SubscriptionFlow documentation

Manual Renewals

On Starter (Free), subscriptions renew manually — the customer places a new order as their term ends. How that works, and how to make it smooth for them.

Available onStarter (Free)Pro

Documents version1.5.5

Last updated

On this page

What this does

Manual renewal means SubscriptionFlow tracks the subscription’s term, status, and expiry, but does not charge the customer automatically. When the term is up, the customer renews by buying again — and their subscription/license continues.

Why it exists: it lets you sell subscriptions on the Free plan without connecting a payment gateway for automatic charging. It’s ideal for getting started, low‑volume products, or stores that prefer customers to actively renew.

How it works

  1. A customer buys a subscription product — a subscription and license are created.
  2. SubscriptionFlow tracks the expiry date and shows status on the customer dashboard.
  3. As expiry approaches (and after, during the grace period), the customer renews by placing a new order for the same product.
  4. Their subscription and license continue with the new term.

The customer sees their status and renewal info on your dashboard shortcode page.

How to make manual renewals smooth

Step 1 — Show the dashboard. Make sure customers can see their status and a clear way to renew (the customer dashboard page).

Step 2 — Set a grace period. Give a few days of continued access after expiry so a slightly late renewal doesn’t break their service. See Grace Period & Expiry.

Step 3 — Point the renew button to the product. Set the product’s Upgrade URL (Pro) or rely on the shop page so the dashboard’s renew/upgrade button leads customers to the right place.

Tips & Best Practices

  • Use a grace period so manual renewers aren’t cut off the instant they’re a day late.

  • Make renewal one click. Link the dashboard’s renew button straight to the product or a checkout URL.

  • Consider upgrading to Pro if you’re chasing customers to renew — automatic renewals remove that friction and protect your revenue.

  • Communicate expiry clearly on the dashboard so customers know when to act.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will customers be charged automatically on the Free plan?

No. On Free, renewals are manual — customers place a new order to renew.

How does a customer renew?

They buy the same subscription product again; SubscriptionFlow continues their subscription and license.

What happens if they don’t renew in time?

The subscription enters the grace period, then expires. Access stops when the grace period ends.

Can I remind customers to renew?

Show clear status on the dashboard. For automated payment retries and reminders, upgrade to Pro’s Automatic Renewals.

Do manual renewals still track history?

Yes — status changes are recorded in the license history and Audit History.

Is manual renewal available on Pro too?

Yes. Pro adds automatic renewals but manual renewal still works.

SubscriptionsAutomatic RenewalsAutomatic Renewals charges each customer's saved payment method when their subscription is due, so recurring revenue keeps flowing without manual work.SubscriptionsGrace Period & ExpiryThe grace period is a short window after a paid term ends where the customer keeps access — a safety net against a lockout caused by a late payment.SubscriptionsSubscription ProductsA subscription product is a WooCommerce product turned into a recurring plan. Buying one creates a subscription and a license, tracked for their whole life.Customer DashboardDashboard ShortcodePlace the customer dashboard on any page with a single shortcode, so subscribers can view and manage subscriptions, invoices and their profile. No coding.