This week we peeked into paywalls from plant care apps. And honestly, it’s not too different from actual plant parenting: a little sunlight (trust), a bit of water (value), and sometimes moving the pot around (pricing tests) can make all the difference.
To help us break it all down, we invited Ngozi Ogbonna. She has spent years growing subscription products (and a few real plants along the way). So their take on what makes a paywall thrive is rooted in both data and real-life growth stories.
PictureThis – Plant Identifier
Last month revenue: $8M | Last month downloads: 900K
What’s blooming
- The trial reminder option reassures users the trial is truly “risk-free.”
- High average ratings and a large number of reviews add strong social proof and build trust.
- If the main goal is to drive more trial starts, the free trial option is well-designed and positioned to encourage conversions..
What’s worth testing
- Try clearer copy that highlights key features to better show the app’s value.
- The monthly plan currently looks cheaper than yearly. Testing other lengths might guide more users toward yearly.
- Adding visuals — like a healthy plant or an image of the product diagnosing a plant photo — could reinforce the value proposition.
→ We covered other smart ways apps use trial reminders in Paywall Newsletter #22: Calorie Counter Apps.
Plant App: Plant Identifier
Last month revenue: $200K | Last month downloads: 30K
What’s working well
- The before/after plant animation shows the benefit clearly.
- The lifetime plan is featured as the hero and highlights strong value.
- The trial reminder option helps build trust.
What’s worth testing
- Try alternative copy: “Try for free” appears twice and could be replaced with product features.
- Compare LTV of lifetime vs weekly users to see if the pricing mix is right. Testing different trial lengths (weekly, monthly, yearly) might reveal more value.
- Offering the discounted lifetime plan as a limited promo for lapsed or undecided users could be worth exploring.
Plantify: AI Plant Identifier
Last month revenue: $80K | Last month downloads: 8K
What’s working well
- Visuals + listed benefits make the value clear.
- The free trial is highlighted and easy to spot.
- The yearly plan is marked as best offer with weekly breakdowns shown.
- “No payment now” badge reassures users starting a trial.
What’s worth testing
- Make the yearly plan the true hero, with a stronger “best offer” badge.
- Try offering the free trial on yearly, while making weekly secondary.
- If onboarding gathers user interests, test tailoring paywall copy and benefits to match for a more personalized pitch.
Planto: Plant Identifier
Last month revenue: $100K | Last month downloads: 40K
What’s working well
- Benefits are outlined clearly in bold text, so users know exactly what they get.
- The trial reminder toggle reassures users who might be hesitant.
What’s worth testing
- Add social proof (ratings, reviews, or user quotes) to support the “Recommended by our users” claim.
- Try new design versions: stronger CTAs, cleaner layout, and more visible plan buttons.
- Explore extra pricing options (monthly, yearly) to give users more choice and potentially lift revenue.
Takeaway
Plant care apps remind us: growth = trust + the right container. Trial reminders lower the barrier, while thoughtful packaging helps users choose confidently. A few tweaks in design and copy could make these paywalls blossom even more. 🌸
And hey — even if you don’t have a green thumb, remember: testing is the real fertilizer.
