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Upgrading or Downgrading Plans

How to change your subscription plan

4 min read
Updated January 15, 2024

Upgrade or Downgrade Your Plan


Easily change your FameLifter subscription to match your evolving needs. Whether you're scaling up or adjusting your budget, we make plan changes simple and transparent.

Understanding Plan Changes


When to Upgrade


#### Signs You Need More Features
  • Analysis Limits: Reaching your monthly analysis quota
  • Advanced Tools: Need AI insights or API access
  • Team Collaboration: Adding team members to your account
  • Export Needs: Require more detailed reports and exports
  • Priority Support: Need faster response times

#### Popular Upgrade Paths

  • Free → Starter: When you need regular analytics
  • Starter → Professional: For advanced features and higher limits
  • Professional → Enterprise: Team features and custom solutions
  • Any Plan → Annual: Save 20% with yearly commitment

When to Downgrade


#### Good Reasons to Downgrade
  • Reduced Usage: Not using all features in current plan
  • Budget Adjustment: Need to reduce costs temporarily
  • Seasonal Needs: Lower requirements during off-season
  • Feature Mismatch: Current plan has unused features

#### Maintaining Essential Access

Even when downgrading:

  • Core Features: Basic analytics always available
  • Historical Data: Your past data is preserved
  • Easy Re-upgrade: Switch back anytime you need

Upgrade Process


How to Upgrade


#### Immediate Upgrade Steps
  • Access Billing: Go to Settings → Billing & Subscription
  • View Plans: Click "Change Plan" or "Upgrade"
  • Select New Plan: Choose your desired tier
  • Review Changes: See new features and pricing
  • Confirm Upgrade: Complete the upgrade process

#### What Happens When You Upgrade

  • Instant Access: New features available immediately
  • Pro-Rated Billing: Only pay difference for remaining period
  • Data Migration: All existing data carries over
  • No Downtime: Seamless transition with zero interruption

Upgrade Billing


#### Pro-Rated Charges

When you upgrade mid-cycle:

  • Credit Applied: Unused portion of current plan credited
  • New Plan Charge: Charged pro-rated amount for new plan
  • Next Billing: Full price of new plan from next cycle
  • Fair Calculation: You only pay for what you use

#### Example Calculation

If you upgrade from $29/month to $79/month with 15 days left:

  • Current Plan Credit: $14.50 (unused half of $29)
  • New Plan Charge: $39.50 (half month of $79)
  • Immediate Charge: $25.00 difference
  • Next Billing: Full $79/month

Feature Activation


#### Immediate Feature Access

Upon upgrade, you instantly get:

  • Increased Limits: Higher analysis quotas
  • Advanced Tools: AI analysis, API access, bulk features
  • Priority Support: Faster response times
  • Export Options: Enhanced report formats

#### Onboarding Support

For major upgrades:

  • Welcome Email: Feature overview and getting started guide
  • Tutorial Videos: How to use new features
  • Support Check-in: Team reaches out to assist
  • Best Practices: Tips for maximizing your new plan

Downgrade Process


How to Downgrade


#### Downgrade Steps
  • Go to Billing: Settings → Billing & Subscription
  • Select New Plan: Choose lower-tier plan
  • Review Impact: See what features you'll lose
  • Confirm Timing: Choose immediate or end-of-cycle
  • Complete Change: Finalize downgrade

#### Downgrade Timing Options


Option A: Immediate Downgrade
  • Instant Change: New limits apply right away
  • No Refund: No credit for unused current period
  • Feature Loss: Immediate restriction to new tier

Option B: End-of-Cycle Downgrade

  • Keep Access: Full features until period ends
  • Scheduled Change: Downgrade at next billing date
  • No Disruption: Continue using current features
  • Recommended: Best for most users

What You'll Lose


#### Feature Restrictions

When downgrading, you may lose:

  • Analysis Limits: Reduced monthly quota
  • Advanced Features: AI insights, API access
  • Team Features: Collaboration tools
  • Export Options: Limited report formats
  • Support Priority: Standard response times

#### Data Preservation

Don't worry, your data is safe:

  • Historical Data: All past analyses preserved
  • Viewing Access: Can still view old advanced analyses
  • No Deletion: Nothing is removed from your account
  • Re-upgrade: Restore full access anytime

Downgrade Billing


#### No Refunds for Downgrades
  • Paid Period: Access continues until current period ends
  • No Pro-Ration: No refund for unused portion
  • New Rate: Lower price starts next billing cycle

