Create subscriptions using dashboard

Use this guide to manage subscription plans from the PayPal Business Dashboard, using only commonly used and required fields. No code required, so business owners and account admins can manage subscriptions directly.

Prerequisites

Create a PayPal Business account.

Before you begin

1. Log in to your PayPal Business account.
2. Select Sales > Subscriptions > Create plan.

Step 1: Add product details

1. Fill out the form with details about the subscription product you want to offer, including the product name, description, ID, and type. Choose from physical goods, digital goods, or services.
2. To get insights for your business, select an industry category, such as academic software, advertising, or telephone services.
3. Include the product page URL and the product image URL, then select Next.

Step 2: Choose your subscription plan

Select the pricing model that best fits your subscription offering.

Step 3: Set up plan details

Enter a plan name and description. Customers see the plan name, but not the description, so use the description to help you track what the plan includes.

Under More options, you can:

• Select a webhook API credential to connect PayPal to your site and receive updates on subscription processing.
• Add an auto-return URL to specify where customers go after a purchase.
• Add a cancel-return URL to specify where customers go if they cancel.

Select Next.

Step 4: Set your price

Define pricing for this subscription plan. You can review all plan details before you turn it on.

1. Select a currency for the plan, such as USD.
2. Select whether you want to charge a one-time setup fee or offer a trial period.
3. Choose whether your subscription period runs for limited or unlimited billing cycles.
4. Enter the price and choose how often to charge subscribers, such as every 1 month.
5. Choose a tax calculation option: include tax in price, add tax to price, or don't calculate tax.
6. Set the number of missed billing cycles allowed before a subscription pauses.
7. Optional: Turn on auto billing to automatically bill subscribers for outstanding payments.

Select Next.

Step 5: Review and save your plan

Review your plan details before you save it. If you're ready to offer the plan on your website, you can turn it on now.

The review page shows a summary of your product, plan, and pricing details, including:

• Product name, description, and ID
• Plan name, description, plan type, and webhook or redirect URLs
• Pricing details, including setup fee, price, billing cycle, number of billing cycles, tax, missed billing cycle limit, and auto billing status

Select Update next to any section to make changes.

When you're ready, choose one of the following:

• Save Draft: Save the plan without publishing it.
• Turn Plan On: Publish the plan so subscribers can sign up.
• Cancel: Discard the plan.

Verification

Confirm your plan is listed in Sales > Subscriptions > Subscription plans.

Common error

Product image or page URL doesn't load

• Confirm the URLs are publicly accessible and use https://.

Next steps

When you're ready to turn on your plan, customize your checkout button and add it to your website.