Updated 3rd November, 2025

You have a skill (or passion) you're ready to monetize. Maybe you already have an audience and a cobbled-together program but it's scattered and losing you potential revenue. You've looked at quotes for custom app builds and they cost $30k+ plus six months of dev time, with no guarantee it'll work.

‍Passion.io offers a different path. You get a real branded app for iOS, Android, and web without writing code. This guide breaks down the true entry-level costs, what you get at each starter tier, and how to launch in weeks instead of months.

How can I try Passion risk-free?

Passion provides a 30-day money-back guarantee as the primary risk-free entry point. You choose a plan, start building your app, and get a full refund if it's not the right fit within 30 days.

During this period you can build your branded app, upload courses, set up community features, configure payment options, and begin marketing to your audience. If the platform doesn't meet your needs, you exit without financial loss.

Getting started checklist

Before you sign up, prepare these items:

• Content inventory: 5-10 core video lessons, PDFs, or audio files
• Brand assets: Logo, brand colors (hex codes), and app name ideas
• Pricing decision: Monthly subscription amount or one-time course fee
• Developer accounts: Start Apple ($99/year) and Google Play ($25 one-time) applications for mobile apps

"Passion makes building your own e-learning app fast, simple, and stress-free. With their no-code, drag-and-drop platform, I was able to design, build, and launch a fully functional app in just a few hours." - G2

What are Passion's starter plan costs?

Passion offers Launch and Scale as primary entry points, with higher-tier options available for scaling creators.

Passion Launch plan: Your first steps

The Launch plan is Passion's entry-level offering for creators starting their app.

Pricing:

• Monthly billing: $119 per month
• Annual billing: $99 per month (billed as $1,188 annually)

Key inclusions: Branded app for iOS, Android, and web with core course delivery features. Includes basic integrations (Calendly, Typeform, YouTube), in-app search, one-to-one messaging, basic community tools, drip content scheduling, and onboarding assistance. Access to the Expert Unleashed Challenge guide, a 30-day program guiding you through launch and sales.

Typical limits: 250 users (approximately 25 paying customers), 3 products/communities/pricing plans, 100 video uploads, 1,000 push notifications monthly, plus a 3.9% PassionPayments platform fee on web transactions.

Passion Scale plan: Growing your reach

The Scale plan removes branding and expands capabilities for growing creators.

Pricing:

• Monthly billing: $299 per month
• Annual billing: $239 per month (billed as $2,868 annually, saving $720/year)

Key inclusions: Everything in Launch plus white-labeled experience (Passion branding removed), expanded automation tools, more robust community features, and higher allowances for videos, subscribers, and push notifications.

Plan comparison at a glance

Table 1: Pricing and Core Features

Table 2: Limits and Support

"I love my passion app and this community! I appreciate so much the support on the journey to create my own app and my business!" - TrustPilot

For a visual platform walkthrough, watch this Passion tutorial on YouTube.

What are the additional fees for launching an app?

Your plan subscription covers platform access, but additional costs apply for payment processing and app store publishing.

PassionPayments web checkout fees

PassionPayments charges a 3.9% platform fee on web app transactions, plus standard Stripe processing fees (typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction).

Example for a $99 course sold via web:

• Stripe fee: $3.17 (2.9% + $0.30)
• Passion platform fee: $3.86 (3.9%)
• Your net revenue: $91.97 (92.9% of sale price)

Use web checkout for high-ticket items, bundles, and annual subscriptions where margins matter most.

Apple and Google in-app purchase (IAP) fees

Purchases made inside your iOS or Android native app incur Apple and Google commissions of 15-30%, depending on your revenue tier and subscription duration. Passion adds no platform fee on top of these commissions.

Fee structure:

• Small Business Program: 15% commission for developers earning under $1M annually
• Standard rate: 30% for most transactions
• Subscriptions after year one: 15% for ongoing subscribers

Example for a $29/month subscription via IAP (first year):

• Apple/Google commission: $8.70 (30%)
• Your net revenue: $20.30 (70% of sale price)

Use IAP for lower-priced impulse purchases and monthly subscriptions where mobile convenience drives conversions.

Developer program fees

To publish on app stores, enroll in each developer program:

• Apple Developer Program: $99 per year (recurring)
• Google Play Developer: $25 one-time registration

Budget $124 in your first year, then $99 annually to maintain Apple presence. Submit applications during week one to avoid delays.

Total first-year fixed costs: Launch plan (annual) $1,188 + Apple $99 + Google $25 = $1,312

How fast can I launch my branded app?

Your web app can launch in 2-3 weeks with content ready. App store submission adds 1-4 weeks depending on review times.

Web app launch timeline

• Week 1: Sign up, submit developer applications, upload 5-10 core lessons, configure design (logo, colors, fonts)
• Week 2: Structure courses, set up pricing plans, configure payments, create community channels, write onboarding sequences
• Week 3: Invite beta users, test experience, configure push notifications (2-3 per week), integrate tools (Calendly, Typeform), publish web app

Your web app uses the pattern yourappname.passion.io. Custom domains are not available on Launch or Scale plans.

