RevenueCat vs Superwall

RevenueCat and Superwall both serve subscription apps but solve different parts.

RevenueCat handles subscription state — what tier is the user on, when does it renew, did they refund. The SDK syncs with App Store and Google Play receipts and exposes a simple API ("is user subscribed?"). Pricing: free up to $2.5M MTR, then % fee.

Superwall handles the paywall UI itself — A/B testing different paywall designs, copy, prices without app updates. You design the paywall once, Superwall lets you change it remotely. Pricing: free up to $1k MTR, then tiered.

When to use what:

• Just RevenueCat: simple paywall, no need to A/B test paywall design, just need subscription state and analytics.
• Just Superwall: paywall iteration is critical, RevenueCat overkill or replaceable by their entitlement API.
• Both: most subscription-first apps use both. RevenueCat for subs, Superwall for paywall A/B.

Common alternatives:

• Adapty — competes with both, all-in-one (paywall + subscription).
• Apphud — similar all-in-one.
• Native (StoreKit 2 + custom code) — full control but more dev work.

For most apps under $100k MRR, the all-in-one route (Adapty or Apphud) is simpler. At scale, RevenueCat + Superwall is the more robust combo.