#### Billing Cycle Adjustment

  • Immediate: New rate at next renewal
  • Pro-Rata Credit: Not applicable for downgrades
  • Fair Access: Full features until paid period expires

Plan Comparison


Feature Availability by Tier


#### Starter Plan
  • 10 analyses/month
  • Basic channel insights
  • Video performance metrics
  • Standard support
  • Email reports

#### Professional Plan

  • 100 analyses/month
  • Advanced AI insights
  • Competitor benchmarking
  • Priority support
  • Custom reports
  • API access (limited)

#### Enterprise Plan

  • Unlimited analyses
  • Full AI suite
  • Team collaboration
  • Dedicated support
  • White-label reports
  • Full API access
  • Custom integrations

Making the Right Choice


#### Questions to Ask Yourself
  • How many analyses do I run monthly?
  • Do I need AI-powered insights?
  • Am I working with a team?
  • Do I need API integrations?
  • What's my support priority level?

#### Cost-Benefit Analysis

Consider:

  • Usage Patterns: How often you use the platform
  • Feature Value: Which features truly matter
  • Growth Plans: Future scaling needs
  • Budget Constraints: Affordable monthly commitment

Special Scenarios


Temporary Plan Changes


#### Seasonal Adjustments

For businesses with seasonal needs:

  • Peak Season: Upgrade for busy months
  • Off-Season: Downgrade during slow periods
  • Flexible Switching: Change plans as needed
  • No Penalties: Free to adjust anytime

#### Project-Based Usage

For specific projects:

  • Short-Term Upgrade: Upgrade for project duration
  • Return to Base: Downgrade when project completes
  • Cost Control: Only pay for what you need when you need it

Trial Extensions


#### Trying Higher Tiers

Before committing to upgrade:

  • Free Trial: Test higher tier for 7-14 days
  • Full Access: All features during trial
  • No Commitment: Cancel trial anytime
  • Easy Activation: One-click to continue

Annual to Monthly (or Vice Versa)


#### Switching Billing Cycles
  • Annual to Monthly: Takes effect after annual term ends
  • Monthly to Annual: Immediate switch with pro-rated credit
  • Savings: Annual plans offer 20% discount
  • Flexibility: Monthly plans offer easier cancellation

Managing Your Plan


Plan Change History


#### Tracking Your Changes

View your plan history:

  • Change Log: All upgrades and downgrades
  • Billing Impact: Cost changes over time
  • Feature Timeline: When you gained/lost features
  • Access Dates: Effective dates of each change

Notifications and Reminders


#### Stay Informed

We'll notify you about:

  • Upcoming Changes: Scheduled downgrades
  • Limit Warnings: Approaching plan limits
  • Upgrade Suggestions: When higher tier might help
  • Renewal Reminders: Before billing cycles

Getting Help with Plan Changes


Support Channels


#### Contact Options
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Live Chat: Business hours for instant help
  • Help Center: Self-service guides and FAQs
  • Account Manager: For Enterprise customers

Before You Change


#### Talk to Our Team

We can help you:

  • Choose the Right Plan: Based on your needs
  • Optimize Usage: Get more from current plan
  • Custom Solutions: Enterprise-specific options
  • Special Pricing: Volume discounts or promotions

Post-Change Support


#### We're Here to Help

After changing plans:

  • Onboarding: Introduction to new/different features
  • Migration Assistance: Moving data or workflows
  • Feature Training: How to use your new tier
  • Optimization Tips: Maximizing your plan value

Frequently Asked Questions


Q: Can I upgrade and downgrade multiple times?

A: Yes, change your plan as often as needed with no penalties.


Q: What happens to my data when I downgrade?

A: All data is preserved; you just lose access to advanced features.


Q: Do I get a refund when downgrading?

A: No, but you keep full access until your current period ends.


Q: Can I upgrade mid-cycle and get pro-rated billing?

A: Yes, you only pay the difference for the remaining period.


Q: How quickly do plan changes take effect?

A: Upgrades are instant; downgrades can be immediate or end-of-cycle.


Q: Can I switch between monthly and annual billing?

A: Yes, annual switches are immediate; monthly switches occur at term end.


Ready to change your plan? Visit your billing dashboard to upgrade or downgrade, or contact our team for personalized recommendations.

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Upgrading or Downgrading Plans - Billing & Subscription | FameLifter Help Center