Create a subscription

POST / v1 / subscriptions

Creates a new subscription on an existing customer. Each customer can have up to 500 active or scheduled subscriptions.

When you create a subscription with collection_method=charge_automatically, the first invoice is finalized as part of the request. The payment_behavior parameter determines the exact behavior of the initial payment.

To start subscriptions where the first invoice always begins in a draft status, use subscription schedules instead. Schedules provide the flexibility to model more complex billing configurations that change over time.

Parameters

automatic _ tax object Automatic tax settings for this subscription.
currency enum Three-letter ISO currency code, in lowercase. Must be a supported currency.
customer string The identifier of the customer to subscribe.
customer _ account string The identifier of the account representing the customer to subscribe.
default _ payment _ method string ID of the default payment method for the subscription. It must belong to the customer associated with the subscription. This takes precedence over default_source. If neither are set, invoices will use the customer’s invoice_settings.default_payment_method or default_source.
description string The subscription’s description, meant to be displayable to the customer. Use this field to optionally store an explanation of the subscription for rendering in Stripe surfaces and certain local payment methods UIs. The maximum length is 500 characters.
items array of objects Required A list of up to 20 subscription items, each with an attached price.
metadata map Set of key-value pairs that you can attach to an object. This can be useful for storing additional information about the object in a structured format. Individual keys can be unset by posting an empty value to them. All keys can be unset by posting an empty value to metadata.
payment _ behavior enum Controls how Stripe handles the first invoice when payment is required and collection_method=charge_automatically. Subscriptions with collection_method=send_invoice are automatically activated regardless of the first Invoice status. Possible enum values allow_incomplete This is the default behavior since 2019-03-14. If payment fails, the Subscription is created with status=incomplete, otherwise status=active. This behavior allows you to manage scenarios where additional customer actions are needed to pay the Invoice. For example, SCA regulations might require 3DS authentication to complete payment. See the SCA Migration Guide for Billing to learn more. default_incomplete When the first invoice requires payment, creates a Subscription with status=incomplete without attempting payment, otherwise status=active. You must request explicit confirmation of the Invoice’s PaymentIntent to activate the subscription. The resulting Invoice has auto_advance=false, so Stripe doesn’t automatically attempt payment, retry payment, or finalize the subscription. error_if_incomplete If payment fails, return an HTTP 402 status code and don’t create the subscription. This behavior doesn’t support payments that require user action, such as 3DS authentication, because it returns an error instead of creating a PaymentIntent with status=requires_action. To handle payments that require action, use allow_incomplete or default_incomplete instead. This behavior was the default for API versions before 2019-03-14. pending_if_incomplete This behavior is exclusive to Subscription updates and cannot be used for creation.

More parameters

add _ invoice _ items array of objects
application _ fee _ percent number Connect only
backdate _ start _ date timestamp
billing _ cycle _ anchor timestamp
billing _ cycle _ anchor _ config object
billing _ mode object
billing _ schedules array of objects
billing _ thresholds object
cancel _ at timestamp | enum
cancel _ at _ period _ end boolean
collection _ method enum
days _ until _ due integer
default _ source string
default _ tax _ rates array of strings
discounts array of objects
invoice _ settings object
off _ session boolean
on _ behalf _ of string
payment _ settings object
pending _ invoice _ item _ interval object
proration _ behavior enum
transfer _ data object Connect only
trial _ end string, value is "now" | timestamp
trial _ from _ plan boolean
trial _ period _ days integer
trial _ settings object

Returns

The newly created Subscription object, if the call succeeded. If the attempted charge fails, the subscription is created in an incomplete status.

