ByteDance has begun testing a paid subscription model for its AI app Doubao, according to an update quietly added to the app’s App Store listing, in a move that underscores the growing commercialization of AI tools in China. The company is introducing three premium subscription plans alongside its existing free service: a standard monthly plan priced at 68 yuan ($9.40), an advanced plan at 200 yuan ($27.60), and a professional plan costing 500 yuan ($69.00).
The paid features are expected to target high-compute use cases, including PowerPoint generation, data analysis and video production, areas typically associated with higher operational costs and professional demand. ByteDance said the free version of Doubao will remain available for basic, everyday use. In a statement, the company said the subscription plans are still in the testing phase and that full details will be released through official channels ahead of a broader rollout.
The move is seen by industry observers as a sign that Chinese tech companies are accelerating efforts to turn AI applications into sustainable revenue-generating products, as competition intensifies in the rapidly evolving sector. [TechNode reporting]