# Why do registration paywalls look simpler than in-app paywalls?

Author: Ali Abouelatta
Source date: 2024-04-05
Tags: monetization, registration paywalls, onboarding, conversion
HTML: https://lazyweb.com/research/registration-paywalls
Markdown: https://lazyweb.com/research/registration-paywalls.md

## Primary visual

Local image URL: https://lazyweb.com/research-assets/registration-paywalls/01-registration-paywall-summary.webp
Original image URL: https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/69b163cd-fea7-486e-826a-87c7c41e7505_1200x628.png
Alt text: Registration paywalls summary graphic from First 1000.
Image description: A summary graphic introduces the difference between registration paywalls and later paywalls.

Short answer: Registration paywalls often show less feature and benefit detail than later in-app paywalls because they appear before the user has full product context. Ali observed this pattern while reviewing more than 100 onboarding flows, especially in apps with multiple subscription tiers.

## Evidence

The paired screenshots show the same product category using simpler registration paywalls and more explanatory post-registration paywalls.

## What changed

- Registration paywalls reduce context and benefit detail.
- Later paywalls provide more feature explanation because the user has more product context.
- The pattern is especially common where multiple subscription tiers need explanation.

## Why it matters

- A first paywall should not always mirror an in-app upsell paywall.
- The right amount of context depends on where the paywall appears in the user journey.

## Sources

- [1] Lazyweb Research: Registration Paywalls. Ali says he reviewed more than 100 onboarding flows and saw registration paywalls commonly provide less feature context than post-registration paywalls, especially with multiple tiers. [Source](https://read.first1000.co/p/registration-paywalls)