10 gamification ideas that show how to create a great user experience

What features should a gamified user experience have? In practice, the answer depends on your business goals! Whether you choose to use challenges, points, or leaderboards, implementing the right gamification ideas can drive users toward your desired outcomes. TL;DR: Strategic gamification can boost user engagement by up to 150%, a critical factor in a global market projected to reach $19.42 billion by 2026. Success today requires moving beyond simple badges to create intrinsic motivation through social connectivity and personalization. In our experience, these 10 gamification ideas provide the blueprint for sustainable growth and long-term retention.

This image illustrates how various gamification ideas, such as progress tracking and rewards, can be combined to create a cohesive user experience that rivals top-performing wellness platforms. According to recent market research, the wellness and mHealth sectors are currently seeing the highest growth in gamified adoption, as users prioritize apps that offer tangible feedback and community competition.

• What is gamification?
• What is gamification for apps?
• Why are gamification ideas so successful?
• 3 key benefits of app gamification
• 10 gamification ideas for apps
• Challenges
• Leaderboards
• Points
• Personalization
• Daily streaks
• Try out gamification with StriveCloud!
• FAQs

What is gamification? Implementing effective gamification ideas

TL;DR: Gamification transforms the user journey by applying game mechanics to non-game apps, often boosting engagement by up to 150%. By leveraging strategic gamification ideas like progression loops and social competition, brands tap into core human psychology to drive long-term loyalty in a global market projected to exceed $19.42 billion by 2026.

Gamification uses game-like elements to motivate users in non-game contexts. Modern apps implement various gamification ideas, such as milestones, interactive challenges, and tiered levels, to enhance the value proposition. Essentially, a gamified app taps into human psychology by satisfying innate needs for autonomy, competence, and social relatedness. In our experience, this transformation of the user interface makes the overall experience feel more intuitive and rewarding rather than purely transactional.

This creates intrinsic motivation—the internal drive to act because the activity itself is inherently satisfying. While extrinsic rewards like cashback are helpful, they often lead to "reward fatigue" over time. By contrast, well-executed gamification ideas encourage users to return habitually, leading to sustained app engagement and higher retention rates. According to 2025 industry reports, companies prioritizing these psychological triggers see significantly higher customer lifetime value (LTV) compared to those relying on traditional, static UX designs.

New to gamification ideas? Learn the basics with StriveCloud! Our definitive guide to app gamification can act as a reference point for your engagement strategy.

What are gamification ideas for apps?

TL;DR: In 2026, data-driven gamification is proven to increase user engagement by up to 150%. By implementing strategic gamification ideas, developers can transform routine digital interactions into high-retention, rewarding user experiences.

Simply put, gamification runs on data. With the global gamification market projected to reach $19.42 billion, apps are leveraging behavioral insights to build deeply satisfying user experiences. In our experience, successful gamification ideas turn mundane tasks into memorable activities by utilizing four fundamental mechanics:

• Achievement. Badges and progression levels celebrate user milestones and foster a sense of mastery.
• Competition. Social leaderboards and challenges tap into the fact that people are naturally competitive.
• Feedback. Instant, real-time feedback loops positively reinforce the user and encourage continued app use.
• Reward. Points, digital collectibles, and perks provide the tangible motivation that gives every task a clear purpose.

Why are gamification ideas so successful?

Gamification ideas succeed because they align with fundamental behavioral psychology, transforming passive users into active participants. TL;DR: By leveraging loss aversion and positive reinforcement, these strategies reduce cognitive load and drive retention. Recent 2026 projections indicate that companies using gamified frameworks report up to a 150% increase in user engagement, fueling a global market now valued at over $19.4 billion.

In our experience, the most effective gamification ideas are those that feel invisible; they don't just add "games" to an app, but rather utilize decades of science to motivate people and drive specific behaviors. Because these principles are hardwired into our brains, any industry—from fintech to healthcare—can achieve significant growth by applying these psychological triggers to satisfy the human need for achievement and feedback.

Leverages the power of loss avoidance

Loss avoidance remains one of the most powerful psychological forces in UX design. In fact, the fear of losing progress or a "streak" is often more motivating than the prospect of winning a new reward. Modern gamification ideas thrive on this principle. Even a simple notification regarding a potential loss of status or a streak can motivate users to invest higher effort into the platform to maintain their standing!

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience - "Human behavior is more strongly driven by the motivation to avoid losses than to pursue gains... loss aversion motivates higher effort investment in effort-based decision-making."

People crave validation

Validation, or positive reinforcement, is a core human necessity. When you provide it through a badge, a social shout-out, or a filled progress bar, you unlock intrinsic drivers of growth and self-worth. This is why the gamified health and wellness sector is seeing such explosive growth heading into 2026. As the global gamification market reaches a $19.42 billion valuation, the focus has shifted toward emotional validation—making a completed task feel like a personal victory, which encourages users to engage repeatedly.

Simplifies the user experience

The goal of any great interface is to reduce friction. Essentially, you perform a task, and you get rewarded for it. In scientific terms, this is called “reducing the cognitive load.” A simple narrative makes your app easier to navigate because it requires less mental effort for the user to understand the value proposition. This clarity is achieved through three specific gamification ideas:

• Clear goals and real-time progress tracking
• Immediate feedback loops and rewards
• Guided pathways that remove decision fatigue

3 key benefits of gamification ideas for app growth

TL;DR: Strategic gamification ideas transform passive users into active brand advocates, boosting engagement by up to 150% and securing a foothold in the projected $19.42 billion gamification market. In our experience, these mechanics are essential for maximizing retention and lifetime value in 2026. Because the average person now spends over a third of their day on mobile, they seek interactive environments rather than static interfaces. Utilizing gamification ideas results in three primary benefits:

1. Drives users toward high-value tasks, aligning individual actions with core business KPIs
2. Elevates engagement strategies via personalized rewards, significantly lowering churn rates
3. Enriches the overall user experience, leading to measurable increases in brand affinity

The importance of user satisfaction cannot be overstated in today’s competitive landscape. Based on recent industry data, gamified wellness and learning apps are seeing unprecedented growth because satisfaction remains one of the most reliable predictors of loyalty. This loyalty is the ultimate revenue driver; even in 2026, the Pareto principle remains a vital metric, where the most engaged 20% of a user base frequently generates up to 80% of total app revenue. By prioritizing game-driven UX, brands ensure their users don't just download an app, but integrate it into their daily habits.

10 gamification ideas for apps

TL;DR: Implementing the right gamification ideas is no longer optional in 2026; it is a necessity for retention. Leading apps now use social competition and tangible reward loops to boost engagement by up to 150%. This guide explores how top brands like Google, Duolingo, and HumanForest leverage game mechanics to turn passive users into active, loyal advocates.

Challenges

#1 GooglePay’s stamp challenge enthralled India

How did GooglePay stimulate product adoption in India? With a challenge! For Diwali, one of India’s biggest festivals, the app utilized clever gamification ideas to challenge customers to earn 5 unique stamps. Users do this by completing transactions and earning randomized stamps. If you collected all 5 stamps within the 2-week deadline, you got a cash prize! In a way, this makes the challenge like a lottery, which makes it even more unpredictable and fun.

In the end, the campaign garnered over 37 million impressions and sparked 225,000 conversations on social media. Sounds good, right? Here’s why the challenge worked:

• Dopamine effect. Getting the right stamp feels great!
• Effort/reward balance. Making engagement easy is crucial.
• Habit formation. Repetitive actions and rewards hook customers in.
• Narrative. Centered around a cultural festival, GooglePay put its spin on a widely shared and beloved story.

GooglePay's campaign demonstrates how a culturally relevant and lottery-like challenge can create viral engagement in a new market.

#2 Santander Cycles incentivizes users to achieve (and win!)

Challenges are unpredictable—and that’s exciting! These types of gamification ideas give users a fresh reason to return to the app daily. For instance, London’s Santander Cycles regularly challenges their customers. To make their challenges extra motivating, the app rewards successful customers with a lottery entry and the thrilling chance of winning a prize.

For one, this triggers customers to complete actions aligned with their business goals. It can be seen that Santander Cycles wants customers to take more rides. That’s why they create achievements such as “keep on pedaling” and “frequent flyer”, where riders have to ride every day or exceed 123 kilometers. And when riders pass these challenges, it increases their self-confidence and feeling of expertise!

This example from Santander Cycles shows how gamified challenges can drive specific user behaviors that align with business goals, like increased ride frequency.

Leaderboards

#3 Kazyr ranked their esports teams

Leaderboards help users compare their personal progress against their peers, which is one of the most effective gamification ideas for fostering community. For esports platform Kazyr, implementing a leaderboard was a core strategy they used when partnering with StriveCloud to gamify their experience. On the leaderboard, gamers are sorted by their skills, with the top-ranking players winning prizes like merchandise and experiences.

In our experience, leaderboards inspire a sense of healthy competition. Users should want to publicize their ranking—after all, it’s a sign of social status and that’s motivating! In the current 2026 landscape, companies using these gamification frameworks report up to a 150% increase in engagement, leading to massive user base growth.

After implementing these gamification ideas, Kazyr achieved amazing results:

• 60% more daily active users
• 1 year of 24/7 eyeball time in a day
• 1.5h average session time per user per day

Pieter Verheye, Community Manager @Kayzr - "By gamifying the user experience, StriveCloud helped us grow our user base significantly through competitive social features."

#4 Sweatcoin pays the board leaders

The fitness industry has been revolutionized by gamification ideas that reward physical movement with digital value. By 2026, the global gamification market is valued at approximately $19.42 billion, with mHealth apps like Sweatcoin leading the charge. Essentially, users get “Sweatcoins” for their daily steps, which they can then exchange for real-world products or currency in their digital wallets.

To further encourage users to earn Sweatcoins, the app places users on a leaderboard. This feature offers instant feedback and positive reinforcement while creating a community of users. When users compete for the top spot, they share the same goals and interests as others. As a result, you fulfill the powerful ‘need to belong,’ which is essential for boosting long-term loyalty and reducing churn.

The Sweatcoin leaderboard effectively combines competition with tangible rewards, fostering a strong sense of community and motivation.

Points

#5 Ready Telco One shows that gamification ideas are powerful

Gamification ideas are spreading far and wide, even to big telecommunications companies. Telco giants Orange and Microsoft partnered to create an experiment called Ready Telco One to explore the benefits of point-based systems. As a gamified marketplace, they rewarded points to users for engaging in quizzes and virtual testing of telco products. These points could then be redeemed for discounts at partner retailers.

Our analysis shows that the gamification ideas showcased in projects like Ready Telco One deliver massive financial outcomes by increasing the Average Revenue Per User (ARPU):

• €18 million increase to monthly revenue
• 1 million new app customers
• €0.55 increase in ARPU

Ready Telco One's point system illustrates how gamification can directly translate to significant financial outcomes like increased revenue and ARPU.

#6 HumanForest uses points to send a sustainable message

To encourage green travel, our team at StriveCloud helped the e-bike app HumanForest implement high-impact gamification ideas through 'TreeCoins.' More than a simple points system, this scheme rewards customers for riding with free minutes or discounts. In our experience, connecting digital rewards to environmental impact is one of the strongest drivers for Gen Z and Millennial users in 2026.

But here’s the best part – TreeCoins actually show users how many trees worth of CO2 they save! For every 5 miles that users ride, they earn a TreeCoin, representing 1 tree in saved CO2. This progress visualization mechanic prompts users to return; recent data indicates that apps utilizing impact-based rewards see significantly higher repeat usage rates than traditional loyalty programs.

Michael Stewart @HumanForest - "StriveCloud really helped us fulfil our brand message. The TreeCoins explain our mission perfectly… the progress visualization mechanic prompts users to keep using HumanForest and rewards sustainable behavior with free minutes!"

Visualizing these real-life consequences makes the points feel tangible. This incentive gives users a reason to return to HumanForest, where over two-thirds of all trips are now made by repeat users seeking to increase their positive climate impact.

HumanForest's TreeCoin system effectively connects digital points to a tangible, real-world impact, powerfully reinforcing the brand's sustainable message.

Personalization

#7 Muscle Booster lets users customize their exercise

One of the most effective gamification ideas for onboarding is simply asking users what they want to achieve. However, you must keep it efficient. Industry data consistently shows that every unnecessary step in an onboarding flow can cost you up to 20% of your potential users. Muscle Booster avoids this by using a fast, goal-oriented onboarding process.

By setting a clear pathway for engagement, you simplify the user experience. Muscle Booster lets users select personal goals and customize workouts. This takes advantage of the ‘endowed progress effect,’ where personalized gamification makes people significantly more likely to complete the tasks they begin because they feel they have already started their journey.

Muscle Booster's personalized onboarding process shows how letting users set their own goals creates a sense of purpose and simplifies the user journey.

#8 Stitch Fix gets to know your preferences during onboarding

In the competitive 2026 e-commerce market, gamification ideas give brands a vital edge. Stitch Fix proves this with their “Style Shuffle.” Immediately upon joining, users are shown items of clothing and asked to thumb up or down. This simple, game-like interaction gathers massive amounts of data while keeping the user entertained during what would otherwise be a boring form-fill.

These answers are used to personalize a surprise clothes box delivered to the user's door. Since the game launched, millions of Stitch Fix customers have engaged with it, generating over a billion unique ratings. This shows that asking for feedback in a fun way builds brand trust and makes the data collection process feel like a reward rather than a chore.

Torunn Skrogstad, Principal Product Designer @Stitch Fix - "Style Shuffle was a huge unlock for the company. We had no idea this simple interaction would be such a massive driver for the business."

Stitch Fix's "Style Shuffle" is a brilliant example of using a simple, game-like interaction to gather valuable data for personalization at scale.

Daily streaks

#9 Duolingo streaks keep students learning

Streaks are one of the most powerful gamification ideas for habit formation and long-term retention. Duolingo uses streaks to incentivize daily language practice, leveraging the psychological desire to maintain a winning record. Research shows that when users are challenged to "wager" on their streaks, short-term retention can rise by as much as 14%.

The iconic Duolingo streak is a powerful demonstration of how tracking daily engagement can build habits and boost user retention significantly.

#10 Snapchat combines socialization & streaks to maximize engagement

Snapchat remains a dominant social app in 2026, with over 400 million daily active users. To maximize engagement, Snapchat rewards users with streaks that represent their social consistency. These gamification ideas leverage loss aversion—the idea that losing a hard-earned "best friend" streak is more painful than the effort required to send a quick snap.

By making the streak a social feature, it becomes an obligation between friends, which is far more powerful than a solo challenge. Users earn trophies and badges for long-term consistency, turning simple communication into a status symbol that keeps them coming back every single day.

Snapchat's social streaks capitalize on the principle of loss avoidance and social connection to drive massive daily engagement.

Ready to implement these gamification ideas? Booking a strategy session can help you craft the perfect engagement loop for your app's unique audience.

FAQs about gamification ideas

TL;DR: Gamification ideas transform user experience by using game mechanics like leaderboards and rewards to boost engagement. In 2026, data shows these strategies can increase user interaction by up to 150%, helping companies tap into a gamification market valued at over $19 billion to drive long-term loyalty and growth.

What are gamification ideas?

Gamification uses game-like features to motivate users in non-game contexts. And any app can gamify! In our experience, successful gamification ideas tap into shared human psychology by satisfying innate needs like growth, competition, and belonging. By 2026, integrating these mechanics is no longer optional; it is a standard for creating a more engaging and intuitive user experience.

Why are gamification ideas so successful for UX?

Gamification ideas are successful because they’re based on decades of behavioral psychology that explores what makes humans tick. For example, humans instinctively avoid losses and seek positive reinforcement. With the global gamification market valued at $19.42 billion in 2025, it is clear that features like badges and progress bars leverage these behaviors to create powerful, sustainable motivation for modern users!

What is the key benefit of implementing gamification ideas?

Gamification ideas can drive customers toward your business goals by rewarding specific behaviors. In our experience, companies using these strategies report up to a 150% increase in engagement, leading to significant user base growth. Essentially, rewards incentivize engagement and make the user experience more fun. In turn, this increases user satisfaction and builds the ultimate goldmine: long-term customer loyalty!

Top 10 reasons why organizing online tournaments on your own gaming platform is good for your brand

The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in events all over the world being canceled. Whether it’s the Premier League, music festivals, exhibits, or trade shows; COVID-19 has the whole world missing out on their favorite pastimes. People are putting lots of work-related activities on hold and as a result, many brands are also losing essential touchpoints with consumers. Needless to say, if you want to maintain a steady stream of income as a business, you’ll have to reevaluate your thinking about current and future advertising and marketing campaigns.

Gaming tournament platforms are an attractive and proven alternative to advertising at live events, allowing you to reconnect with consumers even during a lockdown.

In this article, we’ll cover the top 10 reasons why your brand should invest in organizing its own online tournaments on a gaming tournament platform today:

• It doesn’t take long to set up a gaming tournament platform
• Scaling marketing actions on a platform is easy
• Online gaming platforms have a low entry barrier
• You can take impressions of your ads to new levels
• Online gaming is a great opportunity to grow your audience
• You turn your audience into brand ambassadors
• More touchpoints enable you to boost sales
• You’ll gather loads of useful in-game data
• You can unlock new sponsor opportunities
• The time is now

It doesn’t take long to set up a gaming tournament platform

Proximus is a Belgian telecommunications company and one of the country’s biggest broadcasters of live sports. During the lockdown, they partnered up with the Belgian Pro League and launched the Proximus Pro League e-Cup. On the one hand to keep soccer fans digitally engaged on the one hand, but also to keep promoting the brand.

With StriveCloud as a technology partner, they created an online FIFA tournament in which fans can enroll to represent their favorite team and play against each other. The tournament platform was already up and running in one week, and within the first hours of going live, over 2,000 fans signed up.

Scaling ad reach on a platform is easy

When advertising at offline events your reach is always limited by the capacity of the venue. While the physical event space only has a certain amount of seats, the sky is the limit in the digital realm. The more users you get to sign up, the more potential customers!

Online gaming tournament platforms have a low entry barrier

Esports is probably one of the most accessible competitive leagues in the world. It’s fun and doesn’t require a lot to start: a decent computer and internet connection already does the trick. Besides getting people to sign up and play, online gaming tournaments have also stood their ground in terms of attracting spectators and ensuring esports fan engagement, filling out entire virtual arenas and garnishing millions of views.

Online gaming lets you take impressions to new levels

As a business, you want to have as many touchpoints with consumers as possible. You could spend millions to achieve the highest number of impressions possible, but chances are your budget doesn’t allow for that.

With your very own gaming tournament platform, you can reach your audience up to 24 hours a day and 7 days a week for far less money. Users can play or watch their favorite players compete around the clock, significantly increasing the amount of time they come into contact with your brand. With some smart activation efforts, such as gamification elements, you can keep them coming back.

Every day, thousands of users tune into community streams and enter competitive esports events on Kayzr, the largest esports community platform in Benelux. How did they manage to do that, you ask? The company teamed up with StriveCloud to gamify the user experience and stimulate gamers and esports enthusiasts to return to the platform.

What gamification elements are behind Kayzr’s success?

This video demonstrates the gamification elements used on the Kayzr platform to boost user engagement.

Pieter Verheye, Community Manager @ Kayzr - "People are coming for the rewards. If you take them away, engagement suffers. With StriveCloud’s help, we created a new reward system focused on moments of surprise and user empowerment, and fan engagement is higher than ever."

Gaming tournament platforms are ideal for growing your audience

Over the past years, many brands have been making investments in digital advertising, especially on social media. And this success is raising the budgets needed for an impactful campaign. The number of companies using social media ads has gotten so big, social networks are getting saturated and brands are paying more money to reach their audience or reach their goal of qualified leads.

That’s not the case for online tournament platforms. By adding a gaming platform to your media mix, you’ll be able to reach a more diverse audience, from the highly digitized youth to older generations discovering online gaming, more easily.

Tournaments can turn consumers into brand ambassadors

A vibrant gaming tournament platform with gamification elements allows you to strengthen the loyalty of your audience to your brand.

It’s by playing on people’s competitive streaks and enabling them to win badges and enter daily challenges with leaderboards, that you’ll ensure activity on your platform. By integrating such forms of recognition - moments of ‘delight’ - you’ll get users excited when interacting with you.

And what happens when you feel good about a brand? Yes, you’ll become a fan, an ambassador. One benefit you can get from such a bond is a higher chance of generating revenue, through merchandising for instance. T-shirts, hoodies, and snapbacks are good options if the group becomes big enough to warrant the investment. For online platforms, other options are also available which do not rely on expensive designs and shipping. Platform skins, premium badges, and other visual upgrades serve the same purpose as real-life merchandising but for the online space.

An engaged audience buys more

What’s the benefit of getting to interact with your audience on a daily basis? Right: you get equal chances to target them with ads, promoting your products. Additionally, an analysis by analytics and advice firm Gallup found that fully engaged consumers are on average 23% more profitable.

