Installation

This guide walks you through installing and activating SubscriptionFlow for WooCommerce. It takes about two minutes, and you don't need any technical skills.

What you’ll need

Before you start, make sure your website meets these minimums:

Requirement	Minimum version	Notes
WordPress	6.0	Your main website software.
WooCommerce	7.0	Must be installed and active — SubscriptionFlow builds on it.
PHP	7.4	Your host controls this; most modern hosts already meet it.
Elementor	Free or Pro	Optional. Only needed if you want to use the SubscriptionFlow Elementor widgets.

If WooCommerce is not active, SubscriptionFlow will show a friendly reminder and stay paused until you activate it.

How to install it

You can install SubscriptionFlow the same way as any WordPress plugin. The most common method is uploading the ZIP file.

Step 1 — Get the plugin ZIP

Download the plugin ZIP file (for example, subscriptionflow-for-woocommerce.zip). Keep it somewhere easy to find, like your Downloads folder. Do not unzip it — WordPress needs the ZIP.

Step 2 — Upload it to WordPress

Log in to your WordPress admin.
Go to Plugins → Add New Plugin.
Click Upload Plugin at the top of the page.
Click Choose File, select the ZIP, then click Install Now.

Step 3 — Activate

When the upload finishes, click Activate Plugin.

On activation, SubscriptionFlow quietly sets itself up in the background (it prepares the data it needs to track subscriptions, licenses, and renewals). You don’t have to do anything for this step.

Step 4 — Confirm it’s working

Look for the new SubscriptionFlow menu in your WordPress admin sidebar. Open it — you should see the Dashboard with the SubscriptionFlow banner at the top. That’s it; the plugin is installed.

What happens right after activation

A new SubscriptionFlow menu appears with sub‑pages: Dashboard, Licenses, Subscriptions, Plans, Products, Downloads, Activations, Audit History, Settings, and License.
The plugin starts on the Starter (Free) plan. Core subscription management works immediately.
To unlock Pro features (automatic renewals, payment gateways, security, Elementor widgets, and more), go to SubscriptionFlow → License and activate your license key. See License Activation.

Tips & Best Practices

Install WooCommerce first. SubscriptionFlow depends on it. If you activate SubscriptionFlow without WooCommerce, it simply waits for you.
Test on a staging site if you can. If you run a live store, trying new plugins on a copy of your site first is always the safest habit.
Keep automatic updates on. SubscriptionFlow updates itself through its built‑in updater so you always get fixes and improvements — no manual re‑uploading needed.
You don’t need Elementor. The plugin works fully without it. Elementor is only required if you want the drag‑and‑drop dashboard, login, or checkout widgets.
Back up before major changes. A quick backup before installing any plugin on a live store is good practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need WooCommerce to use SubscriptionFlow?

Yes. SubscriptionFlow extends WooCommerce, so WooCommerce must be installed and active.

Does it work with any theme?

Yes. SubscriptionFlow works with any properly built WordPress theme. The customer dashboard and checkout use standard WooCommerce and shortcode output.

Do I need Elementor?

No. Elementor is optional and only used for the SubscriptionFlow widgets. All features are available without it.

Will installing it change my existing products or orders?

No. Installing and activating only prepares SubscriptionFlow to work. Your existing products, orders, and customers are untouched until you choose to turn a product into a subscription.

Can I use it for free?

Yes. The Starter (Free) plan covers basic subscription management and the customer dashboard. Advanced features require a Pro license. See Starter Free vs Pro.

How do I update the plugin later?

Updates arrive automatically like other WordPress plugins — you’ll see an update notice on the Plugins page when a new version is available.

What if the plugin looks inactive after activating?

Check that WooCommerce is installed and active. SubscriptionFlow pauses itself with a notice until WooCommerce is running.

Can I install it on more than one website?

The plugin can be installed anywhere. Pro features are unlocked per site using your license and its allowed‑sites limit — see License Status & Allowed Sites.