freemium

American  

[free-mee-uhm] / ˈfri mi əm /

noun

1. a sales strategy, especially on the internet, in which the basic product or service is free, but customers are charged for additional features and content.

2. such a product or service.

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adjective

1. of or relating to a freemium.

   freemium games for smartphones.

Etymology

Origin of freemium

First recorded in 2005–10; blend of free and premium

Example Sentences

The microdrama business uses a “freemium” model.

From The Wall Street Journal

With this move, Vermillo is adopting a classic “freemium” model — offering partial service for no charge and up-selling for additional features.

From Los Angeles Times

Discord, a messaging app largely used by young gamers, has a freemium model – it is free to sign-up, but additional features, including access to games, come with a pricetag.

From BBC

The privately held app has garnered about 175,000 users and, like its competitors, has a freemium model in which customers can elect to pay for certain features.

From Los Angeles Times

More than 260,000 apps use a so-called freemium model where users pay nothing to download an app but have options to buy premium features, according to Data.ai, an app economy research firm.

From New York Times