Choose the payment arrangement based on what the customer buys and when the commitment ends. A purchase paid in three instalments still has a fixed total. A subscription pays for service periods that renew under the agreed terms.
Make the difference clear to the buyer
| Arrangement | What the customer pays for | When payment ends |
|---|---|---|
| One-off payment | The full purchase | Once paid, without cancelling any remaining delivery obligations |
| Instalments | Parts of a known total | When the schedule and outstanding balance are complete |
| Subscription | Periods of service | Under its duration, renewal and cancellation terms |
Do not call an instalment purchase a subscription simply because charges repeat. The buyer needs to understand whether they still owe part of a purchase or are renewing a service.
Two fictional examples
A €300 course could be paid upfront or in three €100 instalments. The latter has a clear end: no fourth charge should be scheduled. If the second instalment fails, the outstanding balance must remain visible, with access and follow-up handled under the agreed terms.
A €30 monthly service links each renewal to a service period. Define when access opens, when the next payment is due and when cancellation takes effect. These are teaching examples, not AndorPay prices.
What changes in the administration?
Instalments require tracking the total, amounts collected and remaining balance. Subscriptions also need renewal dates, service status and cancellation timing. In either case, every payment should have a verifiable result linked to the correct purchase or period.
Well-connected recurring payments can reduce some manual tasks. They do not guarantee more revenue or fewer unpaid bills. If you deliver the value only once, explain why later payments are due.
Before configuring the offer
Write down the total or periodic price, dates, what the customer receives, failure handling and document responsibilities. Check that the software supports that schedule. One payment button does not automatically cover every arrangement.
Selling a course, a service or ongoing access? Tell us how you deliver it and the payment schedule you have in mind.