# Upgrade or change your plan

Upgrades from Billing take effect straight away and you pay only the prorated difference. Here's how to move up each kind of plan, add AI, move up a lifetime tier, or move to a smaller plan.

Last checked: Oct 8, 2026 on the live app. Source: https://heropost.ai/docs/billing/upgrade-or-change/

## Before you start

- **Don't cancel first.** Upgrade the plan you have and it changes in place.
- **You pay only the difference.** Heropost charges the prorated difference for the rest of your current billing period straight away, to the card you have on file.
- **How often you pay stays the same.** Monthly stays monthly and yearly stays yearly. The window shows your next renewal date before you confirm.
- **To move to a smaller plan,** contact support (see below).

## Upgrade an AI plan

Growth → Pro → Agency.

1. Click your name at the bottom of the left menu, then **Billing**.
2. Under **Upgrade your plan**, find the plan you want and press **Upgrade to {plan}**.
3. Check the **Upgrade to {plan}** window: **New plan**, **New price**, **Next renewal** and **Charged today**.
4. Press **Confirm upgrade**.

[Screenshot: The Upgrade to Pro window, showing New plan, New price, Next renewal and Charged today]

The window explains the charge: "The amount due today is prorated for the time left in your current billing period. Your saved payment method will be charged immediately."

When it's done, Billing shows "You're now on {plan} — the upgrade is active immediately." You don't need to sign out. If you had canceled the plan, upgrading keeps it running on the new plan.

## Upgrade an older scheduler plan

If you pay for an older scheduler plan (for example Essentials or Advanced), **Upgrade your plan** shows the next plans up on your plan's ladder. The steps are the same as above.

## Add AI to a scheduler plan

Scheduler subscribers add the AI as a separate monthly add-on:

1. In **Billing**, find the **AI agents** section.
2. Press **Get Agent Growth**, **Get Agent Pro** or **Get Agent Agency**.
3. Pay on the secure payment page, then press **Proceed** on the confirmation to return to Billing.

To move an add-on up later, press **Upgrade to {plan}** on the **AI agents** card and confirm in the same window. See [AI plans and your monthly AI allowance](/docs/billing/ai-plans/).

## Move up a lifetime tier

Lifetime Starter and Lifetime Growth holders can move up with a one-time payment:

1. In **Billing**, under **Upgrade your lifetime deal**, press **View upgrade offers →**.
2. On **Upgrade your lifetime plan**, choose the plan and pay once.

See [Lifetime plans explained](/docs/billing/lifetime/).

## Switch from a subscription to lifetime

Contact support first, and we'll help you switch without paying twice. Buying lifetime doesn't cancel a subscription you already have, and while one is active the lifetime checkout shows "Looks like you already have a subscription. Please visit your billing or contact support for more details."

## Move to a smaller plan

Billing only offers upgrades. To move to a smaller plan, contact support and we'll help. The [Terms](https://heropost.ai/terms/) say: "If you cancel (or downgrade) paid Services, you are not entitled to refund."

## Switch between monthly and yearly

Upgrades from Billing keep how often you pay. To switch between monthly and yearly billing, contact support.

## If the upgrade doesn't go through

| Message | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| "The upgrade could not be completed. Please try again or manage your plan in the Stripe portal." | The charge or the change didn't go through. Your card issuer's reason may show instead. | Check your card under **Invoices & payment methods**, then try again. |
| "A single active subscription is required for an in-app upgrade. Please manage your plan in the billing portal." | You have more than one subscription on this login. | Contact support, and we'll change the right one. |
| "The selected plan is not an available upgrade for your subscription." | That plan isn't a step up from yours. | Pick a bigger plan from the cards Billing offers, or contact support. |
| "The subscription is already on the selected price." | You're already on that plan. | Refresh Billing. |
| "To change your plan, use the Stripe billing portal via the links below." | Billing couldn't load upgrade options for your plan. | Use **Invoices & payment methods** at the bottom of Billing, or contact support. |
| "Looks like you already have a subscription. Please visit your billing or contact support for more details." | You opened the plans page while you already pay for a plan. | Upgrade from Billing instead. |
| "You already have a subscription. If you have issues accessing the platform, please try to re-login or contact the support." | Same, at the payment step. | Upgrade from Billing instead. |
| "You already have a subscription, that is past due. Please pay the existing invoice." | Your last renewal payment failed. | See [If a payment fails](/docs/billing/failed-payments/). |
| "The selected price is only available to lifetime deal customers." | Member prices are for Lifetime Starter, Growth and Agency holders. | Log in to the account that holds the lifetime plan. |

## Questions

**Will I pay the full price of the new plan today?**

No. You pay the prorated difference for the time left in your current billing period, shown as **Charged today** before you confirm. From the next renewal, you pay the new price.


**Can I use a promotion code on an upgrade?**

No. Promotion codes work on new purchases at checkout only. See [Promotion codes and referral discounts](/docs/billing/promotion-codes/).


**Does upgrading change my workspaces, accounts or posts?**

No. Everything stays where it is. You get the new plan's limits straight away.