🔍 What Happens When You Click Downgrade
When you initiate a plan downgrade inside Search Atlas, you are redirected to a Stripe-hosted checkout page. This page may display a charge — for example, $99 — which can look like an immediate payment on top of your existing subscription. This is a common source of confusion, and we want to explain exactly what is happening so you can downgrade with confidence.
💡 Why You See a Charge on the Stripe Page
Stripe uses a billing model called proration. When you switch to a lower-tier plan, Stripe calculates the difference between what you have already paid and what the new plan costs for the remaining days in your current billing cycle. The amount shown on the Stripe page reflects one of the following scenarios:
- A prorated charge: If the new plan requires a small balancing payment to align your billing cycle, Stripe may display that amount, but nothing is charged on the day of the downgrade.
- A credit applied: If your current plan cost more than the new plan, Stripe applies a credit to your account, which reduces your next invoice automatically.
- A new cycle charge: In some cases, Stripe displays the new plan rate for the upcoming cycle, then credits unused time from your previous plan against it.
In all of these cases, you are not being charged twice. The downgrade is scheduled for the end of your current billing period, and nothing is charged on the day of the downgrade.
📊 How Your Regular Billing Date Is Affected
Your regular billing date — for example, the 22nd of each month — may shift slightly after a downgrade depending on how Stripe resets the cycle. Here is what to expect:
- Stripe records the exact date and time you complete the downgrade.
- Your current plan stays active until the end of the current billing period, at which point the downgrade takes effect.
- Your next invoice will reflect the new plan price, adjusted for any prorated credits or charges from the switch.
- Future billing dates will follow the new cycle established at the time of the downgrade.
You will never be billed the full amount of both your old plan and your new plan in the same transaction. Stripe's proration logic prevents this from happening automatically.
✅ How to Downgrade Safely
Follow these steps to complete your downgrade without surprises:
- Log in to your Search Atlas account and navigate to your account settings by clicking your avatar in the top-right corner, then go to Billing → Plans & Top-ups (Billing).
- Click the Change Plan button and select the plan you wish to downgrade to.
- You will be redirected to the Stripe checkout page. Review the itemised breakdown carefully — it will show any prorated amounts and credits.
- Confirm the charge only after you have reviewed and understood the breakdown.
- Once confirmed, your new plan activates immediately and a receipt is sent to your billing email on file with Stripe.
If the Stripe page shows an amount that does not match what you expect, do not proceed until you have reviewed the line items or contacted support.
🛠️ Common Questions
Will I be charged on my old billing date AND on the downgrade date? No. Stripe consolidates the billing so you are only charged once. Any overlap is handled through proration credits.
Can I see a breakdown of what I will be charged before confirming? Yes. The Stripe checkout page itemises all prorated amounts before you confirm. Review this carefully before clicking the final confirm button.
What if I was charged an unexpected amount? Check your Stripe receipt email first — it will list every line item. If the total still does not make sense after reviewing the receipt, reach out to our support team immediately.
💬 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.