The Subscription Model
| Monthly price | CHF 1 (≈1 EUR ≈1 USD) |
| Annual price | CHF 10/year |
| Annual increase | +5%/year |
| Billing method | At Transaction time |
| Inactive months | Retroactive billing |
| 1B users scenario | CHF 12B/year revenue |
| NOT in | Funding Contract |
| See also | Fund WikiDeal |
| See also | Why Fund WikiDeal |
The WikiDeal Subscription Model is the revenue engine that makes the entire system sustainable — and the source of funds that ultimately pay back early funders through Cash Credits. At CHF 1/month, it is designed for global accessibility: roughly equal to 1 EUR or 1 USD, making it one of the most affordable community memberships in the digital economy.
Pricing Structure
- Monthly: CHF 1.00 per month
- Annual: CHF 10.00 per year (slight discount vs. 12×1 = CHF 12)
- Annual value increase: 5% per year (same as Credits) — CHF 1.05 in year 1, CHF 1.10 in year 2, etc.
The 5% annual increase ensures the subscription keeps pace with the value growth of Credits, maintaining alignment between funders and users over time.
Billing at Transaction Time
WikiDeal uses a unique billing approach: subscription fees are billed at Transaction time, not as a recurring monthly charge. This means:
- If you make a Transaction in March but not in January or February, the January and February fees are collected at the March Transaction (retroactively).
- Inactive users are not constantly billed — but their subscription debt accumulates and is settled at next activity.
- This reduces friction for irregular users while maintaining the subscription revenue model.
Why CHF 1/Month?
The CHF 1/month price is not arbitrary — it is calculated to be:
- Globally accessible — roughly equivalent to 1 EUR or 1 USD in most markets
- Below the friction threshold — low enough that cost is not a barrier to participation
- Scalable to sustainability — at large user numbers, CHF 1/month generates transformative revenue
- Fair — no tiered pricing, no premium plans: everyone pays the same
Scalability: The Path to CHF 12 Billion
| Users | Monthly Revenue (CHF) | Annual Revenue (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 | 10,000 | 120,000 |
| 100,000 | 100,000 | 1,200,000 |
| 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 12,000,000 |
| 1,000,000,000 | 1,000,000,000 | 12,000,000,000 |
At 1 billion users × CHF 12/year = CHF 12 billion annual revenue. This is the long-term vision — not a promise, but a demonstration of the model's potential.
Subscription Revenue and Funders
The subscription model is the direct source of the revenue that pays back early funders. When you fund WikiDeal today, you are betting that subscription revenue will grow to the point where your Cash Credits can be converted to CHF. The subscription model is therefore not just a pricing decision — it is the financial mechanism that makes the entire Credits system work.
ℹ️ The subscription model is separate from the Funding Contract. The Funding Contract governs your funding contribution and Credit allocation. The subscription model governs ongoing membership and usage fees. These are two distinct financial flows.
What Subscription Revenue Funds
- Platform operations (servers, development, maintenance)
- Cash Credits conversion for eligible funders
- Community programmes and User Group support
- Open Call rewards for community contributors
💡 Improve this concept — submit a proposal via Open Call