How billing works in Descript

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

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Each drive has its own subscription

A single Descript account can own multiple drives, and every drive has its own plan. Each plan is billed separately, and the features and limits available to drive Editors will depend on the plan tied to each specific drive. Plans are drive-specific. Having an existing plan for your own drive won’t give you Editor access to project’s on someone else’s drive. To edit in another drive, you must be added as an Editor under that drive’s plan. If you own more than one drive, you’ll see multiple charges on your account from Descript—one for each drive’s plan.

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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.

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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 scenario A: 1 Editor on a Business drive ($65/month), with a plan that renews monthly on the 1st.

• On the 15th: Add 1 more Editor.
• Cost: You’ve already paid $65 for the first Editor. The second Editor is billed only for the remaining half of the month, for a cost of $32.50.
• Next renewal (1st of the following month): 2 Editors × $65 = $130/month.

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Change your billing cadence

Switching from monthly to annual billing takes effect immediately. Switching from annual to monthly billing takes effect at the start of the next billing cycle. Example scenario B: 1 Editor on a Hobbyist drive, with a plan that renews monthly on the 1st.

• On the 15th: Switch from monthly to annual billing.
• Cost: You will be charged immediately for the annual plan (minus a prorated credit for the unused time remaining in your current month).
• Next renewal: One year from the date you switched to annual billing.

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