> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developers.oxylabs.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developers.oxylabs.io/help-center/most-popular-questions/how-pricing-and-billing-work.md).
# How pricing and billing work
Everything you pay for runs through a single credit balance. Here's how it works and how to adjust it as your needs change.
### How credit-based billing works
With credit-based billing, you purchase a plan, a recurring subscription for a set dollar amount. That amount is added to a single credit balance shared across all your self-service products. Instead of a separate subscription for each one, you draw from one balance for [Residential Proxies](https://developers.oxylabs.io/products/proxies/residential-proxies), [Datacenter Proxies](https://developers.oxylabs.io/products/proxies/datacenter-proxies), [Web API,](https://developers.oxylabs.io/products/web-api) [Web Unblocker](https://developers.oxylabs.io/products/web-unblocker), [Agent Browser](https://developers.oxylabs.io/products/headless-browser), and the rest.
* The amount set in your plan is charged in full and added to your balance every billing cycle.
* Credit is deducted according to each product's rates as you use it.
* Unused credit expires at the end of the cycle and doesn't carry over on its own, except when you upgrade (see below).
* An active plan is required to use self-service products, aside from your welcome credit while you're evaluating.
Track your balance, spending, and usage under **Billing & Spending** in the dashboard.
### Try it yourself with your welcome credit
Every new Oxylabs account receives a **one-time $5 welcome credit**, added to your shared credit balance the moment you register. No payment information required. Use it to test any self-service product from your dashboard before committing to a plan.
* Shared at the team level, not per user. A 5-person team gets $5 total, not $5 each.
* Stays valid indefinitely while you're on the free plan (no active plan).
* Once you activate a plan, any unused welcome credit carries into that first billing cycle only. If you upgrade again within that same cycle, it carries over again. Once the cycle renews normally, any unused welcome credit expires.
**Example:** You receive $5 welcome credit and activate a $100 plan. Balance: $105 for that first cycle. If the cycle renews without changes, only the new $100 is available next cycle. The welcome credit is gone.
### Topping up vs. changing your plan
If your account balance runs low mid-cycle, you have two options.
**Top up.** A one-time payment added to your balance immediately, without changing your plan. Go to **Billing & Spending → Top up balance**. Funds expire at the end of the current cycle unless you also upgrade before it ends.
**Upgrade or downgrade.** This changes your plan itself.
* *Upgrades* take effect immediately. Your current cycle ends today, you're charged the new plan amount right away, and any unused balance, including top-ups and first-cycle welcome credit, carries into the new cycle.
* *Downgrades* are scheduled for your next billing date. You keep your current plan and balance until then, and unused balance does not carry over.
**Use a top-up** for a temporary increase in usage, like a month that runs higher than usual. **Consider upgrading if** you're topping up most months. That usually means your plan is undersized.
***
### Need something bigger?
If you need custom pricing, a larger trial allocation, or dedicated support to evaluate Oxylabs at scale:
* [Book a call](https://app.apollo.io/#/meet/mr7-v5e-vps/15-min) with an Oxylabs expert
* Contact us via email at
* Message our 24/7 Customer Support via[ live chat](https://oxylabs.drift.click/oxybot)
***
Related: [How do I choose the right product?](https://developers.oxylabs.io/help-center/most-popular-questions/how-do-i-choose-the-right-product)
***
Head back to the dashboard
---
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