Terms
This is a pilot build. Everything is real except the money.
Test money only
Cards are never charged. The app runs in Stripe test mode — a sandbox where real money cannot move. Do not enter real card details; use the test card shown in the banner at the top of every page.
The experiment
You are randomly assigned to one of two payment groups at sign-up. Balance-group readers add a refundable £5 balance before reading. Tab-group readers save a card and pay nothing until their tab reaches £5. The reading experience is identical in both groups. The pilot exists to find out which of the two front doors more readers will actually walk through.
Pay once, read forever
One purchase unlocks a piece permanently. Return visits are free, always, in both groups.
Balance group — the refund promise
Your unspent balance is yours. Refund it in full, anytime, from /account or from any reading page. No questions asked.
Tab group — the pay-for-what-you-read promise
You are charged only for reads you complete, at the price shown on the button. The amount charged at settlement is always exactly what your tab shows. You can settle from /account at any time; the tab also settles automatically when it reaches £5.
No warranty
This is a prototype. It may have bugs, downtime, or other issues. It may be taken offline at any time. If that happens, all pilot measurement data will be purged within 30 days.
Writers
Writers publishing on this pilot agree to the same test-money terms. Earnings shown in the dashboard are simulated. No real payouts occur during the pilot.