🎯 How to Offer Free Trials with Paymob Subscription (Workaround)

Integration & Dev
1

Planning to use the Paymob Subscription module and want to offer your customers a free trial period?

While there’s no direct parameter to support free trials out of the box, you can achieve this with a simple and effective workaround :backhand_index_pointing_down:

:light_bulb: The Idea

Delay the actual subscription charges while still securely saving the customer’s card during subscription creation.

:hammer_and_wrench: Step-by-Step Guide

:white_check_mark: Step 1: Create the Plan

When creating your subscription plan:

  • Set use_transaction_amount = false

:backhand_index_pointing_right: This ensures that:

  • The initial 3DS transaction is used only to save the card

  • It will NOT be counted as part of the subscription billing cycles

:white_check_mark: Step 2: Create the Subscription

When creating the subscription:

  • Set subscription_start_date to the date when the free trial ends

:backhand_index_pointing_right: For the payment step:

  • Use a Verification Integration ID

  • Set a small amount (e.g., 1 EGP / USD / AED)

:light_bulb: Why?

  • This transaction will:

    • Temporarily hold the amount

    • Automatically void it once the card is verified

    • Ensure the card is valid and authenticated

:envelope_with_arrow: To get a Verification Integration ID:

:tada: Result

You’ve now successfully:

  • Saved the customer’s card securely

  • Avoided charging during the trial period

  • Started billing only after the free trial ended

:speech_balloon: Let’s Discuss

Have you tried this approach before?
Or do you have another way to handle free trials?

Share your experience below :backhand_index_pointing_down:

Mohamed Abdelsttar
Integration Team Lead