Engaged users are also more likely to pay for the content you put behind a paywall. The free version is the ideal marketing tool to funnel users to the more lucrative version of your platform. You can tease players with limited trails of the premium version in order to further entice them to upgrade.

Gather loads of useful in-game data

A huge advantage of digital experiences is the ability to collect data. Of course, you can’t straight up ask for a bunch of things. As a matter of fact, you better keep the signup process as low-barrier as possible. Once your audience signed up on the gaming platform though, you can start gathering all kinds of information such as the dates and times spent on games, scores, money spent, and so on.

You can then use these data to finetune marketing actions in your esports realm, for example when best to send notifications to compete in the tournament or when to notify users about special offers.

Unlock new sponsor opportunities

A fun extra for sports organizations: with new fans comes to a fresh appeal, especially for sponsors and rights deals. You can create new products for sponsors and you can leverage the increased advertising possibilities.

This graph illustrates the significant and growing worldwide brand spending on esports sponsorships and advertising, highlighting the market's potential.

The time for online tournaments is now

Today is the time to get into esports and create more opportunities to keep growing your revenue. While the industry has been gaining traction over the past few years, millions of new people just recently got to know it during the lockdown.

Big brands such as Coca-Cola are already jumping at the opportunity to attach their names to the esports community to reach the growing fan base. In February 2020, Coca-Cola published a press release revealing it signed a multi-year entitlement partnership with e-NASCAR, the esports arm of the US car racing association.

Chris Bigda, Director Sports Marketing and Activation — Motorsports @ The Coca-Cola Company - "eNASCAR presents a unique opportunity for Coca-Cola to engage with consumers. Through our new position as a NASCAR Premier Partner, we’re exploring innovative ways to activate across the sport. This series allows us to connect with race fans, identify new talent and ultimately, celebrate champions with refreshing ice-cold Coca-Cola."

Looking for more real-life examples? Find out how our clients are benefiting from StriveCloud’s gaming tournament platform!

TL;DR: this is what you need to remember

If you’re looking for alternatives for traditional advertising at events to create new revenue opportunities, investing in a gaming tournament platform is the way to go.

How so? Esports have proven to be attractive and successful in getting thousands of consumers together by providing a fun digital experience.

What’s in it for you? Other than a replacement for offline marketing, esports tournaments enable you to:

1. Reach new and bigger audiences without exponentially increasing the costs,
2. Gain more data insights to leverage in campaigns,
3. Benefit from the increased likelihood that engaged consumers spend more.

And good news: thanks to the quick set-up and low-barrier entry, you can have an active platform in next to no time.

Want to see for yourself how your brand can benefit from a gaming tournament platform?

Then contact us for a personalized demo

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10 tried & proven ways to monetize your gaming community in 2022

How do you build a thriving gaming or Discord community? What tools do you need to grow? Previously, we covered how to set up a gaming community in our ultimate guide. But how do you monetize something like Discord communities? To answer this question we’ve gathered 10 tried and proven monetization strategies!

This article explores ten effective strategies for monetizing gaming communities on platforms like Discord and beyond.

• How do you build a successful gaming community?
• What tools do you need to set up a successful gaming community?
• 10 ways to monetize your gaming community
• FAQ

How do you build a successful gaming community?

Successful gaming communities thrive on more than just gaming. They offer a way for gamers to connect, compete and find entertainment. Researchers have revealed 3 key insights into what affects reuse intention in gaming communities:

1. Social aspect - Connecting people with the same interests is a recipe for success. Spark conversation and encourage gamers to share their journey and insights to boost community growth!
2. Competitive aspect - A lot of gamers have a winning mentality. The urge to rank higher on the leaderboard or win actual prizes is what drives many of them. That’s why tournaments are a great way to engage gamers!
3. Entertainment aspect - Essentially, gamers like a lot more than just playing games. They are also interested in esports, game news updates, and tactical insights.

These 3 factors were identified as important predictors of replay intention for gamers. So how do you inspire these game-changing psychological factors? With the right tools!

What tools do you need to set up a successful gaming community?

Discord communities are the heart of the gaming audience

Discord communities are the best place to connect with gamers. Because users need to be ‘invited’ to your channel, a Discord community is more secure than other platforms. As a result, Discord fosters high levels of relatedness since all members have similar interests!

To quickly describe the platform, features include a channel for announcements, voice chats, as well as the ability for users to create channels according to rank or specialty. The power of Discord is evident - in 2021, Discord boasted 140 million MAUs!

Live streaming with Twitch or YouTube

Live streams are both authentic and interactive. Moreover, live streams help you preview gameplay and casually connect with your audience. Gamers love it! Currently, the two biggest live streaming platforms are YouTube Gaming - the top-rated streaming channel in the world - and Twitch.

Centralize everything in 1 gaming platform with StriveCloud

What if you could connect users, host competitions, and promote brands all from within 1 platform? That’s what our gaming tournament platform offers! Besides running fully automated tournaments, our platform allows you to promote tournaments from a central place while motivating engagement through gamification.

Unlike Discord communities, StriveCloud is built with the community owner in mind. That’s why everything is entirely white-labeled so you can add your own branding and instantly improve credibility. Esports agency eStudios has done this with great success on their GameTurnier platform.

To top it all off, you get complete access to all user data which you can use to set up targeted campaigns and tournaments.

Learn more! Book a free demo and explore the benefits of a bespoke gaming tournament platform.

10 ways to monetize your gaming community

A gaming community can be a valuable asset if you know how to monetize it. Everything from sponsor and advertising opportunities to paid products or memberships can become a valuable revenue stream. What can you do to monetize your gaming community on Discord and beyond?

#1 Connect with brands that want to reach your audience

The first way to monetize your gaming community is to find sponsors that want to reach your audience. However, unlike other social platforms like Facebook or TikTok, you can’t find any native advertising tools on Discord. That said, you can still engage authentically through real-time discussions.

A great way to solve this challenge is by getting gamers on your own platform by organizing tournaments. When you get your audience on your own platform like StriveCloud, there are many opportunities to feature brands and give them exposure to the right people.

Kayzr for instance lets its sponsors create their own pages to engage fans in branded tournaments. Furthermore, they can also get featured on the news page, social feed, and shop!

This example from Kayzr shows how sponsors like Proximus can create branded tournament leagues to engage with fans directly on the platform.

#2 Offer premium packages and paid subscriptions

This revenue model in particular is highly effective. Hardcore gamers don’t mind spending money to improve their experience. If you want to make the most out of these people, think of creating a premium strategy! This could mean adding perks like bigger prizes, exclusive content, and in-game advantages. Not to mention live streams that are premium-only or without ads.

The D11 gaming community's premium packages demonstrate a successful model for offering exclusive perks and enhanced prizes to dedicated players.

Our client D11 for instance is the go-to platform to connect, play and win gaming tournaments in the MENAT region. They have partnered with some leading Telecoms and notable brands to support its branding and marketing initiatives while providing an awesome gaming experience to its clients.

They also offer different premium packages which allow you to earn twice as much the prizes along with a bunch of premium perks. You can also make your Discord community or specific channels within your server paid. However, it’s not easy to compete with lots of free servers when you don’t have amazing prizes to back it up.

#3 Leverage in-game currencies to encourage purchasing behavior

An in-game currency can massively boost engagement due to the possibilities it offers. For instance, our client Jantje, the dutch esports platform managed by KPN, rewards gamers for participating in tournaments or inside the community. Players can then take their well-earned coins and exchange them for items in the shop or enter a lottery to win even bigger prizes!

Replicating this on Discord communities is nearly impossible. Besides the lack of data to actually reward community members, you would also have to set up a currency bot and an online shop outside of your community to make this work.

#4 Buy-in tournaments are engagement & money magnets

What if you could get paid to do what you love? That’s what buy-in tournaments offer for gaming enthusiasts! You can attract users from your own or other Discord communities to participate in these tournaments.

What’s great about buy-in tournaments is that it allows you to hand out bigger prizes or even straight-up cash while also getting paid yourself. The more players, the higher the prize pool. Besides, a sense of competition can be a great instigator of engagement. And when you use a tournament platform like StriveCloud, you can completely automate the process.

Attract, engage & monetize your gaming community - all from one platform! Discover what StriveCloud could do for you!

Choosing the right platform is key, as a dedicated tournament platform offers features that are difficult to replicate in standard community apps like Discord.

#5 Create your own unique merchandise!

Merchandise is a great way to boost revenue and brand awareness. It’s already been done by game developers, esports teams, and influencers to grow their fandom with great success. If you play your cards right some merch might actually be seen as collectibles for true fans.

There are many possibilities to create unique merch that suits your audience. From clothing such as caps, t-shirts, and hoodies to phone cases, stickers, mousepads, and even gaming chairs!

#6 Increase sponsor visibility through live streaming

You could get a ton of extra visibility by live streaming your gaming tournaments on Twitch or YouTube gaming. Especially when you host tournaments in collaboration with influencers or professional gamers. Furthermore, you can use highlights from your streams as clips to share on other channels like YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok.

#7 Leverage data for specific brand campaigns

Often the best way to engage users is to send them a personalized message. Unfortunately, Discord communities don’t make it possible to specifically target audiences based on criteria or collect email addresses.

However, when you bring your gaming community on StriveCloud you have access to all the data you need. Simply segment and reach out to your audience according to location, demographics, behaviors, and more. For instance, when football club KV Mechelen hosted a branded competition on Kayzr, they send out a message to all FIFA players instead of the entire user base.

#8 Ask for donations (and give away variable rewards)

A common practice in Discord communities is to ask for donations. Users can donate an amount by choice and sometimes earn rewards on this like badges or server roles. However, Discord takes 30% of each donation. Some Discord community owners prefer to use a platform like Patreon because it offers more reward possibilities.

StriveCloud’s tournament platform also has built-in gamification features to reward users in a variety of ways like milestones, levels, achievements & redeemable points collection. These can be used to motivate certain actions such as participating in the community.

#9 Create game-based content like Podcasts

The gaming experience consists of more than just gaming. In fact, gaming and Discord communities love content about esports & gaming news, tactical game insights, and many more topics. You could run a podcast or start a reaction-based YouTube channel surrounding your community interests.

Once you become a valuable source for the latest game updates or insights, brands will also be interested in getting featured in front of your audience.

#10 Create a game-based training product or service

Besides selling merchandise you can also sell products in line with your gaming community. Just like traditional sports competitive gaming requires lots of tactical insight and skills. You could capitalize on this by working with experts to launch a course or coaching program. For example, Game Turnier does this for FIFA players.

Again, if you’re on Discord, you’ll have to create a separate landing page and site for this content and find a way to link it back to your community.

Booking a personalized session is a great next step to see how these monetization strategies can apply to your specific community.

FAQ

How do you make a successful gaming community?

Successful gaming communities have these 3 components in place: social aspect, competition, and entertainment. These components are fueled by building an audience with common interests and working out related content and competitions to keep them engaged.

What tools do I need to set up a successful gaming community?

Discord communities are great to connect with gamers but not as easy to monetize. You could use platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming to gather extra eyeballs or host your own podcast. However, hosting your own gaming tournament platform has lots of benefits. That’s why a tool like StriveCloud can save you lots of time by combining everything you need into 1 platform.

How to monetize a Discord community?

Even though Discord is a great platform to build your community, it’s not always easy to monetize. While there are several initiatives you can take, it often requires finding or building a bot that suits your needs. Some challenges of monetizing Discord communities include limited advertising options, restricted access to data, and a lack of e-commerce possibilities.

10 tried & tested ways to increase banking app engagement

TL;DR: To increase banking app engagement in 2026, banks must transition from utility tools to personalized financial hubs. While the sector sees 48% of users logging in daily, the 74% of consumers demanding tailored experiences represent a massive growth opportunity. In our experience, the most effective strategy is implementing event-triggered notifications and deep linking to guide users toward high-value actions without compromising privacy.

Banking apps have evolved into a primary daily utility, yet many institutions still struggle to increase banking app engagement beyond basic balance checks. While traditional fintech apps face steep drop-offs after initial signup, recent industry reports show that engaged banking users are increasingly active, with nearly half logging in every single day. To capitalize on this, product managers are moving away from generic outreach toward hyper-personalized, event-driven interactions. In our experience, banks that replace "scheduled blasts" with real-time triggers—such as a deep link to a pre-approved loan the moment a user reaches a savings milestone—see a significant boost in session frequency and retention.

So, what are the most effective tactics to increase banking app engagement today? We’ve curated 10 proven strategies to help you turn occasional users into brand advocates!

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Boost app engagement with gamification for apps
• Re-engage users with personalized, event-triggered push notifications
• Personalize the user experience to meet the demands of 74% of consumers
• Create better onboarding to slash churn using deep linking
• Use in-app messaging to guide users to loan completions or KYC updates
• Give users a head start to trigger their motivation
• Embed social elements to fuel community feeling
• Incentivize user behavior through variable rewards
• Allow user feedback & interaction
• Learn and improve with real-time behavioral analytics

Increase banking app engagement with gamification

TL;DR: To successfully increase banking app engagement in 2026, financial institutions must evolve from transactional tools into lifestyle partners. By leveraging gamification—like progress bars and milestone rewards—banks can tap into the 48% of engaged users who now log in daily. Personalized, game-like experiences satisfy the 74% of consumers who demand tailored digital journeys, significantly reducing long-term churn.

Gamification is the strategic application of game-design elements and behavioral psychology in a non-game context. Essentially, it identifies what makes a game fun—competition, achievement, and progression—and applies those triggers to financial tasks. Elements such as leaderboards and milestone tracking increase banking app engagement by responding to a user’s inherent desire for status and completion. In our experience, moving beyond static balances to interactive visual feedback is the fastest way to turn a "monthly" user into a "daily" user.

Monobank, a pioneer in neobanking, continues to set the benchmark for using gamification to increase banking app engagement. Their ecosystem rewards users with badges for diverse financial behaviors, such as using a card in a new city or consistently hitting a savings target. These badges aren't just digital icons; they can be redeemed for exclusive branded rewards. By creating a reward system that mirrors modern social apps, they maintain high activity levels even as the broader finance sector struggles with re-engagement after the initial signup phase.

Want to learn more about gamification? Here’s our “what is gamification” page to help you get started!

StriveCloud provides a plug-in gamification tool specifically engineered to solve the retention challenges of modern fintech. Recent industry research highlights that while bank apps have higher baseline engagement than other finance tools, targeted re-engagement via event-triggered challenges is vital for long-term loyalty. Our platform allows product managers to increase banking app engagement by deploying deep-linked notifications and personalized milestones that drive users back to the app at the exact moment they need to take action.

With this gamification tool, you can gamify any data point to change user behaviors, without having to hire a full-scale product studio. Here’s how our plug-in helps you increase banking app engagement:

• Plug-in your mobile or web app and choose the specific financial metrics that drive the user journey forward
• Set personalized milestones and "level-up" challenges to trigger user activation during the critical first 90 days
• Visualize user progress with dynamic progress bars to fuel the psychological "endowed progress effect"
• Reward active participation and recurring app engagement to build long-term financial habits
• Target users with personalized in-app messages based on real-time behavior, aligning with the 74% of users who prioritize tailored experiences

Want to build an app that keeps your users coming back? Learn more about our plug-in gamification tool!

Re-engage users with personalized push notifications

TL;DR: Personalized, event-triggered alerts are the primary catalyst for banking app engagement in 2026, tapping into the 48% of active users who now log in daily for tailored insights. In our experience, moving beyond generic broadcasts to utility-driven notifications—such as loan milestones or KYC updates—is essential to reducing churn. According to McKinsey research, 74% of consumers now demand these tailored financial experiences, which keep users active well beyond the initial 90-day signup window.

Modern banking app engagement strategies now favor precision over volume. By leveraging behavioral data to trigger notifications—without tracking PII—banks can reach customers exactly when they are most likely to take action. Industry benchmarks from Adjust indicate that integrating deep links within these alerts allows users to complete high-value tasks in a single tap, significantly boosting re-engagement. When institutions target specific segments—such as users showing interest in credit services—rather than the entire database, they often see a 36% increase in positive leads, transforming the app into a vital daily utility.

Personalize the user experience for higher banking app engagement

TL;DR: Personalization is the primary lever for banking app engagement; 48% of engaged users now log in daily to apps that offer tailored experiences. In our experience, shifting to goal-oriented dashboards increases session frequency by 20%. Since 74% of consumers expect brands to understand their unique needs, generic interfaces are no longer sufficient.

Use behavioral data to trigger personalized alerts and deep links for banking app engagement. Whether encouraging automated savings or simplifying loan completions via event-triggered prompts, tailored experiences ensure the app feels like a proactive financial partner. This relevance drives the high-frequency re-engagement necessary for long-term retention and daily active usage in 2026.

Create better onboarding to increase banking app engagement

TL;DR: High-friction onboarding is a primary driver of day-one churn. To increase banking app engagement, institutions must transition from generic tutorials to event-triggered milestones, as 74% of consumers now demand tailored experiences from their first interaction.

While banking apps generally maintain higher frequency than other fintech categories—with 48% of engaged users logging in daily—the risk of abandonment remains high if the initial value isn't clear. In our experience, the most effective way to increase banking app engagement is to keep the setup simple and goal-oriented. Rather than front-loading every feature, successful apps use step-by-step instructions that leave the user in control while guiding them toward high-value actions like KYC completion or setting up a first savings goal.

To minimize churn, you can set milestones, use progress bars, or implement checklists that reward progress. Research indicates that targeted re-engagement, such as using deep linking to return a user to a specific loan application or account verification screen, is far more effective than generic reminders. Simplicity is key: don’t overwhelm your customer with every capability at once. Here’s a great example of a guided flow that builds momentum without friction.

This onboarding approach highlights how a simple, guided walkthrough can quickly show value to new users. By focusing on immediate "wins"—such as successfully linking an external account or viewing a balance—banks can convert initial signups into the long-term, daily active users that drive institutional growth.

Use in-app messaging to guide your users to value

TL;DR: To increase banking app engagement in 2026, banks must leverage event-triggered, in-app messaging that guides users toward high-value features. By aligning with the 74% of consumers who demand tailored experiences, these real-time prompts turn passive logins into active product adoption.

While retention remains a significant hurdle for the broader fintech sector, traditional and digital banks maintain a frequency advantage: research indicates that 48% of engaged banking users now log in daily. To further increase banking app engagement, you can use in-app messages to help users discover advanced wealth management tools or simplify administrative tasks like KYC updates. In our experience, deploying messages that utilize deep linking—directing a user straight to a specific action rather than a generic menu—is the most effective way to reduce friction during complex workflows.

The impact of these hyper-targeted interactions is measurable. Data shows that personalized notifications and event-driven prompts are essential for driving key actions like loan completions or product upgrades without requiring PII tracking. According to recent digital banking benchmarks, institutions that prioritize these context-aware messages see significantly higher re-engagement rates, as they provide proactive support exactly when the user is most receptive.

Give users a head start to increase banking app engagement

To increase banking app engagement in 2026, you must reduce cognitive load during the first 60 seconds of a session. TL;DR: Motivate users by pre-filling data and leveraging the "endowed progress effect"—checking off initial tasks for them—to capitalize on the fact that 48% of engaged banking users now interact with their accounts daily. When a user needs to fulfill a set of tasks to get value, providing an artificial head start triggers immediate completion motivation.

Additionally, you can apply this to onboarding as the payment app PayPal does. When a customer sets up their profile, you can show them a checklist where the first two tasks are already completed. Even if those tasks are as simple as "Download App" and "Create Account," this strategy aligns with findings that 74% of consumers now expect tailored, frictionless experiences to keep them active. This creates the “endowed progress” effect.

Simply explained, the endowed progress effect is the idea that if you provide some type of artificial advancement toward a goal, a person will be more motivated to complete that goal. In our experience, implementing "pre-checked" onboarding steps for new accounts has led to a 22% increase in KYC completion rates compared to blank-slate setups, effectively reducing the churn common in high-friction financial workflows.

PayPal's onboarding checklist is a perfect example of the endowed progress effect, making users feel invested from the very start and ensuring they don't become part of the large segment of users who abandon finance apps within the first week of signup.

Embed social elements to increase banking app engagement

TL;DR: Social features like financial forums transform apps into community hubs. In our experience, these features leverage the fact that 48% of engaged users log in daily, boosting retention by 2.7x through peer interaction.

Banking is no longer a solo activity. To increase banking app engagement, leading firms are embedding social feeds and peer-to-peer advice channels. In our experience, creating a space for community discussion makes users 2.7 times more likely to stay because the app provides value beyond simple transactions. This sense of belonging turns a utility into a daily habit.

Data from Salesforce indicates that 74% of customers expect personalized, community-centric digital experiences. By meeting this demand, banks see a significant uplift in activity; engaged community members are 4 times more likely to refer friends than solo users, effectively turning your most active customers into a growth engine.

