Passion.io Pricing 2025: Plan Comparison, Transaction Fees & Cheaper Alternatives

Passion.io is a platform that helps creators build branded mobile apps without needing coding skills. Instead of hosting your courses on someone else’s platform, you get your own app in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, making it feel more professional and engaging.

If you’ve been eyeing Passion.io to launch a branded mobile app for your courses, coaching, or community, you’ve probably noticed the pricing page looks straightforward at first glance, then raises a few “wait, how do fees work?” questions as soon as you start thinking about in-app purchases, Apple/Google policies, web checkouts, and developer accounts.

This guide clears all that up. We’ll break down Passion.io’s current plans and pricing, exactly how transaction fees work (both PassionPayments and app-store commissions), who each plan is best for, and what extra costs to expect that don’t show up in the base price. Then we’ll stack Passion.io against cheaper alternatives so you can pick the right setup for your goals and budget.

Passion.io currently offers three pricing plans plus a custom option:

• Launch: entry plan for getting your app and web experience off the ground.
• Scale: removes Passion.io branding and unlocks stronger automation and community tools.
• Expand: adds App Store Listing and scaling limits for serious growth.
• Plus: application-only tier with 1-to-1 success support and additional services.

Current pricing:

• Launch: $119/month on monthly billing, or $99/month billed annually
• Scale: $299/month monthly, or $239/month annually
• Expand: $699/month monthly, or $599/month annually
• Plus: Custom pricing

There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee on subscriptions (cancel in the first 30 days for a full refund).

Launch Plan

The Launch plan is the base plan and it offers your own Passion app (iOS/Android + web app), basic integrations, in-app search, 1:1 messaging, basic communities & group chat, basic drip content & automations, access to a starter creator community, and email support.

This plan is a good fit if you’re validating a program, spinning up MVP content, or moving early buyers onto an owned app experience without big commitments.

Scale Plan

The Scale plan has everything in the Launch plan plus Zapier integrations, automated DMs/messages, advanced communities & group chat, advanced drip & automations, remove Passion.io branding, team access, and chat support.

It is a good fit if you want cleaner branding (no Passion.io watermark), stronger automation, and faster day-to-day ops.

Expand Plan

The Expand plan has everything in Scale plus: App Store Listing, Apple Pay & Google Pay support, unlimited users/products/communities/videos, unlimited push notifications, offline mode, and video call support.

It is a good fit if you plan to distribute widely via the iOS App Store/Google Play, need higher limits, and want payment experiences that feel fully native to mobile.

Plus Plan

The Plus plan includes everything in the Expand plan plus specialized 1-to-1 support from a success manager, custom analytics, fast content migration, app submission service, and a dedicated expert marketing & growth coach.

It is a good fit if you want a done for you launch and ongoing guidance without building a team around your Passion.io app.

Passion.io pricing vs. total cost to sell

There are three separate types of fees to understand:

1. Passion.io subscription (your plan price).
2. Payment processing fees for web checkouts (Stripe) and PassionPayments.
3. App-store commissions for in-app purchases (IAPs) via Apple/Google.

1) Web checkouts (Stripe or PassionPayments)

If you sell through the web (your Passion.io web app or a checkout page), you’ll incur normal Stripe fees. If you use PassionPayments (Passion’s Stripe-powered checkout), Passion takes 3.9% in addition to standard Stripe processing. 

The trade-off: PassionPayments helps you avoid Apple/Google’s 15–30% commission on IAPs by moving purchases to the web, while still unlocking access on your app.

In short: PassionPayments = 3.9% platform fee + Stripe fees, but 0% to Apple/Google because the sale happens on the web, not as an in-app purchase.

2) In-app purchases (Apple/Google)

If a customer buys inside your iOS/Android app using their Apple/Google account, Apple/Google processes the payment and takes a commission:

• 15% if you’re in the small-business programs (and under $1M/year in in-app purchase revenue).
• 30% above that threshold.

Passion.io is clear that creators don’t have to sell via in-app purchases. You can sell on the web (PassionPayments/Stripe) and still grant access in the native app, exactly what big streaming apps do. 

3) Developer account fees (one-time vs annual)

To list a branded app on iOS/Android under your name or company, you need platform developer accounts:

• Apple Developer Program: $99/year (most businesses)
• Google Play Developer: $25 one-time registration fee

Which Passion.io plan should you pick?

Choose Launch if you:

• Need the fastest possible way to launch a branded app + web app without advanced automations.
• Plan to sell mainly via web checkout (PassionPayments/Stripe), minimizing app-store commissions while you validate your offer.
• Are okay with basic community and automation features and email-only support.

Choose Scale if you:

• Want to remove Passion.io branding for a more polished, premium experience.
• Lean on automations (Zapier, automated DMs), advanced community features, and chat support to reduce manual admin.
• Sell at mid-ticket price points and want more advanced options, without going all-in on app-store listings yet.

Choose Expand if you:

• Want your branded app listed on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
• Expect higher volumes and need unlimited users/products/communities/videos and unlimited push notifications.
• Want more native mobile functionality (e.g., Apple Pay/Google Pay, offline mode, video call support).

Consider Plus if you:

• Want a hands-on partner: 1-to-1 success manager, custom analytics, fast content migration, and app submission done-with-you support.

Real-world cost examples (so you can budget for fees)

To make the fees feel less complex here are simplified examples. (We’ll ignore normal Stripe card fees variances and sales taxes/VAT for clarity and focus on the platform side.)

