2xGen Business Strategy

Why Starting Free Isn't a Bad Idea for SaaS Growth

Why Starting Free Isn't a Bad Idea for SaaS Growth
Offering a free plan can feel risky, but it's one of the smartest ways to build trust, grow adoption, and turn users into paying customers. Here's why we launched FactuurBaas with a free invoicing tool.

Free Doesn't Mean "Less Valuable"

When you're building a SaaS product, one of the toughest early decisions is pricing. Do you start with a paid plan to capture revenue immediately, or do you risk offering something for free?

At FactuurBaas, we chose to start with a free invoicing tool — and it wasn't by accident. Free doesn't mean "less valuable." Instead, it's about building trust, encouraging adoption, and creating an entry point for businesses that might otherwise hesitate to try something new.

Why We Launched with Free

Here's the thinking behind our decision to make FactuurBaas accessible from day one:

1
Trust Comes Before Revenue

Small business owners and freelancers are constantly bombarded with software options. A free plan allows them to test FactuurBaas without risk, see its value firsthand, and build trust in the product.

2
Adoption Drives Growth

The more users on the platform, the faster we can learn what they really need. Free users aren't "lost revenue" — they're part of the growth loop, providing feedback that makes the product better for everyone.

3
The Freemium Funnel Works

Not every free user will stay free forever. Many outgrow basic features and naturally move into paid plans once they need advanced functionality like recurring invoices, team access, or integrations.

How Free Fuels Long-Term Value

Offering a free plan isn't just about generosity — it's a growth strategy.

Brand Awareness

Free plans lower the barrier to entry and help us reach more businesses.

Network Effects

Happy free users often recommend FactuurBaas to peers.

Upsell Opportunities

As users grow, their invoicing needs grow too. Free is simply the start of the journey.

Why This Matters for FactuurBaas Users

For us, launching with free was about alignment. FactuurBaas is built to make invoicing simple and stress-free, especially for freelancers and small business owners who are often juggling multiple tasks at once.

By removing the cost barrier, we ensure anyone can get started and send professional invoices right away. From there, as their business scales, FactuurBaas scales with them.

Start Invoicing for Free Today

Join thousands of freelancers and small businesses using FactuurBaas to send professional invoices effortlessly.

Try FactuurBaas Free →

Conclusion: Free is the Smart Choice

Starting free isn't about giving everything away. It's about opening the door, creating trust, and giving users a reason to stick around. At FactuurBaas, we see our free invoicing tool as the best way to introduce entrepreneurs to our platform — and to build long-term relationships that matter more than a quick transaction.

FAQ: Free Plans & SaaS Growth

Is offering a free plan a good strategy for SaaS?

Yes, free plans (also called freemium) are one of the most effective ways for SaaS companies to attract users, build trust, and grow their customer base before converting them into paying customers.

What are the benefits of freemium SaaS?

Freemium SaaS helps reduce barriers to entry, increases adoption, generates word-of-mouth referrals, and provides valuable product feedback from early users.

What are the risks of offering free SaaS plans?

The main risks are supporting too many free users without a clear upgrade path, or offering too much value in the free tier. The key is balancing free features with premium upsell opportunities.

How do SaaS companies make money if the product is free?

Most SaaS businesses use the freemium model, where basic features are free and advanced tools (like analytics, integrations, or automations) are part of paid subscriptions.

How can I know if starting free is right for my SaaS?

It depends on your target market and growth goals. Free plans work best when you need rapid adoption, want to test product-market fit, and have a clear upgrade funnel to premium features.

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