Micropayment

Payment protocol

A microtransaction (MTX) video game business model is one where users can purchase in-game virtual goods with micropayments. Microtransactions are often used in free-to-play games to provide a revenue source for the developers. While microtransactions are a staple of the mobile app market, they are also seen on PC software such as Valve's Steam digital distribution platform, as well as console gaming.

A micropayment is a financial transaction involving a very small sum of money and usually one that occurs online. Several micropayment systems were proposed and developed in the mid-to-late 1990s, which were ultimately unsuccessful. A second generation of micropayment systems emerged in the 2010s.

Flattr was a Swedish-based microdonation subscription service, where subscribers opted in to pay a monthly patronage to help fund their favourite websites and creators. It shut down in November 2023.

type of good

thumb|Donations of spare change in various currencies at Heathrow Airport Micro-donation or microphilanthropy is a form of charitable donation that is small in the donated amount. In the past, micro-donations have been used most effectively by companies collecting spare change at registers and checkouts. Recently, this form of philanthropy has become more popular with the advent of online and mobile donating.