Should you offer free access when launching a paid product on Product Hunt?
I'm seeing more products launch on Product Hunt that require payment to actually use any features. No free trial, no freemium tier, just a download that leads straight to a paywall.
Part of me thinks this makes sense. If your product has real value, why give it away? People on Product Hunt understand they're looking at premium tools. Plus offering free access can attract users who will never pay anyway.
But I also see the argument for temporary free access during launch. Product Hunt users want to actually try what they're upvoting. How can they give meaningful feedback or become advocates if they hit a paywall immediately?
Some makers offer special promo codes just for the PH community.
Then there's the middle ground - a limited free trial that gives people enough time to evaluate during the launch buzz, but converts them to paid after.
I've seen successful launches using all three approaches, but I'm curious what actually works better for building genuine momentum versus just getting empty upvotes.
What's your experience launching paid products on PH? Do you think the community expects some level of free access, or are people fine paying if the value is clear? And does it affect your chances of getting featured?
Replies
Interesting.
I couldn't even think that something could be without at least a free trial.
@manu_goel2 well the way my app works is some people can game the system and get everything they want out of it in just a trial period so not sure how to integrate it in a good way
@sahil_khxn If there is no recurring value then why would a person buy for long term then?. By the way, blur few things out in that case.
@manu_goel2 so the way its currently it set up currently the actual recurring value stuff is in the higher tier to incentivise upgrading, and in the lowest tier you just get the one time thing + basic features that are reused and linked to higher tiers. I made it $8 for the lowest tier but youre right I think I could make a free trial with a blur/watermark. What do you think?
@sahil_khxn I think that would be a better idea to have it blurred or watermarked.
Oooooh, this is a very good topic.
I cannot say what I would choose (depending on the product, team size, etc.), but I would play with these scenarios:
The product is FREE ONLY on that particular launch day
Product with the discount (e.g. 50% OFF)
A product with some basic features is free and more "upgraded" paid, but if you rolled out a paid feature, maybe I would go for:
Several attempts (e.g., 3 max for free) are allowed, and then you need to take a specific action – start a free trial, register, pay, etc.
Probably, I would have the first and the last point in my mind.
Good points @busmark_w_nika :) I have seen the launch-day free + 3 free tries after combo work wonder, creates FOMO on day one, and still lets latecomers taste the product before committing. Might be worth A/B-testing that against a straight 50 % launch discount to see which drives deeper engagement. What do you think?
@hamza_afzal_butt Yeah, but ideally, you should test only one parameter (price) because with the different product or different feature rolled out the motivation of the people can be different, and you do not know whether they were affected by the different pricing model or by that feature. :)
@busmark_w_nika makes sense, It’s so easy to misread results when multiple things change at once. Now you’ve got me thinking maybe the better move is to test pricing on a static feature set first, then layer in upgrades later. Have you found a sweet spot for timing that?
@hamza_afzal_butt Not yet, but I would have at least a 3-month gap between! :D
@busmark_w_nika Thats a great breakdown, thanks Nika. It does seem like theres quite a few different options and of course the right pick would depend on your product, so I think for mine personally the launch day free trial sounds the best. It seems most other people here agree with that as well so I will go with it.
Thank you for the feedback
@sahil_khxn When is your launch, and what strategy will you apply? (I mean, which point from those I outlined?) The last one?
This is definitely something we're debating for our upcoming launch.
Our take so far is—small trial for evaluation, and a discount code celebrating the PH launch... because why not? I think it's fair to reward early-users for their attention, patience, support, and extra feedback. We're a community after all.
@jsph I like that approach, its a good balanced way to get the community feedback and also make users feel rewarded as you said, will definitely look into that.
@sahil_khxn good luck with the launch! What are you launching?
@jsph im making an AI based app that accelrates job hunting. It has multiple tools in it like optimized resumes, cover letters and mock interviews.
Planning to launch this thursday pretty nervous but I guess well see what happens
What about you? What are you launching?
@sahil_khxn nice tool!
