Last Updated: August 2026
Some development.city services are provided on a recurring subscription basis.
Subscriptions enable ongoing access to digital infrastructure, software-enabled services, support, maintenance, and other continuously delivered services without requiring a new transaction each time the service is used.
This article explains how subscription billing generally works.
The specific terms of your subscription, order, proposal, invoice, or service agreement may differ and will take precedence where applicable.
1. What Is a Subscription?
A subscription is an agreement under which a service is provided on a recurring basis.
Depending on the service, a subscription may provide:
Ongoing access to a digital platform
Managed infrastructure
Software-enabled functionality
Storage
Support
Maintenance
Integrations
Automation
Regular service updates
Other recurring digital services
The exact features included in a subscription depend on the service you purchase.
2. Billing Frequencies
Depending on the service, subscriptions may be billed:
Monthly
Quarterly
Annually
According to another agreed billing cycle
The billing frequency applicable to your subscription will be shown before purchase or specified in your agreement.
For custom business arrangements, billing may follow a schedule agreed between the parties.
3. When Does a Billing Cycle Begin?
The billing cycle normally begins on the date specified by the relevant service, subscription, order, or agreement.
For example, if a monthly subscription begins on 10 August, the next billing period may begin on 10 September.
Some services may instead use a fixed calendar billing date.
The applicable billing cycle will be communicated when you subscribe.
4. Recurring Billing
Where automatic recurring billing is enabled, the payment method associated with your subscription may be charged at the beginning of each new billing period.
You should ensure that:
Your payment method remains valid
Sufficient funds are available
Your billing information is correct
Your payment provider permits the transaction
If automatic payment fails, we may notify you and provide instructions for completing the payment.
5. Subscription Renewal
Unless your subscription is explicitly described as non-renewing, it may renew automatically according to its stated billing cycle.
Before subscribing, the applicable service should make clear:
The recurring price
Billing frequency
Renewal arrangement
Cancellation procedure
Your subscription continues until it is cancelled or otherwise terminated in accordance with the applicable terms.
6. Monthly Subscriptions
For monthly subscriptions, billing generally occurs once per monthly billing period.
A monthly subscription does not necessarily mean that the billing date is always the first day of the calendar month.
The exact renewal date depends on the subscription start date or the billing arrangement specified for the service.
7. Annual Subscriptions
Annual subscriptions are generally billed once per year.
An annual subscription may provide a more favourable effective price than paying monthly, depending on the service.
Unless different terms apply, cancelling an annual subscription normally prevents the next renewal rather than automatically refunding the current annual period.
Mandatory consumer rights remain unaffected.
8. Changes to a Subscription
Depending on the service, you may be able to change your subscription.
For example, you may be able to:
Add functionality
Remove functionality
Increase capacity
Reduce capacity
Change a service tier
Add users
Change billing frequency
The financial effect of a change depends on the service.
A change may take effect:
Immediately
At the next billing cycle
At an agreed date
After manual configuration
Where a change results in an additional charge, the applicable amount will be communicated before the change is confirmed where required.
9. Upgrades
If you upgrade a subscription during an existing billing period, the additional cost may be calculated according to the applicable service's billing rules.
Depending on the system, this may involve:
Immediate additional payment
Prorated billing
A credit against the existing period
Adjustment at the next renewal
The applicable pricing method will depend on the service.
10. Downgrades
If you downgrade a subscription, the change may take effect immediately or at the beginning of the next billing period.
Where a downgrade reduces functionality, capacity, storage, users, or other resources, you are responsible for ensuring that your existing usage fits within the new limits.
If a downgrade requires data or configuration changes, we may provide appropriate information before the change takes effect.
11. Cancellation
You can cancel a recurring subscription using the cancellation method provided for the relevant service.
Unless different terms apply, cancellation normally means:
No further renewal charges will be made.
It does not necessarily mean:
Immediate termination of access.
In many cases, you can continue using the service until the end of the period you have already paid for.
12. Cancellation Does Not Normally Create a Partial Refund
If you cancel a subscription part-way through a paid billing period, the remaining time in that period is generally not automatically refunded.
For example, if you pay for a month and cancel halfway through that month, the subscription may remain active until the end of the paid period.
Different terms may apply where:
The service agreement says otherwise
A promotional offer has different conditions
A refund is voluntarily granted
Applicable consumer law provides a refund right
The service cannot be delivered as agreed
13. Failed Payments
If a recurring payment fails, we may notify you and provide an opportunity to update your payment method or complete payment manually.
