Beside subscriptions are billed on a recurring cycle (monthly or yearly). This article explains how billing works, what happens with mid-cycle changes, and how to check your billing status.
How your billing cycle works
Your billing cycle starts on the day you first subscribe (or the day your free trial ends). You're charged on the same date each month (for monthly plans) or each year (for yearly plans).
After canceling, your subscription stays active until the end of the current billing period. You won't be charged again, but you keep full access until that date.
Check your billing status
On mobile
Open the Beside mobile app
Go to Settings
Tap Your Account, then Plan and Billing
On web
Or click Settings, then Plan & Billing in the left sidebar
This shows your current plan (Beside plan or legacy 👥 Business), billing frequency, renewal date, and billing email.
📌 If you're billed through Apple or Google: the App Store or Google Play receipt may still show "Starter" - that's the historical product name kept by the stores. In Beside, your plan is the Beside plan.
Mid-cycle changes
How mid-cycle changes work depends on your plan.
On the Beside plan
You can add or remove seats and lines anytime from either the Beside mobile app or Beside on the web - both flows lead to the same result. What happens next depends on how your account is billed:
If you're billed by Stripe: a confirmation modal shows the prorated cost - confirm to apply the change. Adding charges the prorated amount immediately for the rest of your current billing cycle, then the new total at your next renewal. Removing takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle.
If you're billed through Apple or Google (in-app purchase): adding a seat or line moves your account to the Beside plan on Stripe (with prorated credit for the time remaining on your App Store or Google Play subscription). Cancel your App Store or Google Play subscription afterward to avoid double-billing.
📖 Add a seat · 📖 Add a line
On legacy 👥 Business
👥 Business is no longer offered to new subscribers, but existing subscribers can continue using it. Adding a 4th seat or 4th line opens a Stripe checkout for the extra capacity. Downgrading from 👥 Business is available on Apple or Google billing only - the change takes effect at the end of your current billing period, and your account moves to the Beside plan (your Apple or Google receipts may continue to show "Starter").
Switch between monthly and yearly billing
You can switch between monthly and yearly billing. The change typically takes effect at the end of your current billing period. Check your plan settings for the exact timing.
FAQ
When does my billing cycle renew?
When does my billing cycle renew?
Your billing cycle renews on the same date each month or year, depending on your plan frequency. Check your renewal date under Plan & Billing on the web, or under Settings → Your Account → Plan and Billing in the Beside mobile app.
How does proration work for mid-cycle changes?
How does proration work for mid-cycle changes?
On the Beside plan with Stripe billing, adding a seat or line charges a prorated amount immediately for the rest of your current billing cycle, then the new total at your next renewal. Removing takes effect at the end of the cycle.
If you're billed through Apple or Google, adding a seat or line moves your account to the Beside plan on Stripe (with prorated credit for the time remaining on your App Store or Google Play subscription) - cancel your App Store or Google Play subscription afterward to avoid double-billing.
On legacy 👥 Business, downgrading takes effect at the end of the current billing cycle.
I see a charge I don't recognize. What should I do?
I see a charge I don't recognize. What should I do?
First, check whether you have two active subscriptions (one from the App Store or Google Play and one from Beside directly). This is the most common cause of unexpected charges - it usually happens when an Apple or Google subscription wasn't cancelled after the account moved to Stripe billing. If that's not the case, contact our support team for help.
Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?
Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?
Beside does not currently offer a pause feature. You can cancel your subscription and resubscribe later. After canceling, you keep access until the end of your current billing period.