We'll be launching readwonders com
wow, that's soon! best of luck!
Free trial all the way!
@manu_hempel got it thanks, ive added it now based on all the feedback
I have no specific experience of what works best here on PH, but I think building trust is super important. People's attention is more fragmented than ever, and showing them some value initially feels like the best way to make people offers they hopefully can't refuse. I think trial is better than freemium. I'm taking the trial route too, and removing any need to "sign up" (or other barriers) in order to use the product. Value ASAP. I don't have any deep insight here, but that's my 2¢. Good luck!
@martin_rue honestly thats some solid advice. When launching, the goal is to show as much value upfront, and keeping a free trial with no obstacles in the way as you said seems to be the best way to accomplish that. Ill keep that advice in mind thanks
@sahil_khxn Glad it helped! Like everyone here, I'm still figuring this out as I go. So, honestly, who knows! The basis for any success is the willingness (and ability) to try lots of different things and see what sticks.
Pokecut
I think it is better to provide free trails for Internet pruducts. This will give users a better experience and promote paid conversions. However, it may lead to many people buying the product and then finding it unsuitbale, whicj will lead to many refund issues.
@anthony_cai noted. Youre right, there is the risk of more refunds this way, but Im hoping the sheer volume that is gained from the free trial should hopefully outweigh this risk
I totally get where you're coming from. Personally, I lean toward offering some form of free access during a PH launch even if it's just a 7-day trail. Product Hunt is full of early adopters who genuinely want to test things out and offer feedback.
@bilqees_sarwar_hospital youre right, getting feedback is the main goal for a PH launch so ideally want as many testers as possible. I think ill go with a 3 day free trial that should be a good balance for my launch personally.
Here, on PH, access matters more than pricing, at least during launch. If users can’t try the product, it’s tough for them to give real feedback or become advocates. A hard paywall might protect your revenue, but it blocks momentum.
What I’ve seen work best is a short launch window with full access just for PH users - creates urgency without devaluing your pricing. Even a limited trial beats a cold paywall.
Free access during launch isn’t about giving it all away, it’s about giving people a reason to care.
@sanskarix youre totally right. PH is all about building community, and thats difficult with a hard paywall. A free trial does seem to be the best option, at least for launch
Honestly, that's actually super annoying cause If your product is worth it it, it shouldn't matter!!! Like a limited 7-day trial makes sense...
@sahil_khxn Ooh, love this topic—so many creative angles to play with!
If I had to choose, I think it would depend on the product type and target audience, but here’s how I’d approach it:
I’d definitely consider a "free for one day only" strategy to create urgency and buzz—great for launches or milestone events.
Offering core features for free with a clear upgrade path is also a solid move. That way, users get real value first, then naturally discover why they might want more.
I also like the idea of limiting usage—like giving users 3 free tries before prompting them to register, upgrade, or start a trial. It sets a boundary while still letting them experience the product.
So for me, a mix of limited free access and time-based exclusivity would probably be the sweet spot.
@sania_khan10 thanks for the valuable feedback, Ive taken this in as well as others responses and ive added a 3 day free trial with access to all product features just for this launch lets see how it does
@sahil_khxn Have you launched your product? What does your Resume AI do? Can you please define it?
IXORD
I also think it makes sense. When I want to try a product, I need something like a trial for a week or two to understand whether I will actually use it or not. Many people who see a payment option right away without a trial period simply won’t pay for the product.
@ixord yeah I understand that, the thing with my product is it gives a lot of value up front, but ive taken in the feedback and modified things now so im able to offer the trial while still retaining the value of the app
When we launched Brewed to Greed, we offered free samples to build trust first—same applies on Product Hunt. A paywall right away can kill momentum.
PH users want to try before they upvote or support. A limited free trial, PH-only discount, or freemium tier works best. It shows value without giving it all away—and boosts your chance of being featured.
Let people experience, then they'll be more willing to pay.
@varsha_btg Youre right and that totally makes sense. Based on all the other feedback ive added a free trial now thanks for the advice
Based on my exprience, free plans or free trials bring a lot of 0-value users.
