Starter Story Lifetime Deal | Case Studies & Community

A lifetime deal is a highly discounted offer usually provided by new (and sometimes established) tech companies. With a lifetime deal, you can gain exclusive access to their tools/products for the duration of the product’s existence by making a one-time payment. Founders offer these deals to quickly gain exposure in the online market and obtain user feedback, bug reports, and market knowledge.

Typically, these tools are only accessible through monthly or annual recurring subscriptions. Since lifetime deals offer massive (sometimes unbelievably awesome) discounts, most companies only offer them once and for a limited time period. You might be surprised to learn that some of today’s most popular and premium SaaS tools like Intercom, Zapier, Paperform, and SERanking have previously offered lifetime deals for less than $50. Could you be one of the lucky ones? 😃

Please note that the term “lifetime” refers to the lifespan of the product, not that of the buyers or subscribers

No, this is not a scam. But yes, some of these deals do look unbelievable for sure. In fact, I still can’t believe how popular tools like SERanking, Paperform and Airmeet etc. once offered a lifetime deal for just $39, and now they cost so much for just a month.

Founders offer such insane deals mostly to gain easy online brand exposure, receive detailed feedback, bug reports, and secure initial funding to grow their business further. I have explained this in detail under the “I am a Founder, Why should I offer a lifetime deal?” section of this FAQ page.

It is very important to conduct proper due diligence before purchasing any lifetime software deals. While we strive to include only authentic deals on our website, there have been a few instances when some solid products were shut down after only a few years. No one can control the future, so this can happen to any startup or even to big established businesses. Therefore, there is always a risk.

However, to mitigate this risk, there are a few key things to consider before making the purchase decision. Read about them next.

To avoid investing in a bad deal, it’s important to consider these key factors before making your purchase decision:

1. Look for online reviews: Take advantage of platforms such as G2, Capterra, FinanceOnline, and others to gather insights from users who have already tried this tool.

2. Research the founders: Dig deeper into information about the founders by searching online or exploring their “About Us” section. Make sure they have a visible presence on professional platforms like LinkedIn, IndieHackers, ProductHunt which indicates their commitment towards maintaining trust.

3. Check for endorsements: If this tool is relatively new in the market, see if it has been featured on reputable websites like BetaList, ProductHunt, IndieHackers, HackersNews. This could indicate its potential and value.

4. Assess user feedback: Evaluate the reviews and comments about the tool on the sales page. Pay attention to how the founder responds to criticism. Additionally, look for a public roadmap and check the changelog to determine if the product is frequently updated.

5. Choose reliable deal sites: Opt for trustworthy deal sites that offer a clear refund policy without any complicated procedures. This will enable you to thoroughly test the tool and request a refund if it doesn’t meet your requirements.