No-auth monetization

Monetize a tool without user accounts

Use anonymous credit wallets and recovery codes to sell access to small tools without adding a full auth system first.

No authCredit walletsRecovery codesCheckout

Give visitors a wallet on first visit.

Let them restore it with a human-readable code.

Move to external auth later if the product grows into accounts.

Why auth can be too expensive for a small tool

Many side projects do not need accounts on day one. A user might only want to process a file, generate an asset, run a check, or unlock a small feature. Adding auth, password resets, account settings, and billing identity can make the paid path heavier than the product.

One-off tools lose buyers when signup appears before value.
Tiny utilities often need purchase recovery, not full profiles.
Anonymous wallets keep the first session fast while still supporting paid usage.

How neonFin credit codes work

A credit-code project creates a wallet for the browser and stores a recovery code. The app can show balance, spend credits, and open checkout without knowing who the person is. The customer can copy the code or transfer it to another device.

The wallet stores balances, unlocked features, and subscription-derived access.
The code is the recovery key for the wallet.
Stripe or Polar still handles the checkout and billing portal.
neonFin fulfills the webhook and updates the same wallet after payment.

A good no-auth payment flow

Let the user do something valuable first, show the balance near the paid action, and ask for payment only when the action needs credits or a feature is locked.

Create or load the wallet when the app starts.
Show remaining credits in the toolbar or action area.
Wrap paid actions in a credit or feature gate.
After checkout, resume the app and refresh wallet state.
Show the wallet button somewhere stable so users can copy or restore the code.

<NeonfinProvider publishableKey={publishableKey}>
  <RemainingCredits />
  <WalletButton />
  <CreditGate cost={1}>
    <GenerateButton />
  </CreditGate>
</NeonfinProvider>

When to switch to external auth

Anonymous wallets are not a religion. If your product grows into teams, saved projects, collaboration, or account-level permissions, keep the billing layer and move wallet ownership to your own user ids.

Use credit codes for low-friction tools and early experiments.
Use external auth when the product already has users and sessions.
Keep the payment model stable while the identity model grows up.

FAQ

Can anonymous users manage subscriptions?

Yes, after a purchase creates a provider customer. neonFin can open the provider billing portal for the wallet when that billing customer exists.

What happens if a user loses the code?

A lost anonymous code is like a lost recovery key. The product should encourage copying it after purchase and keep the wallet button visible in account or billing areas.

Can I migrate from credit codes to user accounts?

Yes. New integrations can use external auth, and growing products can attach billing state to their own users once accounts become worth the friction.

Sell first, add accounts when they matter

Use credit codes for the paid path now. Add full accounts later when the product needs more than billing recovery.

Get started Read the quickstart

Side project billingBilling for side projects ComparisonStripe vs neonFin