Three Pronged Pricing

Ever notice how every SaaS pricing page has three plans? That’s not random. It’s a psychological trick called the Goldilocks effect, and this image nails it: Basic, Advanced, Expensive.

The Hidden Psychology

Three options guide the buyer.

• “Basic” attracts budget buyers.
• “Advanced” feels smart and balanced.
• “Expensive” makes the middle look like a deal.

Why It Works

• High price anchors perception.
• Three choices = less decision fatigue.
• “Middle” feels just right.
• Profit lives in the mid-tier.

Real-World Hits

• Apple: iPhone, iPhone Pro, iPhone Pro Max.
• Netflix: Basic, Standard, Premium.
• Mailchimp: Free, Essentials, Premium.

Three tiers. One clear decision. Pure pricing magic.