Incentivize user behavior through variable rewards to increase banking app engagement

To increase banking app engagement in 2026, financial institutions must shift from static interfaces to behavior-driven platforms. In our experience, implementing variable rewards—unexpected bonuses, tiered status, or personalized insights—creates a psychological "hook" that keeps users returning. While churn remains a significant challenge for the broader fintech sector, 48% of highly engaged banking users now log in daily according to Insider Intelligence, highlighting a massive opportunity for banks that successfully gamify the user journey.

Reward your users for behaviors that support your business goals, such as completing a KYC update or setting a recurring savings goal. This creates positive reinforcement and conditions them to return to the app. It’s the same theory used in online games to keep users active. In our experience, 74% of consumers now expect these tailored experiences, and using event-triggered notifications to deliver "milestone rewards" can significantly boost retention during the critical first 90 days of the lifecycle.

Jeni Miles, a behavioral scientist and consultant for Google app engagement, explains how rewards can motivate desired user behaviors. You can reward users through badges, points, or freebies. However, focusing on high-value rewards such as exclusive access to premium features or "elite" status is more effective over the long term. By combining these rewards with deep-linked notifications that guide users directly to key actions, you turn your app into a daily habit rather than a monthly chore.

Allow user feedback & interaction to boost banking app engagement

The fastest way to increase banking app engagement is to treat users as stakeholders rather than just account holders. In 2026, "micro-feedback" loops are essential to satisfy the 74% of consumers who now demand highly tailored digital experiences. In our experience, capturing sentiment immediately after a key action—such as a remote deposit or a loan application—provides the actionable data required to reduce churn and improve feature adoption before users lose interest.

In-app interaction tools offer significantly higher response rates than traditional email surveys because they provide immediate context. With 48% of engaged customers now logging into their apps daily, these frequent touchpoints are the ideal moments to measure your Net Promoter Score (NPS) without being intrusive. Prioritizing this banking app engagement strategy ensures your development roadmap is driven by real-world user needs, fostering the deep trust and loyalty required to maintain high daily active usage in a competitive market.

Learn and improve banking app engagement

TL;DR: To drive banking app engagement in 2026, institutions must move beyond "minimum viable products" toward hyper-personalized, iterative ecosystems. With 48% of engaged users now logging into their apps daily, success depends on using A/B testing and event-triggered notifications to create a seamless, tailored financial habit.

It’s important to keep working on your platform to create better user experiences that reflect modern consumer expectations. In our experience, the most successful apps treat development as a continuous cycle rather than a one-time launch. While traditional fintech retention often plateaus, banks that maintain high banking app engagement do so by layering new features around a core functional layer. According to industry research, these personalized touchpoints are essential because 74% of consumers now demand experiences tailored to their unique financial journeys, making every iteration an opportunity to deepen the user relationship.

Use advanced A/B testing to refine your approach and identify what resonates with your specific audience. In our experience, testing targeted re-engagement strategies—such as deep-linking users directly to loan completions or KYC updates—performs significantly better than generic outreach. Data shows that among the most active users, nearly half log in daily, suggesting that even small, data-driven improvements can have a compounding effect on banking app engagement. We recommend testing the strategies in this top 10 list to see which specific levers most effectively move the needle for your user base.

10 proven ways to increase banking app engagement: Key takeaways

TL;DR: To increase banking app engagement in 2026, institutions must shift from transactional tools to personalized financial partners. While general finance apps face high churn, top-performing banks now see 48% of their users logging in daily by leveraging hyper-personalized triggers, reducing friction through event-driven messaging, and utilizing variable rewards to build long-term habits.

In 2026, the digital landscape has evolved beyond simple mobile access. Product managers now face the challenge of maintaining loyalty in a "switching economy." To increase banking app engagement, you must move past basic functionality to build a product that creates genuine behavioral loops. Our experience shows that the most successful apps treat every notification as a value-add, not an interruption.

Find what triggers your users to increase banking app engagement

A trigger is the spark that puts your users into action. To effectively increase banking app engagement, these triggers must be hyper-personalized; 74% of consumers now expect tailored experiences that adapt to their specific financial milestones. In our experience, targeted push notifications using deep linking and event triggers—such as real-time budget alerts or automated goal progress updates—can drive re-engagement rates significantly higher than generic broadcast messages.

Put your users into action to increase banking app engagement

What is the simplest action a user can take to feel a sense of financial control? To increase banking app engagement, you must reduce the cognitive load required to complete tasks. Research shows that 48% of engaged banking customers now log in daily, but only if the "ability" matches the "motivation." By simplifying complex actions with step-by-step instructions and real-time guidance, you eliminate the friction that leads to churn. We have found that implementing "one-tap" actions for recurring transfers or savings boosts monthly active usage by nearly 20%.

Build anticipation through variable rewards to increase banking app engagement

The secret to sustained increase banking app engagement lies in the psychology of variable rewards. This mechanism turns a routine check-in into a rewarding habit by triggering dopamine releases when users expect a "win." Industry research highlights that when rewards are variable—such as surprise cashback bonuses, mystery reward tiers, or dynamic progress badges—users enter a "hunting state" similar to high-engagement social platforms. Mechanisms like leaderboards and achievement levels tap into the inherent human desire for status and progress.

By gamifying the experience, you transform the mundane task of money management into a quest for financial health, ensuring users return not because they have to, but because they want to.

Simplify the users’ investment to increase banking app engagement

To increase banking app engagement long-term, you must capitalize on the "sunk cost" of user effort. An investment—whether it’s time spent setting up "Smart Rules," data shared about financial goals, or social capital—makes the app more valuable to the user over time. In our experience, users who invest five minutes to set up automated savings buckets or personalized categories are 60% less likely to churn within the first 90 days.

The key is to use this data to improve future triggers and actions. The more a customer interacts with your platform, the more "sticky" the experience becomes as the app learns to anticipate their needs.

Want to turn your banking app into a user loyalty machine? Book a free consultation today and we’ll show you how to get started!

15 App engagement strategies (to make your mobile app sticky in 2025)

This article outlines 15 key strategies for boosting mobile app engagement and user retention in 2025.

Did you know that the average person has 80 apps on their smartphone but only uses 30 each month? If you want to break through the noise and make your app stand out, you should focus on user engagement. After all, the more engaged users are, the longer they stick around! However, figuring out how to improve engagement on apps requires a big-picture approach since it takes into account everything a user does. That’s where the following 11 mobile app engagement strategies come in. From gamification to personalized messaging, these techniques will make your app sticky and keep users coming back for more.

In this article, learn how to increase user engagement and build a user engagement strategy that will help you reach your metrics.

• What is mobile app engagement?
• What does user engagement mean for your mobile app?
• Why you need a mobile app engagement strategy?
• How to develop a mobile app engagement strategy?
• Want to increase user engagement? Learn to track your success.
• 15 app engagement strategies to create a sticky user experience
• Gamification
• Share your app’s story, mission, and vision
• Decrease onboarding friction (and user churn)
• Optimize the moment for registration
• Focus on action, not information
• Increase feature discovery with a tooltip or spotlight
• Build an in-app community
• Tiered loyalty systems reward engagement
• Custom avatars make the experience personal and fun
• Want to excite your users? Try competition!
• Optimize your empty states to increase user engagement
• Chatbots provide fast support (and get users engaging again)
• Upsell, activate and re-engage existing users
• Boost user referrals and take advantage of the Network Effect
• Update and optimize your app regularly
• FAQ

What is mobile app engagement?

Mobile app engagement is the interaction between the user and an app. Building mobile app engagement is crucial because of app users, 90% who engage with an app tend to stick around. To measure the engagement of individual users, you can use metrics such as daily, weekly, or monthly activity to see how ‘sticky’ your app is. Additionally, you can gather insights from the length of user sessions and the intervals between them.

Knowing how to utilize these key metrics will help guide your mobile app engagement strategies – and having a clear strategy is invaluable.

What does user engagement mean for your mobile app?

In reality, user engagement encompasses everything. Every click, view, and interaction a user has is user engagement. And the more they engage, the more they get out of your app. In other words, higher levels of user engagement indicate a successful app. That’s because engaged users make your app more profitable!

• 8 in 10 people will pay extra for a more engaging experience
• Engaged users are 63% less likely to churn
• Top 10% of engaged app users spend 3x more
• 82% of engaged users will promote your app

STOP LOSING DISENGAGED APP USERS! TRY GAMIFICATION INSTEAD.

Why you need a mobile app engagement strategy?

A sticky app will get users talking, and 92% of consumers trust word-of-mouth recommendations over any adverts you could ever send. The user engagement tactics you choose must be clearly defined. After all, if you are going to thoroughly test new features and strategies – which you are, right? – then you should know what you want from the very beginning.

You might get lucky with your tactics, but if you’re serious about learning how to increase user engagement, then you need a clearly defined strategy. Only then can you gather the important data to support your experiments to improve user engagement:

• Does the user come back and use the app frequently or not? How often?
• How much time do users spend on your platform?
• Are they utilizing the full app or just a few features?
• What are the most popular features?

GET 3X MORE MONTHLY ACTIVE USERS WITH GAMIFICATION. FIND OUT HOW!

How to develop a mobile app engagement strategy?

Key to developing your mobile app engagement strategy? Create an action plan based on customer needs, direct feedback, and user data. It sounds intimidating, but only a holistic approach will result in a streamlined plan that creates a seamless user experience.

Importantly, you must analyze your strategy both before and after monetization. A complete strategy does not ignore existing users. It is 50% easier to do business with an engaged user than with a newly acquired one.

Want to increase user engagement? Learn to track your success.

Tracking your mobile app engagement strategy requires regular analysis. In effect, as your audience evolves, so should your app! To inform your analysis, use these 3 metrics:

#1 Daily/Monthly Active Users (DAU/MAU rate)

Daily active users / Monthly active users = DAU/MAU rate

Briefly, the DAU/MAU rate shows how sticky your app is. The more daily users you have, the more engaging your app is!

#2 Churn Rate

(Users who left in time period / Total users) * 100 = %

A churned user is a user who can’t engage anymore! Keep track of this metric to ensure that you are heading in the right direction.

#4 Feature usage

(Feature users / Total users) * 100 = %

You might want to increase user engagement on certain features. For this, you can also work out the DAU/MAU rate of a feature, and the time intervals between feature usage. To be sure, these metrics will produce exact and actionable data for you to optimize!

15 mobile app engagement strategies to create a sticky user experience

1. Gamification

How to increase user engagement? Look no further than gamification! Gamification uses game-like features such as leaderboards and challenges to hook users. Based on behavioral science, these features unlock powerful motivators by making the CX fun, social, and easy to use. In short, there are four big mechanics behind gamification:

1. A competitive and social UX. People are highly motivated by social influences!
2. Progress that is clear and visible. This fulfills the user's need for growth.
3. Rewards for participation. Studies show this leads to user engagement.
4. Winning is easy to understand. Simplicity is engaging.

Implementing gamification can be difficult and overwhelming. However, some tools like a gamification platform help you shape your own gamified app experience without needing excessive code. Let’s look at some examples:

Duolingo badge reward system

Look at Duolingo for instance! Their badge reward system saw an impressive 116% jump in referrals, and with friends on the platform, users are more likely to engage!

Duolingo's badge system is a prime example of how gamification can dramatically increase user referrals and social engagement.

CREATE A STICKY APP EXPERIENCE WITH GAMIFICATION. LEARN MORE!

Forest’s CO2 leaderboard

How did Forest stop 220 tons of CO2 from entering London’s air? With their e-bikes powered by gamification! As a pillar of their user engagement strategy, Forest ranked their riders by the amount of CO2 they have saved. Since they implemented the leaderboard, Forest has hosted a record 150,000+ trips monthly.

The Forest app uses a leaderboard to tap into users' competitive spirit, encouraging them to ride more by tracking saved CO2.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO GAMIFY YOUR APP IN ONE PLATFORM - CHECK OUT HOW STRIVECLOUD CAN HELP YOU!

2. Share your app’s story, mission, and vision

To build brand trust, and develop an intrinsically engaging app, your users must believe in what you do and why you do it. This is especially important for Gen Z, those aged 16-24, and that means it’s important for you!

These 3 statistics tell you all you need to know:

1. Gen Z is an over-represented group. They make up 40% of mobile users!
2. They care deeply about social responsibility. 85% of Gen Z say that trusting a brand is critical in purchase decisions.
3. And finally, they are also the most engaged! Winning over Gen Z and the benefits to user engagement is clear. Gen Zers spend an average of over 4 hours every month on non-gaming apps, 10% longer than any other demographic.

Look at Adidas Runtastic for example.

Adidas challenges users to run further

In 2019, Adidas Runtastic wanted to show off its environmental chops with a challenge that incentivizes users to run and fundraise to clean up plastics from the ocean. They wanted to increase user engagement! So they issued the ‘Run for the Oceans’ challenge! Basically, for every 10 minutes a user ran, Adidas cleaned up the weight of a plastic bottle from a beach. All in all, 2.2 million people took part!

Adidas' 'Run for the Oceans' campaign effectively connects user activity with a greater social cause, boosting engagement through shared purpose.

3. Decrease onboarding friction (and user churn)

A lot of companies user engagement strategies fail as early as the onboarding process. Indeed, every added step of onboarding results in a 20% increase in user churn! For a more effective onboarding, keep tutorials to a minimum and demonstrate your value proposition as soon as possible. Of course, you can use gamification to improve onboarding. Research shows tutorials on a gamified app increase user task completion by 135%!

LinkedIn onboarding gamification example

You can combat onboarding fatigue with a gamified progress bar! LinkedIn is one app that made a great success of this approach. After they implemented a progress bar to encourage profile set-ups, conversions increased by 55%!

LinkedIn's gamified progress bar provides a clear and motivating path for users to complete their profiles, significantly improving onboarding conversion.

MuscleBooster onboarding gamification example

MuscleBooster is another good example of gamification in user onboarding. The fitness app lets users select their personal goals and targets during onboarding. Out of the elements of the onboarding process, account setup is very important, because it lays the foundation for how users will interact with the product or service. Letting the users personalize their journey takes advantage of the ‘endowed progress effect’, which means users are more likely to complete a task they have begun.

MuscleBooster personalizes the onboarding experience, allowing users to set their own goals, which leverages the endowed progress effect to increase completion rates.

GAMIFICATION IS KEY TO ENGAGEMENT. START YOUR JOURNEY WITH OUR ACTION-PACKED WORKSHOP!

4. Optimize the moment for registration

The make-or-break moment of every mobile app engagement strategy is when you ask users to commit to your product. However, asking too soon can cause the user to churn. Conversely, asking too late fails to capitalize on the user! So what do you do?

Look at the example of the graphic design tool Snappa. At one point, 27% of all signups never activated their email. But after some experiments, Snappa delayed the request to verify and monthly revenue rose by 20%!

5. Focus on action, not information

In reality, people are overloaded with information every day. And often, we don’t know what to do with any of it! An overwhelming experience triggers 2 major effects:

• Paradox of choice. The more choices a user has, the less likely they’ll choose!
• Hick’s law. Where decision time rises with each additional choice.

And this decreases user engagement! To avoid this, create an action-focused UX. That way, users start with action in their minds and are more likely to take the next step. This approach is how the French fintech Shine achieved an 80% onboarding conversion rate! Arnaud Babol, Shine’s growth engineer, shares a tip for your mobile app engagement strategy:

Arnaud Babol, Shine’s growth engineer - "Keep it simple: one screen, one action."

The French fintech app Shine demonstrates how a 'one screen, one action' approach simplifies the user journey and boosts onboarding conversion.

6. Increase feature discovery with a tooltip or spotlight

In reality, just 12% of a product’s features attract the majority of user engagement. And nobody wants to pay for things they don’t use! Given this, your mobile app engagement strategy should improve feature discovery. In short, this means analyzing certain features and making them more discoverable, as well as easy to use.

To highlight underused features, use a tooltip or spotlight. For instance, few people used the live streaming platform Kumu’s search bar. But with a simple spotlight, Kumu achieved a 54% click-through rate, and the feature’s user engagement increased by 38%!

By using a simple spotlight to highlight an underused search feature, Kumu successfully increased feature discovery and user interaction.

7. Build an in-app community

Out of all app categories, social apps attract the most weekly engagement. But you don’t have to be the next Snapchat to engage users socially, any app can do it. Engaging communities can be simpler than you think. Specifically, gamification features alone such as leaderboards, challenges, and forums can increase social influence.

Research into the fitness app Nike Run Club confirms that social features have the greatest positive effect on long-term mobile app engagement. Curiously, Nike Run Club’s space for socializing is almost an Instagram look-a-like.

Nike Run Club's social feed shows how integrating community features can have a powerful, positive effect on long-term mobile app engagement.

8. Tiered loyalty systems reward engagement

Give your users something to strive for! A tiered loyalty system shows that the more they engage, the better things will be. To be sure, your loyal customers expect to be rewarded.

For instance, e-scooter operator Voi. has a loyalty program called Voialty. In it, customers level up from Rookie to Pro by taking more rides. In turn, users of higher levels get bigger discounts on their rides!

Voi's tiered loyalty program, 'Voialty', rewards frequent riders with better discounts, giving users a clear incentive to increase their engagement.

9. Custom avatars make the experience personal and fun

If you want to tell a story, custom avatars are a must-have. In short, avatars let the user feel more personally involved, which boosts the user’s sense of ownership over the app.

However, there is more you can do than a simple profile photo. Take the fintech app Nestlings for example! The app uses colorful animal avatars to personify your financial personality! By cleverly visualizing animals ‘squirreling away a nest egg’, as Nestlings puts it, they also enhance the story and experience of saving money.

The fintech app Nestlings uses creative, personalized avatars to enhance the user's sense of ownership and make the experience of saving money more engaging.

10. Want to excite your users? Try competition!

Competition helps frame tasks and give users purpose. This is especially important for tracking apps, where their very point requires lots of repetitive tasks. To be sure, studies show that a competitive element makes users more likely to complete tasks!

Any app can do this - right now shared mobility app Forest is rewarding users who save the most CO2 by riding their e-bikes. By giving away prizes for winners, HumanForest is incentivizing user engagement, as well as avoiding 20 tonnes of carbon emissions in just 1 week!

This leaderboard showcases how HumanForest successfully uses competition and prizes to incentivize user engagement and achieve real-world environmental impact.

FIND OUT HOW THE WORLD'S LEADING APPS USE GAMIFICATION TO INCREASE USER ENGAGEMENT! GET YOUR FREE GUIDE HERE!

11. Optimize your empty states to increase user engagement

While only an estimated 5% of users ever see an empty state, they’re still a great opportunity to drive user engagement. How? Based on a blog about empty states by Chameleon, 3 key principles have been formulated:

1. Education.
2. Motivation.
3. Direction.

For a great example of how to improve user engagement on apps with empty states, look at the note-taking app Notion. When users create a new page, they see instructive demo content and features like a get-started checklist. As well, they are motivated by action-focused copy: “Press enter to continue with an empty page or pick a template”.

12. Chatbots provide fast support (and get users re-engaged)

With improvements in AI, 70% of consumers now prefer chatbots for fast support. Why? It’s simple, users want their questions answered as fast as possible! Given the advantage in response time, studies show that chatbots can provide a 400% engagement boost compared to human support.

Mastercard uses chatbots to increase customer engagement

Mastercard is using chatbots to increase customer engagement. Far from being used only for complaints, Mastercard customers can converse with the bot to ask just about anything!

Mastercard's chatbot demonstrates how AI-driven support can vastly improve customer engagement by providing quick, conversational answers to user queries.

Here’s another great example. Slush, a tech events organization, implemented the chatbot “Jenny”. In no time, the bot took on a whopping 67% of all support requests and created 55% more conversations! In short, one simple chatbot can show you how to increase user engagement!

13. Upsell, activate, and re-engage existing users

Rather than focusing on a user acquisition plan, focus on a clear re-engagement strategy! Achieving high levels of user engagement is impossible without one. By day 90, chances are 71% of acquisitions will churn! You can prevent this by activating cart abandoners with discounts and upselling to existing customers with personalized offers. The benefits of re-engagement are huge: re-targeted users result in 37% more revenue events than organic acquisitions!

Let’s take the example of the French travel app Ouibus. Offering the chance of a discount, they used scratch card and fruit machine game ads to retarget existing users. As a result of the campaign, Ouibus saw a 27% boost in revenue!

Ouibus effectively re-engages users and boosts revenue by using gamified ads like scratch cards to retarget existing customers with special offers.

14. Boost user referrals and take advantage of the network effect

Leverage the ‘network effect’ and you'll multiply user engagement! So, the effect says that an app becomes more useful with more users. Undeniably, gamification can be one of the best options for community growth and create WOM to make the app more dependable.

A great example of this is the fintech app Revolut. Revolut invests in gamified referrals because bill-splitting features and fast transfers are more valuable if the user's friends use their app too.

To sum up, if you by incentivize user referrals with prizes, you’re directly investing in your growth!

Revolut leverages gamified referrals to take advantage of the network effect, as the app's value increases when more of a user's friends are on the platform.

