Why are you launching the Patron tier?
Over the years, lots of you have told us you'd love to contribute more to support the Olio mission, and the Patron tier is our answer to that. It's a way to give a little extra each month (or year) and make an even bigger impact.
Also, given Olio isn't yet profitable, we continue to look at ways to generate more revenue so that we can cover our operating costs. This means every Patron helps keep Olio free for everyone, everywhere.
What's the difference between being a Supporter and a Patron?
Both plans include exactly the same app benefits. The difference is that Patrons contribute a little more, and that extra amount helps fund our work to prevent food waste and provide meals for local families. When you choose your plan in the app, we'll show you roughly how many meals your extra contribution rescues. We recently calculated our cost per meal saved at around 19 pence, and that keeps improving as we bring new collections onto the platform, without expanding our team and other costs at the same rate.
Check out these FAQs to find out how to become a Supporter.
If I become a Patron, do I get the Supporter features?
Yes! Patrons get everything Supporters get:
An ad-free experience — browse Olio without a single ad
Get notified first — be alerted quickly when a listing lands near you
See listings on a map — find everything going free around you at a glance
You'll have these features for as long as your Patron subscription is active.
How long do my features last? Will they expire?
Your features last for as long as you're subscribed. Your subscription renews automatically (monthly or annually, depending on the plan you chose), so your features won't expire unless you cancel. If you do cancel, you'll keep your features until the end of the period you've already paid for.
Will I get a reminder before my subscription renews or my features expire?
Your subscription is billed by Apple or Google (depending on your device), and they'll email you a receipt each time it renews, along with any renewal reminders they send in line with their own policies. You can check your next renewal date at any time in your App Store or Google Play subscription settings.
If you cancel, your features will simply stop at the end of the period you've paid for — there's nothing else you need to do.
I'm already a Supporter, can I switch to being a Patron?
Yes! Because your subscription is billed by Apple or Google, the switch is made in your device or store settings rather than in the Olio app (the 'Support Olio' screen isn't shown to existing Supporters). Both stores explain exactly how to do it:
iPhone or iPad: follow Apple's guide, How to switch to a different subscription plan
Android: follow Google's guide, Cancel, pause, or change a subscription on Google Play (see the 'Change between subscription plans or billing cycles' section)
You'll only ever have one subscription running; the store simply moves you from your Supporter plan to your chosen Patron plan.
And because Supporters and Patrons get exactly the same features, nothing changes in the app when you switch, the only difference is your payment:
iPhone or iPad: Apple applies the switch straight away. You're charged for your new Patron plan immediately, and Apple automatically refunds you the unused portion of your Supporter plan.
Android: the switch takes effect at your next billing date. Your first Patron payment is taken when your subscription next renews, and you won't be charged anything extra in between.
Can I be both a Supporter and a Patron?
You only ever need one plan, being a Patron includes everything a Supporter gets, so there's no need for both (and no way to accidentally pay for both). If you're a Supporter and want to do more, simply switch to a Patron plan.
Do Patrons get any special status or extra benefits?
Not right now, the whole point of the Patron tier is that the extra contribution goes towards impact, not perks. That said, if Patrons tell us they'd love something like a special badge or icon on their profile, it's absolutely something we'd consider. Let us know by making a suggestion in the forum!
How much does it cost?
You'll see the current Supporter and Patron prices when you open 'Support Olio' in the app — both are available as monthly or annual plans, with a saving if you go annual.
Over the next couple of months we’ll be running a handful of tests to find the right Patron prices for our community, and will use the outcomes from those tests to establish the ongoing pricing.
How do I become a Patron?
The easiest way is to open the menu in the top right corner of the Olio app, select 'Support Olio' at the top, and choose a Patron plan if you are given that option. You’ll need to be using at least app version 2.227.10, and some people will not immediately get the option while we test that introducing the Patron tier doesn’t negatively impact how many people choose to become a Supporter.
If you're already a Supporter, see 'I'm already a Supporter, can I switch to being a Patron?' above, the switch is made in your device or store settings instead.
How do I cancel my Patron subscription?
Exactly the same way as a Supporter subscription: through your Apple or Google Play account settings on your device. You'll keep your features until the end of the period you've paid for.