Similar to Netflix and other video content providers with multi-platform subscription systems, viewers have to register on the publisher's website, in this case on your Web App. This is needed in order for viewers to only sign-up once, not multiple times for each platform, and access the content wherever they want: on FireTV, Roku, AppleTV, AndroidTV, Mobile Apps and on your Web App by simply logging in with their username/email and password they've created during the registration on your Web App. This is how Netflix and other multi-platform subscription systems, such as Lightcast EasyPay are working.
While for the end-user an In-App purchase might look more practical at a first glance, it has several disadvantages for both the end-user and the app owner over a Multi-Platform Subscription System.
Among the greatest advantages of a Multi-Platform System like Netflix, Hulu or Lightcast EasyPay, are the following:
- Subscribers won’t be frustrated as soon as they realize that they have to purchase the same subscription multiple times for each of their devices.
- Subscribers only have to register and purchase the subscription once, allowing them to select their own username and password in order to sign in across all of your apps, websites and properties.
- You as the Publisher do not have to track subscriptions and payments for each App Store separately, and you have the potential to save a lot of additional costs which In-App purchases could otherwise accrue, allowing you to keep a lot more of your subscription revenue.
Read more about the differences between a Multi-Platform Subscriber System and an In-App purchase system at: