Skool Recurring Payments: How I Set Up Paid Access
Skool recurring payments let a group owner charge members every month or every year inside the platform. No outside checkout is required. Payouts reach the owner through Stripe Express. This guide explains setup, plan types, trials, payouts...
Skool recurring payments let a group owner charge members every month or every year inside the platform. No outside checkout is required. Payouts reach the owner through Stripe Express. This guide explains setup, plan types, trials, payouts, refunds, cancellations, and the limits to expect. Every step comes from the official Skool help center as read in October 2026. Menus change over time, so confirm each step on the linked help page.
How Skool recurring payments work
Skool handles billing for paid groups. Members enter a card at checkout. Skool charges the card on the chosen schedule and sends earnings to the owner bank account. The Skool payout setup guide states payouts require a Stripe Express connection. A Stripe Express connection is separate from a standard Stripe account.
The Skool Payments FAQ adds more detail. Members pay in USD. Payouts go to your bank in local currency. Skool acts as merchant of record, so Skool adds EU VAT where required and handles sales tax collection and filing.
Plan types you can offer
The Skool pricing setup article lists five group types.
| Type | Description | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Free group | Members join at no cost | Audience building |
| Subscription group | Monthly or annual membership | Ongoing communities and coaching |
| Freemium | One free plan and one paid plan in the same group | Funnels from free to paid |
| Tiers | Several paid plans with separate benefits | Basic and premium levels |
| One-time payment | A single charge | Lifetime courses, pop-up groups, seminars |
The payout guide also lists lifetime price amounts. A subscription group can include a 7-day free trial, according to the pricing article. The article states no minimum or maximum prices, so plan your own price range.
Skool plan costs in October 2026
Recurring payments sit on top of the platform plan. The Skool pricing page lists two plans.
| Plan | Monthly price | Transaction fee | Platform trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hobby | $9 | 10% | 14 days |
| Pro | $99 | 2.9% | 14 days |
Hobby costs $9 plus 10% of sales. Pro costs $99 plus 2.9% of sales. The two costs match near $1,270 in monthly sales, using only the plan price and the Skool transaction fee. Confirm current numbers on the pricing page before you choose.
Set up recurring payments step by step
The payout setup guide lists these steps for US accounts:
- Open Settings from your profile picture, then open admin settings for your group.
- Open the Payouts tab and click the settings gear.
- Select the country where your bank account is located, then continue.
- Complete the Stripe Express signup. Use the No URL option if you have no website, and describe your group.
- Complete identity verification. Payouts require this step.
- Connect your bank account.
- Click Add Price and enter a monthly, annual, or lifetime amount.
A pending Stripe connection usually activates right away. If setup seems to fail, disconnect and reconnect with the Start Again Here link in the guide. Latin America, the EU, and India have a separate guide, so check the help center if you live there.
Bank account rules
The guide recommends a local regional bank. The guide states Wise, Chime, and other fintech bank accounts are not supported. This rule matters for creators who use multi-currency accounts. Check the current wording before you submit your details.
The Skool help center also covers troubleshooting ID verification for payouts. Read this page if verification stalls.
Payout timing and holding periods
The payout article states payouts occur once a week on Wednesdays and go to the connected bank account. The first payout can take about 8 to 14 days after the first payment. The article calls this delay intentional. Later payouts follow a 7-day cycle.
The payments FAQ lists US bank deposits at 1 to 3 business days and international deposits at 3 to 5 business days. Weekends and holidays can slow bank processing. Archived groups and groups with payment errors do not trigger a payout.
Common payout failures include mistyped account numbers, the wrong account type, and a mismatched account name. Check these three items first when a payout fails.
Refunds
Owners decide whether to offer refunds. The payments FAQ says Skool lets creators refund members at their discretion. The refund article lists these steps:
- Open the Members tab or search for the member.
- Click Membership Settings next to the member name.
- Open the Payments tab.
- Click the payment date, then click Refund Payment. Choose the partial option for a partial refund.