Response

{ "id": "sub_1MowQVLkdIwHu7ixeRlqHVzs", "object": "subscription", "application": null, "application_fee_percent": null, "automatic_tax": { "enabled": false, "liability": null }, "billing_cycle_anchor": 1679609767, "cancel_at": null, "cancel_at_period_end": false, "canceled_at": null, "cancellation_details": { "comment": null, "feedback": null, "reason": null }, "collection_method": "charge_automatically", "created": 1679609767, "currency": "usd", "customer": "cus_Na6dX7aXxi11N4", "days_until_due": null, "default_payment_method": null, "default_source": null, "default_tax_rates": [], "description": null, "discounts": null, "ended_at": null, "invoice_settings": { "issuer": { "type": "self" } }, "items": { "object": "list", "data": [ { "id": "si_Na6dzxczY5fwHx", "object": "subscription_item", "created": 1679609768, "current_period_end": 1682288167, "current_period_start": 1679609767, "metadata": {}, "plan": { "id": "price_1MowQULkdIwHu7ixraBm864M", "object": "plan", "active": true, "amount": 1000, "amount_decimal": "1000", "billing_scheme": "per_unit", "created": 1679609766, "currency": "usd", "discounts": null, "interval": "month", "interval_count": 1, "livemode": false, "metadata": {}, "nickname": null, "product": "prod_Na6dGcTsmU0I4R", "tiers_mode": null, "transform_usage": null, "trial_period_days": null, "usage_type": "licensed" }, "price": { "id": "price_1MowQULkdIwHu7ixraBm864M", "object": "price", "active": true, "billing_scheme": "per_unit", "created": 1679609766, "currency": "usd", "custom_unit_amount": null, "livemode": false, "lookup_key": null, "metadata": {}, "nickname": null, "product": "prod_Na6dGcTsmU0I4R", "recurring": { "interval": "month", "interval_count": 1, "trial_period_days": null, "usage_type": "licensed" }, "tax_behavior": "unspecified", "tiers_mode": null, "transform_quantity": null, "type": "recurring", "unit_amount": 1000, "unit_amount_decimal": "1000" }, "quantity": 1, "subscription": "sub_1MowQVLkdIwHu7ixeRlqHVzs", "tax_rates": [] } ], "has_more": false, "total_count": 1, "url": "/v1/subscription_items?subscription=sub_1MowQVLkdIwHu7ixeRlqHVzs" }, "latest_invoice": "in_1MowQWLkdIwHu7ixuzkSPfKd", "livemode": false, "metadata": {}, "next_pending_invoice_item_invoice": null, "on_behalf_of": null, "pause_collection": null, "payment_settings": { "payment_method_options": null, "payment_method_types": null, "save_default_payment_method": "off" }, "pending_invoice_item_interval": null, "pending_setup_intent": null, "pending_update": null, "schedule": null, "start_date": 1679609767, "status": "active", "test_clock": null, "transfer_data": null, "trial_end": null, "trial_settings": { "end_behavior": { "missing_payment_method": "create_invoice" } }, "trial_start": null}

Update a subscription

POST / v1 / subscriptions /:id

Updates an existing subscription to match the specified parameters. When changing prices or quantities, we optionally prorate the price we charge next month to make up for any price changes. To preview how the proration is calculated, use the create preview endpoint.

By default, we prorate subscription changes. For example, if a customer signs up on May 1 for a 100 USD price, they’ll be billed 100 USD immediately. If on May 15 they switch to a 200 USD price, then on June 1 they’ll be billed 250 USD ( 200 USD for a renewal of her subscription, plus a 50 USD prorating adjustment for half of the previous month’s 100 USD difference). Similarly, a downgrade generates a credit that is applied to the next invoice. We also prorate when you make quantity changes. You can also use scripts to prorate your billing. To learn more, see Prorations.

Switching prices does not normally change the billing date or generate an immediate charge unless:

The billing interval is changed (for example, from monthly to yearly).
The subscription moves from free to paid.
A trial starts or ends.

In these cases, we apply a credit for the unused time on the previous price, immediately charge the customer using the new price, and reset the billing date. Learn about how Stripe immediately attempts payment for subscription changes.

If you want to charge for an upgrade immediately, pass proration_behavior as always_invoice to create prorations, automatically invoice the customer for those proration adjustments, and attempt to collect payment. If you pass create_prorations, the prorations are created but not automatically invoiced. If you want to bill the customer for the prorations before the subscription’s renewal date, you need to manually invoice the customer.

If you don’t want to prorate, set the proration_behavior option to none. With this option, the customer is billed 100 USD on May 1 and 200 USD on June 1. Similarly, if you set proration_behavior to none when switching between different billing intervals (for example, from monthly to yearly), we don’t generate any credits for the old subscription’s unused time. We still reset the billing date and bill immediately for the new subscription.

Updating the quantity on a subscription many times in an hour may result in rate limiting. If you need to bill for a frequently changing quantity, consider integrating usage-based billing instead.

