> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developer.paddle.com/llms.txt).

# Trials

Offer trials for subscriptions to lower barriers to entry and increase conversion. Choose whether to require payment details at sign up or not, depending on your business strategy.

---

Trials are a powerful way to let customers try before they buy, giving you a chance to demonstrate your product's value before paying. They also give you a source of high-intent leads, with the option to require payment details to capture more serious leads.

Paddle gives you full control over the trial experience and lifecycle, with comprehensive management available using the API, SDKs, and dashboard.

{% card-group cols=3 %}
{% card title="Increase conversion rates" %}

Let customers experience value before committing, reducing initial barriers to purchase.

{% /card %}
{% card title="Qualify high-intent leads" %}

Optionally capture payment details to qualify customers and convert more predictably.

{% /card %}
{% card title="Full lifecycle control" %}

Extend, activate early, and make changes during trials to match your billing strategy.

{% /card %}
{% card title="Global compliance" %}

Paddle Checkout presents customers with compliant trial workflows based on customer jurisdiction.

{% /card %}
{% card title="Multiple trial types" %}

Choose between card-required and cardless trials to match your conversion strategy.

{% /card %}
{% card title="Fewer tickets" %}

Reduce the number of billing-related requests by letting customers try before they buy.

{% /card %}
{% /card-group %}

## How it works

Trials are a version of your app that customers can access for free for a limited time. They might also include other limitations, like offering a subset of features or a limited number of users. They're typically used for subscriptions, but you might use them for one-time apps too.

By showing a potential customer that your product fits their needs, trials create trust in your offering and reduce reluctance to pay, boosting your conversion rate in the process. They also increase customer satisfaction, since customers are more likely to be happy with a product they've tried and found to be a good fit for their needs.

### Trial types

Flexible trial types let you optimize conversion across different customer segments. Some customers prefer to try before providing payment details, while others are ready to commit upfront.

In Paddle, there are two kinds of trial:

{% feature-comparison %}

{% feature-column title="Card-required trials" %}

{% feature-item %}
Customers must enter payment details at signup, but aren't charged until the trial ends.
{% /feature-item %}

{% feature-item title="Works well for" %}
Qualifying higher-intent leads and enabling automatic conversion.
{% /feature-item %}

{% feature-item title="Keep in mind" %}
You'll typically see a lower signup rate as customers may be hesitant to enter payment details.
{% /feature-item %}

{% feature-item title="Integration process" %}
Use Paddle Checkout to capture payment details and create a subscription.
{% /feature-item %}

{% /feature-column %}

{% feature-column title="Cardless trials" %}
Customers can start their trial immediately without entering a credit card.

{% feature-item title="Works well for" %}
Removing the biggest barrier to trial signup, getting more leads in the door.
{% /feature-item %}

{% feature-item title="Keep in mind" %}
You'll typically see a lower conversion rate since customers haven't committed to paying yet.
{% /feature-item %}

{% feature-item title="Integration process" %}
Use the API to create a transaction for a subscription with a trial period, then use Paddle Checkout to capture payment details later.
{% /feature-item %}

{% /feature-column %}

{% /feature-comparison %}

{% callout type="info" %}
"Card-required" and "cardless" are commonly used terms for these trial types in the SaaS and app space, but customers aren't limited to cards. They can use digital wallets or local payment options for subscriptions, too.
{% /callout %}

### Trial lifecycle

You have complete control over the trial lifecycle in Paddle. You can:

- **Let customers upgrade or downgrade** during trials to match their needs.
- **Extend trials** to give customers more time to experience value.
- **Activate early** to realize value from customers when they're ready to pay.
- **Add one-time charges** during trials and bill them at the end of the trial period.

[Webhooks](https://developer.paddle.com/webhooks/overview.md) occur throughout the trial lifecycle, so you can keep your app in sync with Paddle.

## Customer journey

{% tabs %}
{% tab-item title="Card-required trials" %}

{% journey %}
{% journey-step title="Customers sign up and enter payment details" %}

Pass items with a trial period to Paddle.js to open a checkout for them. Customers securely enter payment details and start their trial.

Paddle Checkout handles compliance for you, making sure that the signup workflow is compliant with card network rules and evolving international legislation around trials.

{% /journey-step %}

{% journey-step title="Paddle automatically creates a subscription" %}

Paddle automatically creates a subscription for the customer when the checkout transaction is completed, [ready for you to provision](https://developer.paddle.com/build/subscriptions/provision-access-webhooks.md).

The payment method the customer used is held on file for renewals or subscription changes.

{% /journey-step %}

{% journey-step title="Paddle sends an email about the trial ending" %}

When the trial period is getting close to ending, Paddle sends an email to the customer to remind them that the trial is ending.

The email includes a link to the customer portal, where customers can manage their payment method.

{% /journey-step %}

{% journey-step title="Customer converts to paying" %}

When the trial period ends, Paddle automatically charges the payment method on file and transitions the subscription to `active` status.

{% /journey-step %}
{% /journey %}

{% /tab-item %}
{% tab-item title="Cardless trials (developer preview)" %}

{% journey %}
{% journey-step title="Create a transaction using the API" %}

Use the Paddle API to create a transaction for a customer with a list of items that have a trial period, but don't require payment details.

Since the transaction doesn't require payment details, it's automatically completed.

{% /journey-step %}

{% journey-step title="Paddle creates a subscription" %}

Paddle automatically creates a subscription for the customer when the transaction is completed, [ready for you to provision](https://developer.paddle.com/build/subscriptions/provision-access-webhooks.md).

There's no payment method on file for the customer at this point.

{% /journey-step %}

{% journey-step title="You email the customer about the trial ending" %}

To improve conversion rates, you can email the customer about the trial ending. You should include a link to your payment workflow, where customers can enter their payment method.

{% /journey-step %}

{% journey-step title="Customer enters your payment workflow" %}

Before the end of the trial period, customers enter your payment workflow to enter their payment details. Payment workflows are powered by Paddle.js, which handles securely capturing card details or payment using another payment method.

{% /journey-step %}

{% journey-step title="Customer converts to paying" %}

When the trial period ends, Paddle automatically charges the payment method on file and transitions the subscription to `active` status.

{% /journey-step %}
{% /journey %}

{% /tab-item %}
{% /tabs %}