If you bill the same client on a repeating schedule, auto-pay takes the back-and-forth out of every cycle. Your client opts in once, and recurring invoices charge automatically from then on.
When you’d use this
Auto-pay is for the clients you bill on a schedule: retainers, maintenance plans, hosting, monthly coaching, anything that goes out as a recurring invoice. Without it, every cycle means an email, a wait, and sometimes a reminder. With it, the invoice generates on schedule and Stripe collects the payment the day it is due. Your client sees a receipt rather than a request.
Enrollment is the client’s choice, made from their portal, which matters for trust: you are not storing a card on their behalf or charging them without consent. They opt in once, and they can see exactly which recurring invoices it applies to.
How it works
From the portal a client can enroll in auto-pay. Once they are enrolled, their recurring invoices are charged automatically when each one is due, so they never have to log back in to pay and you never have to chase a payment.
Tip: Auto-pay pairs with recurring invoices and your Stripe connection. Set up auto-pay on your side first so the option is ready when your client wants it.
FAQ
Can a client cancel auto-pay later?
Yes. Enrollment is managed from the portal, so a client can opt out the same way they opted in. Future recurring invoices then go back to being paid manually.
Does auto-pay work on one-off invoices?
No. Auto-pay is tied to recurring invoices. A one-off invoice is still paid from the portal with a click, it just is not charged automatically.
What if the saved card fails?
The charge does not go through and the invoice stays open, so you can see it in your aging view and follow up. Once the client updates their card in the portal, the next cycle charges normally.
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