Essential Pro is available in two subscription options: Monthly and Annual. Both plans provide the exact same features - the only difference is the billing frequency and price.
Plan Comparison
Monthly Plan
$4.99/month
Best For:
- • Trying out Pro features
- • Short-term projects
- • Flexible commitments
Billing:
Charged monthly at $4.99
Annual Cost:
$59.88 per year
Best Value
Annual Plan
$50.99/year
Best For:
- • Long-term users
- • Maximum savings (15% off)
- • Set-it-and-forget-it convenience
Billing:
Charged once annually at $50.99
Annual Savings:
Save $8.89 per year
Same Features, Different Billing
Both plans include 100% of Pro features. There are no feature limitations on either plan - the only difference is how often you're billed and the total cost.
What's Included with Both Plans
Protocol Features
- ✓Create unlimited protocols
- ✓Edit protocols anytime
- ✓AI-powered protocol generation
- ✓Make protocols public
- ✓Manage testimonials
Community Features
- ✓Start new discussions
- ✓Reply to community posts
- ✓Message other Pro members
- ✓Moderate your discussions
Making Your Decision
Choose Monthly If:
- • You want to try Pro features with minimal commitment
- • You prefer lower upfront costs
- • You need Pro features for a specific short-term project
- • You're unsure about long-term usage
- • You prefer more flexibility to cancel anytime
Choose Annual If:
- • You're committed to using Essential Protocols long-term
- • You want to save 15% on your subscription
- • You prefer to pay once and forget about billing for a year
- • You regularly create and share protocols
- • You're an active community participant
Calculate Your Break-Even Point
The Annual plan pays for itself after just 10.5 months compared to paying monthly. If you plan to use Pro for a full year or more, Annual is the better financial choice.
Can I Switch Plans Later?
Yes! You can switch between plans through the Stripe customer portal:
- • Monthly to Annual: Your remaining monthly balance will be prorated, and you'll start the annual billing cycle immediately
- • Annual to Monthly: Your unused annual time will be credited, and you'll switch to monthly billing at the end of your current period
To switch plans, go to your user menu → Manage Subscription → Update subscription in the Stripe portal.
Promotional Codes
During checkout, you'll have the option to enter a promotional code if you have one. Promo codes can offer:
- • Percentage discounts on your subscription
- • Free trial periods
- • Special pricing for specific time periods
Promo Code Terms
Promotional codes have their own terms and conditions. Check the details of any promo code to understand what discount you'll receive and how long it lasts.
Still Unsure?
If you're not sure which plan is right for you:
- • Start with Monthly to test out Pro features
- • You can always upgrade to Annual later to start saving
- • Both plans can be cancelled anytime with no penalties
- • You retain Pro access until the end of your paid period even after cancelling