Three limits apply. You may not refund more than your available account balance. A refund does not cancel the subscription or remove the member. On a full refund, Skool refunds network fees and or VAT from the Skool balance. The article states no refund deadline.
Write a clear refund policy on your sales page. A short rule such as a refund window and a contact address prevents most disputes.
Member billing: cancel, change plans, update cards
Members manage billing from their own settings. Three help articles cover the main tasks.
- Cancel: the cancellation article says members keep access until the end of the billing cycle. Members should cancel at least 24 hours before the next rebilling date to avoid another charge.
- Update a card: members open Settings, then Payment methods, and click Add Card. They can move subscriptions to another card on file.
- Change plans: the help center lists a member article and a proration article. Read both before you offer tiers.
The card update article does not describe failed payment retries or notifications. Skool help directs members to the Contact Us link for a failed charge. Do not promise members a retry schedule until you confirm the current rules with Skool.
Price changes and grandfathering
The payments FAQ states existing members keep their current price when you raise prices. This practice is called grandfathering. Plan price tests with this rule in mind. A new price applies to new members, while old members stay on the old price.
The FAQ also mentions a Growth Boost commission on recurring charges while a subscription stays active. Read the FAQ for the current wording before you join any affiliate or discovery program.
Track recurring revenue after launch
Skool shows a payout balance and basic analytics. Serious subscription businesses often want deeper reporting. Churn, monthly recurring revenue, and growth trends need a closer look. Read how to track subscription churn rates accurately and how to use Baremetrics for recurring revenue metrics if you export data to a separate tool.
Pricing strategy for recurring plans
A price sends a signal. A very low monthly price attracts casual members and raises churn risk. A higher price attracts committed members and supports better service. Test one price for the first thirty days, then adjust.
Annual plans improve cash flow, because the member pays once for twelve months. Monthly plans lower the barrier to join. Offering both lets members choose. The Skool pricing article lists monthly and annual subscriptions, and the payout guide lists lifetime amounts.
Freemium and tiers add choice, but choice adds support work. Start with one paid plan. Add a second plan only after members ask for more. Check the proration article before you let members switch plans mid-cycle.
Questions to answer before you set a price
- What result does the member get in the first thirty days?
- How many hours of your time does each member require?
- What price covers your platform plan, the transaction fee, and your outside tools?
- Will you offer a 7-day trial, and how will you handle trial cancellations?
- How will you respond to refund requests?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing the wrong bank country during Stripe Express signup.
- Using a fintech bank account the guide lists as unsupported.
- Setting too many tiers before the first sale.
- Skipping a test checkout before you share the link.
- Writing no refund policy.
- Forgetting the 8 to 14 day wait before the first payout.
Launch checklist
- Pick the plan type: subscription, freemium, tiers, or one-time payment.
- Choose a price and decide on a 7-day free trial.
- Complete Stripe Express and identity verification.
- Run one test purchase and one test cancellation.
- Publish the refund rule on the sales page.
- Store a backup of lessons and member emails outside Skool.
FAQ
Do I need my own Stripe account for Skool payments?
No. Skool connects payouts through Stripe Express. You complete a short signup and identity check.
Can I charge monthly and yearly at the same time?
The pricing article lists monthly and annual subscriptions. Check the pricing setup page for the current options in your group.
Can I offer a free trial?
Subscription groups can include a 7-day free trial, according to the Skool pricing setup article.
When does the first payout arrive?
The first payout can take about 8 to 14 days after the first payment. Later payouts run weekly on Wednesdays.
Can members cancel on their own?
Yes. Members cancel from settings and keep access until the end of the billing cycle.
Do I have to offer refunds?
No. The payments FAQ says refunds are at the discretion of the creator.
Conclusion
Skool recurring payments remove the need for an outside checkout in most paid groups. Connect Stripe Express, pick a plan type, test the checkout, and publish a clear refund rule. Read the official Skool help pages again before launch, because menus, fees, and payout rules can change.
