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Free trial or discount?

12mo ago

51 replies

When trying a new tool do you prefer to get a free trial or a discount? We’re launching soon so please click “Notify Me” on our launch page! Thinksy💡 performance reviews made easy https://www.producthunt.com/products/thinksy

Free trial

85%

Discount

15%

Replies

Nicolò Marchesi @pethron

Hardly comparable. Free trials should lower the entry barrier and activation, while discounts are usually used to make more profit. Also, I find that discounts work well if they are targeted and the receiver feels "special".

Calli @calli_fuch

Thinksy

@pethron this is the most helpful reply, differentiating between the purpose of both is good to know when to use each strategy. Thank you!

Calli @calli_fuch

Thinksy

@pethron Also why we have a free version for Thinksy💡! Since it a newer app and can be difficult to imagine without trying it. Please follow our launch I’d really appreciate the support :) https://www.producthunt.com/prod...

Nicolò Marchesi @pethron

@calli_fuch I'll try that out, share some love with https://www.producthunt.com/prod... too :)

Mehul Fanawala @mehul_fanawala

Why not both.

Calli @calli_fuch

Thinksy

@mehul_fanawala it can definitely be both, personally I like when a company offers both. But sometimes companies will only offer one or another, so more out of curiosity! We’re offering both for our app, Thinksy💡 I’d appreciate the support! https://www.producthunt.com/prod...

Oshobugie Abdulhameed @oshobugie_abdulhameed

Klookin

Depending on the product type and marketing strategy, you can use the discount for a certain number of people on your waitlist or sales period like (black Friday), while a free trial can be for users to experience the app or product.

ReadPo

Free trials. Sometimes worry about customers choosing us solely for the low price.

Calli @calli_fuch

Thinksy

@blueeon good point, validating the idea also means validating that customers are willing to pay for it!

Calli @calli_fuch

Thinksy

@blueeon thank you! I really hope we can help at least a few people with their performance reviews this month!

ReadPo

@calli_fuch Thinksy looks interesting 👍

Daniel Burns @dan_burns

Both work fine, but I prefer free trial for our software, as the user might be more likely wanting to get the hands-on experience for free for a limited period of time, so they can see whether the tool fits its needs and wants.

Calli @calli_fuch

Thinksy

@dan_burns nothing beats experience imo! What is your software?

Sunil Ayar @sunil_ayar

Free trial is better then discount

angel william @angel_william

i prefer free trial

qiufeng @qiufeng

A free experience lowers the barrier to use for users, especially with a product's killer features, so that they love it and are willing to pay for it. If it's discounted, it may interrupt the user's curiosity.!

Calli @calli_fuch

Thinksy

@qiufeng that’s why I personally like free trials too, since I like to try it out myself first and see if it’s worth any money. If it’s worthwhile then I’ll pay anything for it!

Thomas Jack @jack_thom

I prefer free trial

Ann Fibe @ann_fibe

When trying out a new tool, I prefer to take advantage of a free trial whenever possible. It allows me to fully explore the features and benefits of the tool before committing. However, if a free trial isn't available, I would definitely appreciate a discount to make the initial investment more manageable. Additionally, I always keep an eye out for websites that offer promo codes or discounts such as https://codes.com.ua/ Codes.

Daniel Zaitzow @dzaitzow

Launching soon!

I like an un-gated free trial as a model personally.

Shajedul Karim @shajedulkarim_

NotesNudge

it really depends on the tool and what i’m looking for. both have their upsides: - free trials are great because you get to test the tool in your own environment, with your own tasks. it’s like taking a car for a test drive…you get a real feel for how it fits into your life. no commitment, just exploration. - discounts have their charm too, especially if it’s a tool you already know about and are pretty sure you’ll like. it’s like getting a deal on something you already want – feels like a win. ultimately, it’s about what makes you comfortable as a user. do you want to try before you buy, or are you ready to dive in with a little incentive? both options have their place, depending on the situation.

Shajedul Karim @shajedulkarim_

NotesNudge

@calli_fuch love it, super! keep me posted as you launch

Calli @calli_fuch

Thinksy

@shajedulkarim_ this a very helpful, and I can definitely see why they each have their own strengths and purposes. Maybe with a tool people are generally unfamiliar with a free trial is better?

Calli @calli_fuch

Thinksy

@shajedulkarim_ Also why we have a free version for Thinksy💡! Since it a newer app and can be difficult to imagine without trying it, and we really just need users and feedback. Please follow our launch I’d really appreciate the support :) https://www.producthunt.com/prod...

Shajedul Karim @shajedulkarim_

NotesNudge

@calli_fuch exactly!

Oleg Nikitin @oleg_nikitin

Free Trial. It seems to me that the trial version allows the user to get acquainted with the product by spending money, and the discount that is given immediately devalues the product a bit.

Calli @calli_fuch

Thinksy

@oleg_nikitin I think getting acquainted with the product is the most important factor, at least for our app Thinksy which is new and unfamiliar

Richael Morio @richael_morio

i prefer free trial

Calli @calli_fuch

Thinksy

@richael_morio We have a free version for Thinksy💡! Please follow our launch I’d really appreciate the support :) https://www.producthunt.com/prod...

Hassan Shah @hassan_shah7

free trial is best

Calli @calli_fuch

Thinksy

@hassan_shah7 We have a free version for Thinksy💡! Please follow our launch :) https://www.producthunt.com/prod...

Ashley @ashley_z

Why can't we have both!? 😭

Calli @calli_fuch

Thinksy

@ashley_z we can! I really appreciate when a company offers both, just curious what people prefer if they could only have one!

Ashley @ashley_z

@calli_fuch that's the right way!

Kirill Grebenjukov @kgrebenjukov

As customer I'd love free trial and after it expired discount)

Calli @calli_fuch

Thinksy

@kgrebenjukov I love when there’s a discount after the free trial too, it feels like a way of saying thank you!

Calli @calli_fuch

Thinksy

@kgrebenjukov Also that’s exactly what we’re offering for our app, Thinksy 💡 We’re launching soon and don’t have many signed up so I’d appreciate the support :) https://www.producthunt.com/prod...

Kirill Grebenjukov @kgrebenjukov

@calli_fuch I'll be there!

Calli @calli_fuch

Thinksy

@kgrebenjukov thank you so much 😭

talentpaw @talentpaw

I generally feel that the experience of free products is not good. If there is a discount, there should be different discounts for new and old customers. For example, the discount should be greater for old customers.

Billy Hoang @billy_mofilo

My plan is to do both. As Alex Hormozi says, 'Make an offer so good that people feel stupid saying no.'

Calli @calli_fuch

Thinksy

@billy_mofilo also same! we’re offering both for our app, Thinksy💡 :) We’re launching soon and don’t have many signed up so I’d appreciate the support! https://www.producthunt.com/prod...

Isaac Martin Otim @izakotim

Mentionitis: No more (unnecessary) tabs

@billy_mofilo how would you offer both? would you give your potential customers a choice during checkout or A/B test it?

Billy Hoang @billy_mofilo

@izakotim I would not give them a choice. The better the offer the better results you will get. But again, it’s one of the few factors of gaining a potential customer.

Calli @calli_fuch

Thinksy

@billy_mofilo that’s a great way to put it!

Rohan Singhvi @rohan_singhvi1

Would recommend this particular book first section for answering this question based on your product and your PLG-based strategy that aligns with you https://www.amazon.in/Product-Le...