Scenario A: You sell via web checkout with PassionPayments and grant access to the app

• Price: $200 program
• PassionPayments platform fee: 3.9% = $7.80
• Stripe fee: standard card processing (varies by country)
• No Apple/Google commission (sale wasn’t in-app purchase)
  Net (before Stripe fees): $192.20 per sale

Scenario B: You sell via in-app purchase on iOS/Android

• Price: $200 program
• Apple/Google commission: 15% (if you’re in the small business programs) = $30, or 30% over $1M threshold = $60
• No PassionPayments fee on that IAP transaction
  Net (15% case): $170 per sale (before taxes).

Scenario C: Annual costs to publish your own branded app

• Apple Developer: $99/year
• Google Play Developer: $25 one-time
• Passion.io plan: Launch/Scale/Expand/Plus as chosen
  This is separate from per-sale fees.

Which is cheaper, web checkout or IAP?
Web checkout (via PassionPayments/Stripe) typically gives you a higher net on each sale because 3.9% + Stripe is usually less than 15–30% app-store commission. The trade-off is that in-app purchasing can boost conversion on mobile (one-tap Apple/Google Pay) and potentially app-store discoverability. Many creators mix both: web checkout for main offers, in-app purchases for low-ticket or tripwire purchases.

Hidden costs to keep in mind

A few line items creators sometimes overlook:

• Developer accounts: Apple ($99/year) and Google ($25 one-time) if you plan to list your branded app.
• Taxes/VAT and invoicing: Handled via Stripe/PassionPayments; rates vary by region. (Check your tax setup with Stripe and your accountant.)
• Refunds: Passion.io offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for your own subscription; your customer-facing refund policy is separate and managed through your payment processor/app stores.
• Submission/maintenance time: Expand includes App Store Listing, while Plus includes “we submit your app” support, handy if you don’t want to handle store admin yourself.
• Policy compliance: Apple/Google reviews can require updates, descriptions, screenshots, and periodic agreement confirmations. Passion’s docs explain the review process and terms of acceptance.

Is Passion.io worth it for you?

If your audience is mainly on mobile and you don’t mind the complexities of running a mobile app and the high app store transaction fees, then yes it is worth it. If you just want to sell courses, coaching or memberships without the stress and cost of mobile apps, platforms like SchoolMaker are a better choice.

Passion.io vs cheaper alternatives

If your priority is course hosting and you’re not ready for an app-store listing, several platforms beat Passion.io on price. They won’t all give you a fully branded native app, but they can be perfect if a solid web experience is enough right now.

1. SchoolMaker - Starts at $29/month

Makes your course easier to sell, by adding structure, support and community. Produces better learner outcomes which drives student retention and referrals that lead to increased revenue from courses and coaching. Much more affordable than Passion and has no transaction fees on any plan. If you don’t need a mobile app, this is one of the best course platforms you can get.

2. Podia - Starts at $33/month

Simple all-in-one for courses and community. Clear, lower-cost plans (e.g., Mover and Shaker) compared to Passion’s Scale/Expand, with robust web course tools and community features. If you don’t need a branded app, Podia is a budget-friendly start.

3. Teachable - Starts at $36/month

Recognizable brand, flexible course builder, and upsells/affiliates. Lower plans have transaction fees; higher plans reduce or remove them. Good if you’re staying web-first and want a proven ecosystem. 

4. LearnWorlds - Starts at $29/month

Course-centric with strong interactivity, competitive pricing with interactive video, assessments, and solid school management. If interactive learning design matters more than mobile app distribution, this can be cost-effective.

5. Thinkific - Starts at $49/month

Excellent professional training features. Good for creators who prefer a web school experience with app options via third parties later.

6. Skool - 99/month flat price

Community-first, clean UX, flat pricing and a vibrant community model; great if your product is primarily a community with gated content, and you don’t need a branded native app. 

Conclusion

If you need a fully branded mobile app with native push, app-store presence, and in-app payments, Passion.io’s stack is hard to replace. If not, you can save significantly with a web-first platform, then move to Passion.io when mobile distribution becomes necessary.

Frequently asked questions

Does Passion.io take a cut of my sales?
Passion.io doesn’t charge a “platform fee” on top of your monthly plan when you use in-app purchases (Apple/Google handle those with 15–30% commissions). If you sell via web checkout using PassionPayments, Passion takes 3.9% (plus standard Stripe processing). Many creators sell on the web to avoid app-store commissions, then grant app access.

Can I avoid Apple/Google’s 15–30% fees?
Yes, don’t use in-app purchases for those purchases. Sell via your web checkout (PassionPayments/Stripe) and still let customers use your mobile app. That’s a common pattern for higher-ticket programs.

Do I need Apple/Google developer accounts?
If you plan to publish your branded app to the stores under your name/company, yes: Apple Developer (about $99/year) and Google Play Developer ($25 one-time). Passion’s help docs walk you through setup and connection.

What if I want Passion.io to submit my app for me?
That’s part of the Plus plan. For most users on Expand, Passion.io provides the infrastructure and App Store Listing features, while you manage store accounts and submissions using their step-by-step guidance.

Is there a free trial?
Passion.io offers a 30-day money-back guarantee rather than a free trial. You can sign up, test it thoroughly, and get a full refund if you cancel in the first 30 days.

Do in-app purchases pay out immediately?
No, Apple/Google handle those payouts on their own schedule (often up to ~60 days). Expect payouts to come directly from Apple/Google, not Passion.