Authors :
Guruansh Singh; Swayam Mahajan; Pancham Khullar
Volume/Issue :
Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 9 - September
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/2dwstxzc
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/bdz3bz89
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25sep1277
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Note : Google Scholar may take 30 to 40 days to display the article.
Abstract :
In this research study, we examined the responses from 212 participants to identify the most effective pricing
method to be adopted in order to maximize revenue and minimize churn rate in SaaS companies. The data were collected
through a structured questionnaire aimed at understanding user behavior, preferences, and satisfaction levels across various
pricing models, including flat-rate subscriptions, pay-per-use, freemium models, and tiered plans. The analysis revealed that
user preferences are strongly influenced by pricing flexibility, perceived fairness, and feature accessibility. Among the models
assessed, tiered pricing emerged as the most preferred, offering users the ability to align costs with their content needs and
budget. While a significant portion of respondents demonstrated sensitivity to price increases, most were willing to continue
their subscriptions when the service provided consistent value and transparency. This study underscores the importance of
aligning pricing strategies with consumer expectations to support long-term profitability and customer retention. The
findings offer practical insights for digital platforms, such as OTT providers (SaaS companies) and subscription-based
services, seeking to design or refine pricing frameworks that balance business objectives with user satisfaction.
Keywords :
Pricing Models, Tiered Pricing, Digital Services, Subscription Economy, Revenue Optimization, Customer Retention, Churn Rate.
References :
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- Simon-Kucher & Partners. (2023). Mastering tiered pricing: Strategy for revenue maximization. https://www.simon-kucher.com/en/insights/mastering-tiered-pricing-strategy-revenue-maximization
- Zuora. (2024). Maximizing revenue through tiered pricing. https://www.zuora.com/guides/maximizing-revenue-through-tiered-pricing/
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- Binary Stream. (2024). The definitive guide to tiered pricing (with examples). https://binarystream.com/the-definitive-guide-to-tiered-pricing-with-examples/
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- Saltan, Andrey & Smolander, Kari. (2021). How SaaS Companies Price Their Products: Insights from an Industry Study. 10.1007/978-3-030-67292-8_1.
- Siapno, Isabella & Sandig, Danielle & Tagupa, Decie Mae & Tan, Sean Stuart & Tumalon, Sophia Ronnabel & Fuentes, Jimbo. (2024). "The Impact of Pricing and Customer Engagement in Online Subscription-Based Business on Customer Retention". 10.13140/RG.2.2.19086.37444.
- Binadox. (2024). Tiered pricing explained: Examples and strategies for optimal revenue. https://www.binadox.com/blog/tiered-pricing-explained-examples-and-strategies-for-optimal-revenue/
- Maxio. (2024). SaaS tiered billing & three-tier pricing strategy guide. https://www.maxio.com/blog/tiered-pricing-examples-for-saas-businesses
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- Stripe. (2025). Tiered pricing 101: A guide for a strategic approach. https://stripe.com/in/resources/more/tiered-pricing-101-a-guide-for-a-strategic-approach
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- Khare, Pranav & Arora, Sahil. (2024). Pre`dicting Customer Churn in SaaS Products using Machine Learning. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380720098_Predicting_Customer_Churn_in_SaaS_Products_using_Machine_Learning
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In this research study, we examined the responses from 212 participants to identify the most effective pricing
method to be adopted in order to maximize revenue and minimize churn rate in SaaS companies. The data were collected
through a structured questionnaire aimed at understanding user behavior, preferences, and satisfaction levels across various
pricing models, including flat-rate subscriptions, pay-per-use, freemium models, and tiered plans. The analysis revealed that
user preferences are strongly influenced by pricing flexibility, perceived fairness, and feature accessibility. Among the models
assessed, tiered pricing emerged as the most preferred, offering users the ability to align costs with their content needs and
budget. While a significant portion of respondents demonstrated sensitivity to price increases, most were willing to continue
their subscriptions when the service provided consistent value and transparency. This study underscores the importance of
aligning pricing strategies with consumer expectations to support long-term profitability and customer retention. The
findings offer practical insights for digital platforms, such as OTT providers (SaaS companies) and subscription-based
services, seeking to design or refine pricing frameworks that balance business objectives with user satisfaction.
Keywords :
Pricing Models, Tiered Pricing, Digital Services, Subscription Economy, Revenue Optimization, Customer Retention, Churn Rate.