How do I move paid subscribers to SendFox?
Paid subscriptions can't be transferred. Connect Stripe in Settings → Paid newsletter (Pro), import your paid subscribers, then invite them to subscribe again.
Why can't I transfer paid subscriptions?
Each reader's card details and subscription belong to your old platform's checkout. SendFox links a reader to a subscription only when they check out through your SendFox paid newsletter, and it can't import existing Stripe subscriptions. So every paying reader subscribes again, once.
A SendFox paid newsletter is part of Pro and bills monthly. Set it up before you start: see How do paid newsletters work in SendFox? This guide shows how to move your readers smoothly without charging anyone twice.
Before you start: don't cancel anything yet
Leave your old platform's paid subscriptions running until your readers have moved. Some platforms cancel or refund everyone when you switch payments off:
| Platform | What to watch out for |
|---|---|
| Substack | Turning off paid subscriptions in Substack's Danger Zone settings (Disconnect Stripe) refunds and cancels every paid subscription. If you're moving platforms, ask Substack's support team for help first. |
| beehiiv | Turning off paid subscriptions (under Subscriptions → Tiers) doesn't stop Stripe from charging active subscribers. Cancel each subscription in your Stripe account. |
| Ghost | Deleting members doesn't cancel their Stripe subscriptions. Cancel each one from the member's profile in Ghost; it ends at the close of their billing period. |
| Kit | Kit Commerce runs on a Stripe account that Kit manages, so the subscriptions stay with Kit. |
| Flodesk | Cancelling or downgrading your Everything plan ends active subscriptions immediately. |
| AWeber | Unsubscribing someone from your list doesn’t cancel their payments. Cancel each subscription in the Stripe account connected to AWeber. |
Using another platform? Check its help on ending paid subscriptions before you change anything.
How do I move my paid readers?
- Set up your SendFox paid newsletter. Go to Settings → Paid newsletter, connect Stripe and set your monthly price.
- Export your paid readers from your old platform. Its export shows who pays; leave out anyone who has unsubscribed. For platform-specific steps, see How do I switch to SendFox from another email platform?
- Import them with a tag such as paid-moving, using Tag them on import. Import them into one of your regular lists, not the Paid Newsletter list: readers join that list automatically when they pay through SendFox.
- Email your paid readers. Send an email to the paid-moving tag with the link to your paid Smart Page. Tell them the date their old subscription ends and that they won't be charged twice. See How do contact tags work?
- Send one reminder before that date. Send it to the paid-moving tag and add the Paid Newsletter list under Don't send to…, so readers who have already moved don't get it.
- Cancel the old subscriptions once each reader has subscribed again, or on the date you announced. Plan it around their billing dates so nobody pays twice for the same month.
To see who has moved, open the Paid Newsletter list under Audience → Lists: everyone on it has an active SendFox subscription.
Tips for keeping more of your paying readers
- Give readers one clear date and one link.
- Keep the same price if you can. If you change it, say why.
- If some readers paid for a year, decide how you'll honour the rest of their year before you cancel. SendFox paid newsletters bill monthly.
Troubleshooting
I can't set up the paid newsletter
Paid newsletters need Pro, and only the account owner can connect Stripe. On the Free plan or the $29 Lifetime deal, Settings → Paid newsletter shows Upgrade to Pro.
A reader who already moved still gets my reminders
Add the Paid Newsletter list under Don't send to… when you send to the paid-moving tag. Readers join that list only once Stripe confirms their new subscription, so a checkout that didn't finish won't exclude them.
Still stuck? Visit the Help Center at help.sendfox.com or email support@sendfox.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can SendFox import my existing Stripe subscriptions?
No. SendFox links a reader to a subscription only when they check out through your SendFox paid newsletter.
Does SendFox take a fee on paid subscriptions?
No. There's no SendFox fee on paid subscriptions. Stripe's processing fees apply.
Which plan do I need?
Pro. Paid newsletters aren't available on the Free plan or the $29 Lifetime deal. See Which SendFox Pro tier should I choose?