How to Connect RevenueCat Revenue to Ad Campaigns
Key takeaways
- Set up the RevenueCat integration, and Airbridge shows which Google Ads, Meta Ads, Apple Ads, or TikTok campaign drove each paying subscriber.
- With default event names, trial starts become Start Trial, purchases and renewals become Subscribe, and cancellations become Unsubscribe.
- Send the Airbridge device ID to RevenueCat, log the same user ID in both tools, and stop the SDK from collecting subscription events itself.
- A Funnel report of Install, Start Trial, and Subscribe, grouped by channel or campaign, shows trial-to-paid conversion by source.
On this page
Airbridge connects RevenueCat revenue to your ad campaigns. Once you set up the RevenueCat integration, trial starts, initial purchases, trial conversions, renewals, and cancellations flow into Airbridge as Start Trial, Subscribe, and Unsubscribe events. You see which Google Ads, Meta Ads, Apple Ads, or TikTok campaign drove each paying subscriber.
RevenueCat tracks subscription lifecycle events (trials, conversions, renewals, cancellations) but does not determine which ad drove an install. RevenueCat integrates with attribution tools including AppsFlyer, Adjust, Branch, Singular, Kochava, and Airbridge. Among these, Airbridge stands out by combining attribution, revenue analytics, and Predictive LTV in a single platform starting at $40+/mo with no annual contract.
Step 1: Create Your Airbridge Account
Sign up at airbridge.io. Airbridge offers a 30-day free trial with no usage limit. After that, the Core Plan starts at $40+/mo with 500K data points per month and 2 third-party integration slots, and RevenueCat is one of the supported integrations. No annual contract is required.
Step 2: Install the Airbridge SDK in Your App
Add the Airbridge SDK to your iOS and Android apps. The SDK captures installs, sessions, and in-app events, then links them to the ad click or impression that brought each user. Follow the Airbridge SDK documentation for your platform.
Step 3: Enable the RevenueCat Integration
In the Airbridge dashboard, go to Integrations > Third-party Integrations and click RevenueCat. Copy the Airbridge Subdomain and Airbridge Token. In the RevenueCat dashboard, click Integrations, choose Airbridge under Attribution, paste both values, click Use default event names, and click Add integration.
Two things in your app matter here. Send the Airbridge device ID to RevenueCat, and log the same user ID in the Airbridge SDK and RevenueCat. Also make sure the Airbridge SDK does not collect subscription events itself, or they will be counted twice.
With the default event names, RevenueCat events map to Airbridge standard events:
- Trial started: Start Trial
- Trial converted (trial to paid): Subscribe
- Initial purchase: Subscribe
- Renewal: Subscribe
- Cancellation: Unsubscribe
Because these are standard events, they work on the Core Plan without custom event configuration. Other events, such as billing issue and expiration, arrive as custom events, which require the Growth Plan.
Step 4: Connect Your Ad Networks
Link your Google Ads, Meta Ads, Apple Ads, and TikTok accounts in the Airbridge dashboard. These are the 4 ad channels on the Core Plan; the Growth Plan covers 330+ channels. Airbridge collects cost data from these channels, so you can compare ROAS and cost per subscriber by campaign.
Step 5: Analyze Revenue Attribution
Once data flows for a few days, open Airbridge's revenue reports to see which campaigns, ad groups, and creatives drive the most subscription revenue. Key reports include:
- Funnel reports. Track install to Start Trial to Subscribe by channel.
- Revenue reports. See total subscription revenue attributed to each campaign.
- Retention reports. Compare how well users from each acquisition source keep coming back.
- Predictive LTV (up to day 180). Estimate revenue per user for each channel in the dashboard. It is not sent to ad networks.
Want to see how RevenueCat revenue works with your data?
Get hands-on with Airbridge and see real results.
Try It Free →What Data Flows Between RevenueCat and Airbridge
RevenueCat sends subscription lifecycle events with revenue, reported in the Gross or Net mode you choose. Airbridge matches each event to the original install attribution, connecting the revenue to a specific campaign, ad group, creative, and channel. The result is a complete picture: you see not just which campaigns drive installs, but which ones drive paying subscribers.
Example: Measuring Trial-to-Paid Conversion by Channel
Suppose you run Google Ads and Apple Ads campaigns simultaneously. After connecting RevenueCat to Airbridge:
- Open the Funnel report in Airbridge
- Set the funnel steps: Install, Start Trial, Subscribe
- Group by channel or campaign
You might find that Google Ads drives more trial starts, but Apple Ads produces a higher trial-to-paid conversion-rate" class="glossary-link" title="Conversion Rate">conversion rate. With Airbridge's Predictive LTV (up to day 180), you can also estimate which channel's users will generate more revenue over six months and decide where to shift budget before waiting for actual renewal data.
Real teams have used these tools to meaningful effect. Bitbyte, the team behind a rewards app, grew revenue 10x with Predictive LTV by using projected lifetime value to decide where to scale spend. Planfit, a subscription fitness app that connects Airbridge with RevenueCat, optimized campaigns around free trial starts to reduce customer acquisition cost by 40%.
FAQ
Does RevenueCat do attribution on its own?
No. RevenueCat tracks subscription events but does not determine which ad drove an install. You need an attribution tool like Airbridge to connect revenue data back to the campaigns that drove each subscriber. Learn more about RevenueCat and attribution.
How is Airbridge different from AppsFlyer for subscription tracking?
Both connect to RevenueCat, but Airbridge includes Predictive LTV, Funnel reports, and Revenue reports in a single platform starting at $40+/mo with no annual contract. AppsFlyer's pricing page lists API access and Protect360 among its premium features. See a detailed comparison.
What subscription events does RevenueCat send to Airbridge?
With the default event names, trial starts map to Start Trial; initial purchases, trial conversions, and renewals map to Subscribe; cancellations map to Unsubscribe. Other events, such as billing issues and expirations, arrive as custom events, which require the Growth Plan. RevenueCat reports revenue in the Gross or Net mode you choose.
Can I see the full funnel from install to subscription?
Yes. Airbridge's Funnel report lets you define steps from Install through Start Trial to Subscribe, grouped by dimensions such as channel, campaign, ad group, creative, or country. See how install-to-subscription funnels work.
How long does setup take?
It depends on your app. A basic Airbridge SDK install takes about 5 minutes. The other main steps are enabling the RevenueCat integration and connecting your ad channels. Plan time to test that events arrive correctly before you rely on the data.
What does Airbridge cost?
Airbridge's Core Plan has a 30-day free trial, then starts at $40+/mo with 500K data points per month, 2 third-party integrations, and no annual contract. This includes attribution, 25 standard events, Funnel/Revenue/Retention reports, and Predictive LTV up to day 180.
Ready to transform your mobile growth?
Learn how Airbridge helps leading brands measure and optimize every touchpoint.
“Airbridge understands the essence of what it has to offer as an MMP. Its objective, transparent, and accurate performance analysis allows marketers to realize the true impact of their efforts.”