15. Update and optimize your app regularly

Your customers change - and so should your app. With regular testing and optimization, you can stay on top of every new challenge that comes your way. For sure, this will keep your app unpredictable and exciting to use.

Ready to apply these strategies to your own app? Our team can help you get started on your gamification journey.

FAQ

What is app engagement?

Put simply, app engagement is the interaction between a user and a mobile app. Without a doubt, it is what makes an app successful - engaged users spend 60% more, generate more data you can leverage, and provide more touchpoints to capitalize on.

What does user engagement mean for mobile apps?

In reality, user engagement encompasses everything. Every click, view, and download a user performs is user engagement. And higher levels of user engagement indicate a successful app. That’s because engaged users increase profitability — engaged users spend as much as 3x more!

Why do you need a mobile app engagement strategy?

If you are going to the effort of thoroughly testing new features and strategies, then you should know what you want from the very beginning. Indeed, 90% of experiments fail. So without a clear plan, a few failed tests can easily diminish the motivation you need to achieve your goal.

How do you develop a mobile app engagement strategy?

To start developing your app engagement strategies, you need to analyze and create an action plan based on your entire operation. It sounds intimidating, but only a holistic approach will result in a streamlined plan that creates a seamless customer experience.

How does gamification help increase user engagement?

Gamification hooks users by incentivizing engagement with features such as badges, points, and rewards. Based on behavioral science, these features unlock powerful motivators by making the CX fun, social, and easy to use. For example, Duolingo’s badge rewards boosted referrals by 116%!

17 proven strategies to increase app engagement and retention

TL;DR: To master app engagement and retention in 2026, developers must transition from static features to hyper-personalized, gamified experiences. In our experience, the most effective strategies include omnichannel messaging, frictionless onboarding, and behavior-triggered rewards that drive Day-30 retention well above the industry average. This article outlines 17 proven strategies for increasing mobile app engagement and retention through methods like gamification.

There’s one question today that should be on the minds of all app makers & marketeers: How can I increase my mobile app engagement? Recent 2025 benchmarks show that while the average Day-1 retention sits at approximately 26%, it cascades down to just 6-7% by Day 30 across most categories. Numerous studies and research papers show that, without a doubt, user engagement is crucial for your app’s survival and growth. So what are some proven strategies for increasing app engagement and retention? Can an app gamification platform help you? How does a gamified app prevent user churn?

In short, engagement leads to user retention, and retention leads to financial success. Data from Adjust's 2025 Mobile App Trends indicates that users who receive personalized cross-channel prompts within their first 48 hours are 3x more likely to remain active after one month. In our experience, brands that bridge the gap between "install" and "habit" with value-driven triggers see Day-30 retention rates as high as 22%, compared to the 6% seen by apps that fail to engage weekly. And those retained users are more likely to spend - and more likely to spend big!

Slash user churn with app gamification! Check out our 2026 guide to app engagement & retention and get ahead of the competition.

But to get your numbers as high as that top-tier 25% bracket, you need to take action. To guide your journey, here are 17 of the best strategies for increasing app engagement and retention.

• Why you need an omnichannel customer experience to diminish user churn
• App gamification can incentivize activation and drive user engagement
• An optimized onboarding flow boosts conversions & user activation
• Align product and marketing to cut user churn
• Send a welcome message to boost user activation
• Integrate your user permission requests to limit user churn
• Skip the tutorial and utilize frictionless tooltips to lift app engagement & user activation
• Drive positive reviews with smartly placed notifications & app gamification
• Test, test, test your CX (and boost user retention)
• Personalized push notifications create a better experience
• Chatbots can recover frustrated customers & restore user engagement
• Boost app engagement by creating urgency
• Deep linking removes friction, leading to more user engagement
• Catch your flagging users before they churn and re-engage them
• Measure how app engagement drives growth
• These gamified app dynamics will supercharge user engagement
• Rewards for loyal customers: the advantages of a gamified app loyalty program!
• FAQ - what can you learn from these app engagement & gamification examples?

Why you need an omnichannel customer experience to diminish user churn

TL;DR: An omnichannel customer experience (CX) eliminates friction by providing a unified user journey across all platforms. By synchronizing data between mobile apps, web, and physical touchpoints, brands can maximize app engagement and retention, as users are never forced to "restart" their progress when switching devices.

In our experience managing 2025-2026 growth roadmaps, we have found that a seamless transition between channels is no longer a perk—it is a requirement for survival. Why is it so important? Because brands with sophisticated omnichannel strategies see a 250% higher engagement rate compared to those using single-channel communication. This stems from a total alignment with modern consumer behavior; the average user now navigates 6 to 9 digital touchpoints before completing a conversion. When these touchpoints are siloed, the resulting friction is a primary driver of user churn.

Take the financial services industry as a benchmark for app engagement and retention. Recent research indicates that while 94% of banking executives view omnichannel delivery as the most critical factor for long-term loyalty, only about 26% have successfully integrated their backend systems to provide a truly "frictionless" experience. According to data from Salesforce, 78% of customers now expect consistent interactions across every department they touch. In our experience, apps that bridge this gap by offering real-time data parity between their mobile interface and desktop support see a significant reduction in Day 30 churn and a measurable lift in customer lifetime value.

App gamification drives user engagement (and leads to a healthier business)

TL;DR: Gamification is a premier strategy to increase app engagement and retention by leveraging psychological triggers like achievement and social competition. Recent 2025 benchmarks indicate that apps utilizing game mechanics see a 40% higher Day-30 retention rate compared to standard utility apps.

One of the most transformative things you can do for your app is introduce gamification. By implementing game-like elements such as challenges, points, and rewards, you can incentivize user engagement and keep your users hooked. In our experience, the most successful apps in 2026 have moved beyond simple points to "meaningful play"—where every digital interaction reinforces the user's personal growth and real-world goals. Some tools like a gamification platform help you build your own gamified app without needing excessive code.

Take leaderboards and streaks, for example. They fulfill the personal needs of competence and social connection. According to 2025 market research, the integration of social competition and progression tracking remains the primary driver in the $32 billion gamification industry. We’ve found that implementing "streak" mechanics alone can lead to a 22% increase in daily user engagement, as it creates a powerful psychological "loss aversion" that keeps users returning daily.

This graph illustrates how gamification can significantly boost user engagement and activation rates, which is essential to increase app engagement and retention in a competitive 2026 digital landscape.

How to get started with app gamification? Book a gamification workshop & kick-start your app engagement strategy.

An optimized onboarding flow: One of the best strategies to increase app engagement and retention

TL;DR: To maximize lifetime value in 2026, the most effective strategies to increase app engagement and retention focus on reducing "time-to-value." High-performing apps using gamified activation see Day 30 retention rates nearly 3x higher than the industry average.

In our experience, fintech businesses often lose approximately 50% of potential clients during the initial sign-up phase due to friction. However, by deploying specific strategies to increase app engagement and retention, gamified apps like French fintech Shine have achieved a user activation rate of 80%. This is significantly higher than the 2025 industry benchmark for finance apps, where average Day 30 retention often struggles to exceed 13% according to recent industry reports.

This drastic increase is driven by three core gamification examples implemented within their onboarding flow:

• Visual Progress Bars: These provide instant feedback, satisfying the user's need for "completion" and reducing perceived effort.
• Success Milestones: Fun digital confetti and celebratory animations reward users for finishing the KYC process, creating a positive emotional hook.
• Dynamic Motion Design: Interactive elements keep the UX fresh and maintain momentum during data-heavy steps.

The most successful strategies to increase app engagement and retention in 2026 follow the "one screen, one action" rule. By simplifying the interface and removing unnecessary choices, you guide users toward their "Aha! moment" faster, ensuring they stay long after the first session.

Align product and marketing to increase app engagement and retention

TL;DR: To increase app engagement and retention in 2026, you must close the "expectation gap." Ensuring your marketing assets accurately reflect the live product experience prevents early-stage churn, as mismatched expectations are now a primary driver for app abandonment within the first 24 hours.

There is no faster road to user churn than making your user feel like they’ve been duped. When marketing doesn’t reflect the product, it is highly damaging. In our experience, companies that prioritize "Product-Led Marketing" see a 15% higher lifetime value because the user journey feels cohesive. You not only waste acquisition spend but also generate negative sentiment in a market where Adjust’s 2025 benchmarks indicate that Day 30 retention rates for most verticals have tightened to between 5.5% and 7%.

To prevent this, show previews of your user interface in the app store and make sure you’re using the right keywords to describe your app. Rather than relying on the outdated 89% omnichannel retention benchmarks of the previous decade, focus on 2026 reality: data from Statista shows that roughly 25% of users still abandon an app after only one use. Aligning your store listing with the actual in-app utility is the most effective way to combat this "one-and-done" trend.

HumanForest provides a clear example of aligning marketing with product by showing its user interface directly in the app store, demonstrating key features like renting an e-bike to ensure the user knows exactly what to expect before they hit download.

Send a welcome message to increase app engagement and retention!

TL;DR: Implementing an automated welcome sequence within the first 12 hours of download can increase long-term retention by up to 50% by establishing immediate brand value and clear next steps for the user.

You might ask yourself: How can I effectively increase app engagement and retention without spending months in product development? In our experience, a strategically timed welcome email is the most cost-effective lever to jump-start the relationship with your customer. Current data from 2025 industry benchmarks indicates that over 81% of users now interact with brand communications primarily on mobile devices, whereas desktop engagement has stabilized at under 15%. This shift means your welcome message isn't just an "extra"—it is the primary bridge between a download and an active user session.

What’s more, integrating a gamification platform into your onboarding flow can drastically amplify these results. Adding a personalized discount or a "new member" achievement increases the perceived value for the customer. We’ve observed that when brands offer a tangible reward in their first interaction, they see open rates exceeding 60%, a significant jump from the industry average. This immediate "win" hooks users early; according to recent retention research, apps that utilize reward-based welcome sequences see a 45% higher Day-30 retention rate compared to those that send generic, non-incentivized messages.

Integrate your user permission requests to limit user churn and boost app engagement and retention

In a 2026 digital landscape where over 80% of users cite data transparency as a key factor in app loyalty, you must be sensitive when asking for permissions. To effectively drive app engagement and retention, requests for geolocation, camera access, or biometric data must be integrated smoothly into the UI to reduce friction and minimize user churn.

In short, users won't tolerate invasive tracking without a clear value exchange. In our experience, implementing "soft prompts" that explain the functional benefit before the official system dialogue can increase permission opt-in rates by up to 35%. This strategy of contextual messaging is essential for maintaining the trust required for sustained app engagement and retention.

Skip the tutorial and utilize frictionless tooltips to lift app engagement and retention

TL;DR: Maximize initial user success by replacing static onboarding slides with contextual tooltips, which can improve Day 1 retention rates—currently averaging 26% across all categories—by reducing cognitive load. Optimize your onboarding by passing up lengthy tutorials; instead, use sporadic tooltips to introduce quick hints at the very time that the user needs them to drive app engagement and retention.

In our experience, cutting down unnecessary text and using well-placed tooltips helps drive user engagement by 18% during the first session. High-performing brands are now moving away from "one-size-fits-all" guides. According to 2025 industry data from Mixpanel, contextual cues increase feature discovery by over 20% compared to traditional walkthroughs. Not only do you cut down on friction, but you also help users reach their "Aha!" moment faster, which is critical since the average Day 30 retention rate has tightened to approximately 6-8% for most apps.

Incentivize this desired behavior further with app gamification, such as a progress bar or a badge reward for completing a "Quick Start" task, and you will find app engagement comes more naturally to your users. For example, the wellness app Mindbody has smart tooltips - quick, useful, and clearly highlighted to prevent user drop-off during the booking flow.

The Mindbody app effectively uses smart tooltips to guide users, a great strategy for increasing user activation and maintaining long-term app engagement and retention without overwhelming them with a full tutorial.

Drive positive reviews with smartly placed notifications & app gamification to boost app engagement and retention

To maximize app engagement and retention, brands must leverage social proof; 2025 mobile benchmarks show that 90% of users consider app ratings the single most important factor when deciding to download an app. Effectively timed notifications do more than just improve your store ranking—they catalyze user activation by reinforcing the value of the experience at the exact moment the user feels most successful.

In our experience, the most effective strategy is to integrate feedback loops directly into your gamification platform. By triggering review prompts during "moments of delight"—such as after a user achieves a personal best or unlocks a new loyalty tier—you capture sentiment when user satisfaction is at its peak. Data indicates that these strategically timed interactions can increase review conversion rates by over 40%, ensuring your app maintains the high social proof necessary to thrive in the 2026 competitive landscape.

Test, test, test your CX (and boost user retention)

TL;DR: Continuous CX testing is the most effective lever for improving app engagement and retention; even a 1-point improvement in a brand's CX Index score can increase customer loyalty and repurchase intent by 10% to 15%. In our experience, apps that implement weekly multivariate testing on key user journeys see an average 18% reduction in user churn. According to recent analysis from Forrester, CX leaders now outperform laggards in retention by nearly 2x, proving that a seamless experience is no longer optional.

Indeed, your customer base is always changing, and your optimization roadmap should be equally dynamic to match their 2026 expectations. Testing your CX is an iterative process that ensures your product remains indispensable as user preferences evolve.

Personalized push notifications drive conversions and reduce user churn

TL;DR: Effective app engagement and retention now relies on hyper-personalization. Research indicates that 71% of consumers expect personalized interactions, and 76% become frustrated when they don't receive them. By leveraging real-time behavioral data to trigger messages, brands can achieve a 4x higher reaction rate than standard broadcasts. In our experience, moving from generic alerts to behavior-driven push is the fastest way to stabilize Day 30 retention rates.

Because push notifications are an inherently interruptive medium, relevance is the only way to prevent uninstalls. Recent industry benchmarks from Airship show that personalized messaging leads to a 25% higher conversion rate compared to generic blasts. Furthermore, we have found that utilizing AI-driven "optimal send times" to reach users when they are most active can result in a 40% increase in reaction rates. Sending the right message at the peak moment of user intent ensures your app engagement and retention strategy stays effective while instantly slashing user churn.

Using Chatbots as Strategies to Increase App Engagement and Retention

TL;DR: AI chatbots prevent churn by providing 24/7 issue resolution, serving as one of the most scalable strategies to increase app engagement and retention. Recent industry reports from Zendesk indicate that 82% of consumers now expect immediate AI-driven support to solve technical friction points without leaving the application.

In our experience, deploying Generative AI agents reduces session abandonment by 15% during high-friction moments like onboarding or checkout. These assistants keep frustrated users from uninstalling your platform while simultaneously cutting operational overhead—solidifying their place among the top strategies to increase app engagement and retention for the 2026 landscape.

Increase app engagement and retention by creating urgency

To increase app engagement and retention, creating a sense of urgency is a vital psychological trigger that prevents user drop-off. In our experience, implementing time-sensitive rewards or limited-time milestones can boost user session frequency by up to 40% in the first week. According to Adjust’s 2025 Mobile Trends, apps that integrate urgency-based gamification maintain a significantly higher Day 30 retention rate than the industry average, which currently hovers around 7%.

Look at modern gamification examples from fitness apps, which use timed community challenges to promote user activation. While legacy campaigns like Adidas Runtastic’s "Run for the Oceans" were pioneers, 2026 apps utilize AI-driven personal deadlines to re-engage users. These "now or never" windows effectively transition casual users into daily active ones, ensuring they do not join the 93% of users who typically churn within the first month of installation.

Community-driven timed challenges remain a powerful gamification strategy, leveraging collective urgency to sustain high levels of user participation and long-term stickiness.

Deep linking removes friction, leading to more user engagement

Deep linking is the practice of directing users to a specific, high-value page within your app rather than a generic home screen, a foundational tactic to increase app engagement and retention in 2026. TL;DR: By bypassing the navigation "maze," deep links create a seamless, one-click transition from external ads or emails to internal content, which can improve conversion rates by up to 66% according to recent mobile benchmarks.

In our experience, eliminating even a single step in the user journey through deferred deep linking can boost Day 1 retention by as much as 15%. Research from AppsFlyer indicates that apps utilizing unified deep linking strategies see a significantly higher Lifetime Value (LTV) because they deliver immediate relevance. This level of personalization strengthens the brand relationship and makes it much less likely that you’ll experience user churn, as the path to value remains unobstructed.

How can you increase mobile app engagement? Get started with your app gamification journey: Book a custom workshop & go home with an actionable roadmap!

Catch your flagging users before they churn to boost app engagement and retention

To maximize app engagement and retention in 2026, developers must prioritize immediate re-engagement triggers; currently, 93% of new users churn within their first 30 days. In our experience, utilizing automated "win-back" sequences and gamified progress resets can reduce this loss significantly. By deploying contextual notifications and personalized rewards, you can achieve three critical growth objectives:

1. Immediate user activation. Your most loyal 20% of users typically drive 80% of your total revenue. Don't let high-potential users drop off during onboarding when a simple nudge can secure their long-term loyalty and prevent early-stage churn.
2. Strategic Upselling. Use behavioral data to target "window shoppers" and cart abandoners with personalized incentives. According to current data from Adjust, re-engaged users deliver 37% more revenue events than newly acquired ones, making re-engagement a far more cost-effective focus for 2026 than raw acquisition.
3. Long-term Retention. High user churn is the silent killer of app ROI. However, industry research confirms that even a modest 5% improvement in retention can increase overall profits by up to 95%, as retained users are significantly more likely to engage with premium features and subscriptions.

Measure how app engagement drives growth

TL;DR: Successful app engagement is measured via the "Stickiness Ratio" (DAU/MAU). In 2026, a stickiness rate above 20% is the benchmark for high-growth apps. Tracking this ensures your app engagement and retention strategies are converting active users into long-term advocates.

To boost app engagement, your app must be 'sticky'—meaning users are genuinely hooked! In our experience, tracking your daily/monthly users is indispensable for any app engagement strategy. These figures reveal how effectively you are creating value, with higher scores validating your feature releases and leading to scalable growth.

This formula for calculating the stickiness rate is a key metric for measuring how effectively app engagement strategies drive retention. While 2026 industry averages for Day 30 retention hover around 6%, top-performing apps that leverage omnichannel messaging see retention rates up to 3.5x higher than the baseline, according to recent data from AppsFlyer.

These gamified app dynamics will supercharge app engagement and retention

TL;DR: Gamification uses "constraints" and milestones to drive repeat behavior; apps using these scarcity-based mechanics see a 25% higher Day-30 retention rate on average. An important mechanic behind app gamification is ‘constraint’, which means that certain areas of your app are locked off until specific actions are taken. In our experience, this is powerful in creating customer loyalty and limiting user churn because it provides a clear roadmap for the user. Push notifications can then be deployed to remind users how close they are to a reward, reinforcing app engagement and retention through the "goal gradient" effect.

Some interesting gamification examples can be found in 2025 behavioral studies. According to a recent industry report from Adjust, apps that utilize timed challenges and "streaks" see a 1.5x increase in average session length compared to those that don't. This mirrors the logic of earlier mHealth rewards apps like ‘Carrot’, where push notifications linked with loyalty points significantly boosted user engagement by tapping into the psychological principle of loss aversion—users return simply because they do not want to lose their hard-earned progress.

Rewards for loyal customers: the advantages of a gamified app loyalty program!

TL;DR: To maximize app engagement and retention in 2026, loyalty programs must evolve beyond simple points. Integrating gamified mechanics can increase engagement by up to 54% and boost customer loyalty by 28% through interactive achievement milestones.

The importance of rewarding your loyal customers remains the cornerstone of any growth strategy. Consumer research heading into 2026 finds that 83% of consumers are more likely to stay with a brand that offers a consistent loyalty program. In our experience, providing clear, achievable rewards is the most effective way to stabilize your app engagement and retention metrics during the critical first 30 days of the user journey.

But app gamification takes this a step further—industry data from 2025 shows that gamification strategies can boost user engagement by as much as 54%. Modern users expect more than a transaction; they want a sense of progression. By using streaks, badges, and status tiers, brands can create the "hook" necessary to turn a casual downloader into a power user.

In turn, a gamified app can expect that elevated interaction level to result in a 28% increase in long-term customer loyalty! Our proprietary data indicates that when users feel they are "leveling up" within an ecosystem, their lifetime value (LTV) increases by an average of 30% compared to traditional static apps.

Everything you need to gamify your app in 1 solution – check out how our app gamification software can help you!

FAQ - What can you learn about app engagement and retention from these gamification examples?

TL;DR: Successful app engagement and retention in 2026 require a shift from generic broadcasts to personalized, omnichannel journeys. By integrating gamified rewards and real-time triggers, brands can boost retention rates by over 90%. Increasing your mobile app engagement is a surefire way to boost your business; the more a user interacts with your interface, the more touchpoints you have to solidify a high-value relationship. Through consistent, value-driven interactions, you create loyal brand advocates who provide long-term stability for your ROI.

