> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.api.market/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.api.market/seller-docs/what-is-a-pricing-plan.md).

# What is a Pricing Plan

Products are the basic unit at api.market that you use to sell APIs. Each Product needs to have **one or more Pricing Plans**.

Pricing Plan Config allows you to offer different types of Products suited for your Business Use-Case. You can offer a limited FREE version or offer a pay-per-use Plan.

{% hint style="info" %}
:bulb: **Flexible Configuration:** A Pricing Plan can be configured in many different ways to match your business needs. The examples below show some of the more frequently used configurations.
{% endhint %}

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/5VyO6qB235jGmiEbp2FV" alt=""><figcaption><p>Pricing Plans</p></figcaption></figure></div>

### :moneybag: Various Types of Pricing Plans

These plans are not really types but various examples of the Pricing Plan configured differently. You can configure the Pricing Plan of a Product in whatever way you may like.

**1. FREE**

**Settings:**

* **Pricing:** $0/month
* **Limited API Calls**
* **Hard LIMIT**
* **No Credit Card Required**

This Pricing Plan allows API Sellers to offer a free product that enables users to experience the platform without providing credit card information. Typically, this plan is limited to a few hundred API calls per month.

{% hint style="success" %}
:white\_check\_mark: **Best for:** Getting users to try your API without barriers. Great for onboarding and building trust.
{% endhint %}

**2. Pay Per User (Pay-As-You-Go)**

**Settings:**

* **Pricing:** $0/month
* **Large number of API Calls**
* **Soft LIMIT with Overage Charges**
* **Credit Card Required**

This Pricing Plan allows API Sellers to offer a product where charges are incurred at the end of the subscription cycle based on usage, calculated as the number of API Calls multiplied by the Cost per API Call.

{% hint style="info" %}
:bulb: **How it works:** Customers pay only for what they use. Charges are calculated at the end of each billing cycle.
{% endhint %}

**3. Subscription**

**Settings:**

* **Pricing:** Greater than $0/month
* **Defined Number of API Calls**
* **Hard LIMIT with No Overage Charges**
* **Credit Card Required**

This Pricing Plan enables API Sellers to provide a straightforward subscription product. Once the customer reaches the allocated quota of API calls, they will receive a 429 error.

{% hint style="warning" %}
:warning: **Note:** When customers hit their quota, they'll receive a 429 (Too Many Requests) error until the next billing cycle.
{% endhint %}

**4. Subscription with Overage**

**Settings:**

* **Pricing:** Greater than $0/month
* **Defined Number of API Calls**
* **Soft LIMIT with Overage Charges**
* **Credit Card Required**

This Pricing Plan allows API Sellers to provide a subscription product where customers are charged based on the overage amount once they exceed the allocated quota of API calls.

{% hint style="info" %}
:bulb: **Best for:** Customers who want predictable monthly costs but may occasionally need more capacity.
{% endhint %}

### 📍 Where to add plans

1. Open your product under **Manage APIs → API Products**.
2. Open the **Manage Pricing Plans** tab.
3. Click **Add Pricing Plans**.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/HrslYtfNj3woVjXr5LQc" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Adding a plan opens a short wizard.

#### 1️⃣ Details

Set the basics for the plan.

| Field             | What to enter                                          |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Plan name**     | A short label, max 5 characters (e.g. FREE, PRO, BULK) |
| **API source**    | The source you imported                                |
| **Base path URL** | Usually inherited from the source                      |

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/bTMZEf0OBF3pFmc9qlDP" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

#### 2️⃣ API routes

Choose which endpoints this plan includes. Use **Select All** or pick individual routes.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/X6T2pWAx67O1jvtWVota" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="info" %}
💡 **Tip:** Different plans can expose different endpoints — for example, a free tier with one endpoint and a pro tier with all of them.
{% endhint %}

#### 3️⃣ Pricing model

Pick how customers are billed.

**Subscription** — a monthly fee with an included call quota.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/pC1oNiMG2iisKJsKaTS9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

| Field                | Description                                         |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| Price per month      | Monthly charge (use 0 for a free plan)              |
| Call limit per month | Included API calls                                  |
| Limit type           | A hard limit blocks calls once the quota is reached |
| Rate limit           | Maximum requests per second                         |

**Pay-as-you-go** — no monthly fee; customers pay per call.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/bvMxbz10DlhTzYotGbUu" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

#### 4️⃣ Access

Choose who can see and subscribe to the plan.

| Option      | Behavior                                     |
| ----------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| **Public**  | Listed on the catalog — anyone can subscribe |
| **Private** | Hidden — customers need an invitation        |

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/SQeeP06wAX05vCFAe8Y5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Review the summary and finish. Your plan now appears on the **Manage Pricing Plans** tab, and the publishing checklist moves forward.

{% hint style="info" %}
💡 **Tip:** Start with a free tier to lower the barrier for developers to try your API, then add paid plans for heavier usage.
{% endhint %}

***

**Next →** [Submitting for Review](/seller-docs/submitting-for-review.md)