Weaponized Pricing Models

Strategic structuring of pricing to manipulate perception, create lock-in, or pressure user behavior.

Introducing a mid-tier option to steer users toward a higher-margin choice by framing it as the better value.

Adding incremental costs or complexity to downgrade, cancel, or switch—encouraging retention through deterrence rather than value.

Segmenting users by geography, device, or behavior to serve differentiated pricing that maximizes revenue per user.

Displaying low base prices while deferring full cost disclosure until checkout, increasing likelihood of commitment before objection.

Offering limited free access with rapid transitions to paid tiers, often triggered by basic use or storage thresholds.