How do app free trials work for monthly subscriptions?

Shopify Apps
1

For my Shopify app, I want to allow stores to have a 90-day free trial period, and then bill on the 91st day (the first day of the monthly recurring charges).

I’m using the recurringapplicationcharge API to create a monthly subscription with 90-days free trial, but when I check the subscription, the first charge will be on day 91 + 1 month.

How do I get the charge to be on day 91?

And if not possible, what happens if a merchant cancels their subscription on day 91 (once they enter the monthly subscription billing)? Does my app receive no payment for that first month? Or do I still receive payment on day 91 + 1 month?

2

Hi @doabledanny ,

In Shopify, when you’re using the recurringapplicationcharge API with a free trial, the charge schedule can sometimes be tricky, as it may result in an extra month’s delay in the first charge after the trial ends.

Issue Breakdown1. Current Situation: You’re setting up a 90-day free trial using recurringapplicationcharge. The first charge is set to happen on day 91 + 1 month, meaning Shopify bills the merchant on the 91st day and then adds another month before the next charge.

  1. Desired Behavior: You want the first charge to happen on day 91, not on day 91 + 1 month.

Solution Approach

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to directly bill on day 91 using the recurringapplicationcharge API. The billing will always happen after the trial period ends and before the next recurring billing cycle. Here’s how you can handle the situation:

What happens if a merchant cancels on day 91?

If a merchant cancels their subscription on day 91, after entering the paid subscription phase, Shopify’s behavior is as follows:

  • No charge before cancellation: If they cancel before the first bill is processed, your app will not receive any payment.

  • Charge processed: If the merchant cancels after the charge is processed (usually billed for the upcoming month on the same day the free trial ends, i.e., on day 91 + 1 month), you will receive the payment for that period, and they won’t be billed in future months.

Workaround Options

If it’s critical to ensure a charge happens on day 91:

  1. Manual Charge: You could create a one-time charge on day 91 through the UsageCharge API or another billing method.

  2. Notify Users: In your app’s documentation or during the signup process, make it clear that the first charge will happen on day 91 + 1 month, giving users time to understand when they will be billed.

These options could provide clarity and ensure that you still receive the expected revenue for your service.

Hyelladi
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