Guide
Without subscriptions, invoices, or custom code.
You need to collect a deposit now and charge the rest later. Stripe doesn't have a built-in way to do this without subscriptions. Here's how to solve it in minutes with PlanPacer.
Customer checkout
Photography Workshop
Total amount
$1,500
You run a business where customers pay in parts: a deposit to secure the booking, then the remaining balance before the service date. It's the standard for vacation rentals, retreats, events, private clinics, and countless other industries.
But when you look at Stripe's options, nothing quite fits:
Stripe Subscriptions
Designed for recurring billing at fixed amounts. A $450 deposit followed by two $525 payments isn't a subscription — it's a payment plan with variable amounts and a defined end date.
Manual invoices
You could send separate Stripe invoices for each instalment. But that means manual work, chasing unpaid invoices, and hoping your customer pays on time.
Custom API integration
You could build it yourself with SetupIntents, saved payment methods, and scheduled charges. But that's weeks of development, testing, and ongoing maintenance.
Payment links
Great for one-time payments. But a single payment link can't handle a deposit now and a balance charge later from the same saved card.
What you actually need is simple: charge a deposit, save the card, then automatically charge the balance on the dates you choose. That's exactly what PlanPacer does.
Step by step
PlanPacer sits on top of your Stripe account. You keep your existing Stripe setup — PlanPacer just adds instalment plan capabilities.
Sign up for PlanPacer and connect your existing Stripe account through Stripe Connect. This is a one-time setup that takes under 2 minutes. PlanPacer never holds your funds — payments go directly to your Stripe account.
From your dashboard, enter the total amount, your customer's email, and choose how to split the payments. Set a deposit percentage (e.g. 30%) and divide the balance across 2–4 instalments. Pick the dates each payment should be charged.
PlanPacer emails your customer a secure checkout link. They see the full payment schedule upfront — the deposit amount, future payment dates, and exactly what they'll be charged. No surprises.
Your customer completes a standard Stripe-hosted checkout to pay the deposit. Their card is securely saved for future payments through Stripe's PCI-compliant infrastructure. You never touch card data.
On each scheduled date, PlanPacer charges the saved card through Stripe for the next instalment. Both you and your customer receive email confirmations. If a payment fails, it's automatically retried and you're notified immediately.
Stripe Subscriptions are built for ongoing recurring charges: think Netflix, SaaS, or gym memberships. They expect the same amount charged on a regular cycle, indefinitely.
Deposit + balance payments are fundamentally different:
Variable amounts per payment
The deposit is often a different amount than the balance instalments. Subscriptions charge the same amount each cycle.
Defined end date
Payment plans end when the balance is paid off. Subscriptions run until cancelled, which creates confusion and accidental charges.
Custom schedules tied to real dates
You need payments before a check-in date, an event, or a procedure — not on arbitrary billing cycles.
No customer confusion
Customers understand "pay $450 now, $525 on March 15." They don't understand why they've been enrolled in a "subscription" for a one-off booking.
If your business takes deposits or splits payments over time, PlanPacer was built for you.
Collect a 30–50% deposit at booking and charge the balance before check-in. No more chasing final payments.
Learn more →Let attendees secure their spot with a deposit and spread the cost across monthly payments before the event.
Learn more →Secure wedding and event bookings with a deposit, then collect milestone payments as the date approaches.
Learn more →Offer payment plans for elective procedures, dental work, and cosmetic treatments without third-party financing.
Learn more →Offer flexible payment options for premium bookings. Guests appreciate the ability to spread the cost.
Learn more →Enrol clients with a deposit and collect the program fee in instalments. Higher conversion, lower barrier to entry.
Learn more →See how PlanPacer compares to other ways of handling deposit + balance payments.
| PlanPacer | Stripe Subscriptions | Manual Invoices | Custom Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Setup time | 2 minutes | 30+ minutes | Per invoice | Weeks |
| Variable amounts | Yes | Workarounds only | Yes (manual) | Yes (if built) |
| Auto-charges | Yes | Yes | No | Yes (if built) |
| Custom dates | Yes | Billing cycles only | Manual | Yes (if built) |
| Customer experience | Clear plan page | Subscription portal | Separate invoices | Depends |
| Failed payment retry | Automatic | Configurable | No | If built |
| Code required | None | Some | None | Significant |
PlanPacer charges 1% per transaction on top of standard Stripe processing fees. That's it.
Yes. PlanPacer lets you charge a deposit upfront via Stripe and automatically collect the remaining balance in scheduled instalments — no subscriptions involved.
When your customer pays the deposit, their payment method is securely saved through Stripe. PlanPacer then charges the saved card on the scheduled dates for each remaining instalment.
PlanPacer automatically retries failed payments and sends email notifications to both you and your customer so nobody is left in the dark.
No. PlanPacer is a fully hosted solution. You create payment plans through your dashboard and send checkout links to customers. No API integration or development work required.
PlanPacer charges just 1% per transaction on top of standard Stripe processing fees. No monthly subscription, no setup fees.
Stripe Subscriptions are designed for recurring billing at fixed intervals. Deposit + balance payments have variable amounts and custom schedules tied to a specific booking or service. PlanPacer handles this without forcing your payments into a subscription model.
Set up your first payment plan in minutes. No code, no subscriptions, no hassle.
Get started free