Autopay is a powerful HoneyBook feature that allows clients to automatically be charged for their payments based on the schedule you set. It offers a seamless, hands-off way for both you and your clients to stay on top of payments.
This article explains how autopay works, how it differs from recurring invoices, and how clients can manage their payments.
How Autopay Works
When a client opts into autopay, they authorize HoneyBook to charge their selected payment method for all future installments in a payment schedule.
First Payment: When a client opts in, the first payment is processed immediately, even if the due date is in the future.
Future Payments: Subsequent payments are charged automatically on their specific due dates.
Processing Time: Autopay runs daily starting at 11:00 am UTC (6:00 am ET / 3:00 am PT). It may take a few hours for all scheduled transactions to complete.
Autopay vs. recurring invoices
While both tools automate payments, they serve different purposes:
| ||
Setup type | Per-payment schedule | Entire invoice |
Use case | Automate fixed due dates set in a schedule | Repeat the same charge, for example, monthly subscriptions |
Client opt-in | Required (mandatory or optional) | No opt-in, sent on schedule |
Customization | Specific payment dates and amounts | Same amount, billed at regular intervals |
Here’s an important distinction:
All recurring invoices include autopay by default
Not all invoices with autopay are recurring invoices
Use autopay when you want to charge clients based on a unique payment schedule. Use recurring invoices when you're billing the same amount on a repeating cycle, for example, every month or week.
Setting Up Autopay
You can decide whether autopay is a choice for your client or a requirement for the booking.
To Make Autopay Mandatory
Open your Invoice or Proposal and select the Invoice Block.
Open the Settings tab in the right-hand sidebar.
Under Payment Options, toggle on Require autopay for future payments.
📣 Note
You cannot require autopay if the invoice only has one unpaid payment left. Additionally, the sidebar will show "Autopay is off" until the client successfully makes their first payment and opts in.
Managing Autopay Status
Both you and your client have the ability to stop automatic payments if plans change.
How You Can Turn Off Autopay
If you need to stop automatic charges but keep the project active:
Open the file and locate the Invoice section in the Action Summary.
Select Stop Autopay and confirm.
The client must now make all future payments manually. Alternatively, you can Expire the file to prevent any further payments entirely.
How Clients Can Turn Off Autopay
If you did not make autopay mandatory, clients can disable it themselves:
Log into their HoneyBook Client Portal.
Open the file and navigate to the Payment Page.
Select Stop Autopay.
Special Scenarios
Scenario | Action Required |
Changing Credit Cards | The client must stop autopay, manually pay the next installment with the new card, and opt back into autopay during that checkout. |
Paying Early | To pay before a due date, the client must disable autopay, submit the payment manually, and then re-enable autopay for the remaining balance. |
Recurring Payments | Clients cannot disable autopay for recurring payment schedules; these must be paused or canceled by the business owner. |
Still have questions? Feel free to send us a message by clicking the Question Mark icon on any HoneyBook page. Our team is always happy to help!