App store submission process

• Apple App Store: Reviews typically take 1-3 days but can extend to 1-2 weeks if clarifications are needed. Prepare clear descriptions, screenshots for all device sizes, privacy policy URL, and age ratings.
• Google Play: Reviews often process within 1-3 days. Requires complete metadata, screenshots, feature graphic, and privacy policy.
• Plan support: Launch and Scale plans provide DIY guides with email/chat support. Higher-tier plans include App Store submission assistance.

"What I love about Passion is that it's not just a platform to create your own app - it also provides invaluable training on how to build and sell your course." - G2

For a beginner's walkthrough, check out this honest Passion review on YouTube.

What features do I get with Passion starter plans?

All plans provide core functionality for content, community, and monetization. Depth and limits scale with your tier.

Content creation and delivery

Upload videos, audio, PDFs, images, and text lessons with drag-and-drop structure. Add quizzes (via Typeform), downloadable resources, goal tracking, and offline access. Launch includes basic drip scheduling for timed content release.

Community and engagement tools

Build in-app community with group channels, one-to-one messaging, time-bound challenges, and push notifications. Launch supports 1,000 push notifications monthly. Push reaches 80-90% of users who enable them, far exceeding email open rates (20-30%).

Monetization and payment flexibility

Support multiple models through PassionPayments, IAP, and external checkouts: subscriptions (weekly/monthly/annual), one-time purchases, freemium tiers, and free trials (3-30 days). Launch supports up to 3 pricing plans. Note: Apple only permits trials for subscriptions, not one-time purchases on iOS.

Training and support resources

Access Expert Unleashed Challenge (30-day launch program), Passion Academy, PassionFighter community, and onboarding support. Our 2025 creator guide shows how creators structure apps for engagement and revenue growth.

"They lay it out clearly and are available for support. The platform is easy to use with clear directions on what to do next." - G2

Is Passion right for my business?

Passion serves a specific creator profile well but is not the best fit for everyone.

Best for: Coaches and creators who want

Mobile-first engagement with push notifications and native iOS/Android apps. You own the customer relationship without algorithm or platform risk. Get to market in weeks at a fraction of custom development costs ($30k+ and 3-6 months minimum). Access training programs that address business challenges, not just technical ones.

"I have been wanting to join the Passion.io community for so long and I finally did. It is everything that I imagined. The training is amazing..." - TrustPilot

For more creator perspectives, watch this honest user experience review on YouTube.

Start with confidence

The Launch plan at $99/month (annual billing) provides core features most creators need. Add $124 in first-year developer fees and budget for transaction costs (3.9% platform fee on web, 15-30% on IAP). Your web app can launch in 2-3 weeks, with mobile store presence following within 4-6 weeks.

The 30-day money-back guarantee gives you a risk-free window to test the platform. Prepare your content inventory, brand assets, and pricing structure before signing up so you can move quickly.

If you're tired of tool sprawl and platforms you don't control (what creators call "rented land"), Passion offers a path to ownership.

Try Passion with a 30-day money-back guarantee

Ready to consolidate your courses, community, and payments into one branded app? Start building with Passion and see if mobile-first engagement transforms your retention and revenue.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest Passion plan?

The Launch plan at $99/month billed annually or $119/month on monthly billing. This includes branded iOS, Android, and web apps with core features.

What are the payment processing fees?

PassionPayments charges 3.9% platform fee on web checkouts plus Stripe fees (2.9% + $0.30). Apple and Google take 15-30% on in-app purchases with no additional Passion fee.

Do I need to pay for Apple and Google developer accounts?

Yes. Apple charges $99 per year and Google charges $25 one-time. These are paid directly to Apple and Google, not Passion.

Can I use my own domain name on the Launch plan?

No. Launch and Scale use yourappname.passion.io subdomain structure. Custom domains are not available on starter tiers.

How long does it take to launch my app?

Web app launches in 2-3 weeks with content ready. App store submission adds 1-4 weeks depending on review times.

What happens if I exceed my plan limits?

Passion does not charge overage fees. When you approach limits (subscribers, videos, push notifications), upgrade to the next tier.

Key terms glossary

PassionPayments: Passion's integrated web checkout system powered by Stripe, charging a 3.9% platform fee on transactions.

In-app purchase (IAP): Purchases made inside iOS or Android apps, subject to Apple and Google's 15-30% commission with no additional Passion platform fee.

Tool sprawl: Managing multiple disconnected software tools for content delivery, community, payments, and member communication.

Rented land: Social media platforms and marketplaces where you don't own the customer relationship or control access.

MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue): Predictable monthly income from subscription members, a key metric for creator business stability.

Branded app: A mobile and web application customized with your business name, logo, and colors, published under your brand.