When you buy something from inside an app on a smartphone or tablet, this is called "in-app purchasing." Developers can give away their apps for free if they have "in-app purchases." When someone downloads the free version, the developer tells them about upgrades to the paid version, paid features that can be unlocked, unique items for sale, or even ads for other apps and services. So, even though the main app is free, the developer can still make money. Developers can give away their apps for free if they have "in-app purchases." In-app purchases make 20 times more money as premium apps and makeup about 48% of all money made by mobile apps.

Learning In-App Purchasing

With in-app purchases, the owner of an app can upsell its users from within the app rather than through other marketing channels. For example, a game app might let the user pay to skip a challenging level, or the owner might let people see premium content that is behind a paywall. The app's creator hopes these small purchases and advertising will bring in enough money to cover the costs of making and running the app. Some app developers use special tools and resources to build features that let users buy things inside their apps. Some resources only work on a specific brand or model of smartphone, and third-party services help app developers make in-app purchases.

Other kinds of in-app purchases use different types of money. Some digital currencies might be much simpler to develop than real cash payments that might necessitate built-in retail credit card acceptance. Different kinds of digital currencies can also make it easier for people to buy things. But at some point, any of these in-app purchase systems will need to transfer money, and both the real transactions and the in-app fiat transactions will need to be safe.

Advantages of In-App Purchase

Why having in-app purchases in your mobile app is a good idea. Let's face it: It's not easy to make apps. You have to spend a lot of time hunched over-complicated, long-winded code, travel back and forth to show your idea to potential sponsors and then use timed updates to keep the app working after it's released.

Get Access to the Freemium Version

In the past few years, the freemium model has become a smart way to make money from apps. In this model, users can try out the app for free with its basic features, but they have to pay to access more premium and special features or to upgrade to a better, "pro" version.

Greater Exposure

As more and more people download your app and write reviews for it, the app store starts to favor it. There are more chances that people will see your app on lists. Users will be more likely to download and try your app if they have more reasons.

More Loyalty to the Brand

Almost every app store has a lot of apps from every category. It's essential to keep your users and stop them from switching to something else.

In-App Purchase Criticism

Since in-app purchases are made on mobile devices, they can be a security risk if made without permission. This is especially true if the username and password for the app aren't powerful or if the app stores credit card information in a way that isn't safe. Many apps will send you an email receipt after you buy something. This can stop a scammer from making a purchase. There are no big-picture rules for in-app purchases, but the government is keeping a close eye on them. One of the main reasons for this is that many kids have smartphones. Many of these apps that try to make money involve kids making in-app purchases that their parents don't want or may not notice in time to stop.

Special Considerations

App stores like Google Play and iTunes let users download apps with in-app purchases, but they usually tell users when an app has this feature. Some stores will give you your money back if you ask for it right away after making a purchase. Most app stores cut the money made from sales inside apps. The "freemium" business model, which is used to make money from mobile apps or content, includes in-app purchases. When someone buys something through an app, they don't have to go to a different website to finish the transaction. It's against the rules of most app stores to try to make a sale by sending people to a website outside of the store. This is because it keeps them from getting a commission.