A failed payment does not automatically cancel the underlying subscription.
If the payment remains unresolved, the service may eventually be restricted or suspended according to the applicable terms.
For more information, see:
Late Payments & Account Status
14. Payment Method Changes
If your payment method expires, is replaced, or otherwise stops working, you may need to update it before the next billing cycle.
For security reasons, we generally do not need you to send payment card information to us directly via email.
Use the secure payment or billing mechanism provided by the relevant service.
15. Price Changes
Subscription prices may change over time.
Price changes can occur because of:
Changes in infrastructure costs
Third-party provider costs
New functionality
Changes in service scope
Tax changes
Business or operational changes
Where a price change affects an existing recurring subscription, we will provide notice where required by applicable law or the applicable agreement.
Where required, you will have an opportunity to cancel before the new price takes effect.
16. Taxes & VAT
Subscription prices may be displayed:
Including VAT
Excluding VAT
With VAT calculated separately
depending on the customer type, location, service, and applicable tax rules.
The applicable VAT treatment will be shown on the relevant invoice or checkout.
For more information, see:
VAT & EU Invoicing
17. Free Trials
Some services may offer free trials.
Where a trial is offered, the applicable terms should explain:
Trial duration
Included functionality
Whether payment information is required
Whether the trial automatically converts to a paid subscription
The price after the trial
How to cancel
A free trial does not automatically mean that the service will remain free indefinitely.
18. Promotional Pricing
We may occasionally offer promotional pricing.
Promotions may have conditions such as:
Limited duration
New customers only
Specific services
Minimum subscription period
One-time use
Automatic return to standard pricing
The terms of the promotion will be communicated when the offer is presented.
Promotional pricing does not automatically become your permanent subscription price.
19. Subscription Suspension
A subscription may be suspended where reasonably necessary, including in circumstances such as:
Unpaid invoices
Security concerns
Abuse of the service
Violation of applicable terms
Legal requirements
Serious operational risk
Where reasonably possible, we will communicate before suspending a service.
For non-payment, see:
Late Payments & Account Status
20. What Happens After Cancellation?
The consequences of cancellation depend on the service.
Depending on the service, cancellation may mean:
Access continues until the end of the paid period
Automatic renewal stops
Recurring billing stops
Certain features are disabled
Managed services end
Support changes
Data becomes subject to the service's retention and deletion rules
If you need to export information before cancellation, we recommend doing so while your account remains active.
21. Data After Subscription Cancellation
Cancelling a subscription does not necessarily mean that all information is immediately deleted.
Some information may need to be retained for:
Legal requirements
Accounting
Tax obligations
Security
Fraud prevention
Contractual records
Dispute resolution
Other legitimate purposes
The applicable retention periods are described in our Privacy Policy and, where relevant, your service agreement.
Where a service provides customer-controlled data storage, the applicable service terms may specify how long data remains available after cancellation.
22. Reactivating a Cancelled Subscription
Depending on the service, a cancelled subscription may be able to be reactivated.
Reactivation may be subject to:
Current pricing
Current service availability
Updated terms
Reconfiguration
Data availability
Outstanding balances
A previously cancelled subscription is not necessarily guaranteed to be restorable under its previous conditions.
23. Business & Custom Subscriptions
Business customers may have individually negotiated subscription arrangements.
These may include:
Custom pricing
Annual commitments
Minimum terms
User limits
Usage limits
Custom billing schedules
Deposits
Prepayment
Service-level commitments
Custom cancellation terms
Where a signed agreement exists, that agreement takes precedence over the general subscription information in this article.
24. Subscription Questions
If you're unsure about your subscription, contact us before making a change.
We can help clarify:
Your current subscription
Billing frequency
Renewal date
Current price
Available upgrades
Cancellation options
Other applicable terms
Please provide your account or invoice reference where possible.
The Short Version
A subscription means:
Recurring service.
Recurring billing.
Until you cancel or the agreement ends.
Before subscribing, check:
Price.
Billing frequency.
Renewal terms.
Cancellation rules.
And remember:
Cancelling normally stops the next renewal — it doesn't necessarily refund the period you've already paid for.
If you're unsure:
Ask before clicking the button.
A 30-second question is cheaper than a 30-minute billing investigation.
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