Monetization is where most indie SaaS apps die. Not because the product is bad, but because the pricing is wrong, the freemium tier is too generous, or the upgrade path is invisible. This guide covers the full stack: value-based pricing principles, freemium architecture, Stripe + Supabase implementation, and conversion optimization. Pricing Principle: Charge for Value, Not Features The classic mistake: pricing based on features ("get 5 exports per month for $5"). The right framing: what outcome does your tool deliver? Feature-based (weak) Value-based (strong) 5GB storage → $5 Save 10 hours/month → $29 Export to CSV → $10 Automated reporting → $49 API access → $20 Eliminate manual data entry → $99 Van Westendorp Price Sensitivity Test Interview 20-30 target users before launch: "At what price is this too expensive?" "At what price is this getting expensive, but you'd still consider it?" "At what price is this a bargain?" "At what price is this so cheap you'd question the quality?" The overlap of answers 2 and…