# How usage fees are calculated
This article explains what a usage fee is, how it is calculated, and when it is charged. It covers how XFlow calculates usage fees based on your recovered revenue, how revenue milestones work, and when usage fees are added to your Shopify invoice.
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## What is a usage fee?
A **usage fee** is an additional charge that applies when your **recovered revenue** exceeds the amount included in your current paid plan.
Each paid plan includes a certain amount of recovered revenue at no extra cost. Once you go beyond that included amount, XFlow charges a small usage fee based on predefined revenue milestones.
Usage fees are based on **recovered revenue**, not your store's total revenue.
*Want to learn more about XFlow's pricing? Visit* [*Plans & Pricing*](https://docs.foxecom.com/xflow-app/account-and-billing/plans-and-pricing)
## How usage fees are calculated
Once your recovered revenue exceeds your plan’s included allowance, a usage fee applies for every additional **$1,000**.
**Usage fee \= Number of additional $1,000 amounts above your plan’s included recovered revenue × Your plan’s rate per additional $1,000**
If your recovered revenue is equal to or below your included allowance, your usage fee is **$0**.
Example:
In one month, your store recovers **$5,050 through XFlow** on the Growth plan. The plan includes **$3,000** in recovered revenue and charges **$5 for every additional $1,000**.
Your store is **$2,050 over the included amount**, so the usage fee is charged three times:
| Calculation | Amount |
| -------------------------------- | ---------------- |
| Revenue recovered through XFlow | $5,050 |
| Included in the Growth plan | $3,000 |
| Revenue over the included amount | $2,050 |
| Usage fee charges | 3 |
| Usage fee | 3 × $5 \= $15 |
| Monthly subscription fee | $19 |
| Total monthly bill | $19 + $15 \= $34 |
## When a usage fee is charged
Usage fees are triggered when your recovered revenue exceeds the next $1,000 milestone.
* Only on paid plans.
* Based on your current plan's rate.
* Free plans and free trials aren't charged. However, revenue is still tracked during the free trial. Once the trial ends, usage fees apply if your total recovered revenue exceeds your plan's included allowance.
Example (Growth plan: $3,000 included, $5 per additional $1,000):
| Recovered revenue reaches | Result |
| ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------- |
| $3,000 | No usage fee (equals, doesn't exceed) |
| $3,001 | First $5 usage fee triggered |
| $4,000 | No additional fee |
| $4,001 | Second $5 usage fee triggered |
| $5,001 | Third $5 usage fee triggered |
| **Total usage fees at $5,001** | **3 × $5 \= $15** |
Usage fees are recorded when they're triggered, but aren't charged immediately. Instead, they're added to your **next Shopify invoice**, following [Shopify's app billing cycle](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/your-account/manage-billing/billing-charges/types-of-charges/third-party-charges/app-charges).
## Best practices
* **Monitor your recovered revenue regularly** to avoid unexpected usage fees.
* **Review your current plan's included recovered revenue** before upgrading or scaling your recovery campaigns.
* **Upgrade your plan when appropriate** if your recovered revenue consistently exceeds your current plan's allowance, as a higher-tier plan may provide better value.
## FAQs
**My plan includes $3,000 in recovered revenue. Will I be charged when I reach $3,000?**
No. You will only be charged a usage fee when your recovered revenue exceeds $3,000.
**My recovered revenue increased from $3,000 to $3,001. How much will I be charged?**
On the Growth plan, the first $3,000 is included. If your recovered revenue reaches $3,001, you pay a $5 usage fee.
Total monthly bill: $19 monthly subscription fee + $5 usage fee \= $24.
**Why am I charged three times when I exceeded my allowance by only $2,050?**
Because a usage fee applies for every additional $1,000, an overage of **$2,050** is charged three times:
* First $1,000: one charge
* Second $1,000: one charge
* Remaining $50: one charge, because any additional amount—even $1—counts as another charge
**Do usage fees apply during the free trial?**
No. Free trials and Free plans are not charged usage fees.
However, recovered revenue is still tracked during the trial. Once the free trial ends, a usage fee will apply if your total recovered revenue exceeds the included allowance of your selected paid plan.
**I upgraded to a plan with a $5 usage fee. Why was I charged $12?**
The $12 charge is made up of usage fees from two different plans during the billing period:
* **$7** was charged while you were on the **Starter plan** because your recovered revenue exceeded the included allowance for that plan.
* After upgrading to the **Growth plan**, your recovered revenue continued to exceed the included allowance, resulting in an additional **$5 usage fee**.
So the total usage fee is **$7 + $5 \= $12**.
## Related articles
Plans & Pricing
How XFlow tracks and attributes recovered revenue
How to change your plan