The Sub Club podcast is a deep dive on building and growing subscription app businesses. Hosts David Barnard and Jacob Eiting will guide you through the ins and outs of subscription apps — sharing insider tips, predictions, and insights from industry experts.
The Sub Club podcast is an invaluable resource for indie app developers and anyone interested in iOS programming. As someone who has been teaching myself iOS programming over the past year, this podcast has been instrumental in equipping me with the knowledge and insights needed to succeed in the industry. Hosted by Jacob and David, two highly knowledgeable individuals in the field, The Sub Club brings on a diverse range of guests who provide interesting perspectives and ideas to ponder. I am grateful for the wealth of information this podcast delivers.
One of the best aspects of The Sub Club podcast is the depth of expertise displayed by both the hosts and their guests. Jacob and David really know their stuff when it comes to app development, and their discussions are filled with valuable insights, tips, and advice. Their ability to bring on a wide variety of guests also ensures that listeners get exposed to different perspectives and experiences within the industry. This diversity adds richness to each episode and allows for a well-rounded understanding of app development.
Furthermore, The Sub Club podcast goes beyond technical skills by delving into the business side of indie app development. The hosts often discuss topics such as marketing strategies, monetization models, and subscription revenue apps. This comprehensive approach makes it an excellent resource for developers looking to improve their subscription revenue apps or gain a deeper understanding of how to make a successful app.
While there are many positive aspects to The Sub Club podcast, one potential downside is that some episodes may not be as relevant or applicable to all listeners. Since app development can vary greatly depending on individual projects and goals, certain episodes may focus more on specific niches or platforms that may not resonate with every listener. However, this can also be seen as a strength because it allows for a diverse range of topics covered throughout the series.
In conclusion, The Sub Club podcast is an exceptional resource for indie app developers seeking success in iOS programming and beyond. Jacob and David's expertise combined with their ability to bring on a variety of guests makes for an informative and engaging listening experience. Whether you are a seasoned developer or just starting out, this podcast offers valuable insights that will undoubtedly enhance your skills and understanding of the industry.
On the podcast I talk with Tim about the importance of trust in web2app funnels, replacing free trials with money-back guarantees, and how they've found success with contractors after struggling with in-house marketing hires.Top Takeaways:
On the podcast we talk with Chris about how to do freemium the right way, drafting a customer “Bill of Rights” to guide product decisions, and why blindly following A/B test results can lead to short-term gains but undermine your business long-term.Top Takeaways:
On the podcast, I talk with Daphne about why skipping user interviews is costing you growth, how to bring your product's ‘aha moment' forward into your marketing, and why your assumptions about why people use your app might be wrong.Top Takeaways:
On the podcast, I talk with Dan about estimating the ROI of product changes before building them, calculating your subscription app's growth ceiling, and why you shouldn't make assumptions about what is and isn't working in other apps.Top Takeaways:
On the podcast, I talk with Ajay about the fresh opportunities AI is creating for app developers, how they built a cost-effective TikTok growth engine, and why being forced to monetize helped improve their product decisions.Top Takeaways:
On the podcast, I talk with Jacob Eiting about how AI is transforming both what apps do and how they're built, the link between price and retention, and why React Native apps often monetize better than native.Check out RevenueCat's State of Subscription Apps 2025 report here: https://revenuecat.com/reportTop Takeaways:
This episode is shorter than usual and will be featured in RevenueCat's State of Subscription Apps report.On the podcast: top strategies for paywall optimization, how storytelling during onboarding impacts conversions, and why framing the user journey leading to the paywall is more critical than the paywall itself.Top Takeaways:
This episode is shorter than usual and will be featured in RevenueCat's State of Subscription Apps report.On the podcast: The state of major acquisition channels in 2025, how improved measurement is boosting confidence in ad spend, and why Reddit might be your next top-performing user acquisition channel.Top Takeaways:
This episode is shorter than usual and will be featured in RevenueCat's State of Subscription Apps report.On the podcast: maximizing success with web subscriptions, how payment flexibility creates better user experiences, and why making cancellations difficult can do more harm than good.Top Takeaways:
This episode is shorter than usual and will be featured in RevenueCat's State of Subscription Apps report.On the podcast: diversifying revenue beyond subscriptions, what Google Play's data reveals about buyer behavior, and why lower price points can actually increase total revenue.
This episode is shorter than usual and will be featured in RevenueCat's State of Subscription Apps report.On the podcast: why some apps see 30 times higher revenue on iOS versus Android, the challenges of running a business on multiple platforms, and why you should consider offering a free Android device to employees.