Parameters

automatic _ tax object Automatic tax settings for this subscription. We recommend you only include this parameter when the existing value is being changed.
default _ payment _ method string ID of the default payment method for the subscription. It must belong to the customer associated with the subscription. This takes precedence over default_source. If neither are set, invoices will use the customer’s invoice_settings.default_payment_method or default_source.
description string The subscription’s description, meant to be displayable to the customer. Use this field to optionally store an explanation of the subscription for rendering in Stripe surfaces and certain local payment methods UIs. The maximum length is 500 characters.
items array of objects A list of up to 20 subscription items, each with an attached price.
metadata map Set of key-value pairs that you can attach to an object. This can be useful for storing additional information about the object in a structured format. Individual keys can be unset by posting an empty value to them. All keys can be unset by posting an empty value to metadata.
payment _ behavior enum Controls how Stripe handles payment when a subscription update requires payment and collection_method=charge_automatically. Possible enum values allow_incomplete This is the default behavior since 2019-03-14. Transition the subscription to status=past_due if payment fails. If you have payment retries configured, Stripe automatically retries the payment. If the payment requires action, you receive an invoice.payment_action_required webhook and must manage additional user actions. For example, SCA regulations might require 3DS authentication to complete payment. See the SCA Migration Guide for Billing to learn more. default_incomplete When payment is required, transition the subscription to status=past_due without attempting payment. You must request explicit confirmation of the Invoice’s PaymentIntent. The resulting Invoice has auto_advance=false, so Stripe doesn’t automatically attempt payment, retry payment, or finalize the subscription. error_if_incomplete If payment fails, return an HTTP 402 status code and don’t update the subscription. This behavior doesn’t support payments that require user action, such as 3DS authentication, because it returns an error instead of creating a PaymentIntent with status=requires_action. To handle payments that require action, use allow_incomplete or default_incomplete instead. This behavior was the default for API versions before 2019-03-14. pending_if_incomplete If payment fails, Stripe creates a pending update, which applies only if the payment eventually succeeds. This behavior doesn’t support all attributes and payment methods. This option is the simplest way to ensure the customer completes payment before Stripe applies the update.
proration _ behavior enum Determines how to handle prorations when the billing cycle changes (e.g., when switching plans, resetting billing_cycle_anchor=now, or starting a trial), or if an item’s quantity changes. The default value is create_prorations. Possible enum values always_invoice Always invoice immediately for prorations. create_prorations Will cause proration invoice items to be created when applicable. These proration items will only be invoiced immediately under certain conditions. none Disable creating prorations in this request.

More parameters

add _ invoice _ items array of objects
application _ fee _ percent number Connect only
billing _ cycle _ anchor string
billing _ schedules array of objects
billing _ thresholds object
cancel _ at timestamp | enum
cancel _ at _ period _ end boolean
cancellation _ details object
collection _ method enum
days _ until _ due integer
default _ source string
default _ tax _ rates array of strings
discounts array of objects
invoice _ settings object
off _ session boolean
on _ behalf _ of string
pause _ collection object
payment _ settings object
pending _ invoice _ item _ interval object
proration _ date timestamp
transfer _ data object Connect only
trial _ end string, value is "now" | timestamp
trial _ from _ plan boolean
trial _ settings object

Returns

The newly updated Subscription object, if the call succeeded. If payment_behavior is error_if_incomplete and a charge is required for the update and it fails, this call raises an error, and the subscription update does not go into effect.

Response

{ "id": "sub_1MowQVLkdIwHu7ixeRlqHVzs", "object": "subscription", "application": null, "application_fee_percent": null, "automatic_tax": { "enabled": false, "liability": null }, "billing_cycle_anchor": 1679609767, "cancel_at": null, "cancel_at_period_end": false, "canceled_at": null, "cancellation_details": { "comment": null, "feedback": null, "reason": null }, "collection_method": "charge_automatically", "created": 1679609767, "currency": "usd", "customer": "cus_Na6dX7aXxi11N4", "days_until_due": null, "default_payment_method": null, "default_source": null, "default_tax_rates": [], "description": null, "discounts": null, "ended_at": null, "invoice_settings": { "issuer": { "type": "self" } }, "items": { "object": "list", "data": [ { "id": "si_Na6dzxczY5fwHx", "object": "subscription_item", "created": 1679609768, "current_period_end": 1682288167, "current_period_start": 1679609767, "metadata": {}, "plan": { "id": "price_1MowQULkdIwHu7ixraBm864M", "object": "plan", "active": true, "amount": 1000, "amount_decimal": "1000", "billing_scheme": "per_unit", "created": 1679609766, "currency": "usd", "discounts": null, "interval": "month", "interval_count": 1, "livemode": false, "metadata": {}, "nickname": null, "product": "prod_Na6dGcTsmU0I4R", "tiers_mode": null, "transform_usage": null, "trial_period_days": null, "usage_type": "licensed" }, "price": { "id": "price_1MowQULkdIwHu7ixraBm864M", "object": "price", "active": true, "billing_scheme": "per_unit", "created": 1679609766, "currency": "usd", "custom_unit_amount": null, "livemode": false, "lookup_key": null, "metadata": {}, "nickname": null, "product": "prod_Na6dGcTsmU0I4R", "recurring": { "interval": "month", "interval_count": 1, "trial_period_days": null, "usage_type": "licensed" }, "tax_behavior": "unspecified", "tiers_mode": null, "transform_quantity": null, "type": "recurring", "unit_amount": 1000, "unit_amount_decimal": "1000" }, "quantity": 1, "subscription": "sub_1MowQVLkdIwHu7ixeRlqHVzs", "tax_rates": [] } ], "has_more": false, "total_count": 1, "url": "/v1/subscription_items?subscription=sub_1MowQVLkdIwHu7ixeRlqHVzs" }, "latest_invoice": "in_1MowQWLkdIwHu7ixuzkSPfKd", "livemode": false, "metadata": { "order_id": "6735" }, "next_pending_invoice_item_invoice": null, "on_behalf_of": null, "pause_collection": null, "payment_settings": { "payment_method_options": null, "payment_method_types": null, "save_default_payment_method": "off" }, "pending_invoice_item_interval": null, "pending_setup_intent": null, "pending_update": null, "schedule": null, "start_date": 1679609767, "status": "active", "test_clock": null, "transfer_data": null, "trial_end": null, "trial_settings": { "end_behavior": { "missing_payment_method": "create_invoice" } }, "trial_start": null}

