the guide.

Example: A subscription app tests what happens if a user cancels, changes plans, or loses internet during checkout.

9. Plan for Growth and Updates

Your app will change over time. Plan for updates and growth from the start.

Over-the-Air Updates

Can you update your app and pricing without resubmitting to app stores? Over-the-air updates save time and let you fix issues fast. How to future-proof your app.

Scalable Infrastructure

Is your backend ready for more users? Use cloud services that can grow with you. Monitor performance and fix bottlenecks early. See the true cost of DIY infrastructure.

Tip: Review your infrastructure every quarter. Make sure it's secure, fast, and ready for more users.

10. Get Inspired by Real-World Success

Learn from others who have done it before. Case studies can show you what works—and what to avoid.

Case Study: ProgressMade.ai

See how ProgressMade.ai monetized across all platforms in record time. They used a unified tech stack, followed best practices, and focused on user experience. Their story proves that with the right plan, you can succeed too.

Conclusion: Launch with Confidence

Monetizing your app is a journey, not a one-time task. Use this checklist as your roadmap. Review each step, take action, and keep learning. The most successful apps are built by teams who plan ahead, test often, and listen to their users.

Want to skip the plumbing and launch faster? Check out the MoneyMouth boilerplate and get a production-ready foundation for payments, notifications, analytics, and more—on every platform.

Start building your app's future today!