What is feature gating?
Feature gating means a software vendor makes certain features available only on higher-priced plans. It's how most SaaS tools turn one product into tiers like Starter, Growth and Pro.
Also called: feature-gated plans, tiered features, plan gating.
By Santhul Joseph, AI EngineerUpdated
How feature gating works
Each plan comes with a list of features, and the higher tiers add more. A chatbot tool might keep WhatsApp, analytics or integrations for its middle plan, and custom branding or an API for its top plan. To use a gated feature you move up a tier, even if you need nothing else in it.
ManyChat, for example, doesn't include WhatsApp, SMS or email on its Free and Essential plans.
When it helps and when it hurts
- It helps when the gated features only matter to bigger businesses, such as data exports or dedicated support. Teams that don't need them then pay less.
- It hurts when a core feature is gated, like a channel your customers already use. You end up on a bigger plan just to answer the same people.
- The question to ask: which plan do I need for the channels and features I'll use on day one?
Feature gating in SimplyBoost
- On every plan, Starter at €39 included: the website chat widget, WhatsApp, Instagram comment-to-DM and DMs, calendar booking with Google Calendar, lead capture, workflows and handover to your team, Slack included.
- Growth at €89 a month adds the Shopify store assistant and advanced analytics.
- Pro at €169 a month adds analytics export and dedicated support.
- Beyond that, the plans differ in how many AI replies they include: 500, 2,000 or 6,000 a month.
Questions people ask
Which SimplyBoost features need a higher plan?
The Shopify store assistant and advanced analytics start on Growth. Analytics export and dedicated support come with Pro. Every channel, booking, lead capture and workflows are on every plan.
Can I use WhatsApp and Instagram on the Starter plan?
Yes. The website chat widget, WhatsApp and Instagram are all on Starter at €39 a month, and the agent answers from the same knowledge on every channel.
Is feature gating the same as add-on pricing?
No. Feature gating ties a feature to a higher plan. Add-on pricing sells the feature separately, on top of whichever plan you're on.