Subscriptions and licenses
There are two ways to move from Free to Pro: a recurring subscription (billed monthly or yearly) or a one-time Perpetual license you own forever. Both are purchased on the web — this page explains how each works, how to manage or cancel a subscription, and how to activate, move, or free up a Perpetual license.
Two ways to get Pro
| Subscription | Perpetual license | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Recurring — monthly or yearly | Once — a single payment |
| Where you buy | The web, via Stripe Checkout | The web, via Stripe Checkout |
| How you get it | Activates on your account immediately | You receive a license key to activate on a device |
| Keeps working when… | Your subscription is active | Forever — no renewal |
| Best for | Trying Pro, or preferring a small regular cost | Paying once and being done |
A subscription is the low-commitment way to start — you can cancel any time and keep Pro until the end of the period you've paid for. A Perpetual license is a one-time cost with no renewals. Both unlock the same Pro capabilities. See Plans and pricing for the current features and prices.
InkSpoke does not offer in-app purchase through Apple or Google. If you're on an iPhone or Android phone, you still subscribe or buy a license on the web and sign in on your device. (The mobile receipt-verification path isn't implemented, so there's no App Store / Play Store checkout to use.)
Subscribing to Pro
A subscription is the fastest path. You choose your plan (monthly or yearly) on the pricing page and pay through Stripe, and Pro switches on for your account right away.
- Open your account's Subscription & billing page (or the pricing page) and choose Upgrade to Pro.
- Choose your plan — monthly or yearly — on the pricing page.
- Complete payment in Stripe Checkout. Your card details go straight to Stripe; InkSpoke never sees them.
- You're returned to your account. Your plan now reads Pro, and your Subscription & billing page shows the renewal date.
Once you're subscribed, every signed-in device picks up Pro automatically. See Account, sync and updates for signing the desktop app in to your account.
Managing or cancelling a subscription
Billing is handled by Stripe's Customer Portal. From your Subscription & billing page, the billing-management links open the portal, where you can:
- Update your payment method (change or replace your card).
- View and download invoices as PDFs.
- Change or cancel your subscription.
When you cancel, Pro stays active until the end of the period you've already paid for — your account shows the date it will end rather than cutting off immediately. After that, the account returns to Free.
Your current plan, trial status, and renewal date come from your account in real time. The payment-method card and invoice list shown on the account page are illustrative — the authoritative billing history and controls are always in the Stripe Customer Portal.
The Perpetual license
The Perpetual plan is a one-time purchase. Instead of an ongoing subscription, you buy once through Stripe Checkout and receive a license key, which you then activate on a device to upgrade the account.
Activating your license
When you activate the key on a device that's signed in to your account, InkSpoke validates it and:
- Upgrades the account to the Perpetual plan.
- Clears any trial state (you no longer need the free trial once you own a license).
- Tops up your account so Pro features are unlocked.
The device keeps the credentials it already has — activation upgrades the account, so all your signed-in devices get Pro.
Device limits and freeing a slot
A license key may cover a limited number of devices. If you try to activate on one more device than the license allows, activation is refused (see the errors below). To move the license to a different machine, remove it from a device you no longer need — that frees its slot so you can activate elsewhere.
Removing the license from a device frees the slot and returns that device to the Free plan. Do it on a machine you're retiring or replacing, then activate on the new one.
Some license keys also carry an expiry date. An expired key can't be activated (again, see the errors below).
Activation errors, and what they mean
If activation doesn't go through, InkSpoke tells you why. The common cases:
| What you'll see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Invalid license key | The key wasn't recognized. | Re-check for typos and copy the key exactly as issued. |
| License expired | The key has passed its expiry date. | Check you're using the right key; contact support if it should still be valid. |
| Max devices exceeded | The license is already active on its maximum number of devices. | Free a slot on another device (above), then activate again. |
| Already activated | This device already has the license. | Nothing to do — you're set. |
| Device not found | The device isn't registered to your account yet. | Sign in on the device first, then activate. |
Platform notes
- Mobile (iOS and Android): there is no App Store or Play Store purchase. Buy your subscription or Perpetual license on the web, then sign in on the phone. See the mobile setup guides under Mobile apps.
- Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux): sign in through Account, sync and updates; your plan follows your account across every signed-in device.
Next steps
- Plans and pricing — what Free, Pro, and Perpetual include, and current prices.
- The free trial — how the Pro trial works before you buy.
- Subscription and billing (web) — manage your plan and open the Stripe portal.
- Usage and limits — what each plan's allowances cover.