Pricing Tactics
What is SaaS Odd-Even Pricing?
Published: July 29, 2024
Last updated: January 31, 2025

What is odd-even pricing?
Odd-even pricing is a psychological pricing tactic where businesses set prices using odd digits like 9, 7, or 5 to create the perception of affordability. This tactic uses the left-digit bias, where consumers focus on the leftmost number to round down a price.
How does odd-even pricing influence customer perception?
Odd-even pricing, often using fractional pricing, creates the perception of a lower value. For example, a SaaS business can create the illusion of savings by pricing their product at $19.99 instead of $20. Although the difference between the two values is small, consumers will perceive it as a more affordable option.
How can odd-even pricing impact SaaS revenue generation?
Odd-even pricing, especially charm pricing, can impact a SaaS business’s revenue by framing the products as affordable. In price-sensitive markets, this can impact sales and conversion rates. Additionally, it can bring benefits to SaaS businesses in comparison to the whole-number price tactic.
When is it appropriate to use odd-even pricing for SaaS products?
Regarding SaaS and software products, odd-even pricing can be implemented in several specific situations.
For one thing, the market your product is part of should be sensitive regarding prices. If customers prioritize cost, then this pricing approach can be an option. Also, if your market is competitive, having a slightly lower price can make customers purchase your products instead of other existing alternatives.
Additionally, this pricing approach can be utilized when introducing your product to your audience, with activating free trials in a high number as a goal.
Market Characteristic | Odd-Even Pricing Effectiveness | Alternative Approach |
---|---|---|
Market Sensitivity | ||
Price-Sensitive Markets | High effectiveness | Cost-based transparent pricing |
Competitive Markets | Moderate effectiveness | Value-based differentiation |
Product Introduction Stage | ||
New Product Launch | Useful for attracting initial customers | Free trial with standard pricing |
Established Product | Limited effectiveness | Feature-based pricing tiers |
Psychological Pricing Considerations | ||
Customer Perception | Creates illusion of lower pricing | Transparent full-number pricing |
Brand Positioning | May reduce perceived premium value | Rounded premium pricing |
Experiment with different price points (odd and even) when setting your SaaS product’s price to determine the most suitable strategy for your target market.
What are the potential drawbacks of using odd-even pricing for SaaS?
Odd-even pricing can have an impact on the SaaS company’s reputation, framing the discount impression, but when employed heavily, it can influence the customer less.
Conclusion
SaaS products are suitable candidates for odd-even pricing if specific aspects like their target market, brand image, or company SaaS pricing strategy are considered. The right way to employ this strategy is to experiment with different price points to verify which option has the expected impact on your business’s revenue.