Which pricing model is working for you?
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For years, SaaS pricing revolved around seats.
“If you're adding more teammates then pay more.”
This was simple, predictable and scalable.
But as products get more API-driven and AI-powered, usage is becoming the new unit of value.
Instead of “per seat,” it’s now “per credit,” “per call,” or “per GB.”
Curious to hear from other builders:
Are you still using seat-based pricing, or have you shifted to usage-based or hybrid models?
How do you define value delivered to price around — users, features, or activity volume?
If you switched models, what impact did it have on activation, churn, or predictability?
What’s working best for you right now?
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In addition, as you implement features that may have changed your costs in a metered way, like tokens for AI solutions, how are you ensuring you cover those costs?
Atlas
Love this topic! Following 😇 👀
minimalist phone: creating folders
I reckon that sooner or later, the pricing will be "per token" :)
Theysaid
We started seat-based, then tried pure usage; adoption improved but billing anxiety spiked. A simple hybrid works best now: small platform fee with included credits, soft limits with alerts, and a clear annual price ceiling. That combo gave us faster activation and fewer billing tickets.
Cal ID
I’m leaning toward hybrid pricing lately. Base subscription plus usage credits feels like the right balance. It gives users control without surprise bills and makes it easier to price around real value. Still testing, but early feedback’s been positive!
We’ve experimented with both — and usage-based pricing wins when the product’s value is tied to automation or data processing.
But here’s the nuance: predictability still matters to enterprise clients.
Hybrid models (base + usage tiers) seem to hit the sweet spot between revenue stability and scalability.
Curious — are teams leaning more toward transparency dashboards or flat usage credits to simplify pricing perception?
Well it depends on what type of work i'm getting done with a tool, sometimes i use tool just for traditional purposes, and sometimes i go for APi/Usage base!
Hey @koshima_satija we are also launching our own first SaaS later this month and are pretty unsure how we should price. We will have different agents running for the user. I am now writing my Finance Thesis about this as well. Could you share the insights you got so far? I am currently also trying to talk to someone from paid
We have both per asset based pricing next to actual usage-based pricing.
Why? Our potential customers find it easier to calculate using assets.
Usage works great for me because I'm addressing fundraising and users will likely have some months where they need more and some months where they need less. The flexibility suits all parties.