Pricing & plans 101: Plans
Learn how to configure and structure subscription plans in Recurly. Understand key plan fields, permanent billing intervals, subscription terms, unique plan codes, and the business case for balancing monthly vs. annual billing.
Acquire · Pricing & Plans 101
Plans
Plans are the foundation of every subscription you offer. This page covers what a plan is, how to structure one, and the decisions that matter most before you start building.
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Plans
What is a plan?
A plan is the template for a subscription. Every subscriber signs up to a plan — it defines what they get, how much they pay, and when they're billed. You configure plans once; Recurly applies those settings to every subscription created from that plan automatically.
Billing interval
How often the subscriber is charged — weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually, or a custom interval. Cannot be changed after the plan is created.
Subscription term
The commitment length. A term can span multiple billing periods (e.g., an annual plan billed monthly). Adjustable per subscription at creation.
End-of-term behavior
Whether subscriptions auto-renew or expire at the end of each term. Set at the plan level; override per subscription if needed.
Pricing model
Fixed, ramp, or usage-based. Determines how the amount charged is calculated each billing period. Covered in detail on the Pricing models page.
Once a plan is created, you cannot change its billing interval — doing so would disrupt active subscriptions. If you need a different interval, create a new plan. Plan your billing intervals before you start building.
Key plan fields
When you create a plan at Configuration → Plans, these are the settings that shape every subscription created from it.
| Field | What it controls | Change after creation? |
|---|---|---|
| Plan name | Display name shown to subscribers and in the Admin Console. Updates site-wide — existing subscriptions show the new name. | Yes |
| Plan code | Unique identifier used in API calls and integrations. Case-sensitive. | No |
| Billing interval | How frequently the subscriber is charged (weekly, monthly, annually, custom). | No |
| Subscription term | The full commitment length. Can span multiple billing periods. | No (create new plan) |
| Setup fee | A one-time charge collected when the subscription is created. | Yes (new subscribers only) |
| Trial period | Duration of a free or reduced-price trial before first charge. | Yes (new subscribers only) |
| End-of-term | Auto-renew or expire at term end. | Yes |
Price, billing interval, and setup fees are versioned — changes apply to new subscribers only. Existing subscribers keep what they signed up for. Plan name updates apply globally and appear immediately across all active subscriptions.
Monthly vs. annual — the business case
Most subscription businesses offer both billing intervals. The data supports making annual plans a priority: subscribers on annual plans generate 50–60% more revenue per year and churn significantly less. Based on 2026 industry benchmarks, 78% of subscription businesses offer both monthly and annual options.
| Factor | Monthly plan | Annual plan |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue per subscriber | Lower — 12 discrete charges | 50–60% higher annually |
| Churn risk | Higher — 12 renewal decision points | Lower — 1 renewal per year |
| Cash flow | Predictable monthly inflow | Upfront lump sum |
| Subscriber commitment | Lower barrier to entry | Higher intent at signup |
| Best for | Acquisition, lower price points | Retention, higher LTV |
A common approach: price the annual plan at 10–20% below the equivalent monthly total. This creates a clear incentive for subscribers to commit upfront and raises your average LTV without reducing perceived value.
How to create a plan
Plans are created in the Admin Console. Before you start, decide on your billing interval and plan code — both are permanent after creation.
Navigate to Plans
Go to Configuration → Plans in the Recurly Admin Console and click New Plan.
Set your plan code
Enter a plan code — this is your internal identifier used in API calls. Use something descriptive and consistent (e.g., monthly-basic, annual-pro). It cannot be changed after saving.
Configure billing settings
Set your billing interval, subscription term length, and end-of-term behavior. These determine the subscription's lifecycle. Billing interval cannot be changed after creation.
Set price and pricing model
Enter the price per billing period. Choose your pricing model — fixed, ramp, or usage-based. Pricing models are covered in detail on the Pricing models page of this path.
Add optional settings
Configure a trial period, setup fee, or price segments if needed. These apply to new subscribers only and can be updated later.
Save and activate
Click Create Plan. The plan is now available to create subscriptions from, either via the Admin Console, Hosted Payment Pages, or the API.
Things to decide before you build
A few decisions are hard to reverse once subscribers are on a plan. Settle these before creating your first plan.
Questions worth answering upfront
- How many billing intervals do you need? Start with monthly and annual. Adding more later is easy; migrating subscribers to a different interval is not.
- What is your plan code convention? Establish a consistent naming pattern now — it affects API integrations and reporting downstream.
- Will you offer both monthly and annual from launch? If yes, create both plans before going live. Annual discounts drive LTV and should be part of your initial checkout experience.
- Does your pricing model match your product's value metric? If you charge per seat, per usage, or per outcome — fixed pricing may not fit. Review the Pricing models page before committing.
Get your plan structure reviewed
Not sure if your billing intervals or plan architecture are set up for scale? Bring your questions to Global Office Hours — live sessions with Recurly CSMs every week.
Register for Office Hours →