Subscription vs One-Time Pricing Calculator
Compare revenue from a subscription, after monthly churn, with a one-time price over the same months, and see how long a subscriber takes to match it.
- Free
- No sign-up to try
- Works as you type
Subscription vs one-time pricing
Subscription revenue over the period
$55,498
One-time revenue
$60,000
Subscription minus one-time
−$4,502
Months for a subscriber who stays to pay the one-time price
24.0 mo
- Each month, the subscribers left pay the monthly price; then the churn rate leaves.
- Subscription revenue = customers × monthly price × (1 − (1 − churn)ⁿ) ÷ churn over n months (customers × price × n with no churn).
- One-time revenue = customers × one-time price.
Free, no sign-up to try. Save it as a live calculator you can share; an estimate from the numbers you enter, not financial advice. Check the result against your own records before you rely on it.
How it works
How the Subscription vs One-Time Pricing Calculator works
- 1
Enter your numbers
Every result updates as you type, with the formula shown under it.
- 2
Check the method
See how each number is worked out and what it assumes.
- 3
Save it as a Room
Share a live calculator: others can change the numbers and see the result update.
Worked example
What it makes
Example inputs
- Customers who buy
- 100
- One-time price
- $600
- Subscription price per month
- $25
- Subscribers lost per month
- 3 %
- Months to compare over
- 36
Results
- Subscription revenue over the period
- $55,498
- One-time revenue
- $60,000
- Subscription minus one-time
- −$4,502
- Months for a subscriber who stays to pay the one-time price
- 24.0 mo
How it's calculated
- Each month, the subscribers left pay the monthly price; then the churn rate leaves.
- Subscription revenue = customers × monthly price × (1 − (1 − churn)ⁿ) ÷ churn over n months (customers × price × n with no churn).
- One-time revenue = customers × one-time price.
- Assumes: The same number of customers buy under either model; in practice a lower entry price often wins more.
- Assumes: No upgrades, renewals or support fees on the one-time sale; the time value of money is ignored.
An estimate from the numbers you enter, not financial advice. Check the result against your own records before you rely on it.
Who it's for
Who uses it
Software makers
Decide between a licence and a subscription.
Course and content creators
Compare a membership with a one-off price.
Product managers
Show how churn changes the case for subscriptions.
Good to know
What to consider
- The same number of customers buy under either model; in practice a lower entry price often wins more customers.
- The time value of money is ignored: money from a one-time sale arrives sooner.
Questions
About the Subscription vs One-Time Pricing Calculator
How is churn applied?
Every subscriber pays in the first month; after each month, the churn rate leaves. Over n months that adds up to price × (1 − (1 − churn)ⁿ) ÷ churn per starting customer.
Can I share the calculator with my team or a client?
Yes. The Room keeps the calculator live: anyone with the link can change the numbers and see the result update, with the method and assumptions on the same page.
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