If your product has a cost per user, a free plan will kill your budget... Unless you have a venture-backed company with millions in cash.
I prefer to offer a $1 trial. Or even if you want to say "free" with a CC required.
I think the first rule of MVP is: will people use it? For that you need to reduce the barrier for access. I'm one of those people who never buy anything without testing, unless probably strongly-recommended by a friend. And also, PH users are regular testers of many products: it would be pretty expensive if you have to pay for each one. I mean, why pay to test? Think testings at the front of your supermarket; would you want to pay for those? I think free access for testing is a good marketing cost.
@blessing_museki thats true, and youre right especially for launching on product hunt where people are here specifically to test, we should give them that opportunity so yeah ill add a free trial then thanks
Trickle
I believe that for products with little competition and clear value, charging upfront not only saves marketing costs and filters users effectively but also reflects confidence in the product’s worth.
For most products in highly competitive markets, offering a free trial is an important way to lower the barrier to entry, build trust, and improve user retention.
However, ultimately, what retains users is the true value of the product itself—free trials are merely a bridge to help users discover that value, not the deciding factor.
@ninaaaa0913 thats a good point and that was my initial approach that not offering a free trial shows confidence in the product and quality.
But what do you think about a free trial just for the launch only? Do you think it could give early adopters a chance to validate the product and build trust?
Trickle
@sahil_khxn I think offering a free trial during the launch phase is a solid strategy. For early users, it’s a chance to validate the product’s value; and for us, it helps gather feedback and build word of mouth more quickly.
I also think it could help bring in some users who are still on the fence — the ones who are curious but not ready to commit. As long as the trial is clearly limited to the launch period, it won’t hurt the perceived quality or confidence in the product.
That's a really thoughtful take. Each approach has its pros and cons, and it often depends on the type of product and target audience.
A well-timed free trial can be a great way to build trust and engagement during launch, especially when early feedback is valuable. On the other hand, going straight to paid can signal confidence and help filter in more serious users.
Offering something to the Product Hunt community whether it’s a limited trial, a special code, or even a demo version seems to strike a good balance.
It allows people to experience the value before committing, which can lead to more authentic feedback and advocacy.
@toreapat Yes thats the fine line im trying to balance; signalling confidence and authority while also building trust and engagement with the community.
I think your approach seems to be the best of both worlds, to have a limited trial so I think ill go with that, thank you
Hey Sahil, great topic 🙌🏽!!! I have launched a few products on PH, and what I have learned is that people want to feel the value before committing. A hard paywall right after clicking “Get It” can kill the vibe, even if your product’s amazing.
What worked well for us was offering a PH-only free trial or even a small credit (like $5 or 3 free uses). It made people feel included, gave them something to try, and led to way better feedback and conversions. Maybe try a limited-time trial just for launch week, the best of both worlds without opening the floodgates.
@hamza_afzal_butt Nice to hear from someone experienced on this, thats some solid insight. If youve tested this multiple times and came to that conclusion, then I think its safe to assume offering some sort of free trial, even if only for the start seems to be the best way to launch so I will definitely do that, thank you
I've tried both free trial and no access without payment and I'll say this giving some kind of free experience during launch always felt more engaging. People are quick to upvote, sure but the comments and DMs only came when they actually tried the tool.
@raul_richardson Thats true. I was hoping my demo video which shows everything live should be enough but youre right, it feels different when you actually get to try it for yourself and the community should have that opportunity
I think the user should have at least one chance to try.
ZeroThreat
Yes, definitely. Most of the products are coming up with Freemium model, which allows users to test/check before they burn their pocket. And that's exactly what we did with the ZeroThreat plan.
@sarrah_pitaliya But what do you think would be better, freemium or just a short free trial period?
ZeroThreat
@sahil_khxn It depends on your needs and the product you are choosing to? Because most of the products restrict their features unless you join the premium. They don't provide exclusive one in either free trial period or freemium. However, if your need is limited, then definitely freemium is better.