Retrieve a subscription

GET / v1 / subscriptions /:id

Retrieves the subscription with the given ID.

Parameters

No parameters.

Returns

Returns the subscription object.

Response

{ "id": "sub_1MowQVLkdIwHu7ixeRlqHVzs", "object": "subscription", "application": null, "application_fee_percent": null, "automatic_tax": { "enabled": false, "liability": null }, "billing_cycle_anchor": 1679609767, "cancel_at": null, "cancel_at_period_end": false, "canceled_at": null, "cancellation_details": { "comment": null, "feedback": null, "reason": null }, "collection_method": "charge_automatically", "created": 1679609767, "currency": "usd", "customer": "cus_Na6dX7aXxi11N4", "days_until_due": null, "default_payment_method": null, "default_source": null, "default_tax_rates": [], "description": null, "discounts": null, "ended_at": null, "invoice_settings": { "issuer": { "type": "self" } }, "items": { "object": "list", "data": [ { "id": "si_Na6dzxczY5fwHx", "object": "subscription_item", "created": 1679609768, "current_period_end": 1682288167, "current_period_start": 1679609767, "metadata": {}, "plan": { "id": "price_1MowQULkdIwHu7ixraBm864M", "object": "plan", "active": true, "amount": 1000, "amount_decimal": "1000", "billing_scheme": "per_unit", "created": 1679609766, "currency": "usd", "discounts": null, "interval": "month", "interval_count": 1, "livemode": false, "metadata": {}, "nickname": null, "product": "prod_Na6dGcTsmU0I4R", "tiers_mode": null, "transform_usage": null, "trial_period_days": null, "usage_type": "licensed" }, "price": { "id": "price_1MowQULkdIwHu7ixraBm864M", "object": "price", "active": true, "billing_scheme": "per_unit", "created": 1679609766, "currency": "usd", "custom_unit_amount": null, "livemode": false, "lookup_key": null, "metadata": {}, "nickname": null, "product": "prod_Na6dGcTsmU0I4R", "recurring": { "interval": "month", "interval_count": 1, "trial_period_days": null, "usage_type": "licensed" }, "tax_behavior": "unspecified", "tiers_mode": null, "transform_quantity": null, "type": "recurring", "unit_amount": 1000, "unit_amount_decimal": "1000" }, "quantity": 1, "subscription": "sub_1MowQVLkdIwHu7ixeRlqHVzs", "tax_rates": [] } ], "has_more": false, "total_count": 1, "url": "/v1/subscription_items?subscription=sub_1MowQVLkdIwHu7ixeRlqHVzs" }, "latest_invoice": "in_1MowQWLkdIwHu7ixuzkSPfKd", "livemode": false, "metadata": {}, "next_pending_invoice_item_invoice": null, "on_behalf_of": null, "pause_collection": null, "payment_settings": { "payment_method_options": null, "payment_method_types": null, "save_default_payment_method": "off" }, "pending_invoice_item_interval": null, "pending_setup_intent": null, "pending_update": null, "schedule": null, "start_date": 1679609767, "status": "active", "test_clock": null, "transfer_data": null, "trial_end": null, "trial_settings": { "end_behavior": { "missing_payment_method": "create_invoice" } }, "trial_start": null}