Boost Your Fitness App Revenue 25% with Stripe Payments

Build your fitness app to scale your business and grow revenue!

Just give up 30% of your revenue to make it happen! …. ⁉️🫨

This is the unfortunate reality of launching any app via Google or Apple app stores.

Apple and Google can provide a good channel for revenue. If you’re getting new clients through these platforms, the 30% fee definitely makes sense.

But if you have an existing audience, then why give up 30% for them to purchase your product?

If you’re a fitness coach looking to build a digital product, Stripe emerges as a standout choice, taking approx. 2-4% in fees in comparison! (you can breathe now 😮‍💨). You can still use Google and Apple Pay, but direct your existing audience through Stripe to reduce the fees.

What is Stripe?

Stripe is a leading online payment processing platform that enables businesses to accept payments securely and efficiently. With its user-friendly interface and robust features, Stripe empowers fitness entrepreneurs to streamline their payment processes and drive growth.

What are the benefits of Stripe for Fitness Apps?

💰 Cost Optimization:

Stripe provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional app store payments, where hefty fees can eat into revenue. By directing users to subscribe via the web app using Stripe, fitness apps can bypass the 30% commission charged by platforms like Apple and Google for the first year, and 15% thereafter. In comparison, Stripe’s fees are between 3-6%, which translates to significant savings, allowing fitness entrepreneurs to reinvest funds into other areas of their business.

💳 Flexibility in Billing Models:

Fitness apps often have unique billing cycles and pricing tiers (such as an 8 week challenge) that may not align with the rigid structures enforced by app stores. For example, the Apple Store supports subscriptions that are billed monthly, or every 3, 6 or 12 months, which would not suit an 8 week challenge and billing model. Moreover, Apple restricts the subscription pricing into tiers, so if you want to charge $4.76 per month, this price is not supported by Apple. With Stripe, developers have the flexibility to implement custom billing models tailored to their specific business needs. Whether it’s accommodating different subscription durations, offering tiered pricing, or managing complex intake processes, Stripe’s API offers more flexibility.

In saying this, if you are launching your app in the Apple and Google Stores, then payment is mandatory through their platforms and it is easiest to pick a generic billing cycle. However, custom subscription models created in Stripe can be handled through the app stores with some customization.

💸 Refund & User Management:

Stripe’s intuitive dashboard and robust features streamline payment management, making it easy for fitness entrepreneurs to view customer data and handle refunds, generate discount codes, and monitor transactions. Unlike traditional app store payments, where refunds must be managed through the platform, Stripe puts control back in the hands of the fitness app owner, simplifying administrative tasks and reducing overhead costs.

🔗 Enhanced User Experience:

By leveraging Stripe’s self-hosted checkout pages, fitness apps can provide users with a frictionless payment experience. The ability to generate links and seamlessly redirect users to Stripe’s secure payment platform ensures a seamless checkout process, boosting conversion rates and reducing cart abandonment. Additionally, Stripe’s support for recurring payments and subscription management empowers users to effortlessly manage their subscriptions, fostering long-term engagement and loyalty.

🧑‍💻 Development efficiency:

Due to Stripe’s robust infrastructure and excellent APIs, development around the Stripe platform is efficient and cost effective, especially for simple subscription models which can be delivered in a matter of days. For more complex subscription models, these can still be handled due to Stripe’s product capabilities within a reasonable timeframe. For example, Stripe provides a self hosted checkout page, which means Devika does not have to develop this into a custom application for a client.

For fitness apps with complex subscription models or custom intake processes, Stripe offers a scalable solution that minimizes development efforts and operational complexities. Developers can focus on building innovative features and delivering value to users, confident that Stripe’s robust infrastructure can support their evolving business needs.

What are the key takeaways for using Stripe payments?

1. Where possible, try to simplify your subscription model to standardized pricing and intervals across platforms, if you’re looking for the fastest and most cost effective delivery
2. Leveraging Stripe has a significantly lower commission (3-5%), in comparison to Apple and Google Platforms (30% in year 1)
3. If you have a custom business model that requires a customized subscription model, Stripe offers the best ability to customize
4. Stripe offers great out of the box tools, which can save you additional development costs, and enables you to do more with less.

For more information on how Devika can assist, contact us via devika.com/industry/fitness-and-nutrition