## **🔍 What Are Hyperdrive Credits?**

Hyperdrive credits power AI-driven features inside Search Atlas, such as automated content generation, on-page optimizations, and OTTO SEO actions. Every time you run one of these features, credits are consumed from your balance. Managing your credits efficiently directly impacts your monthly spend.

## **📊 Understanding Your Credit Options**

There are three main ways to get Hyperdrive credits:

- **One-time top-up:** Purchase a one-time block of credits added to your current plan balance.
- **Recurring monthly top-up:** Add 120 credits per month on a recurring basis.
- **Plan upgrade:** Move to a higher-tier subscription that includes a larger monthly credit allowance.

Each option suits a different usage pattern, so the right choice depends on how consistently you consume credits each month.

## **💡 Top-Up vs. Plan Upgrade: Which Is Better?**

A common question is whether buying a 330-credit top-up is the most cost-effective move, or whether upgrading your plan makes more sense. Here is how to think through it:

1. **Check your monthly credit usage.** Go to your Account Dashboard and review your average credit consumption over the past two to three months. Look for a consistent pattern rather than a one-off spike.
2. **Compare the cost per credit.** Divide the top-up cost by the number of credits it provides to get your cost-per-credit for a top-up. Then divide the price difference between your current plan and the next tier by the additional credits that tier includes. The option with the lower cost-per-credit is the better value for ongoing needs.
3. **Consider frequency.** If you are purchasing top-ups every single month, you are almost certainly paying more than you would on a higher plan. Repeated top-ups are designed for occasional overflow, not as a substitute for a plan that fits your volume.
4. **Factor in other plan benefits.** Higher-tier plans often include additional seats, more projects, or expanded limits on other tools. If you need those features anyway, the upgrade delivers more value per dollar even before counting the extra credits.

## **⚙️ When a Top-Up Makes Sense**

A credit top-up is the right choice when:

- You have a short-term project or campaign that temporarily requires more credits than usual.
- Your usage is irregular and you do not consistently hit your plan limit each month.
- You want to avoid committing to a higher monthly subscription for a one-time need.

In these situations, a 330-credit top-up (or whichever size fits your gap) is a flexible, low-commitment way to keep your work moving without changing your plan.

## **🚀 When a Plan Upgrade Makes Sense**

Upgrading your subscription plan is the smarter long-term move when:

- You are buying top-ups two or more months in a row.
- Your team is growing and you need more seats or projects alongside the extra credits.
- The cost-per-credit on the next plan tier is lower than what you pay through top-ups.
- You want predictable monthly costs without manually monitoring your credit balance.

To compare plans side by side, click your **avatar (top-right) → Billing → Plans & Top-ups** (Change Plan button) inside Search Atlas. The plan comparison table shows included credits and pricing at a glance.

## **🛠️ Step-by-Step: Evaluating Your Best Option**

1. Log in to Search Atlas and go to your **avatar (top-right) → Billing**.
2. Review your **Activity Log** (Account Menu → Billing → Activity Log) for the past three months.
3. Note your average monthly credit consumption and how often you have purchased top-ups.
4. Open Top-right corner (avatar) → Billing → Plans & Top-ups tab and note the credit allowance and price of the next plan tier.
5. Calculate cost-per-credit for both the top-up and the plan upgrade using the method described above.
6. If the upgrade cost-per-credit is lower and you expect consistent usage, change your plan.
7. If your need is temporary, purchase a top-up from your **avatar (top-right) → Billing → Plans & Top-ups (Top Up button)**.

## **📋 Quick Reference: Top-Up vs. Plan Upgrade**

- **Top-up:** Best for occasional, short-term, or unpredictable credit needs.
- **Plan upgrade:** Best for consistent monthly usage where top-ups are becoming a habit.
- **Annual switch:** Best when you are certain of your usage level and want the lowest possible per-month rate.

## **🙋 Need Personalised Help?**

If you are unsure which option fits your specific usage pattern or you would like one of our team members to review your account and recommend the most cost-effective path, we are happy to help. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type **human teammate** to be connected with a member of our team.