Understanding subscription types in GoSimple

Understanding subscription types in GoSimple

Understanding subscription types in GoSimple

GoSimple supports three subscription types: Standard, Prepaid, and Installment.

Each subscription type is designed for a different business model and customer experience. Understanding the difference will help you choose the correct option before creating a subscription plan.

Standard subscriptions

InfoBest for: Ongoing recurring products or services

A standard subscription charges customers automatically at a fixed interval, with each payment aligned to a delivery or service period.

How it works

  • Customers are charged on a recurring schedule (for example, weekly or monthly)

  • Each successful charge creates an order in Shopify

  • The subscription continues until paused or cancelled

Common use cases

  • Consumable products

  • Memberships

  • Ongoing services

  • Replenishment models

Customer experience

  • Customers can manage their subscription through the customer portal

  • They can pause, skip, or reschedule based on your configuration

Prepaid subscriptions

InfoBest for: Paying upfront for multiple future deliveries

A prepaid subscription allows customers to make one upfront payment that covers multiple scheduled deliveries over time.

How it works

  • Customers pay once at checkout

  • Future deliveries are scheduled without additional charges

  • Orders are created according to the delivery schedule

Common use cases

  • Meal plans

  • Multi-month product bundles

  • Gift subscriptions

Customer experience

  • No recurring charges

  • Deliveries are spread across the prepaid period

  • Limited payment-related changes after purchase

Installment subscriptions

InfoBest for: Spreading payment for a single delivery or service

An installment subscription allows customers to pay for one product or service over multiple payments.

How it works

  • The total price is split into multiple scheduled payments

  • Customers are charged automatically based on the installment plan

  • Delivery typically happens once, not per payment

Common use cases

  • High-value items

  • Payment plans

  • Services with a single fulfilment

Customer experience

  • Multiple smaller payments instead of one large charge

  • Fewer delivery-related changes

Choosing the right subscription type

Subscription type
Best for
Charges
Deliveries
Standard
Ongoing products or services
Recurring
Per payment
Prepaid
Upfront commitment
One-time
Multiple
Installment
Payment plans
Multiple
Usually once

If you are unsure which type to use, start with a standard subscription, as it offers the most flexibility for both merchants and customers.

What to do next

Once you’ve chosen a subscription type, you can create a selling option in GoSimple.

  • Creating a standard subscription selling option

  • Creating a prepaid subscription selling option

  • Creating an installment subscription selling option

Each setup process is covered in its own guide.



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