This episode is shorter than usual and will be featured in RevenueCat's State of Subscription Apps report.On the podcast: why optimizing for user success drives more revenue than conversion hacks, how to maximize the impact of annual plans, and why relying too heavily on discounts is a trap.Top Takeaways
This episode is shorter than usual and will be featured in RevenueCat's State of Subscription Apps report.On the podcast: the power of cancellation surveys, how social proof can re-engage churned users, and why making it easier to cancel might actually boost retention.Top Takeaways:
This episode is shorter than usual and will be featured in RevenueCat's State of Subscription Apps report.On the podcast: how onX Maps tailors freemium and trial strategies to different user needs, the role of user education in driving upgrades, and why experimenting with features and tiers is essential for subscription growth.Top Takeaways:
This episode is shorter than usual and will be featured in RevenueCat's State of Subscription Apps report.On the podcast: Keeping users engaged through habit-forming experiences, Duolingo's approach to reactivating churned users, and why building daily habits is the foundation for long-term retention success.Top Takeaways:
On the podcast, I talk with Anton about building sustainable viral growth loops at scale, how to effectively gamify user incentives, and why emotional connections drive more value than economic ones.Top Takeaways:
This episode is shorter than usual and will be featured in RevenueCat's State of Subscription Apps report.On the podcast: why the Big Mac Index falls short for app pricing, how Flo Health's regional pricing strategy drives profitable user acquisition in emerging markets, and the importance of aligning pricing with long-term user retention for sustainable growth.Top Takeaways:
This episode is shorter than usual and will be featured in RevenueCat's State of Subscription Apps report.On the podcast: balancing freemium and premium experiences, how The Weather Company uses AI to predict subscriber behavior, and why focusing on user value rather than monetization is the key to subscription success.Top Takeaways
On the podcast, I talk with Ashley about what makes Google App campaigns a powerful growth tool, proven optimization strategies, and how lower CPMs aren't always the win they seem to be.Top Takeaways:
On the podcast I talk with Sherina about why performance marketing eventually hits a ceiling, how to think about measure brand marketing, and why sometimes ignoring A/B test results leads to better outcomes.Top Takeaways:
On the podcast we talk with Bruno about putting customers ahead of metrics, why there's still massive opportunity to build successful apps today, and how a server crash turned into an accidentally successful A/B test.Top Takeaways:
On the podcast we talk with Nathan about the strategic opportunity of web2app, how and when to use web2app, and why one app found success using webinars in their web2app funnel.Top Takeaways:
On the podcast we talk with Phil about how to effectively use benchmarks to aid decision making, the limitations of benchmarks, and why even the best companies aren't top quartile in every single metric.Top Takeaways:
On the podcast: estimating the revenue potential of an app, crafting an exit strategy, and why LTV is such a terrible metric.Top Takeaways:
On the podcast I talk with Alex about the power of user segmentation, executing bold strategic shifts, and why imaginary customer conversations are sometimes better than real ones.Key Takeaways:
On the podcast I talk with Joseph about what's currently working for apps on TikTok, how to create viral content, why you should try working with influencers who don't have many followers.Key Takeaways:
On the podcast, we talk with Ryan about the risk of ad creative concentration, how to reach older, high-value demographics, and why the ultimate KPI is revenue.Key Takeaways:
On the podcast: effectively scaling support for an app, why the time to first response is so important, and why you should treat support more like a concierge experience.Key Takeaways:
On the podcast: Our guest today is Eric Crowley, a tech investment banker with GP Bullhound where he provides transaction advice and capital to top companies in the Consumer Subscription Software space.In this episode, we talk with Eric about the rebound of consumer subscription valuations and investor interest, how to generate Net Revenue Retention in consumer, and why you should pinpoint where your app sits on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.Key Takeaways:
On the podcast: The benefits of building something you personally care about, how to balance user feedback with product intuition, and why process, frameworks, and outside advice are often worth ignoring. Key Takeaways:
On the podcast: The impact of Apple Search Ads on organic search, how to save money on brand defense, and why ROAS shouldn't be the only thing you optimize for.Key Takeaways:
On the podcast: How to find success with web2app, the value (and challenges) of “owning the transaction”, and why avoiding app store fees isn't a great reason to experiment with web2app, but might work out anyway.Key Takeaways:
On the podcast: Implementing effective offline marketing campaigns for acquiring, engaging, and retaining paid subscribers in the app space. Key Takeaways:
On the podcast: How to make better decisions with data, the many pitfalls of collecting and interpreting data, and why the best executive dashboard is probably a hand-written weekly email.Key Takeaways:
On the podcast: How Mojo grew to over $1M in MRR, the most impactful pricing and paywall experiments, and why it's important to choose complexity instead of just letting it happen.Key Takeaways:
On the podcast: Quitting a job to build your own apps, returning to that job after failing to gain traction, and the inflection point that allowed our guest to finally quit for good.Key Takeaways:
On the podcast: Another Apple WWDC conference is in the books, and as usual, we're excited to dig into everything Apple announced — and what it means for iOS developers and RevenueCat users. This year's announcements covered everything from small quality-of-life enhancements in App Store Connect to the deprecation of some of Apple's oldest in-app payments code.Key Takeaways:
