Introductory offer
An introductory offer is a subscription discount or free period for eligible new subscribers. It is how many apps let people try paid value before the standard price. Helm includes introductory offers in its in-app purchase toolkit beside promotional, win-back, and offer codes.
What an introductory offer is
Introductory offers target customers who have not used an intro offer for that subscription group yet (eligibility follows Apple’s rules). Common shapes are free trials, pay-up-front periods, or pay-as-you-go discounts for a set duration.
They differ from win-back offers (lapsed subscribers) and promotional offers (often for existing subscribers), and from redeemable offer codes you distribute manually.
Why it matters when you ship
A clear intro offer lowers the risk of the first subscribe. Messy offer setup creates App Review friction, confused paywalls, and support threads about unexpected charges.
Coordinate the offer with paywall copy, What’s New, and country pricing so the promise in the UI matches what App Store Connect will bill.
How Helm helps
In in-app purchases, Helm groups introductory, promotional, win-back, and offer codes so you can see the subscription story in one place.
Configure offers alongside pricing and localization, and keep review information ready when a product change needs App Review.
Design habits that hold up
Pick a duration you can sustain. State what happens when the intro ends. Test sandbox purchase and expiry before you market the trial.
For codes that grant intro-like pricing in campaigns, see offer codes and your create-offer workflow guides when you need distribution outside the automatic StoreKit path.
FAQ
Who can redeem an introductory offer?
Eligible new subscribers who meet Apple’s rules for that subscription group. Someone who already used an intro on the group typically will not see another.
Is an introductory offer the same as a win-back offer?
No. Introductory offers focus on new subscribers. Win-back offers target eligible lapsed subscribers. Helm surfaces both in the IAP offer toolkit.
Can I manage introductory offers in Helm?
Yes. Helm’s in-app purchases experience covers introductory offers with your broader subscription catalog on Mac, with companion workflows on iPhone.
