Understanding Subscription Billing, Payments, and Pre-Authorization Charges in Bubble
Bubble users often have questions about subscriptions, payments, and pre-authorization charges during free trials or after reinstating accounts. This guide provides a comprehensive overview to address these concerns.
What happens after the Bubble free trial ends?
Bubble’s 14-day free trial automatically transitions into a paid subscription unless canceled before the trial ends. Subscriptions are billed on a per-app basis and follow a monthly billing cycle. Ensure to cancel any app subscriptions before the trial ends if you wish to avoid charges.
Why do I see $1 charges during free trials?
Bubble performs a $1 pre-authorization hold on your payment method whenever a free trial is initiated. These charges are not actual financial transactions but validation checks to confirm the payment method’s validity. The pre-authorization holds will automatically expire within 7 days, and the funds will be released back to your account shortly after. If you see multiple $1 charges, it may be because:
You initiated free trials for multiple apps under the same account.
Each app requires its own authorization process via your payment method.
Why was I billed for multiple apps post-trial?
If multiple apps were subscribed to free trials under a single Bubble account, and none were canceled before their respective trial periods ended, each app's trial automatically rolls into a monthly paid subscription. As a result, billing will apply to each app individually at the Starter plan rate. Make sure to cancel unused trials before they end to avoid such charges.
How can I avoid unintended charges on Bubble?
Here are some tips to help you manage subscriptions and avoid unintentional payments:
Monitor Active Trials: Keep a record of free trials and their expiration dates.
Cancel Unused Trials: Make sure to end trials on apps you don’t plan to upgrade before the 14 days are over.
Limit Trials to Necessary Apps: Reduce the number of free trial activations for apps unless required.
Stay Aware of Subscription Terms: All subscriptions are per app and automatically roll into a paid monthly plan per the terms presented during activation.
By following the recommendations above, you can better manage your subscriptions and prevent surprises in billing.