On the podcast: What to do when there are no jobs to be done, how to build innovative features, and why copying Duolingo's engagement strategy probably won't work for your app.Key Takeaways:
On the podcast: How developers can launch and optimize their app listings on the Google Play Store. A conversation from Google I/O 2024 with Sarah Karam, director of Apps Partnerships at Google.Key Takeaways:There are now more ways to optimize revenue with Google Play Commerce, such as installment subscriptions and automatically adjusted local pricing. On Android, the leading apps diversify their monetization. Instead of offering just subscriptions, for example, they offer IAPs to cater for diverse user preferences. Tipping, for example, has seen huge growth. The leading Android apps also adjust their overall approach to cater for the huge and diverse user base. Just replicating your iOS strategy will only serve a small fraction of potential customers. How can you serve someone on a $200 phone as well as a $2000 one? “The consumer rarely buys what you think you sell” and understanding this can lead to secondary product-market fit, unlocking new growth. Stop thinking about your app in terms of the feature(s) it offers and more about what problem it solves. About Guest
On the podcast: How the Microsoft 365 team optimizes their apps for the app stores and the top paywall optimization tips for enterprise apps and start-ups. Part 2 of our conversation with Ramit Arora.Key Takeaways:
On the podcast: Microsoft 365 app monetization and optimization, and how Microsoft is building successful apps–recorded live in Vegas at the Mobile Apps Unlocked (MAU) conference.Key Takeaways:
On the podcast: Val Agostino talks about the importance of passion for the product you're working on, how to differentiate in a crowded market, and why achieving the ‘viable' in Minimum Viable Product is harder than ever.Key Takeaways:
On the podcast: Marcus Burke talks about the past, present, and future of Meta ads, tactics to scale subscription apps on Meta, and why you should probably exclude younger audiences in your targeting.Key Takeaways:⍰ Why Meta Ads? Its vast reach and precision targeting make Meta the best platform for discovery. Ads seamlessly integrate with organic content, providing a native experience for users and transparency for advertisers.
On the podcast: David talks about the many failures of his recent app launch, the surprising results of his first-ever A/B test, and the many reasons why you shouldn't plan a big app launch.Top Takeaways:
In this episode, we dive into the main headlines of RevenueCat's 2024 State of Subscription Apps report. Is the future looking bright?Key insights:
Our guest today is Fares Ksebati, Co-Founder and CEO of MySwimPro, the leading swim coaching app.On the podcast talk with Fares about how to build a content marketing flywheel, the importance of content that's inherently valuable, and why you shouldn't give up on content marketing even if your early attempts only get a few views.
On 25th January, Apple published its guidance on how it would comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). The response, in keeping with Apple's response to other demands for reforms, effectively disincentivizes most apps from taking advantage of the changes. The changes are complex and confusing, and the answer to whether apps should make changes isn't completely black-and-white. To help developers navigate these changes, we pulled together an “emergency” episode featuring RevenueCat's CEO Jacob Eiting and Head of Product Jens-Fabian Goetzmann, Runway CEO Gabriel Savit, and Nico Wittenborn, founder of Adjacent. Here are the discussion's key takeaways:
Our guest today is Paul Ganev, Vice President of Strategy, Business Development & Analytics at Surfline.On the podcast we talk with Paul about the strategic pitfalls in modeling Total Addressable Market, how freemium should work, and why Surfline's current success was actually 38 years in the making.Top Takeaways:
On the podcast we talk with Kenneth about scaling to $5M in ARR on paid ads, positive and negative results from 121 A/B tests, and why they still haven't built an Android app.
On the podcast: How to pitch your app to the press, the importance of focusing on differentiation, and why customizing your pitch to an individual writer is so much more effective.Top Takeaways:PR for user acquisition (UA) is best suited for acquiring very specific users. If you're looking for big numbers then there are better channels to use. But PR allows you to pinpoint your UA to reach smaller, higher-intent audiences, such as early adopters or power users, who help you fulfill a particular goal.When working with PR agencies or consultants, know what kind of outcome you're after. For apps that just want to reach a wide audience, a firm focused more on outreach at scale might be sufficient. But most apps will benefit more from a strategist who will help craft deep meaningful stories over the long-term.When pitching, think about the writer, not just the publication. Find the writer who will have the greatest personal interest in your story — not only will your pitch success rate be higher, but the subsequent write-up will be much more meaningful and useful to you down the road. Keep your email pitch brief and your press-kit comprehensive. Use the subject line and body copy to highlight uniqueness; feel free to use images but keep it brief. Your press kit, however, should provide enough detail for the journalist to write their story out-of-the-box — but don't go as far as to write it yourself.To effectively pitch your app to TechCrunch, specifically, focus on what sets your app apart. A well-executed idea with quality design is just the starting point. Elevate your pitch by highlighting unique features and differentiation. Adding personal stories can further enhance the appeal and depth of your pitch.About Guest:
On the podcast: We talk with Phil about his Subscription Value Loop framework, what it means to create robust value for customers, and why A/B testing shouldn't be your first step in price optimization.Top Takeaways:
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