Spotify
Spotify has their premium conversion tab on the main navigation bar of the app, at least on the mobile version. On this page, they explain the premium benefits in succinct bullet points : ad free, listen off line, etc. Under that, they provide the four premium plans available, two of which begin with the first month free. This essentially breaks down to the implication that a monthly subscription is more valuable, per user, than the revenue Spotify would get from advertisements per user. Thus, a free trial month is worth it for subscription plans under sixteen dollars.
Figma
Figma, in contrast, gives each individual user access to virtually every feature for free. However, this free reign ends when there is an attempt to collaborate. Figma is a tool that thrives in team spaces when it comes to designing projects. Thus, this paywall placement forces their core user base to purchase a subscription to use the site for its intended purpose.
NYT
The New York Times gives calculated access per story. That is, they let the reader start the story and get deep enough where it becomes clear they are invested. Suddenly, the remainder of the article is blurred out and the user sees the paywall after showing enough interest to suggest a desire to finish. This subscription model suggests that the continued interest trumps the friction of buying a subscription mid article.
