Stores & marketplaces

AppSumo and lifetime-deal sites

Fast cash and early users. Lifetime customers raise support load, so cap what you sell.

Visit appsumo.com
Cost
Revenue share

Deal platforms take a share of each deal. Check current terms.

Verdict
slow burn

Slow burn: fast cash and early users, with a heavy support load.

Difficulty
Hard

Gatekept or reviewed, or needs an existing audience or reviews first.

Effort
Medium

About 5 to 10 hours a month.

First result
1 to 3 months (selection)

A rough range for one person working on it part-time.

Payoff
Spike

a burst of traffic, then it fades.

Best for

Products that can cap sales and handle support.

Not for

Products that need recurring revenue from the start.

Pros

  • Fast cash and early users
  • Large deal audience

Cons

  • Heavy support load
  • Lifetime customers pay once

The full guide

Last verified 2026-10-30

Links checked 2026-10-30 · All links answer

01What it is and who is there

AppSumo and similar sites sell lifetime deals: customers pay once for long-term access to software. Their buyers are small businesses and deal hunters. A deal can bring fast cash and many early users. It also brings a large support load and customers who will not pay again.

02Cost and what you actually pay for

Deal platforms take a share of each sale under their current terms; check the terms and how payouts work before you agree. The hidden cost is supporting many users for years.

03Is it right for you?

It fits SaaS with low running costs per user, that can cap the number of deals and handle support. It fits poorly for products with high costs per user, and for founders who need recurring revenue from the start. Many founders cap deals to limit risk.

04Before you start

  • Decide how many lifetime deals you can support, and cap the deal.
  • Define exactly what lifetime buyers get, including limits.
  • Prepare documentation and a support process.
  • Read the platform's current partner terms.

05Step-by-step: how to distribute here

  1. Apply to the platform with your product details.
  2. Agree on deal terms, tiers and limits.
  3. Prepare onboarding and help docs before launch.
  4. Answer buyer questions on the deal page quickly.
  5. Track refunds and support requests.
  6. Move lifetime buyers toward paid add-ons, if offered, without breaking promises.

06What to post or submit

Deal summary:

Lifetime access to [product] [plan]. Includes [limits]. Future updates to [plan] included: [yes/no]. Not included: [what].

07Common mistakes and do-nots

  • Do not sell unlimited lifetime deals with high per-user costs.
  • Do not promise features you have not built.
  • Do not break the terms buyers paid for.

08How to measure it

  • Track deals sold, refunds and support tickets.
  • Track usage and reviews.
  • A realistic test: three months after the deal ends.

09Time budget

  • Before: 10 to 20 hours.
  • During: 2 to 4 hours a day while the deal runs.
  • After: ongoing support.

10Pair it with

11Sources

Sources