Managing Artlist’s payments: billing cycles, payment methods and subscription changes

Artlist supports flexible billing options to meet a wide range of creative needs. This article explains how payments work across subscription plans, how to manage payment methods, and what to expect regarding renewals, fees, and subscription changes.

How do Artlist subscriptions work

Artlist subscriptions operate on a prepaid basis, with billing occurring upfront for each monthly or yearly cycle. All payments are processed securely using the saved payment method linked to the account and are charged upfront for the full billing period (monthly or yearly). Once a payment is completed, the subscription automatically renews, and account access continues without interruption.

Note: All plans automatically renew at the start of each billing cycle to ensure uninterrupted coverage and continued access to licensed assets.

Note: Renewal can be canceled at any time via the Billings section of the account. Canceling the auto-renewal allows the plan to remain active until the end of the current billing period.

Check out our Refund Policy to learn more.

What billing cycles are available

Artlist offers monthly and yearly billing options depending on the plan.

• Monthly billing is available for the Music & SFX Social and AI Suite plans
• Annual billing is available for all plans, including Music & SFX Social, AI Suite, Music Pro, Music & SFX Pro, Footage & Templates, Artlist Max , and Team plans

💡 Pro-Tip: Subscribers paying monthly have the option to switch to annual billing for better value. To upgrade to annual billing or schedule a change at your next renewal, contact us.

Note: Eligible yearly subscriptions can be downgraded to the monthly option within 14 days of purchase.

What payment methods does Artlist accept

Artlist supports secure payments on the site using the following payment methods:

• Credit Card
• PayPal
• Google Pay
• Apple Pay*

Apple Pay is only supported when using Safari on macOS or any browser on iOS.

💡 Pro Tip: Purchase orders and bank transfers are not accepted forms of payment. Accepted payment methods may vary by location and are managed in the Billings tab of you account.  Payments are charged upfront using the saved method linked to the subscription. For more information about what payment options are available in your area, contact us.

How to purchase a subscription without a free Trial account

1. Click on Pricing in the upper-right side of the screen.
2. Select the subscription plan you are interested in.
3. Create your account. 

4. You will be prompted to select your plan again. Then, choose your customizations, if relevant.
5. Enter your payment method and billing information. Your total payment amount will appear on the right side of the Checkout page.

6. Click Complete Purchase.

How to update your payment method

1. In the top right of the homepage, click your Profile icon.
2. In the account menu, select My Account.
3. Go to Billing.

4. Click Update payment details.

   

Note: If you have a free Trial account and are unable to add a new payment method, or if you've already made a payment and wish to change the payment method, contact us.

How to upgrade or downgrade a plan

To upgrade, click the yellow Upgrade to Max button from the stock catalog, or Get More Credits button and follow the steps.

💡 Pro Tip: If your preferred upgrade isn't listed or you encounter issues during the process, contact us.

To downgrade or change from a yearly to monthly billing cycle contact us.

How to upgrade an AI plan to include stock

If you are currently on an AI Suite plan and want to include stock in your subscription you will need to upgrade to AI Max. 

1. From the Toolkit homepage, go to the Stock Catalog from the top menu. 
2. You will find the Upgrade to Max button on the upper-right side of the page.
3. Proceed with the checkout process.
4. Your Total sum will show on the final screen of the checkout page. 

How to upgrade a Stock plan to include AI

If you are currently on a Stock Catalog plan and want to include AI images, video, and voiceover in your subscription you will need to upgrade to AI Max. 

5. From the Stock Catalog homepage, you will find the Upgrade to Max button on the upper-right side of the page.
6. Proceed with the checkout process.
7. Your total sum will show on the final screen of the checkout page. 

Troubleshooting payment issues

If you encounter a payment error at checkout, it’s usually due to a temporary issue with your card, browser, or connection. Follow the steps below to resolve it.

