App Store Awards 2023: Top 15 finalists and their paywall strategies

This year, the 2023 App Store Awards have unveiled their finalists, showcasing a diverse array of applications that have set new benchmarks in design, functionality, and overall user engagement across 10 categories.

But beyond the glitz of the awards lies the real engine driving these applications’ success: their monetization strategies. So, in this post, we have compiled the paywalls of 15 standout finalists from this year’s awards, showcasing them at full length with their Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) figures to offer a comprehensive view of how these top-tier apps are not just winning awards but also winning in the marketplace.

Take a look at the behind-the-scenes of what makes these apps the champions of the App Store in 2023.

iPhone App of the Year finalists

AllTrails: Hike, Bike & Run

MRR > $2 000 000

Duolingo – Language Lessons

MRR > $20 000 000

Flighty – Live Flight Tracker

MRR > $50 000

Get more monetization insights

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iPad App of the Year finalists

Concepts

MRR > $100 000

Prêt-à-Makeup

MRR > $10 000

Apple Watch App of the Year finalists

Planny • Daily Planner

MRR < $5 000

SmartGym: Gym & Home Workouts

MRR > $20 000

Tide Guide: Charts & Tables

MRR > $5 000

Apple TV App of the Year finalists

FitOn Workouts & Fitness Plans

MRR > $50 000

MUBI: Stream Great Cinema

MRR > $200 000

Cultural Impact finalists

balance — Menopause Support

MRR > $5 000

Copilot: Track & Budget Money

MRR > $20 000

Pok Pok | Montessori Preschool

MRR > $100 000

Proloquo 

MRR > $5 000

Rebel Girls

MRR < $5 000

Find more expert paywall analysis

Having explored the innovative paywalls of these App Store award finalists, it’s clear that the art of effectively monetizing apps is constantly evolving. The insights we’ve shared here are just the tip of the iceberg.

Interested in more than just a glimpse into the world of app monetization? Our Paywall Newsletter is your monthly gateway to the latest trends and expert strategies for in-app revenue generation. Subscribe now for exclusive, in-depth analyses delivered straight to your inbox.