When I launched my product this week, I made a decision that turned heads—and not in a good way.

A $5 lifetime license for an app that could easily charge a monthly subscription? People called it reckless, unsustainable, and flat-out stupid. But here’s the thing: it worked.

Within days, I hit my 50-user cap. My inbox overflowed with feedback, and word-of-mouth spread like wildfire. That $5 price point wasn’t just a deal—it was the start of something bigger.

Now, as I’ve raised the price to $12 lifetime for the next 50 users, I want to break down why this bold strategy paid off, what I learned from the skeptics, and how it’s shaping the future of my app.

1. Speed Over Perfection

I had zero email lists, no following, and an app hot off the dev press. The $5 offer wasn’t just about affordability; it was about momentum. For the price of a coffee, I got 50 users in days. And these weren’t just any users—they were engaged, vocal, and passionate about improving the product.

2. Instant Community

People who bought in at $5 became more than customers—they became fans. They shared feedback, reported bugs, and even became unofficial ambassadors. They had skin in the game, and it showed. Every feature improvement since launch has been shaped by them.

3. Word-of-Mouth Marketing FTW

When you charge $5, people talk. “Wait, you’re selling this for how much?!” Reddit, Twitter, even DMs—I watched as my users did my marketing for me. The low price created a sense of exclusivity, like they were getting in on the ground floor of something big.

If you’re curious, the app is called Fyenance—a personal finance manager built to be simple, affordable, and effective. 🧘💰

The Next Chapter: Closing the Value Gap for Next 50

After much (much much much) feedback, I capped the $5 lifetime licenses at 50 users. For the next wave of adopters, the price is $12 lifetime, still an absurd deal if you ask me.

The decision to raise the price reflects the app’s growing value and the incredible feedback from the first 50 users. This price is locked in for the next 50 users, after which it will increase again as the app continues to evolve.

If you’ve been on the fence, now’s the time to jump in and get involved! 🫡

But What About the Haters?

Oh, they came out swinging.

“You’re devaluing your app.” Maybe. But here’s the thing: the value of software isn’t just the price tag—it’s the user base, the feedback loop, and the brand trust you build. And $5 achieved all of that, fast.
“It’s unsustainable!” Sure, $5 isn’t a long-term revenue plan. But it was never meant to be. It was an onboarding strategy. Now that I’ve hit my 50-user cap, I can adjust pricing with confidence, knowing the app has been battle-tested.
“Only freeloaders will buy!” Wrong. My $5 users are some of the most engaged and helpful customers I’ve ever had. They care deeply about the app’s success, and their feedback has been invaluable.

Why It Worked

Selling at $5 worked because it created a story—a reason for people to click, share, and buy. It wasn’t just a deal; it was a conversation starter. And the numbers back it up:

50 licenses sold in less than a week at $5
90% of users provided feedback
3 feature ideas directly from early adopters now in development

What’s Next

Now that the $5 era is over, $12 is available for the next 50 users. It’s still a steal, and this pricing may be a rare find as the app grows. I’m also considering an upsell premium subscription for power users in the future and planning exciting updates to keep the community engaged.

For fellow SaaS founders, here’s the takeaway: Don’t be afraid to experiment. Pricing isn’t permanent. Sometimes you have to zig when the market zags.

If you’re on the fence about bold pricing strategies, let me know your thoughts. Would love to hear what’s worked (or not worked) for you.