• General processing errors
  • These are often caused by a timeout or a connection issue between the card provider and the processor. Try again or use a different payment method.
• Incorrect card details
  • Refresh the page
  • Clear the browser cache
  • Re-enter the information carefully
    • All four payment fields must be completed correctly
      • Green border = confirms valid input.
      • Red border = incorrect details.
      • Yellow border = incomplete details.
      • White field = missing information.
• Fraud alert or declined by bank
  • If the payment is declined due to suspected fraud, it can’t be reversed. Use a different card or payment method to complete the subscription
• Other error messages
  • Review any instructions provided in the message displayed at checkout
  • If needed, contact the card provider or bank directly for more information

If the payment is still not successful, follow the these steps:

1. Log out of your Artlist account and refresh the browser window.
2. Clear the browser cache and reload the page.
3. Confirm all billing details are accurate before selecting Submit.
4. Try a different credit card or switch to PayPal.
5. Check that the browser is up to date and pop-ups are enabled for Artlist.
6. Temporarily top any streaming or large downloads to improve connection stability.
7. contact us to request a secure link to update the payment method.
8. Call your card provider or bank for more information about the declined transaction.

Note: When using PayPal, a pop-up window should appear immediately. If it does not, check browser settings to ensure pop-ups are allowed, or switch to a different browser and try again.

If issues persist after trying the steps above, contact us.

Commonly asked questions

How can I register Artlist as a business vendor so my company can process the payments?

If you need to register Artlist as a business vendor in order for your company to process payments, check out the company details found in our Terms of Use.

Note: Per Artlist’s policy, external agreements cannot be signed, and the standard subscription license cannot be modified. If your company requires customized licensing terms, contact our Business team.

How do I request a refund?

To request a refund, read here.

How do I delete my account?

To delete your account, check this out.

Note: Accounts with an active subscription cannot be deleted until the subscription has expired and the account has returned to Trial status.

Is my credit card information stored?

Credit card information is stored securely by Artlist’s reputable payment processor and is never visible on Artlist.

Does Artlist charge any additional fees?

No, Artlist does not charge any additional fees beyond the listed subscription price. However, applicable local taxes or VAT may be applied based on the geolocation of your billing address.

If I upgrade my subscription mid-cycle, am I charged full price?

If you upgrade your subscription mid-cycle, you’ll only be charged a prorated amount based on the cost difference between plans and the time remaining in your billing period.

When your subscription renews following a prorated upgrade, you’ll be charged the full price of the upgraded plan.

Is it possible to pay in installments?

It’s not possible to pay in installments and payment is collected in full at the start of each billing cycle. That said, some plans are available with both annual and monthly billing options. Learn more here.

Why is my account not active after payment?

If your account is not active after payment, check your inbox for a welcome email.

• If received, sign out, refresh your browser, and sign back in using the registered email address
• If no invoice was received, check with your bank or PayPal. Some banks place a temporary authorization hold during processing so you may see a pending transaction but not a successfully captured payment

Note: If you request a refund, your account will automatically revert to Trial once the refund is processed.

Still not seeing an active subscription? contact us.

I don’t have an account, why am I seeing an Artlist charge on my bank statement?

If you don’t have an account but you’re seeing an Artlist charge on your bank statement, follow the steps below.

• If you’re part of a company, confirm with colleagues in case someone else signed up

Note: Charges from Artlist Inc. may also come from Motion Array which is an affiliated platform owned by Artlist. Contact the Motion Array team for help with those charges.

If the invoice isn’t found or the account email is unknown, contact us with following details:

• Full name
• Any possible email addresses that could be affiliated with the payment (e.g. Paypal)
• Charge amount and date
• Last 4 digits of the card
• Invoice or payment confirmation (if available)
• A screenshot of the charge

What happens if my renewal payment doesn’t go through?

If a renewal payment doesn’t go through, we’ll try to process it again automatically over several days. Your account will remain active during this period. If the payment can’t be completed, we’ll notify you by email before access is paused.

Why am I seeing duplicate payments on my account?

If you’re seeing duplicate payments on your account, this is because some payment methods (especially Google Pay and Apple Pay) may show a temporary pre-authorization charge. These are voided automatically and not collected. You can confirm this with your bank.

Still need help? Head back to the Help Center.