EVOLUTION OF PRICING MODELS AND STRATEGIES IN THE SOFTWARE PRODUCTS MARKET

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to systematize and summarize current pricing trends in the software market, as well as to identify pricing and monetization models for different groups of software products. The relevance of the topic is due to the dynamic development of the information and communication technology market, which faces challenges due to the development of technology, changing business requirements, and the growing complexity of software projects. The methods of comparative analysis, systematization and generalization were used to identify key trends and features of pricing in different segments of the software market. The study identified the main models of software distribution, including local software, software as a service (SaaS), and cloud solutions. The structure of software distribution in terms of software types is analyzed and it is found that the largest share of open prices is for project management software and CRM systems. The main price units of software products for which payment is established, such as the number of active users, the amount of data stored or transmitted, the number of requests, and the time of use, are identified. The peculiarities of pricing for different types of software, including consumer, corporate and industry software, are investigated. The practical value of the article lies in providing systematized information on modern approaches to pricing in the software market, which can be used by developers and managers to formulate effective pricing and monetization strategies for software products. The results of the study allow for a better understanding of the specifics of pricing in different segments of the software market and can be useful for making informed decisions on the choice of a pricing model and distribution of software products.