Switch plans
Upgrade or downgrade from the app: an upgrade is prorated and charged right away, and a downgrade is scheduled for the end of the period.
If you already have a paid plan and want to switch to another one (from Starter to Pro or the other way around, or change the Monthly ↔ Annual cycle), AreaCacao does not send you to Stripe: it opens a confirmation modal that shows you the exact charge details before applying anything.
The plan-change modal only appears if you already have an active subscription. If you're on the Free plan, picking a plan opens secure checkout (Stripe). See Plans and pricing.
Where do you switch?
At https://app.areacacao.com/pricing, click Switch to [plan] on the card for the plan you want to move to. The "Switch to [plan]" modal opens and first calculates the charge details (in the meantime you'll see "Calculating your charge…").
Upgrading
When you move to a higher plan, the change is immediate and is charged prorated for the days left in your current billing period. The modal shows:
- Due today [amount] — the prorated charge for today.
- Starting [date] [amount] — what you'll pay in the next full cycle.
Click Confirm and pay [amount] to apply the change (while it processes you'll see "Processing…"). When it's done, the modal confirms: "You're now on [plan]. You're all set!". Close it with Got it.
Downgrading
When you move to a lower plan, there's no charge today and the change is scheduled for the end of your current billing period, with no refund for the period in progress. The modal shows:
- No charge today. You'll keep your current plan until [date].
- After that, you'll move to [plan] ([amount]). No refund is issued for the current period.
Click Confirm change. When it's done, the modal confirms: "Done. You'll move to [plan] on [date]. Until then, you keep your current plan."
A downgrade isn't immediate: you keep your current plan and its credits until the end of the period you've already paid for. The change applies on the date shown.
Cancel a scheduled change
While a downgrade is pending, the plans page shows a banner at the top: "You'll move to [plan] on [date]. Until then, you keep your current plan." with a Cancel change button. Click Cancel change to undo the downgrade before its effective date and keep your current plan.
The card on file
The modal shows which card will be charged: "Billed to your [brand] ···· [last 4 digits].". Next to that text there's a Change card link that takes you to the payment portal to update your payment method. You can also do this from Manage your payment method.
If you have a pending payment, you won't be able to switch plans: the modal prompts you to update your payment method before trying again.