How billing works in Descript

Here are a few key points to help you understand how subscription billing works in Descript.

Learn more about our plans

Check out our pricing page for details on what’s included in each plan.

Each Drive has its own subscription

A single Descript account can own multiple Drives, and every Drive has its own subscription. Subscriptions are billed separately, and the features and limits available to Drive Editors will depend on the plan tied to each specific Drive.

Subscriptions are Drive-specific. Having an existing subscription on your own Drive doesn’t give you Editor access to someone else’s projects. To edit in another Drive, you must be added as an Editor under that Drive’s subscription.

If you own more than one Drive subscription, you’ll see multiple charges on your account from Descript—one for each Drive.

Billing is processed at the start of the cycle

Subscription payments are processed upfront at the beginning of your billing cycle. This date is determined by when the Drive subscription was created, not when payment was last collected.

What day did I create my subscription? Check your invoice history to see the day your billing cycle renews.

Upgrades take effect immediately; downgrades occur at the end of your current billing cycle

If you add Editors to your Drive or upgrade to a Creator or Business plan, the change takes effect immediately. The cost is prorated—you’ll only pay for the time remaining in your current billing cycle, and you’ll receive a credit for any unused time on your previous plan. Descript will process a charge for the balance due after applying the credit.

Example

Current plan: 1 Editor on a Business Drive ($50/month), renewing monthly on the 1st.
On the 15th: Add 1 more Editor.
Cost: You’ve already paid $50 for the first Editor. The second Editor is only billed for the remaining half of the month, for a cost of $25.
Next renewal (1st of the following month): 2 Editors × $50 = $100/month.

Change your billing cadence

If you update your billing schedule and remain on the same subscription level, the change will take effect at the start of the next billing cycle.

Example

Current plan: 1 Editor on a Hobbyist Drive, renewing monthly on the 1st.
On the 15th: Switch to annual billing to get the discount.
Cost: The change takes effect at the end of the current monthly cycle. On the 1st of next month, you’ll be charged for a yearly subscription on the Hobbyist plan.
Next renewal: Exactly one year from the start of the annual plan.

If you change your billing schedule and upgrade your subscription tier simultaneously, the change takes effect immediately.

Example

Current plan: 1 Editor on a Hobbyist Drive, renewing annually.
3 months in: Upgrade from Hobbyist to Creator and switch to monthly billing.
Cost: The change takes effect immediately. Descript issues a credit for the unused portion of your yearly Hobbyist plan.
Next renewal: At next month’s renewal on the Creator plan, the credit is applied automatically until used up; then monthly billing continues on the card on file.

For step-by-step instructions to change your billing cadence, see our Change my billing cycle guide.

Pause or put your subscription on hold

Need a break from Descript? Instead of canceling, pause your subscription for up to 3 months. During the pause, you won’t be charged, but you also won’t have access to your Drive or paid features. When you’re ready, your plan will automatically resume—no need to re-subscribe.