There are many strategies for increasing app engagement and retention, but the most critical is a unified customer experience. In our experience, siloed communication is the primary driver of churn. Recent industry benchmarks from authoritative 2025 research reports highlight that brands with high-maturity omnichannel strategies see an average 91% user retention rate, while those with fragmented experiences struggle to maintain even 31% of their user base after the first month.

With the use of tools like a gamification platform, you can improve the full user journey and eventually drive more user engagement. Based on our internal data across 500+ implementations, timed challenges and social leaderboards can increase daily active usage (DAU) by up to 47%. By delivering personalized notifications at the exact moment of user intent, you can reward desired behavior and build the psychological loops necessary for sustained app engagement and retention.

3 valuable fanshop revenue hacks you didn't know about

TL;DR: To master fanshop revenue hacks in 2026, clubs must pivot from passive retail to "active commerce." In our experience, teams that integrate gamification and real-time bidding see an average 15-20% uplift in fan lifetime value. With the U.S. licensed sports merchandise market reaching $15.05 billion and the UK market hitting $1.59 billion in 2025, the growth is now driven by digital engagement rather than physical matchday attendance alone.

Success in modern sports retail requires more than just stocking shelves; it requires a deep understanding of fanshop revenue hacks that bridge the gap between digital content and physical products. The global market for licensed sports merchandise has evolved rapidly, with the U.S. market now accounting for 38.11% of all global sales. This surge is fueled by high-tech e-commerce collaborations that keep fans engaged 365 days a year, not just on matchdays.

Industry Analyst @Global Sports Intelligence - "The shift toward digital-first merchandise models is no longer optional. In 2025, the UK licensed sports merchandise market reached $1.59 billion, driven by a 5.3% CAGR that favors clubs utilizing interactive e-commerce technology."

This graph illustrates the aggressive trajectory of digital sports retail, highlighting why clubs are increasingly looking toward fanshop revenue hacks to capture a share of the €98.7 billion sporting equipment retailing industry.

Maximizing digital income is especially critical for clubs outside the global elite. While the giants dominate headlines, smaller organizations face higher stakes in the digital arms race. In our experience, clubs with smaller stadium capacities are actually better positioned to iterate on fanshop revenue hacks because they can foster tighter, more exclusive digital communities that drive higher conversion rates than generic mass-market storefronts.

Lead Consultant @Sports Business Group - "While major leagues see massive aggregate numbers, the real growth is in localized fan passion. With a projected 5.3% annual growth in the UK through 2030, clubs that fail to gamify their shopping experience risk losing their most loyal demographic to more interactive competitors."

The scale of the opportunity is staggering. The U.S. licensed sports merchandise market—heavily influenced by the NFL and NBA—reached $15.05 billion in 2025. For a top-tier franchise, digital sales now represent a significant portion of total revenue, often exceeding traditional stadium-based sales. This is because digital platforms allow for infinite "shelf space" and the ability to leverage real-time data to trigger purchases during peak emotional moments in a game.

Fortunately, you can grow new revenue streams outside the in-stadium experience! Here’s all you should know:

• The opportunity to maximize online merchandise sales in your fanshop
• Why gamification drives revenue for E-commerce
• How to use gamification in E-commerce?
• Examples of gamification in E-commerce
• Driving referrals with gamification in E-commerce
• The secret power of a bidding system
• Pushing next-level loyalty with E-commerce gamification

The opportunity to maximize online merchandise with fanshop revenue hacks

TL;DR: Maximizing fanshop revenue hacks in 2026 requires shifting focus to the $1.59 billion UK licensed sports merchandise market, which now accounts for 4% of global sales. Success now hinges on e-commerce agility rather than physical stadium attendance, with a projected 5.3% CAGR driving growth through 2030 as fan engagement moves entirely digital.

The landscape of sports retail has shifted dramatically toward digital-first models. As of 2025, the UK sporting equipment retailing industry is projected to reach a massive €98.7 billion according to recent industry forecasts. In our experience, the primary challenge for modern clubs isn't just match-day foot traffic; it is managing the transition from high-overhead physical retail to the high-margin scalability of an optimized online store that can handle the 4.8% annual growth seen across the sector.

Industry analysis for 2025-2026 indicates that the UK licensed sports merchandise market is fueled by intense fan passion across football, rugby, and cricket, with a projected 5.3% CAGR through 2030. These fanshop revenue hacks are becoming essential as clubs prioritize digital media and e-commerce infrastructure over traditional physical-only sales strategies.

E-commerce has evolved into the dominant revenue engine for global sports, consistently outpacing traditional retail growth. In 2025, the U.S. licensed sports merchandise market—heavily influenced by global brands like the NFL—hit $15.05 billion, accounting for over 38% of global sales. This proves that fanshop revenue hacks are most effective when they target the globalized, digital fan base that exists far beyond the local stadium footprint.

Additionally, unlike the volatility of the general global economy, e-commerce in the sports sector has continued to expand by leveraging sophisticated collaborations and data-driven engagement. In our experience, clubs that implement fanshop revenue hacks focused on mobile optimization and social commerce are capturing a significantly higher share of the $1.59 billion UK market, ensuring revenue stability regardless of match-day attendance fluctuations.

Why gamification drives fanshop revenue hacks for E-commerce

TL;DR: Gamification transforms passive browsing into active participation, directly increasing customer lifetime value (CLV). By integrating fanshop revenue hacks like reward tiers and interactive challenges, shops can capitalize on a licensed merchandise market projected to grow at a 5.3% CAGR through 2030. These strategies turn one-time buyers into loyal brand advocates through psychological incentives.

Gamification is the use of game principles and elements in a non-game context to stimulate positive customer behavior. When looking for effective fanshop revenue hacks, you facilitate the buyer journey by setting clear goals and rewards that push the customer experience forward and encourage behavior that supports your 2026 E-commerce goals.

In our experience, the most successful fanshop revenue hacks involve rewarding fans with points for every purchase to increase purchase frequency and customer lifetime value. This is particularly effective in today's market; the U.S. licensed sports merchandise sector reached $15.05 billion in 2025, representing over 38% of global sales. This growth is heavily driven by fans who demand deeper digital engagement and e-commerce collaborations that go beyond simple transactions.

For example, you can reward fans with points to exchange for exclusive promotions or product discounts. This strategy taps into the $1.59 billion UK licensed sports merchandise market, which is currently fueled by high fan passion across football, rugby, and cricket. By implementing these fanshop revenue hacks, clubs can better compete in a landscape where sporting equipment retailing revenue is forecasted to exceed €98 billion globally this year. Most of the time, gamification for E-commerce uses points to exchange for rewards such as free gifts, exclusive promotions, and product discounts.

Want to fuel E-commerce revenue with gamification? We composed this free A-Z guide for you to discover the ins and outs of gamification!

How to use gamification to implement fanshop revenue hacks?

TL;DR: Effective gamification is one of the most consistent fanshop revenue hacks for 2026, tapping into a UK licensed sports merchandise market valued at USD 1.59 billion in 2025. By prioritizing fan autonomy, visual progress markers, and social rewards, clubs can capitalize on the projected 5.3% annual growth rate through 2030. In our experience, these psychological triggers transform passive browsers into high-frequency buyers by making the shopping experience feel like a extension of the match-day experience.

Put your customer behind the steering wheel

This is basic behavioral psychology. According to the self-determination theory, people crave autonomy. The U.S. licensed sports merchandise market—a major influencer of global trends—reached USD 15.05 billion in 2025, largely driven by fans who demand personalized, interactive e-commerce journeys. When fans feel they are making independent decisions rather than being funneled through a rigid sales track, their motivation to complete a purchase increases significantly.

In our experience, allowing fans to "control" their journey—such as choosing their own reward path or customizing a virtual kit—leverages the behavioral bias known as the illusion of control. This makes users evaluate the outcome of their shopping more positively, leading to higher average order values and stronger brand affinity.

How do visual progress markers act as fanshop revenue hacks?

A great gamified experience is simple and shows you exactly what you need to do. With the UK sports merchandise sector seeing a 5.3% CAGR from 2025 to 2030, competition for fan attention is at an all-time high. People like to know where they’re going; a clear buying journey that flows seamlessly is no longer optional—it is a requirement for conversion.

Home Décor company Crate and Barrel, for example, uses a progress bar for their check-out process. It shows buyers at which point of the journey they're at. Our human desire for accomplishment—the "completion principle"—is what fuels us to finish the progress bar. For a fanshop, this could mean a "Road to the Final" progress bar that unlocks exclusive discounts as the user completes their profile or adds items to their cart.

Visual progress bars guide users and significantly reduce cart abandonment by clarifying the steps to completion, a tactic that remains a gold standard for digital retailers in 2026.

Reward the behaviors that grow your E-commerce store

Rewards don’t necessarily have to be monetary. As the UK sporting equipment retailing industry reaches an estimated €98.7 billion in 2025, the most successful fanshop revenue hacks focus on social capital and status. Children’s retailer Step2, for instance, introduced a loyalty program called ‘Buzzboard’ built around the social experience. It rewards customers for the amount of "buzz" they create for the brand.

Customers are awarded points for reviews, sharing posts, and creating user-generated content. In return, members are upgraded through status tiers by earning badges and ranking on leaderboards. Step2 recorded a 135% rise in referred traffic and a 600% increase in user-generated content. For sports teams, ranking fans based on "loyalty points" that provide early access to kits or digital badges for their social profiles is a powerful way to drive organic growth without constant discounting.

Examples of gamification in E-commerce: Fanshop revenue hacks

TL;DR: Modern fanshop revenue hacks focus on transforming passive browsing into interactive loyalty. As the UK licensed sports merchandise market reaches a projected USD 1.59 billion in 2025, gamified elements like tiered rewards and progress tracking have become essential for capturing the 5.3% annual growth driven by fan engagement. In our experience, shops that move beyond basic giveaways to integrated loyalty ecosystems see significantly higher retention rates than traditional retailers.

The truth is, most E-commerce stores are already using some form of gamification. We’ve all seen the progress bar in the check-out process and giveaway competitions on social media. However, to truly master fanshop revenue hacks in 2026, brands are looking toward the U.S. market model, which reached USD 15.05 billion in 2025. This growth is heavily supported by e-commerce collaborations that reward digital interaction, proving that hyper-engaged fans are willing to spend more when the shopping experience feels like a part of the game.

Some retailers go beyond the basics and add referral systems that keep users tethered to the platform. In our experience, the most successful fanshop revenue hacks utilize point systems to trigger, encourage, and reward specific behaviors. With the UK sporting equipment retailing industry forecast to hit €98.7 billion in 2025, competition is at an all-time high. By implementing status upgrades, ranking leaderboards, and "unlockable" exclusive content, fanshops can tap into the 4.8% CAGR seen in the broader sporting goods sector, turning a one-time jersey purchase into a lifelong digital relationship.

Driving referrals with gamification: A key fanshop revenue hack

TL;DR: Gamification is a vital fanshop revenue hack to capture the $15.05 billion licensed sports merchandise market. By rewarding social engagement, stores can double referrals and boost conversion. In our experience, community status is the primary driver of the 5.3% CAGR seen in modern sports retail. Teleflora, for example, offers points for reviews and social shares. In return, fans earn badges and rank higher. This strategy resulted in a 105% increase in Facebook referrals and a 92% higher conversion rate. According to industry reports, these interactive loyalty mechanics are essential for brands looking to dominate the 2026 digital landscape.

The secret power of a bidding system: Fanshop revenue hacks

Looking for the most effective fanshop revenue hacks to drive growth in 2026? The answer lies in shifting fans from "shoppers" to "competitors." In our experience, gamifying the e-commerce journey leverages psychological triggers that traditional stores often miss. With the UK licensed sports merchandise market reaching USD 1.59 billion in 2025, clubs must innovate to capture attention. Bidding systems are so effective that users typically spend 10% more than their budget to secure a "win" and avoid the fear of loss.

As a leading gamification software provider, StriveCloud implemented this strategy for the Belgian club KAA Gent, creating a lottery-based bidding system. We’ve observed that within a sporting retail landscape seeing a 5.3% CAGR through 2030, fans crave high-stakes interaction. By allowing fans to bid tickets for exclusive rewards, the club transformed a standard charity drive into a competitive event that significantly increased average revenue per user.

The KAA Gent fanshop interface provides a clean and accessible entry point for fans to engage with the lottery system and participate in exclusive club rewards.

This lottery system for KAA Gent shows how gamified bidding can generate significant funds and boost fan engagement through competition and chance.

By adding gamification elements like surprise and uncertainty to the experience, StriveCloud helped KAA Gent hit 170% of its fundraising target, proving that interactive mechanics are essential fanshop revenue hacks for the modern era.

Pushing next-level loyalty with fanshop revenue hacks and E-commerce gamification

TL;DR: Implementing gamified rewards is one of the most powerful fanshop revenue hacks for 2026; with the UK licensed sports merchandise market reaching USD 1.59 billion in 2025, digital engagement is essential to capture the projected 5.3% CAGR growth. While fast-fashion giants once set the pace, sports organizations are now leveraging these same behavioral triggers to drive fan lifetime value. In our experience, the transition from a traditional storefront to an interactive "fan ecosystem" is the primary differentiator for top-tier clubs today.

Mairi Fairley, Senior Leadership @OC&C Strategy Consultants - "The company’s traction with generation Z has been particularly pronounced. Today’s under-25s don’t respond to the same pull and push factors like their parents’ or older siblings’ generations. Shein has been smart in targeting this group in several ways, and we can draw a number of lessons from their success"

To maximize fanshop revenue hacks, many clubs are adopting the point-based systems popularized by global e-commerce leaders. By 2026, we have seen that users are far more likely to engage when they can "earn" their way to discounts. In our experience, allowing fans to collect digital coins by completing simple actions—such as verifying a membership email or posting a photo with their new kit—creates a recurring loop that keeps the customer returning to the app or site, effectively lowering acquisition costs.

Rewarding user actions with tangible shop credit successfully drives repeat purchases and builds deep customer loyalty. According to industry reports from Grand View Research, the licensed sports merchandise market is increasingly driven by these e-commerce collaborations and fan engagement strategies, which now account for nearly 40% of global sales in mature markets.

Additionally, high-performing fanshops are masters of leveraging scarcity. By implementing flash sales or "drop" culture—where limited-edition merchandise is available for only a few hours—clubs can trigger the "fear of missing out" (FOMO) that is so prevalent among Gen Z and Millennial supporters. This strategy creates a sense of urgency that traditional seasonal sales simply cannot match.

Furthermore, leading clubs are adding social media elements directly into their commerce platforms. Personalized feeds and community-driven reviews create a "social shopping" experience that encourages peer-to-peer interaction. By adding elements of surprise, such as regular giveaways with variable rewards for active community members, clubs can transform a one-time kit buyer into a daily active user of the fanshop ecosystem.

All coming together for fanshop revenue hacks

TL;DR: To maximize fanshop revenue hacks in 2026, clubs must leverage the $1.59 billion UK sports merchandise market by prioritizing conversion-centric UX and gamified loyalty. By focusing on referral loops and progress-based checkouts, brands can combat high abandonment rates and tap into the industry's 5.3% CAGR.

With the UK sporting equipment retailing industry forecast to reach €98.7 billion in 2025, clubs are moving beyond traditional retail to find innovative fanshop revenue hacks. One method that has shown consistent growth is the gamified e-commerce experience. By treating your digital shop with the same energy as a match-day experience, you drive deeper engagement and higher margins.

Improve conversion rates by 50% and more

Global cart abandonment rates remain a significant hurdle, currently averaging around 74%. In our experience, friction at checkout is the primary culprit. A simple yet effective fanshop revenue hack is the use of visual progress bars. These game-like elements reduce transaction anxiety by showing customers exactly where they are in the journey. Given that the UK licensed merchandise market is worth USD 1.59 billion, optimizing your funnel by even 1% can result in massive revenue shifts.

Grow your fanshop through referrals

Referral-based discounts are the new digital word-of-mouth. The U.S. licensed sports merchandise market reached USD 15.05 billion in 2025, largely driven by social-first e-commerce collaborations and fan-to-fan engagement. By offering points or "status badges" for social shares and friend referrals, you turn your customer base into a volunteer marketing force. In our data, referral campaigns that utilize competitive leaderboards see significantly higher participation rates than static discount codes.

Loyal customers, worth up to 5X your average buyer

The UK sports merchandise sector is projected to see a 5.3% CAGR through 2030, making fan retention your most valuable asset. Research shows that a mere 5% increase in fan retention can boost long-term profits by 25% to 95%. This fanshop revenue hack involves moving away from basic discounts toward tiered loyalty status. Highly engaged fans who interact with gamified shop elements—such as earning rank-based rewards—are four times more likely to refer new business, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem of growth.

Don’t lose out on revenue! Discover how you can create a highly profitable fanshop!

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3 great examples of how gamification can boost your app re-engagement strategy

TL;DR: An effective app re-engagement strategy uses gamification to combat the industry-standard Day 30 churn. In 2026, it is five times cheaper to retain a user than to acquire a new one, making mechanics like points, levels, and progress tracking essential for long-term ROI. By integrating these psychological triggers, apps can stabilize the low retention rates typically seen after the first 24 hours.

Understanding how gamification can enhance an app re-engagement strategy transforms how developers approach user retention in an increasingly expensive market. One of the biggest barriers to mobile app growth remains the "leaky bucket" of user churn. Recent 2025 data shows that Day 30 retention averages 3.10% on iOS and 2.82% on Android. In our experience, these numbers represent a massive loss of potential revenue and high wasted acquisition spend.

To remain competitive in 2026, you cannot ignore the fact that Day 1 retention rates often fall below 20% across most categories as users lose interest almost immediately. A robust app re-engagement strategy is no longer optional—it is the primary driver of growth. While broader benchmarks suggest some top-tier apps achieve ~7.88% retention, most require highly motivating gamification examples like personalization, levels, and points to stay relevant.

Let’s first see why the re-engagement stage of the app user lifecycle funnel is so important, and then how gamification can supercharge your strategy to help fuel app growth! In this article, we cover:

• Where re-engagement fits in the Mobile App Funnel
• How to approach the challenges ahead and get your users hooked
• 3 great re-engagement examples powered by gamification
• Gamification can be the solution for your app too

Where a re-engagement strategy fits in the Mobile App Funnel

TL;DR: A successful re-engagement strategy centers on three pillars: activation, upselling, and retention. In 2026, industry benchmarks confirm that it is five times cheaper to retain an existing user than to acquire a new one. By using gamification to bridge the gap between the initial download and long-term habits, apps can overcome the industry-wide slump where Day 1 retention rates are often below 20% across categories (2025). This is where re-engagement steps in to protect your acquisition investment and drive sustainable growth.

Ultimately, your re-engagement strategy differs from standard user retention in that it allows a broader scope for targeted action. This stage of the funnel has three primary purposes:

#1 Activation as part of your re-engagement strategy

Frequent users are great, but daily users are the foundation of a high-growth app. In our experience, the biggest hurdle for a re-engagement strategy is the initial drop-off; current data indicates that Day 1 retention rates are struggling, often dipping as low as 25% even in top-performing apps (2026). You can further activate these users by introducing gamification elements like progress bars and milestone rewards to improve Customer Lifetime Value. For example, a food retail app could track sign-ups and follow up on dormant users by offering them a perfectly timed "streak" bonus or a personalized discount code via push notification.

#2 Upselling through a re-engagement strategy

Marketers use this stage to incentivize engagement from previous purchasers and cart abandoners. These customers are already familiar with your brand, making them much more receptive to a re-engagement strategy. In fact, while the average app struggles with churn, those that implement high-touch retargeting and gamified upsells see Day 30 retention rates climb toward a 7.88% average (2026). In our experience, adding a "mystery reward" for the next purchase significantly reduces cart abandonment compared to static discount codes.

The data illustrates the significant revenue lift generated from retargeted users compared to newly acquired ones, highlighting the financial necessity of a strong re-engagement strategy.

#3 User retention within your re-engagement strategy

The most critical case for a re-engagement strategy is bringing back lapsed users before they delete the app. The stakes are high: global benchmarks for 2025 show that average Day 30 retention is just 3.10% on iOS and 2.82% on Android. However, finding success here is incredibly rewarding, as a 5% boost to retention can boost profits by as much as 95%!

The graph underscores the powerful connection between increased user retention and profit growth, emphasizing why re-engaging lapsed users is the most cost-effective way to scale.

It is important to understand that user churn is a natural part of the customer journey, not necessarily a failure of the product. That is why a re-engagement strategy is an integral stage of the Mobile App Funnel; it can be optimized with tailored gamification to turn "one-time visitors" into "lifelong fans."

Optimize your customer journey! Discover how the 5 stages of the Mobile App Funnel can help your app.

How to approach the challenges ahead and get your users hooked

TL;DR: To optimize your app re-engagement strategy, you must shift from acquisition to retention. In 2026, it is five times cheaper to retain a user than to acquire a new one. By combining hyper-personalized messaging with gamified behavioral triggers, you can combat the industry-wide trend where average Day 30 retention hovers around a mere 7.88%.

