## 🧭 Overview

If you are currently on a free trial and want to explore Pro-level features, you can upgrade your plan without being charged immediately. Your billing will be deferred until your trial period ends — typically around day 7. This article explains how the process works and what to expect.

## ⚙️ How Trial Upgrades Work

Search Atlas is designed to let you test higher-tier features during your free trial before any payment is collected. Here is what happens when you upgrade during a trial:

- **No immediate charge:** Upgrading your plan mid-trial does not trigger an instant payment. Your card is not billed until the trial concludes.
- **Full feature access:** Once you select a higher plan, Pro features become available right away so you can evaluate them properly before committing.
- **Charge at trial end:** On the day your trial expires (usually day 7, around the 8th or 9th of the month depending on when you started), the subscription fee for your chosen plan is applied.
- **Trial eligibility rules apply:** The deferred billing option is only available to eligible accounts. If your account does not qualify — for example, if a trial has already been used on this account — the upgrade may be charged immediately.

## 🛠️ How to Upgrade Your Plan During the Trial

1. Log in to your Search Atlas account.
2. Open the **Account Menu**, select **Billing**, then go to **Plans & Top-ups**.
3. Review the available plans and click **Change Plan** on the Pro plan (or the tier you want to test).
4. Confirm the plan selection. A confirmation message will appear letting you know that your charge is deferred to the end of your trial period.
5. Your Pro features will activate immediately — start exploring right away.

## 📋 What to Check Before Upgrading

To make sure your upgrade goes smoothly and your charge is correctly deferred, keep the following in mind:

- **Confirm your trial is still active:** Deferred billing only applies while the trial window is open. Check your trial end date in the Billing section before proceeding.
- **One trial per account:** If you have previously used a free trial on this account, the eligibility rules will apply and you may be charged immediately upon upgrading.
- **Payment method on file:** A valid payment method must be saved to your account before you can upgrade, even if no charge is collected right away.
- **Downgrading during the trial:** You can also switch back to a lower or free plan during the trial period. No charge will be applied if you downgrade before the trial ends.

## ❓ Frequently Asked Questions

**Will I be charged the moment I click Upgrade?**

No — as long as your trial is still active and your account is eligible, the charge is held until your trial ends. You will see a confirmation message confirming this before you finalise the upgrade.

**What happens if my trial ends while I am on the Pro plan?**

Your saved payment method will be charged the Pro plan subscription fee on the trial end date. You will continue on the Pro plan going forward unless you cancel or downgrade before the trial expires.

**Can I cancel before the trial ends to avoid being charged?**

Yes. If you decide the Pro plan is not right for you, you can downgrade or cancel before your trial end date and no charge will be collected.

**How do I know exactly when my trial ends?**

Your trial end date is displayed in the **Billing** section of your account settings. Check this date so you know the deadline for making any plan changes.

## 💬 Need More 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.

## **Additional Notes**

How to Find Your Exact Trial End Date: Log in and navigate to Billing/Subscription settings. Always rely on the date shown there — not dates in automated messages or older articles. If discrepancy found, contact support immediately.