15 Practical Pricing Models (and when to use each)

Choosing a pricing model is a strategic decision — it affects how customers perceive value, how quickly you grow, and whether your business remains profitable. Below are 15 widely used pricing approaches with short, actionable notes so you can pick the one that fits your product and market.

1. Cost-Plus Pricing

Price = cost + fixed markup

Easy to calculate and ensures costs are covered. Best when margins are predictable and competition is less price-driven.

Example: Manufacturer adds a 20% markup on production cost.

2. Value-Based Pricing

Set price on perceived customer value

Charge what the outcome is worth to the buyer rather than just costs. Works well for differentiated products, consulting or enterprise SaaS.

Example: A productivity tool priced based on estimated time saved per user.

3. Competition-Based Pricing

Price relative to market peers

Match or nudge pricing around competitors. Good when buyers compare offers closely and features are similar.

Example: Retailers pricing within ±5% of top competitors.

4. Penetration Pricing

Low introductory price to win share

Use to attract users quickly; raise prices later once you have market traction. Beware of attracting only price-sensitive customers.

Example: New streaming service offers cheap first-year subscriptions.

5. Skimming Pricing

High launch price, reduce over time

Capture premium from early adopters then lower prices to reach broader markets. Common for cutting-edge tech.

Example: New gadget launches at premium, followed by discounts months later.

6. Subscription Pricing

Recurring fees (monthly/annual)

Turns one-time buyers into ongoing revenue. Best for services with continuous value (SaaS, media, memberships).

Example: Project management software billed per user per month.

7. Freemium

Free core + paid advanced features

Drive adoption quickly; monetize a percentage of users with premium upgrades. Requires a clear conversion path.

Example: Free app with paid pro features like exports and team access.

8. Tiered Pricing

Multi-level packages (Basic → Pro → Enterprise)

Offer clear upgrade paths and target multiple buyer personas. Works well when features naturally fit tiers.

Example: Three subscription tiers with limits on users or features.

9. Dynamic Pricing

Adjust prices by demand, time or user

Optimizes revenue in real time (airlines, hotels). Requires data and systems to avoid customer backlash.

Example: Surge pricing during peak demand for ride-hailing.

10. Pay-As-You-Go (Usage-Based)

Customers pay for what they use

Aligns cost with consumption; attractive for variable usage. Good for cloud services, utilities, and metered offerings.

Example: Charging per GB of storage used or per API call.

11. Bundled Pricing

Group products/services at one price

Increase perceived value and raise average order size. Useful when items are complementary.

Example: Software suite with editor + analytics + support at a single price.

12. Hourly / Time-Based

Charge for time worked

Clear and fair for consultancy and services where output varies by effort. Ensure scope and rates are transparent.

Example: Consultant charges an hourly rate for advisory work.

13. Performance-Based Pricing

Pay tied to outcomes/results

Aligns incentives with customer success. Use where results are measurable (sales, conversions, uptime).

Example: Agency paid per lead or per percentage of revenue uplift.

14. Geographic Pricing

Different prices by market/location

Reflects purchasing power, taxes, logistics and competition in each region. Important for global businesses.

Example: Higher software list prices in high-income countries.

15. Psychological Pricing

Prices framed to influence perception

Small adjustments change buyer behaviour (e.g., $9.99 vs $10.00). Use with other models to nudge conversions.

Example: Ending price in .99 to create a perception of value.

How to pick the right model

  • Start with customer value: what outcome do they pay for?
  • Consider your costs & margins: avoid models that consistently lose money.
  • Test & iterate: price experiments, A/B tests and limited pilots reveal what works.
  • Mix models when needed: hybrid approaches (e.g., subscription + usage fees) often win.

Want a quick pricing worksheet tailored to your business? Reply with your product type (SaaS, manufacturing, services) and I’ll suggest a recommended model + sample price tiers.

© Your Company • Updated: 2025