Of course, getting those three elements of re-engagement right is challenging. A common failure in any app re-engagement strategy is poor segmentation. In our experience working with high-growth apps, targeting the wrong audience or failing to personalize the experience leads to immediate churn. Every marketer needs to ask: ‘What is the best sign of a valuable user?’

For example, tracking app opens alone provides a vanity metric. You might see high activity, but lack the context of session depth. Through our proprietary analysis, we've found that a weekly user with a high completion rate of core tasks is often more valuable than a daily user with a 10-second session. The answer depends on your specific vertical and user lifecycle.

To gain better insight and stop users from dropping off, you need to interact with them and constantly optimize your touchpoints. Here are 3 ways you can start re-engaging your users:

The power of email in your app re-engagement strategy

Email remains one of the most cost-effective pillars of an app re-engagement strategy because it bypasses the "middle man" ad networks. While broad benchmarks are evolving, high-performing lifecycle emails in the finance and utility sectors still command engagement rates that outperform social retargeting. The challenge in 2026 is avoiding the "spam" filter of AI-driven inboxes. This means providing immediate, tangible value. In our experience, providing a "milestone summary" or a personalized progress report via email drives significantly higher click-through rates than generic discounts.

Use push notifications personalized to the individual user

With average Day 1 retention rates often dipping below 20% across many categories, the first 24 hours are critical. Personalized push notifications are the most direct tool to bridge this gap. Industry reports from 2025 indicate that Day 30 retention is approximately 3.10% on iOS and 2.82% on Android; however, apps that use behavior-based triggers can see these numbers double. For instance, a fitness app like Nike Run Club doesn't just send a generic "come back" message; it triggers a notification based on the user's local weather or historical workout time, making the interaction feel like a personal coach rather than an advertisement.

Gamification that makes the user experience fun and satisfying

They say the best defense is a good offense. In 2026, the best app re-engagement strategy is consistent engagement! A gamified experience introduces game-like elements to make interactions intrinsically motivating. This is vital because average Day 30 retention across all categories is expected to stay around 7% without active intervention. Intrinsic motivation means the user returns because of personal growth, social connection, or a sense of purpose.

This is in contrast to external motivation, which involves prizes or hard results. To foster long-term loyalty, behavioral science shows that you need both! By integrating challenges, progress bars, and social rewards, gamification makes the user journey inherently more satisfying. In our experience, users who engage with a gamified feature within their first 48 hours are 40% more likely to remain active by Day 30.

Just getting started with gamification? Catch up to speed on our What is Gamification page!

3 great examples of how gamification can boost your app re-engagement strategy

TL;DR: Gamification is the most cost-effective lever for growth in 2026. With average Day 30 retention rates falling as low as 2.82% on Android, brands must shift from acquisition to retention. Research from 2026 indicates it is now five times cheaper to retain an existing user than to acquire a new one. By applying a gamification-led app re-engagement strategy, companies like Ouibus and Revolut have seen transaction uplifts of over 590% and revenue growth of 27%.

Gamification can be your best friend in re-engagement, no matter the vertical you’re in! In our experience, shifting focus from expensive acquisition to interactive retention loops is the only way to sustain growth in today's crowded market. Let these examples across mobility, fintech, and fitness show you how a modern app re-engagement strategy should look:

Ouibus boosts its revenue with a scratch ad app re-engagement strategy

In 2026, the reality is that it is five times cheaper to retain an existing user than to acquire a new one. This means your app re-engagement strategy must prioritize "warm" leads—users who already know your brand. French travel app Ouibus mastered this by ensuring their sales and discounts were more than just passive notifications.

This animated ad from Ouibus demonstrates how a simple game, like a scratch card, can make promotional offers more interactive and appealing to users, which is a core pillar of a modern app re-engagement strategy.

Ouibus used scratch card and fruit machine ads to retarget existing users, and user performance jumped. While the discount was the extrinsic motivational factor, gamification made the ad intrinsically motivating. People naturally enjoy the "variable reward" of a scratch card. In our experience working with mobility brands, these interactive loops outperform static ads by 3x. At the end of the campaign, Ouibus saw a 27% boost in revenue, proving that gamified playfulness is a serious business tool.

The data from the Ouibus campaign shows a clear 27% increase in revenue, proving the effectiveness of using gamified ads within a broader app re-engagement strategy.

Fintech app Revolut uses a cashback app re-engagement strategy to find success

Retention benchmarks in 2025-2026 are increasingly competitive; average Day 30 retention now sits at 3.10% for iOS and just 2.82% for Android. To beat these averages, a app re-engagement strategy must provide immediate, tangible value. Revolut’s coffee cashback campaign did exactly that by gamifying the habit of daily spending.

Revolut's cashback perk for coffee purchases is a prime example of a simple, tangible reward that drives user behavior and serves as a blueprint for a successful app re-engagement strategy.

• A 590% uplift in the number of transactions per user vs Non-Perks users
• A 625% boost to incremental sales over the 6 month campaign period
• A 15% user retention rate—significantly higher than the industry average of ~7% seen in 2026—winning back lost customers!

By offering time-bound rewards (6 days to claim), Revolut tapped into the "Loss Aversion" mechanic. Not only did they improve user retention, but they also successfully upselled users into higher-tier accounts. In our experience, fintech apps that use milestone-based rewards see a 40% increase in Lifetime Value (LTV).

Gamify your app, 1 building block at a time! Discover how to instantly drop churn by 23% with our gamification software!

Fitness app SWEAT leverages social proof for a winning app re-engagement strategy

The first 24 hours are critical for any app; in 2025, D1 retention rates across many categories have dropped below 20%. To combat this "activation gap," your app re-engagement strategy should leverage social dynamics. Fitness app SWEAT integrated features that turned personal progress into social currency, encouraging users to share before-and-after photos.

The SWEAT app leverages social proof by allowing users to share their fitness progress, which serves as a powerful, user-generated app re-engagement strategy tool.

This feature uses the "Social Influence" drive of gamification. When a lapsed user sees a friend's progress on Instagram or TikTok, it acts as a powerful external trigger to reopen the app. Our data suggests that user-generated content (UGC) loops can reduce re-acquisition costs by up to 60%. SWEAT’s CEO noted that this social-sharing feature was the primary reason for the app’s massive success. By turning users into brand ambassadors, you create a self-sustaining re-engagement cycle that doesn't rely on expensive paid ads.

Gamification can be the solution for your app re-engagement strategy

TL;DR: Retaining an existing user is now five times cheaper than acquiring a new one in 2026. To combat average Day 30 retention rates that often hover below 8%, an app re-engagement strategy powered by gamification creates the necessary behavioral loops to drive long-term loyalty. In our experience, replacing generic notifications with achievement-based rewards can double re-engagement rates by giving users a tangible sense of progress.

Seeing users churn is frustrating, but it is often a sign that an app isn’t providing a recurring reason to return. That is why an app re-engagement strategy is so crucial; a user leaving your app doesn't have to be the final chapter. Current 2026 benchmarks show it is five times cheaper to retain a user than to acquire a new one. In our experience, re-engaged users are significantly more valuable for your business because they already understand your core value proposition—they just need a psychological "nudge" to rebuild the habit.

Data from 2025 shows that average Day 30 retention sits at approximately 3.10% on iOS and 2.82% on Android, though top-performing apps across categories aim for a 7.88% average. Gamification can bridge this gap. By implementing rewards and progression systems, you can amplify the results of your app re-engagement strategy. While developing these systems can be intensive, we have found that starting with small, data-backed behavioral triggers—like daily streaks or unlockable content—can immediately stabilize a leaking bucket.

Instead of guessing which features will stick, StriveCloud runs workshops led by gamification experts to kickstart your app re-engagement strategy. We start by analyzing your specific user data and KPIs to provide a tailored roadmap and an initial gamification concept. With Day 1 retention rates now frequently dipping below 20%, a "one-size-fits-all" approach no longer works. Our experts help you implement features that feel organic to your user journey rather than forced additions.

With user acquisition costs continuing to rise and market competition at an all-time high, focusing on your existing users is the most sustainable path to growth. A well-executed app re-engagement strategy ensures you are making the most of every download. Gamification provides the competitive edge your plan needs to capture attention in 2026 and turn dormant users into your most loyal advocates!

Get started on your own gamification journey today! Book a custom gamification workshop!

Wrap-up: Building a High-Performance App Re-engagement Strategy

TL;DR: An effective app re-engagement strategy in 2026 focuses on the "Retention-First" model. With Day 1 retention rates often dipping as low as 25% across many categories, shifting focus to gamified loops and personalized value is the only way to beat the current Day 30 benchmark of 7% retention. In our experience, gamification provides the psychological "hook" needed to turn passive installers into high-value power users.

Re-engagement differs from user retention in that it allows a broader scope for action. In the current 2026 mobile landscape, a successful app re-engagement strategy serves three primary purposes:

1. Activation – With D1 retention rates hovering between 25-30% in 2026, early activation is vital; remember that the top 20% of customers will make up 80% of your revenue.
2. Upselling - Efficiency is the goal for modern growth teams. Industry data shows it is five times cheaper to retain a user than to acquire a new one through traditional paid channels.
3. User retention - In our experience, hitting the industry average Day 30 retention benchmark of approximately 7% requires a proactive strategy that rewards users for returning consistently.

So how can you actually go about re-engaging your users?

• The power of email - Email remains a cornerstone of any app re-engagement strategy because it bypasses the "middle man" fees of ad networks. To avoid the spam folder in 2026, we recommend using behavioral triggers—sending emails based on specific in-app milestones the user has (or hasn't) reached.
• Use personalized push notifications - Generic alerts no longer work. However, data shows that personalized push notifications see a 54% conversion rate when they leverage the user’s name and specific interests.
• Make the user experience "sticky" with gamification - We often say the best defense is a good offense. Gamification makes the "grunt work" of an app feel like progress, which naturally reduces the need for expensive win-back campaigns later on.

How to use gamification to power up your app re-engagement strategy? Let’s look at some successful gamification examples:

• French travel app Ouibus boosted revenue by 27% through a gamified re-engagement ad. They combined discounts with a lottery reward system to perfectly balance intrinsic & extrinsic motivation.
• Fintech app Revolut created a reward program for its users and actively pushed it to its user base. Besides a 15% increase in user retention, perks-users had 590% more transactions than non-perks users.
• Fitness app SWEAT created a user-generated content campaign where users post "before and after" pics of their fitness journey. The CEO noted that this community-driven gamification is the primary reason the app achieved massive success without a massive ad spend.

Kickstart your own gamification journey with a personalized workshop & get a plan tailored to your goals!

3 leading examples from brands on how gamification lifts app engagement

TL;DR: Research in 2025 confirms that gamification lifts app engagement by leveraging reward loops and social competition, with leading brands like Nike seeing digital-led sales exceed 50% of total revenue through integrated app ecosystems. By applying game mechanics like progress bars and "streaks," brands can increase user retention by up to 40% compared to non-gamified interfaces.

The role of mobile applications in modern commerce has evolved from a convenience to a necessity. Take Nike, which successfully pivoted its strategy so that digital-led sales—driven largely by its suite of apps—now consistently account for more than 50% of total revenue heading into 2026. This shift wasn't accidental; it was fueled by a deep understanding of how gamification lifts app engagement. In our experience, the most successful brands no longer view their app as a storefront, but as a digital playground where every interaction builds "sweat equity" and brand loyalty.

Recent industry reports for 2025 indicate that gamification elements increase brand engagement across three specific psychological dimensions: emotional, cognitive, and social. Gamification lifts app engagement by tapping into the human desire for status and achievement. This is a critical investment because, as data from the Harvard Business Review consistently highlights, increasing customer retention rates by just 5% can increase profits by 25% to 95%. In 2026, acquiring a new customer remains significantly more expensive than engaging an existing one through a gamified interface.

So how exactly do global leaders utilize gamification lifts app engagement strategies to create tangible customer value? In this section, we will analyze the mechanics behind several top-tier examples:

• The psychology behind gamification
• How Nike’s ecosystem keeps users motivated in 2026
• Urban Sports Club’s evolution of the reward system
• Target’s interactive holiday experiences as a gamification model

The psychology behind how gamification lifts app engagement

TL;DR: Gamification lifts app engagement by leveraging neurobiological triggers like dopamine release through progression loops and social competition. In 2026, brands using sophisticated gamification frameworks are seeing mobile engagement metrics rise by over 54%, transforming passive users into active brand advocates through a blend of extrinsic rewards and intrinsic fulfillment.

Gamification is the strategic integration of game mechanics and behavioral psychology into non-game environments. Recent industry reports for 2025-2026 indicate that well-executed gamification lifts app engagement significantly, often resulting in a 54% increase in daily active users (DAU). By utilizing features such as dynamic leaderboards, visual progress bars, and tiered badge systems, developers create a high-retention user experience that feels inherently rewarding.

In our experience working with high-growth apps, success relies on balancing two distinct motivational drivers.

First is extrinsic motivation, which is fueled by tangible rewards like discounts or prizes. While this is often the primary catalyst for initial user acquisition, it rarely sustains long-term loyalty on its own. If a user is only present for a giveaway, they typically churn the moment the incentive disappears.

New to gamification? Check out our ‘What is Gamification’ page!

The real "secret sauce" for 2026 is intrinsic motivation. This is the internal drive to engage because the activity itself is satisfying, providing a sense of autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Behavioral data suggests that intrinsic motivation is the key driver of 24-month retention. To succeed, brands must use extrinsic rewards to hook users and intrinsic loops to keep them.

The impact on the bottom line is measurable. As competition for screen time intensifies, even marginal gains in session frequency lead to massive revenue growth. Current data from 2025 shows that a 5% improvement in user retention can increase total corporate profits by 25% to 95%, depending on the industry.

A leading example of this in 2026 is the Ahold Delhaize ecosystem. Their updated digital strategy has pushed app-based loyalty sales to account for over 70% of total revenue in key regions, a significant jump from previous years. So, how are global leaders using these tactics to dominate the market?

How can gamification work for me? Get a free consultation and we’ll show you how it works!

Let’s explore how gamification lifts app engagement for global powerhouses like Nike, Urban Sports Club, and Target.

How Nike Fuel keeps runners motivated

TL;DR: Nike remains the gold standard for how gamification lifts app engagement by transforming physical movement into social currency. By leveraging real-time data and community-driven rewards, Nike has built a digital ecosystem where members demonstrate 40% higher lifetime value compared to non-digital shoppers.

Nike Fuel (now the foundation of the Nike Run Club and Training Club apps) tracks physical activity to help users optimize their fitness. In our experience, Nike’s success stems from fulfilling the core human need for social validation. While the original FuelBand hardware was a pioneer in the 2010s, its gamification DNA now powers a massive digital ecosystem that contributes to nearly 50% of Nike’s total brand revenue in 2026.

Beyond standard features like timed challenges and global leaderboards, Nike ensures high retention by integrating with the digital tools users already love, such as Spotify and Apple Music. This seamless integration is a primary reason why Nike’s digital growth continues to outpace traditional retail, as noted in recent Nike investor reports regarding member-centric commerce.

A standout example of this ecosystem is the partnership with "Zombies, Run!"—an immersive running app that uses audio storytelling to motivate movement. By allowing users to tag partners and share mission progress, the app makes exercise inherently social. This synergy demonstrates exactly how gamification lifts app engagement: it replaces the "chore" of exercise with an interactive narrative, significantly increasing customer loyalty and daily active usage.

By prioritizing a gamified, healthy lifestyle, Nike collects high-velocity data that fuels hyper-personalized marketing and predictive product recommendations. In 2025-2026, data-driven personalization has become the industry benchmark; Nike’s strategy of offering "unlockable" rewards and exclusive gear access based on logged activity has resulted in digital members spending upwards of 3.5 times more than guest shoppers. This creates a virtuous cycle of engagement, data, and revenue.

This Nike ad campaign visualizes the intersection of fitness, community, and technology that made their app ecosystem so successful in driving long-term brand advocacy.

Urban Sports Club: A prime example of how gamification lifts app engagement

Understanding how gamification lifts app engagement is essential for brands looking to cut through the digital noise in 2026. TL;DR: By replacing standard ads with a skill-based rock climbing game, Urban Sports Club transformed passive viewers into active competitors, resulting in a 39% boost in organic traffic. In our experience, shifting from "earn-per-purchase" to "earn-per-play" models is the most effective way to secure long-term user retention in the fitness sector.

Urban Sports Club, which offers a range of exercise classes for a flat rate, released an interactive campaign that stands as a definitive blueprint for engagement. They developed a climbing-themed mini-game where the leaderboard’s top three users won a 90-day contract. This triggered a powerful psychological loop: the leaderboard encouraged social competition while providing a clear, achievable goal. According to 2026 industry insights from Mordor Intelligence, competitive mechanics are now the primary driver of the $50 billion gamification market.

The data from this campaign was staggering—a majority of users played the game three times, but the top competitors played nearly 25 times to defend their ranking! This proves that gamified apps create immense customer value by utilizing a transparent reward system. By 2026 standards, where attention spans are at an all-time low, this strategy lowered Urban Sports Club's cost-per-click (CPC) by 45%. Our analysis shows that these "high-stakes" rewards are far more effective than generic badges because they offer real-world utility.

This visualization of Urban Sports Club's interactive ad demonstrates how a game-like challenge with a visible leaderboard can drive massive spikes in user activity and lower acquisition costs by incentivizing repeat interaction.

Target’s holiday wishlist: A leading example of how gamification lifts app engagement

Target, one of the USA’s retail giants, provides a masterclass in how gamification lifts app engagement by turning the traditional holiday catalog into an interactive digital adventure. TL;DR: By 2026, gamified retail experiences have moved beyond novelty, now driving a 40% increase in average order value (AOV) and a 47% boost in session duration. In our experience, successful brands use these playful mechanics to reduce friction in the "wish-to-purchase" funnel, transforming passive browsing into active intent.

In recent high-traffic seasons, Target’s gamified ecosystems have seen mobile app engagement reach new heights—with data showing that over 65% of users now engage with interactive features weekly. According to Grand View Research, the gamification market is projected to reach $50 billion by 2026, driven largely by retail integration. For brands like Target, this translates to millions of digital wishlists created annually, representing a multi-billion dollar sales potential that leverages the "sticky" nature of play-to-buy interfaces.

Don’t be just another app. Set yourself apart with our app gamification software!

What makes this a powerful gamification example is how it utilizes "spatial commerce." Users view the item catalog through an augmented reality (AR) platform where products are no longer static images but interactive 3D assets that can be "captured" and sent to a digital headquarters. These fun, tactile features are essential for modern retention; industry reports from 2025 highlight that immersive AR elements can increase user return rates by 35% compared to standard UI. By 2026, the standard for a "good" app has shifted from simple utility to providing a gamified experience that optimizes every step of the customer journey.

Target's 'Holiday Wish' app interface demonstrates how augmented reality can create a playful and immersive experience for users, turning wish lists into a fun activity.

Recap: How gamification lifts app engagement for global leaders

TL;DR: Research entering 2026 shows that gamification lifts app engagement by an average of 47%, transforming passive browsing into high-intent purchasing behavior. By leveraging behavioral triggers, brands like Nike and Target have shifted from traditional loyalty programs to immersive digital ecosystems that drive long-term retention.

Digital commerce continues to dominate the retail landscape. In our experience, high-performing apps now prioritize "habit-loop" mechanics over simple discounts. Recent industry reports from 2025 indicate that mobile app engagement is no longer just a metric—it is the primary driver of brand equity. The longer a customer interacts with gamified features, the higher their lifetime value, often outperforming the revenue generated by new user acquisition by over 30%.

So, how do leading brands ensure gamification lifts app engagement in a competitive 2026 market?

Nike has evolved its ecosystem into a gold standard of "connected fitness." By integrating gamified challenges across the Nike Run Club and SNKRS apps, they have moved beyond their 2023 goal of 50% digital sales. Today, Nike uses real-time activity data to unlock exclusive product access, resulting in a significant jump in member loyalty and a deeper understanding of consumer intent than any of its competitors.

Urban Sports Club utilized a highly interactive rock climbing game paired with a sophisticated prize reward system. This specific gamified campaign proved that interactive content beats static ads, leading to a 39% surge in organic traffic at 45% lower cost-per-click than traditional social media placements.

Target continues to innovate through its gamified "Target Circle" experience. By utilizing "Holiday Dash" challenges and personalized reward progress bars, Target has created a sales powerhouse. Recent data suggests that these gamified touchpoints have created a sales potential exceeding $100 million during peak seasons, driven by over 80 million active loyalty members who engage with the app's game-like "Circle Bonuses."

By focusing on intrinsic motivation rather than just extrinsic rewards, Nike, Urban Sports Club, and Target have successfully avoided the "boring loyalty app" trap. Their strategies demonstrate that when gamification lifts app engagement, it creates a more personalized, fulfilling, and ultimately profitable user journey. Now that you have seen how the world’s most valuable brands win through play, what is your next move?

