31 Business Models and Savings đź’°
31 Business Models for Software and Apps and Savings.
Based on the main formats used by startups and digital companies around the world, we gathered 31 monetization models and some savings adapted specifically for digital products — all tested, scalable and applicable to different types of operations: B2B, B2C, SaaS, fintechs, service platforms or marketplaces. Below, learn about the 31 possibilities + 11 savings that you can apply — separately or combined — to turn technology into business.
Business Models for Software and Applications (Apps)
1. Freemium
Free app with basic features and monetization through upgrades to premium versions, such as advanced access, reports or integrations.
2. Monthly or annual subscription (SaaS)
Recurring charge for continuous access to the software, with scalable plans (basic, pro, enterprise).
3. Digital marketplace
Platform that connects buyers and sellers. Monetizes with commissions on sales, product promotion or merchant subscriptions.
4. Service aggregator
Brings together different providers under the same interface (brand), standardizing the experience and charging a commission on each transaction.
5. Pay-per-use (consumption)
Users pay based on actual usage, such as number of requests, storage, users or accesses.
6. Fee-For-Service (per event)
Charge per action performed, such as issuing a boleto, CPF lookup, certificate issuance or document generation.
7. EdTech freemium or by subscription
Digital education via app with paid content, access to instructors, mocks or certifications.
8. Lock-in (retention through integration and history)
Model that locks the user in with accumulated data, deep integrations or continuous benefits that are hard to migrate.
9. API as a product
Offers API access with a free plan up to a certain limit and charges by volume or additional features.
10. Open-source with commercial layer
Open source code for use and development, monetized through hosting, technical support or enterprise features.
11. Data monetization (Data as a Product)
Sale of anonymized data, insights or behavioral intelligence, based on data collected from the app.
12. Tokenization and Blockchain
Monetization with network fees, token issuance, NFTs or smart contracts with commissions.
13. Freeterprise (free → corporate)
Starts with free individual use and scales to a paid enterprise plan with multiple users and integrations.
14. Razor Blade Model
Initial product free or cheap, with sale of mandatory add-ons (e.g.: paid modules, credits, extra API).
15. D2C (direct-to-consumer sales)
Sale of products or services directly through the app, with higher margins by eliminating intermediaries.
16. White-label / licensable platform
The app is sold as infrastructure so other brands can operate with their own visual identity.
17. Digital franchise
Licensing of the brand, technology and support for local operators or entrepreneurs to operate the app in new regions.
18. Advertising (ad-based)
Revenue from ads, banners, videos or contextual advertising within the app.
19. Octopus (controlled diversification)
Main app with multiple interconnected internal services (finance, management, credit, etc.) that generate their own revenue.
20. Transactional (per direct sale)
Earnings for each user action: upgrade, access, purchase, download, or use of a one-off function.
21. P2P for products or services
Users offer and consume directly (e.g.: rental marketplaces, services, exchanges).
22. P2P lending
Intermediation of credit directly between users, with intermediation fees, risk analysis and commission.
23. Brokerage
Commission on mediated transactions, such as foreign exchange, consortiums, loans or insurance.
24. Digital dropshipping
Sale of digital products delivered by third parties. Revenue through commission on the sale.
25. Space-as-a-Service
Sale or rental of access to physical or virtual environments (rooms, offices, consultancies) via app.
26. Integrated logistics (digital 3PL)
Management of inventory, shipments or deliveries connected to the software. Revenue via volume or subscription.
27. Delivery management (Last-mile delivery)
App that organizes final delivery logistics, charging per route, completed delivery or monthly plan.
28. Affiliate marketing
Users earn by referring, and the app monetizes with commission per installation, purchase or registration.
29. In-app purchases and virtual goods
Monetization with features, virtual currencies, unlocking resources, themes or upgrades.
30. Dark-service type digital operation
Platform with 100% digital services invisible to the end user. E.g.: third-party accounts, acquiring, credit.
31. Crowdsourcing
Users contribute content, data or services. The app monetizes with curation, distribution or paid tools.
💸 “Saving” Models with Software and Apps
In addition to generating revenue, well-designed software and applications also deliver direct savings and real operational value. Whether by reducing manual tasks, centralizing information or avoiding expenses with external tools and integrations, digital solutions optimize the day-to-day of companies and users.
By applying simple strategies of automation, intelligent infrastructure and scalable models, it is possible to reduce monthly costs, improve efficiency and free up resources to grow with more margin and less risk.
Below, you will find the main cost-saving models ("savings") that an app or digital platform can provide from the first users or operations.
1. Reduction of staff and manual tasks
Automation of processes that would previously require multiple people, systems or rework.
2. Reduction of boleto and payment costs
Average boleto cost in the market: € 3,20. In Binary Fintech OS: € 1,79. Saving per boleto: € 1,41.
3. Decrease in CAC (customer acquisition cost)
With optimized UX, smooth onboarding and built-in virality (e.g.: cashback for referrals), you drastically reduce CAC.
4. Increase in LTV (customer lifetime value)
Retained customers generate more revenue over time. An app with good engagement reduces churn and increases value per customer.
5. Savings on third-party integration
Platforms like Binary reduce costs with gateways, issuers, reconcilers, acquiring, foreign exchange, etc.
6. Elimination of paper, travel and human support
With self-service and notifications, the app reduces the need for phone or in-person support.
7. Scalability with zero marginal cost
New users do not increase costs proportionally. The app can scale to thousands without additional infrastructure.
8. Automated risk management and anti-fraud
Reduction of chargebacks, fraud and operational losses with KYC, AML and automated analysis tools.
9. Centralization of data and reports
Savings with auditing, accounting, BI and compliance. The app delivers everything in real time, with traceability.
10. Reduction of human errors
Automated processes reduce common operational failures in manual tasks, such as incorrect entries, data typing, financial calculations or inventory control — avoiding rework, loss and data inconsistency.
11. Lower update and maintenance costs
With a modular structure, the app can be updated without impact on the entire operation, reducing IT costs and downtime.
Disclaimer:
The examples presented throughout this material — including investment estimates, financial return, margin per transaction, and payback — aim to illustrate real applications of solutions developed with our software.All projections of revenue, operational costs and gains from spread are simulations based on real case data, previous experiences and benchmarks practiced by fintechs and digital companies that used this model.This content should not be interpreted as an investment recommendation, promise of financial return or performance guarantee.Each business has its own variables, such as operational model, target audience, customer acquisition capability, average ticket, team capacity and entrepreneurial ability, transaction volume and monetization strategy. Therefore, it is essential that each project be evaluated individually, considering its specific context and strategic goals.Our goal here is only to demonstrate how the combination of customized technology and financial infrastructure can generate viable, lean businesses with high scalability potential, when well structured.If you wish to deepen the analysis or validate your own business model, we recommend conducting a personalized financial and strategic study.
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