Platform
Billing thresholds
Understand how automatic charge thresholds work to manage your usage and payments
Chainstack uses billing thresholds to help manage usage-based charges and ensure service continuity. This system automatically triggers payments when your accumulated usage reaches certain thresholds, preventing excessive unpaid usage while maintaining uninterrupted access to your services.
How billing thresholds work
With metered billing, you’re typically charged at the end of your billing cycle. However, if your accumulated usage reaches a billing threshold before the cycle ends, an automatic charge will be processed immediately. This helps:- Prevent large unpaid balances from accumulating
- Ensure continuous service availability
- Protect both customers and Chainstack from unexpected overages
Billing thresholds apply to metered pay-as-you-go usage charges, including API requests, dedicated node hours, Warp transactions, subgraph usage and so on that exceed your plan’s included allowances.
Threshold levels by subscription plan
Each subscription plan has progressive billing thresholds. Once you reach a threshold, you’ll be charged immediately for the accumulated usage, and the next threshold becomes active.| Step | Threshold amount |
|---|---|
| 1 | $10 |
| 2 | $25 |
| 3 | $50 |
| 4 | $100 |
| 5 | $400 |
| 6 | $600 |
| 7 | $1,000 |
How thresholds progress
The thresholds work progressively:- First threshold — when your usage reaches the first threshold amount for your plan, you’re charged immediately
- Subsequent thresholds — after each charge, the next higher threshold becomes active
- Final threshold — once you reach the highest threshold for your plan, subsequent charges occur each time you accumulate that same amount again
On the Developer plan, you’ll be charged at
$10, then at $25 (additional $15 from the first threshold), then at $50 (additional $25), and so on. Once you reach the $1,000 threshold, you’ll be charged every time you accumulate another $1,000 in usage.Payment processing
When a billing threshold is reached:- Automatic charge — your payment method is charged immediately for the accumulated usage
- Balance priority — your crypto balance is used first if available
- Credit card backup — if your crypto balance is insufficient, your credit card is charged for the remaining amount
- Billing cycle continues — your regular billing cycle remains unchanged; the threshold charge simply collects payment for usage to date
Ensure your payment methods are up to date to avoid service interruptions. Failed threshold payments may result in service suspension.
Managing high usage
If you anticipate high usage that may trigger multiple thresholds:- Top up your crypto balance — prepay to avoid frequent credit card charges
- Monitor your usage — track your current usage in the Billing section
- Contact support — for custom threshold arrangements or enterprise billing needs
Frequently asked questions
Do billing thresholds reset each month?
Do billing thresholds reset each month?
Yes, thresholds reset at the beginning of each billing cycle. You’ll start again from the first threshold level for your plan.
Can I change my billing thresholds?
Can I change my billing thresholds?
Thresholds are tied to your subscription plan. Upgrading your plan will automatically update your thresholds to the new plan’s levels. For custom threshold requirements, Enterprise customers can contact support.
What happens if a threshold payment fails?
What happens if a threshold payment fails?
If a threshold payment fails, you’ll receive a notification and should update your payment method immediately. Continued failed payments may result in service suspension according to our payment failure policy.
Are subscription fees subject to thresholds?
Are subscription fees subject to thresholds?
No, billing thresholds apply only to metered usage charges. Your base subscription fee is always charged at the regular billing cycle.