This call-to-action is a great next step for exploring how specific gamification mechanics can be applied to your own 2026 digital roadmap.

3 quick & easy ways to improve user retention on your mHealth app

To maximize user retention on your mHealth app in 2026, you must bridge the gap between clinical utility and daily habits. Recent reports indicate that apps endorsed by healthcare providers achieve 10% higher retention—keeping users active for approximately 30 days longer than average—while fitness-specific apps see a 30% boost in sustained engagement (Nature Digital Medicine). By centering your strategy on provider trust and real-time data monitoring, you can overcome the high churn rates that typically plague the digital health industry.

In our experience, the most effective way to improve user retention on your mHealth app is by addressing the "digital divide" through superior usability. While hardware accessibility can be a barrier for the rising geriatric population, research shows that personalized engagement features—such as real-time tracking and tailored streaks—drive sustained adoption for chronic condition management. You don’t want an experience that feels like a clinical chore; you want an app that is fun and intuitive to use. This is where strategic gamification comes in.

In this article, we’ll cover:

• How gamification for apps drives user motivation
• How to bring gamification for mHealth to life
• Fitbit as a prime example of mHealth gamification
• 3 steps to gamify your mHealth app

How gamification for apps drives user motivation

TL;DR: Effective gamification for apps improves long-term engagement by bridging the gap between clinical goals and daily habits. In 2026, provider-integrated strategies are key; research shows that when mHealth apps are recommended by doctors, they achieve 10% higher retention rates, with users keeping the app approximately 30 days longer than average.

Modern gamification for apps relies on the behavioral science of motivation to transform passive monitoring into active participation. In our experience, successful mHealth platforms must look beyond simple aesthetics to address the digital divide, which remains a primary barrier for elderly and underserved populations. By leveraging both intrinsic and extrinsic drivers, developers can ensure that care continuity is maintained across all demographics.

In order to get your user to take action, they need to feel motivated. Generally, there are two types of motivations to make this happen.

First, we have intrinsic motivation. This means the experience is enjoyable and satisfying in itself. Intrinsic motivation relies on emotion over rationality. In the context of gamification for apps, it triggers these emotions through innate human desires such as a need for achievement (e.g., mastering a physical therapy routine), the desire to explore health data trends, and the avoidance of chronic illness complications.

On the other hand, you have extrinsic motivation. This is more rational and focuses on the end results rather than the experience itself. Current industry data suggests that fitness apps using extrinsic mechanics see 30% higher retention. Examples of these motivators include personalized reminders, daily streaks for medication adherence, and tiered badge systems that reward consistent tracking.

While extrinsic motivation is excellent for triggering immediate user action, it is rarely enough for multi-year retention. The magic lies in creating a synergy between both motivations. By using real-time monitoring and wearable integration to provide instant feedback, you can sustain app engagement and drive the permanent behavior changes required for chronic disease management.

Cover the basics of gamification on our ‘What is Gamification?’ page!

How to bring gamification for your mHealth app to life

To maximize user retention on your mHealth app in 2026, you must prioritize physician-backed credibility and personalized feedback loops. In our experience, while the industry continues to struggle with churn, apps that integrate provider recommendations see 10% higher retention rates. By focusing on bridging the digital divide and implementing real-time monitoring, you can transform a clinical tool into a daily habit. Here is how to apply these engagement strategies effectively.

Activate mHealth app users through points & in-app currencies

In motivating users to accomplish their goals, points systems and in-app currencies remain invaluable tools. Points give your users a sense of control, steering them towards their health objectives while triggering a desire to ‘collect’. These are their points; they earned them through consistent effort.

In our work with wellness platforms, we have seen that redeeming points for tangible rewards significantly lowers early-stage churn. Take Sweatcoin for example. They reward users for their steps with an in-app currency used to purchase everything from electronics to subscription services. For a modern mHealth app, integrating this with real-time monitoring ensures that engagement is both immediate and rewarding.

Use badge reward systems & mini celebrations to reinforce behavior

Badge reward systems help users track their progress and provide a benchmark for achievement. This triggers the human need for competence and collection. Research indicates that when a mHealth app is recommended by a healthcare provider, it achieves 10% higher retention rates, as users keep the app roughly 30 days longer than average when the "achievement" feels clinically relevant.

Furthermore, on-screen celebrations like virtual confetti are often more effective and cheaper than cash prizes. These micro-incentives push users to strive for their goals. In our experience, greying out locked achievements creates a powerful "curiosity gap" that encourages users to return to the mHealth app to complete their set.

This example of a badge reward system demonstrates how visual achievements and progress milestones can effectively motivate users to stay active.

Improve mHealth app storytelling & progress tracking

Storytelling gives meaning to what can often feel like repetitive health maintenance. This fosters intrinsic motivation: the user wants to achieve the goal because they are part of a narrative. Recent industry reports highlight that deep personalization and daily tracking for chronic conditions are the primary drivers of long-term adoption in 2026.

MySugr, for instance, helps diabetes patients track sugar levels through creative metaphors. For children, MySugr Junior features a Tamagotchi-style monster that needs taming through healthy habits. This transformation of a data-heavy journal into a purposeful journey is exactly what keeps users engaged with their mHealth app over several months or even years.

Use instant feedback & challenges to sustain long-term engagement

For the elderly, perceived usefulness and accessibility are the strongest drivers of behavior change. The mHealth app must demonstrate clear value in managing care continuity. However, the "digital divide"—specifically access to smartphones and stable internet—remains a significant hurdle for older populations. We’ve found that by simplifying the UI to bridge this gap, retention for remote monitoring significantly improves.

Data shows that fitness-focused mHealth app modules experience 30% higher retention compared to generic wellness tools. To succeed with an older demographic, move away from complex wearable setups and toward incremental value. By providing instant feedback on chronic disease metrics and ensuring the interface is tailored to those with lower digital literacy, you can sustain engagement far beyond the initial onboarding phase.

Looking to drive user motivation on your mHealth app? Check out our app gamification platform!

Fitbit as a prime example of mHealth gamification

To improve user retention on your mHealth app, you must look at how the industry leaders sustain engagement. TL;DR: Integrating mHealth gamification—such as goal-setting and real-time feedback—can boost fitness app retention by 30% and help bridge the digital divide for long-term health monitoring. In our experience, the most successful apps move beyond simple data entry to create an ecosystem where users feel a daily sense of achievement.

Speaking of Fitbit, they’re a model for successful mHealth gamification. Now integrated deeply into the Google Health ecosystem, Fitbit is built to keep a global community motivated. Recent industry reports suggest that while the "digital divide" remains a barrier for elderly adoption, fitness-focused apps that utilize these engagement features achieve 30% higher retention than standard clinical trackers.

Fitbit turned fitness into a fun and enjoyable experience by focusing on the psychology of habit formation. Since apps recommended by healthcare providers see a 10% higher retention rate (with users staying active ~30 days longer), Fitbit’s strategy of blending clinical data with social play is a masterclass. Here is how they improve user retention on your mHealth app framework:

Provide a clear goal or challenge. Fitbit sets a baseline of 10,000 steps daily. Goal-driven design is crucial for long-term adherence; research shows it works by reducing cognitive load. By defining a clear "win" state, you keep users in motion. Fitbit’s rule is simple: you move, the app validates your effort in real-time.

Let users track their progress through wearables integration. It’s important to give users perspective through historical data. Real-time monitoring and seamless wearable syncing are proven drivers of sustained adoption. Fitbit measures progress through live-updated statistics, allowing users to see how every small effort contributes to their chronic disease management or fitness goals over time.

Add an element of exploration. One way Fitbit does this is by ‘scaffolding’. They unlock features sequentially to prevent the "feature fatigue" that often contributes to high churn. In our experience, this approach is particularly effective for elderly users who may struggle with complex interfaces; it introduces functionality only when the user is ready for the next step.

And lastly, reward the users with unexpected elements! Personalization is key to mHealth gamification. Receiving the ‘Serengeti’ badge or utilizing streaks creates a psychological "wager" that makes the user hesitant to break their progress. These rewards, combined with social leaderboards, transform a solo health journey into a community-driven experience.

Fitbit's interface provides clear progress tracking and real-time feedback, which are the essential pillars used to improve user retention on your mHealth app in 2026.

3 easy steps to gamify your mHealth app

To improve user retention on your mHealth app in 2026, you must pivot toward provider-endorsed milestones, wearable integration, and accessibility. In our experience, successful gamification isn't just about points; it’s about clinical relevance. Research shows that apps recommended by doctors achieve 10% higher retention rates, with users keeping them active for roughly 30 days longer than average. By focusing on personalization and real-time monitoring, you can bridge the digital divide and ensure long-term engagement for all demographics.

Step 1: Identify key milestones linked to provider-endorsed data

Visualize your user journey and its clinical touchpoints. To improve user retention on your mHealth app, these points should be data-based, such as how often a patient logs vitals or achieves a movement goal. We’ve seen that linking app milestones to professional medical advice significantly boosts credibility. When mHealth tools are integrated into a formal care plan, users are more likely to stay committed, as the app becomes a bridge to their physician rather than just a standalone tool (Nature Digital Medicine).

Step 2: Add game-like elements and wearable integration to boost motivation

Show users how they are progressing toward their health goals in real-time. In 2026, seamless synchronization with wearables is no longer optional—it is a primary driver of app adoption. Recent industry reports indicate that fitness apps incorporating real-time monitoring and wearable integration see 30% higher retention than those without (Mordor Intelligence).

Popular ways to reward app engagement include daily streaks and personalized progress trackers. Motivational science shows people have a harder time quitting a goal once they’ve already made substantial progress. By adding social features or levels that unlock as health markers improve, you turn the daily chore of health tracking into a rewarding habit that fosters long-term behavioral change.

Step 3 - Send contextual notifications to bridge the digital divide

To truly improve user retention on your mHealth app, your notifications must be contextual and inclusive. While the "digital divide" remains a barrier for elderly users, it is often a matter of access and smartphone literacy rather than hardware comfort. Contextual notifications that provide clear, actionable feedback help maintain care continuity for chronic conditions.

Notifications should trigger a feeling of empowerment. Using engagement features like personalized reminders and "nudge" theory—rather than generic alerts—ensures that the app feels like a supportive coach. In our experience, high-retention apps are those that use notifications to simplify complex data, making the health journey feel achievable for users regardless of their technical proficiency.

How to get started with gamification? Get a free consultation today and we’ll show you what steps to take!

Recap: How to improve user retention on your mHealth app

To improve user retention on your mHealth app in 2026, you must align digital habits with clinical trust. Research indicates that when apps are recommended by healthcare providers, they achieve 10% higher retention rates, typically keeping users engaged for 30 days longer than average. In our experience, bridging the gap between clinical utility and gamified motivation is the key to preventing the churn often seen after 90 days.

Two types of motivation

To improve user retention on your mHealth app, you must balance intrinsic and extrinsic drivers. Intrinsic motivation relies on internal desires, such as a need for autonomy or health empowerment. When users feel they are mastering their own chronic condition, they are far more likely to stick with the platform long-term.

Secondly, you have extrinsic motivation. This is triggered by external rewards like badges, leaderboard rankings, or streaks. The real value comes from combining these; for instance, using a daily streak to satisfy an intrinsic need for achievement while providing a digital badge as a tangible reward for consistent engagement.

How to motivate users with gamification

Adding game elements is a proven way to improve user retention on your mHealth app by turning data into actionable progress. Current data shows that engagement features—such as real-time monitoring and seamless wearable integration—are now the primary drivers of adoption for chronic disease management.

Fitbit, for example, uses real-time progress bars to satisfy the innate human desire for completion. Because fitness apps with social integration or provider-led goals see 30% higher retention, they focus on transforming individual metrics into community-based milestones that keep users accountable.

3 steps to gamify your app

If you want to improve user retention on your mHealth app, follow these three tactical steps to increase engagement:

Step 1: Link milestones to clinical outcomes - Setting clear goals helps eliminate confusion. In our experience, users stay motivated when they see how their digital activity directly correlates to health markers like blood pressure or step count trends.

Step 2: Bridge the digital divide - The main barrier for elderly adoption is often the digital divide rather than device comfort. Simple, daily streaks create a low-friction routine that helps underserved populations stay consistent with remote monitoring systems.

Step 3: Use contextual notifications for real-time feedback - Reinforce healthy behaviors with feedback tailored to the user’s environment. By leveraging wearable data to send a timely nudge, you empower users to reach their health goals faster!

Following these steps will help you improve user retention on your mHealth app, transforming it into a highly engaging tool that provides lasting value to both patients and providers.

31 product onboarding tools to help you create the ultimate SaaS experience

A whopping 97% of users believe video is an effective onboarding tool. So why do 90% of companies agree their onboarding process could improve? Well, one reason is the lack of investment in the right product onboarding tool! So, what should you do? To help you get started we’ve gathered 31 top onboarding tools and examples to improve your SaaS experience!

This graphic sets the stage for our deep dive into the 31 best product onboarding tools that can help you create an exceptional SaaS experience and drive growth.

Don’t miss out on the #1 driver for retention and growth: onboarding. Here is what you’ll learn:

• What is user onboarding?
• Why you should use user onboarding tools
• How to evaluate a great product onboarding tool
• Top product onboarding tools for the best SaaS experiences
• #1 DIY product onboarding tools with JavaScript and JsQuery
• #2 Single sign-on (SSO) tools
• #3 Video onboarding tools for the SaaS experience
• #4 Personalized demonstration & screen recording tools
• #5 Email communication works better with these tools
• #6 Trigger-based campaign tools
• #7 Transactional email tools
• #8 A/B testing is easy with these tools
• #9 NPS tools
• #10 Knowledge base tools
• Choosing the right product onboarding tool
• FAQs

What is user onboarding?

In our last article, we noted that onboarding begins with customer awareness. Ideally, it then ends in product adoption! The greatest SaaS examples accelerate time-to-value throughout the onboarding experience. Above all, a product-led SaaS experience drives users towards value to increase engagement and diminish churn!

Why you should use user onboarding tools

A product onboarding tool can be detrimental to a great SaaS experience. In other words, empowering product or growth teams with specialist tools helps to boost product adoption and retention!

After all, a great UX is what everybody wants. Moreover, surveys show that it’s your customers that expect a great onboarding experience!

• 86% of customers will remain loyal if onboarding and ongoing education are provided.
• 80% of users have uninstalled an app due to lack of understanding.
• 90% of customers believe companies can improve user onboarding!

How to evaluate a great product onboarding tool

A product onboarding tool should boost product adoption and user retention

Which product onboarding tool you pick depends on what you aim to achieve - but they should all boost your product adoption and user retention. For starters, the right tool can craft a frictionless onboarding flow that results in a streamlined SaaS experience.

In short, that means fewer unnecessary steps that create churn. Not to mention an improved feature discovery process that raises the value of your product, and in turn, retention. Now that’s what we call product-led growth!

The ultimate guide to SaaS Product Adoption: Get everything you need to drive product-led growth in 2025!

Better adoption means less support (and support costs)

Driving in-app product adoption reduces the need to provide customer support. Certainly, the SaaS experience in itself will clarify your key features and demonstrate their value. For example, through welcome emails, product tours, and contextual support content. That sure beats 1-2-1 meetings that demand your time and money!

Top product onboarding tools for the best in-app SaaS experience

StriveCloud is app gamification excellence (Paid)

Let’s face it, most SaaS examples are boring and easy to forget. But it doesn’t have to be that way! StriveCloud’s gamification platform helps you enrich your SaaS experience with features such as point rewards, leaderboards, challenges, and in-app communities.

StriveCloud enriches the SaaS experience with gamified elements like challenges, leaderboards, and rewards, as illustrated in this composition of features.

Features

• Modular user interface builder - Page builder, RSS feeds & gamification blocks
• User segmentation - personalized in-app experiences based on user behavior
• Reward store - with payment, shop integrations & currency exchange
• Achievements system - with milestones, rewards, points, progress-tracking, and more
• Leveling system - based on user engagement & desired actions
• Messaging system - for notifications and mailings
• Analytics - custom dashboard on product usage & user behavior

Pricing

Our pricing is completely based on your results! So, how does it work? We know every SaaS is different, so we base our value on your growth metrics. For example monthly active users, or the number of activations.

Want to learn more? Check out our pricing page, or talk to an expert!

Implementation

If you’re a bit overwhelmed by learning how to build your own gamified SaaS experience, don’t be! Our team of experts is here to help you get from strategy to implementation. After a series of workshops, we create a plan based on your goals, story, and target audience. Then, we simply set up and connect our software so you can start testing! Every feature is tested & rolled out gradually to guarantee the best results!

Drive growth with a gamified SaaS experience – simply connect our gamification software & start optimizing!

Chameleon is a one-stop shop for onboarding improvements (Paid)

Chameleon is a product onboarding tool designed to help customer improve their SaaS experience. They tackle the whole onboarding process in a contextual and relevant way. For instance by transforming your product tours, tooltips, launchers, and micro-surveys. Above all, there’s no coding required!

#1 DIY product onboarding tools with JavaScript and JsQuery

Intro.js is the ultimate open-source JS library (Paid for commercial users)

Intro.js allows you to create a wide range of onboarding elements without having to code them yourself. Their open-source library has many items similar to top SaaS examples, such as product tours, progress bars, and more! Additionally, their website allows you to customize code so you can make it your own. Above all, Intro.Js is easy-to-use and only packs 10kB without extra dependencies!

Hopscotch is both open and flexible (Free)

Every app developer can use Hopscotch. It is a super customizable framework that lets you build simple welcome tours for new users in either JSON or HTML5. Freely accessible and with instant results, Hopscotch is easy to use and flexible in implementation.

Shepherd is a simple and reliable JS library (Free)

Looking for a simple interface to create guided user journeys? Shepherd is the app for you. One of Shepherd’s best selling points is that it is constantly maintained by developers, allowing you to make the most of their product’s consistency, modularity, and high performance!

#2 Single sign-on (SSO) tools

Auth0 enables a frictionless SSO (Freemium)

Auth0 makes logging in as smooth and secure as possible. In short, Auth0 allows customers to activate users faster and drives growth with social logins. Because of its flexibility and freemium model, Auth0 is the right fit to improve any SaaS experience.

Zluri is a package manager designed to boost the onboarding SaaS experience (Paid)

Zluri - "Save one third of your SaaS spend".

Few apps are better placed to support SaaS sign-on than Zluri. The app gives IT teams more control over their stack. Additionally, it helps users manage their entire business from just one handy dashboard.

#3 Video onboarding tools for the SaaS experience

Bonjoro is a unique video messaging platform (Freemium)

Video content is more than just webinars and tutorials. With Bonjoro, you can send personalized video messages that aim to convert, retain, and grow your customer base. Ultimately, this helps improve the SaaS experience during onboarding by putting a human face on your product and building trust!

Demio are interactive webinar experts (Paid)

Many SaaS examples use webinars to drive onboarding. That’s where Demio comes in. It is a simple, no-download webinar app that comes with all the marketing tools you require to generate better results every time.

Demio's interface shows how a no-download, interactive webinar platform can be a powerful and streamlined tool for onboarding new users.

Wistia creates video tutorials designed to maximize user engagement (Freemium)

Today 97% of people believe video effectively welcomes and educates new customers. So, that makes video tutorials an indispensable tool! Wistia makes creating video tutorials easier. With customizable brand identity, CTAs, and a great analytics system Wistia allows you to identify dips in user engagement and optimize your videos accordingly.

#4 Personalized demo & screen recording tools

Hotjar uses recordings to power your analytics (Freemium)

What if you could see what your users see? Well, that’s what Hotjar offers. In short, Hotjar records user sessions to analyze user behavior. By tracking how users interact with your product, Hotjar empowers you to tweak and optimize every step of your onboarding.

Loom is a quick and easy screen recorder (Freemium)

Loom’s simplicity and functionality quickly made it the favorite of over 200,000 businesses. When using Loom, you can switch between recording the screen only or adding your webcam. That’s one way to create a more dynamic and human onboarding SaaS experience.

Loom's simple screen recording interface, which allows for webcam overlays, makes creating personalized tutorial videos quick and effective for a human-centric onboarding flow.

Zumvie lets you set up fully-clickable demos (Freemium)

Zumvie is a true clickable demo builder. Basically, you connect Zumvie to your product and you can start building clickable demos. You get to determine the starting point and can even restrict certain areas within your product. And the best part? Users don’t even need to sign up to try out your demo! Their website includes a few SaaS examples such as Webflow, Dropified, and more.

#5 Email communication works better with these tools

Close lets you deliver a scalable human experience (Paid)

Automated emails are efficient - but they don’t create the most effective onboarding. Pitching itself as the perfect middle ground, Close combines the speed of automation and the power of the human touch to improve the SaaS experience. Furthermore, Close boasts that its approach can increase conversion rates by 67%!

This example of email automation with a human touch demonstrates how personalized communication can significantly boost user engagement during onboarding.

Mailchimp is still king at email communication (Freemium)

There’s a reason Mailchimp was rated #1 of email SaaS examples in 2022. Well, there are many reasons - from its range of awesome templates, handy automation, and powerful analytics. Not to mention Mailchimp’s multi-step journey tools and smart targeting of onboarded users to register for newsletters when their interest is highest!

Vero builds rich segments to target multi-channels (Paid)

Done effectively, personalization and segmentation are incredibly powerful. Vero is proof of that! Arguably, they boast some of the most accurate and dynamic user segmentation of all email SaaS examples. With Vero, you can leverage in-depth insights gleaned from user activity to achieve better results with their all-in-one email builder.

#6 Trigger-based campaign tools

Customer.io responds to users in real-time (Paid)

Each user is on their own personal journey - and Customer.io agrees! To illustrate, they address the 68% of users who abandon products due to poor onboarding. With its intuitive UI, Customer.io lets you act with confidence as you tailor your email campaigns to different segments based on real-time events.

Drip helps to build, grow & scale email marketing (Paid)

Drip is used by 34% of organizations to create dynamic trigger-based emails. Their product not only arms you with comprehensive analytics and insights, but it also gives insight into every trial customer. By triggering the right message at the right time you maximize conversion and retention!

Userlist accelerates the AHA moment (Paid)

When it comes to trigger-based campaigns, Userlist is the definitive product onboarding tool. Designed for SaaS, their easy-to-use platform empowers marketers with accurate lead management tools and behavior tracking. The outcome? Userlist helps you create email campaigns with an impressive level of effective personalization.

The Userlist platform visualizes how behavior-based campaigns can accelerate a user's "Aha!" moment by delivering timely and relevant messages.

#7 Transactional email tools

In other words, transactional emails are emails sent after a specific action by a person. This differs from trigger-based campaigns as they are more defined in scope. Essentially, transactional emails come in a few main types:

• Welcome emails. Your first impression!
• Confirmations. To notify users a key action is completed, such as a purchase, an upgrade, or simply an upload/export of user data.
• Notifications. New features? Hosting a webinar or event, maybe?
• Reminders. Whether it be a trial deadline or an upselling opportunity, these emails remind users that the clock is ticking.

Mailjet is a sleek and professional email creator (Freemium)

Sophisticated, yet intuitive. Mailjet has a great UI that allows you to create and send beautiful emails without any code! Above all, their product is great for A/B testing, email personalization, and team collaboration.

SendGrid is said to be the best in the biz (Freemium)

According to Zapier, SendGrid is the best transactional email service in 2022. Indeed, some of the world’s top SaaS examples trust them, from Spotify to AirBnB. Their platform offers expert insight reports, templates, and testing comparisons for the best SaaS experience.

SendinBlue has a reliable and intuitive product (Freemium)

You can count on SendinBlue for transactional emails. Besides conversion and personalization features, they have one of the most reliable and speedy SMTP infrastructures in the industry! In other words, they work hard to make sure your email reaches its intended recipient! Not to mention, SendinBlue offers its expertise at the best value for money compared to the other SaaS examples mentioned. That always helps!

#8 A/B testing is easy with these tools

HubSpot: A/B testing for email marketing (Freemium)

The secret behind leading email SaaS examples is about discovering exactly what works best for your target audience. To perfect your emails in granular detail, Hubspot’s email marketing software runs A/B tests to reveal which CTA or subject line clicks best.

Furthermore, its analytics can divulge which user segments and hyperlinks have the highest user engagement - allowing you to double down on success!

Google Optimize will supercharge your startup (Free)

Free and intuitive, Google Optimize is great for beginners. As it is a Google product, there is also in-depth integration with Google Analytics which allows you to do even more advanced tracking and reporting. Create simple multivariate tests and learn!

Optimizely excels at SaaS experience optimization (Paid)

Onboarding needs to be to the point because attention spans are short - yet the list of things you need to do is long! So what can you do?

With Optimizely, you can A/B test your SaaS experience to make it as lean and effective as possible. Have no doubt, Optimizely offers enterprise-grade software with a full-stack solution to unlock your SaaS potential.

#9 NPS tools

A ‘Net Promoter Score’ can confidently reveal if your SaaS experience is resonating with users. To quickly describe an NPS, it is a feedback method where users rate how likely they are to refer people to your SaaS from 1 to 10. Depending on their rating, users can be placed in 3 segments:

• Promoters - 9 to 10. Future loyal advocates!
• Passives – 7 to 8. Users are satisfied, but you’re missing the “it factor”.
• Detractors – 0 to 6. These are likely churners who need customer support.

InMoment takes NPS to the next level (Freemium)

Formerly Wootric, InMoment specializes in monitoring customer satisfaction and happiness. They claim to be the “The Tool for Winning Lifelong Customers” and their customizable NPS surveys and analytics tool back that up. Indeed, you can track user happiness in real-time and even create automatic measures of user feelings!

UserGuiding builds insightful NPS surveys (Paid)

Improving your SaaS experience with UserGuiding requires no technical knowledge, making product adoption easy and speedy. Moreover, their NPS surveys are fully customizable and adaptable to user segments. Not to mention, NPS features are just one part of their all-in product onboarding tool.

#10 Knowledge base tools

Freshdesk is your omnichannel support solution (Freemium)

To build up your knowledge base, Freshdesk allows you to manage in-app chat support, as well as all other channels like email and social media. Imagine that you can track every customer conversation, prioritize certain leads, tag topics, and automatically send users to the right place, all from 1 product onboarding tool.

Helpshelf combines all support into one widget (Paid)

With Helpshelf, there’s no need to check all support channels individually. Instead, their handy and well-designed widget is at hand. What’s more, Helpshelf is affordably priced for enterprising startups at $25 per month.

Jivochat elevates the SaaS experience through chat (Freemium)

JivoChat takes live chat and chatbots to the next level. Its platform not only allows for live chat on your website, but also connects to channels like Instagram, Whatsapp, and many more. So basically, users can reach you from their preferred platform. On the other hand, you’ll get all messages in 1 centralized app!

Jivochat centralizes customer communication from various platforms into a single, manageable app, enhancing the SaaS experience through integrated live support.

Zendesk is your all-in-one support suite (Paid)

Zendesk is a full-fledged customer support stack. Besides 360° messaging and communication, you can also build knowledge bases and communities. Still not convinced? With customers expecting responses in 10 minutes, you could benefit from the SaaS experience that Zendesk offers: integrated support channels, a ticketing system, as well as personalization tools that make users feel attended to.

Choosing the right product onboarding tool

No product onboarding tool offers a one-size-fits-all approach. In practice, you need to experiment with different tools in order to find the most efficient solution for each problem. Indeed, when onboarding is so crucial to creating retention, this is important!

So when you pick a tool, it must first complement what you already have. That is to say:

1. A clean and succinct onboarding flow that demonstrates value effectively
2. Tracking the right KPIs
3. Your own bespoke growth strategy
4. And much more!

In short, if you want to create the best SaaS experience, ask yourself if your chosen tool enhances the choices your team has already made. Only that way can you put your customers on the road to product adoption and generate sustainable growth!

Start your growth journey today. Craft your own gamified SaaS Product Adoption Strategy in a custom workshop!

FAQs

What is user onboarding?

In our last article, we noted that onboarding begins with customer awareness. Ideally, it then ends in product adoption! The top SaaS examples accelerate time-to-value throughout the onboarding experience. Above all, a product-led SaaS experience drives users towards value to increase engagement and diminish churn!

Why do you need user onboarding tools?

A product onboarding tool can be detrimental to a great SaaS experience. In other words, empowering product or growth teams with specialist tools helps to boost product adoption and retention!

How to choose the right product onboarding tool?

No product onboarding tool offers a one-size-fits-all approach. Actually, you need to experiment with different tools to find the most efficient solution for each problem. Additionally, the product should complement your existing growth strategy, onboarding flows, and KPIs.

What should every great product onboarding tool achieve?

Which product onboarding tool you pick depends on what you aim to achieve - but they should all boost your product adoption and user retention. For starters, the right tool can craft a frictionless onboarding flow that results in a streamlined SaaS experience.

4 gamification features that make Headspace worth it (according to 2.8 million users)

TL;DR: Headspace remains a market leader in 2026 by using progress tracking, streaks, social accountability, and milestone rewards to drive retention. With over 2.8 million paying subscribers and 105 million cumulative downloads, the app demonstrates how behavioral design can turn mental health maintenance into a sustainable daily habit.

Headspace continues to dominate the digital health landscape by effectively using specific gamification features that make Headspace worth it for users seeking long-term behavioral change. In our experience, the app’s success isn’t just about the content—it’s about the underlying loop of motivation and reward that keeps users returning long after the initial novelty wears off.

The brand's evolution from a small London meditation studio to a global powerhouse is unparalleled. Today, Headspace is trusted by more than 2,700 enterprise partners, including industry giants like Google, LinkedIn, and Adobe, to support employee mental health. By integrating gamification into its core experience, the app has built a sophisticated reward system that delivers exactly what users are looking for: consistent peace of mind within a $26 billion global wellness app market.

Our analysis of current market data shows that over 2.8 million paying subscribers now use the app regularly, contributing to a massive cumulative footprint of 105 million downloads as of 2026.

Let’s take a look at the specific gamification features that make Headspace worth it, and the actionable lessons you can apply to your own product!

• 3 trends that define the Headspace success story
• How Headspace uses these gamification features to grow
• Create your own gamification strategy in 3 easy steps
• Recap

3 trends that define Headspace success story

TL;DR: The Headspace success story is now defined by its massive scale, reaching over 105 million cumulative downloads by 2026. By pivoting toward B2B wellness and hyper-personalization, Headspace has secured 2.8 million paying subscribers and partnerships with over 2,700 organizations. This evolution reflects a broader market shift where wellness services are projected to grow from an $880 million niche into a $26 billion powerhouse by 2030.

#1 A growing awareness of mental health and wellness

Today, the Headspace success story is fueled by a global culture that views mental health as a non-negotiable priority. This cultural shift has transformed the economic landscape; while the cost of mental health care was once a secondary concern, mental health apps like Calm and Headspace have now created a specialized market segment worth $2 billion as of 2026. In our experience, this growth is driven by users seeking preventative care rather than waiting for a crisis to occur.

This graph illustrates the growing economic impact of the mental health sector, a key driver behind the rising demand for sophisticated wellness platforms.

#2 Personalization is becoming a priority

Personalization is the primary engine behind the Headspace success story. Modern users no longer accept one-size-fits-all content; they expect AI-driven recommendations tailored to their specific stress triggers and sleep patterns. This trend is industry-wide, with related mental health platforms surpassing 5 million global users in early 2025 by focusing on custom user journeys. Currently, over 88% of wellness consumers prioritize personalization over data privacy, a demand Headspace meets through its adaptive meditation packs and "buddy" systems.

#3 The rise of services over products

A significant shift from physical products to digital services has solidified the Headspace success story. While consumers once spent heavily on hardware, the market is now dominated by high-value subscription services. The global wellness app market, which sat at roughly $880 million in revenue in 2024, is now projected to reach $26.19 billion by 2030. This rapid expansion proves that users value the ongoing support and community of a service-based model over the static utility of traditional wellness tools.

The chart highlights the market shift towards digital wellness services, a trend Headspace has successfully capitalized on through its recurring subscription model.

What is gamification? Learn everything you need right here!

By staying ahead of these trends, the Headspace success story has reached incredible milestones in 2026. The platform has now surpassed 2.8 million paying subscribers, but its most impressive growth is in the enterprise sector. Today, more than 2,700 companies partner with Headspace to provide employee access. In our experience working with digital platforms, this shift toward B2B integration is essential for maintaining long-term engagement as organizations prioritize employee productivity and mental resilience.

In the broader mHealth market, this momentum shows no signs of slowing. Cumulative downloads for Headspace alone exceeded 105 million by 2026, reflecting a global demand for accessible mental health tools. As more businesses seek to integrate wellness into their core benefits, the competition to provide the most engaging, gamified experience is only intensifying. In conclusion, the market has moved beyond simple apps to comprehensive health ecosystems!

How Headspace uses gamification features to grow

TL;DR: Headspace has successfully scaled to over 105 million cumulative downloads by 2026 by masterfully integrating gamification features that prioritize habit formation over competition. By focusing on a frictionless onboarding process, reciprocity-based free content, and low-stress social nudges, the app maintains a premium subscriber base of 2.8 million users. In our experience, these features are essential for navigating a wellness app market projected to reach $26.19 billion by 2030.

Whilst meditation is physically easy to practice, the biggest barrier to actually doing it is internal: a lack of motivation! How then, does Headspace motivate its users to meditate? By creating a habit! A habit is formed by the implementation of gamification features that empower users, and a reward system that makes it even harder to not come back.

Let’s review some of the most effective gamification techniques used by Headspace.

Enrich your own app with fun elements! Check out our app gamification software.

A fast and easy onboarding process makes users feel safe

By integrating subtle gamification features into the initial user journey, Headspace ensures that users reach their "Aha!" moment before they have a chance to churn. To create a successful onboarding process, you should use as few screens as possible. Headspace manages to get it right in just 5 screens! When moving quickly, the user sees the value of the app faster. This is vital in a competitive landscape where mental health apps like Calm and Talkspace have already created a $2 billion market segment as of 2026.

To prevent early abandonment, Headspace has a progress bar that shows how long until users can start using the app freely. In our experience, visualizing progress during setup reduces cognitive load and provides the user with a sense of early achievement.

Headspace's simple, multi-screen onboarding process quickly shows value to the user, a key factor in reducing initial churn.

Free content for beginners entices users to join and pay

One of the most powerful gamification features used to drive revenue is the "freemium" model, which relies on the psychological principles of reciprocity and constraint. At a glance, giving things away for free might not make immediate sense. However, offering gratuities results in a more likely conversion. This strategy has helped Headspace secure over 2,700 corporate partners who provide the app as an employee benefit, proving that free entry points lead to massive B2B and B2C scaling.

Reciprocity is when you give away content for free first, in the hope that users ‘reciprocate’ the offer by becoming paying customers. Studies show that brands that reciprocate see a boost in customers, as well as in the amount each person spends.

The other mechanic is ‘constraint’. This is when certain parts of your app are inaccessible, either needing payment or sometimes usage milestones to unlock them. It pays to know the psychology behind why constraint is so powerful. Simply put, people don’t like to miss out!

This example of constrained content effectively uses the psychological principle of reciprocity to entice users to upgrade to a paid subscription.

A leaderboard with ‘no leaders’ encourages socialization and habit formation

Social gamification features often fail in wellness apps because they create anxiety, but Headspace avoids this by using a "no leaders" leaderboard. Above all, Headspace wants you to take it easy. While it looks like a leaderboard, there are no rankings. Instead, you can only see who among your ‘buddies’ has used the app today. If they haven’t, the app kindly pushes you to send them a nudge and remind them to do so!

Indeed, this is a great example of how gamification features can be tailored to make your app unique. Headspace’s leaderboard is appropriately low stress and low stakes, yet it retains all the benefits of a conventional leaderboard. Users profit from social interaction without the pressure of competition. In our experience, this "cooperative gamification" is why related mental health platforms reached over 5 million users by early 2025—it fosters community rather than comparison.

This unique, low-stress leaderboard focuses on social connection and habit formation rather than direct competition, aligning with the app's wellness mission.

Streaks and badges form a reward system that gives users positive reinforcement (and why they can’t share them)

To ensure long-term retention, Headspace employs gamification features like streaks and milestone badges that celebrate personal consistency. Ultimately, the goal is habit formation. A fantastic way of doing that is with the streak feature. By rewarding users for consecutive days of use, Headspace has built a loyal base of 2.8 million paying subscribers. This prize and positive validation provide the intrinsic motivation necessary for lasting behavioral change.

By celebrating achievements early on, users feel what is called the ‘endowed progress effect’, which notes that when people feel they have made progress towards a target, they will become more motivated to achieve it.

The badge system is also built to give users positive emotions. One of the ways that Headspace is achieving this is by not having a share function. While most apps tend to push users to share their achievements, Headspace takes another approach. Because the app is all about mental health, it chooses to avoid any social comparison between users that can dampen self-esteem. In this way, users can see their badges and feel like they have achieved something for themselves, not for their peers.

The rewards system, featuring streaks and non-shareable badges, provides positive reinforcement without fostering negative social comparison.

How to set up your own gamification strategy in 3 easy steps

TL;DR: A successful gamification strategy transforms passive users into loyal advocates by aligning game mechanics with core psychological triggers. In our experience, apps that move beyond simple badges to data-driven engagement—similar to how Headspace scaled to over 105 million cumulative downloads by 2026—can see a 58% boost in daily active users. In just 3 hours and 3 easy steps, StriveCloud workshops can map out the perfect journey for your custom app. Then, with our app gamification software, you can make each little feature work just how you desire. It’s simple to get started:

1. Book your workshop. The global wellness app market is projected to grow to $26.19 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research. To compete in this maturing landscape, you need a scientific approach. Together with our gamification experts, we will explore your app’s current functionality, target audience, and the growth obstacles currently blocking your path to market leadership.
2. Bring your data. We’ll help you analyze your user journey to discover where the highest-value engagement opportunities live. Whether your goal is to reach the 2.8 million subscriber milestone or expand corporate wellness partnerships (which now exceed 2,700 for industry leaders), we identify which metrics to prioritize: activation, retention, or long-term engagement.
3. Make a plan. Once we have analyzed your app and discussed how your product can harness the benefits of a gamification strategy, it’s crunch time. We’ll show you the exact tactics we’ve previously used to increase user retention by as much as 23% and drive engagement within the competitive $2 billion mental health app segment.

With this plan, you’ll know exactly which next steps to take to drive user motivation and long-term retention of your app!

Rev up your app growth strategy with an interactive gamification strategy workshop tailored to your business needs!

Recap

TL;DR: Headspace has reached a massive milestone in 2026 with over 105 million cumulative downloads and 2.8 million paying subscribers. By utilizing subtle gamification features—like progress tracking and social accountability—the app has successfully transitioned from a B2C tool to a B2B powerhouse, serving over 2,700 corporate partners. In our experience, their success lies in reducing cognitive load while maintaining high user reciprocity through free introductory content.

What started in a small London apartment is now a wellness powerhouse trusted by global giants like Google, LinkedIn, and Adobe. As of 2026, Headspace has scaled to 2.8 million paying subscribers and partners with over 2,700 companies to provide employee mental health support!

How did Headspace maintain this momentum? By staying ahead of key industry shifts:

#1 A massive surge in the mental health economy. The global wellness app market is on a path to reach $26.19 billion by 2030. In our experience, the most successful apps are those tapping into the $2 billion segment specifically dedicated to specialized mental health services like Talkspace and BetterHelp.

#2 Personalization is the non-negotiable standard. Data from McKinsey shows that 88% of wellness consumers prioritize personalized content over data privacy. Headspace delivers this through AI-driven tailored courses and mood-based recommendations.

#3 The shift toward holistic digital services. The market has moved away from one-off products toward comprehensive subscription services. Headspace anticipated this by reaching 105 million cumulative downloads by 2026, proving that long-term service models outperform standalone tools.

In anticipating these trends, Headspace has solidified its position as a market leader, effectively doubling its corporate reach in recent years.

How Headspace uses gamification features to grow:

• Simple onboarding gets users to value faster. The Headspace onboarding process only consists of 5 screens and a progress bar. Our data indicates that keeping the initial experience lean allows them to decrease ‘cognitive load’, making the habit-forming process feel effortless from day one.
• Free beginner content builds the reciprocity loop. Offering high-quality meditation guides for free prompts users to eventually upgrade. Research confirms that brands that offer upfront value see significantly higher conversion rates to paid tiers.
• A low-stakes leaderboard encourages social accountability. On this leaderboard, there are no aggressive rankings. Instead, you see which "buddies" are active. This drives habit formation without the stress of competition, which is vital for a mental health app.
• Badges provide positive reinforcement without comparison. The badge system is designed to trigger dopamine via personal achievement. By making these rewards private, Headspace protects users from the toxic social comparison that often occurs on other social platforms, keeping the focus on individual progress.

Create your own gamification strategy in 3 easy steps

In just 3 easy steps, a StriveCloud workshop can map out your gamification strategy to drive 2026-level engagement:

1. Book your workshop with us. Our experts will audit your app’s current engagement metrics and identify growth levers.
2. Bring your data. We’ll analyze your user journey to find exactly where "drop-offs" happen and how to fix them with game mechanics.
3. Make a plan. We’ll provide you with a customized roadmap of gamification tactics used by market leaders like Headspace to ensure long-term retention!

With this plan, you’ll have a clear, data-backed strategy to increase your app's lifetime value and user loyalty!

How to shape your app so users can’t put it down? Book a gamification workshop and walk away with a practical action plan!