> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.fanaura.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Messaging & Usage

> How email and SMS billing works on Fanaura — starter credits, at-cost rates, usage tracking, and examples for large fanbases.

Fanaura does not block you from messaging your fans when you hit an arbitrary monthly cap. Every plan includes **starter messaging credits**. After those are used, email and SMS are billed at **low at-cost rates** for whatever you send.

***

## How Messaging Billing Works

<Steps>
  <Step title="Starter credits">
    Each plan includes starter email and SMS credits so you can run your first campaigns without extra messaging charges.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send to your whole list">
    There is no hard limit on list size or send volume. You can message your entire fanbase anytime.
  </Step>

  <Step title="At-cost after credits">
    Once starter credits for the billing period are used, additional sends bill at the rates below.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### At-cost rates

| Channel | Rate |
| - | - |
| **Email** | \$0.0009 per email |
| **SMS** | \$0.009 per text |

These rates apply on **Artist Basic** and **Artist Pro**. Enterprise customers may have custom volume terms.

***

## What Counts Toward Usage

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Email">
    Every successfully delivered outbound email counts:

    * **Email blasts** — one email per recipient
    * **Flow emails** — each automated email action per fan
    * **Transactional emails** — presave confirmations, RSVP acknowledgments, and similar system sends

    Failed deliveries and bounces do not count.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="SMS">
    Every successfully delivered outbound SMS segment counts:

    * **SMS blasts**
    * **Flow SMS actions**
    * **Outbound replies** in Conversations

    Long messages may split into multiple segments; each segment counts as one text.

    <Warning>Keep texts concise. A 320-character message may count as 2 SMS segments.</Warning>

    Inbound messages from fans do not count against your usage.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="What does not count">
    * Inbound SMS from fans
    * Email open/click tracking events
    * Failed or undelivered messages
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Usage Tracking

View current messaging usage in the app:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Settings">
    Click **Settings** in the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Billing tab">
    Open **Billing**. Usage meters show email and SMS consumption for the current billing period.
  </Step>
</Steps>

You will see:

* How much of your starter credit allowance is used
* At-cost usage accrued after starter credits
* Estimated messaging charges on your next invoice

Color indicators help you spot when you are approaching the end of included credits:

| Color | Meaning |
| - | - |
| **Green** | Plenty of starter credits remaining |
| **Yellow** | Moderate usage — review before large sends |
| **Orange** | Near end of included credits |
| **Red / overage** | At-cost messaging rates now apply |

***

## Billing Examples

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Small release blast (Basic)">
    * **Plan:** Artist Basic (\$10/mo)
    * **Send:** 500 release emails + 50 SMS reminders
    * **Within starter credits:** \$0 messaging overage
    * **Total:** **\$10.00** (subscription only)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="After starter credits (Basic)">
    * **Plan:** Artist Basic (\$10/mo)
    * **Send:** 2,000 emails after credits exhausted
    * **Messaging charge:** 2,000 × $0.0009 = **$1.80\*\*
    * **Total:** $10 + $1.80 = **\$11.80**
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Large list on Pro">
    * **Plan:** Artist Pro (\$47/mo)
    * **Send:** 25,000 tour announcement emails after credits
    * **Messaging charge:** 25,000 × $0.0009 = **$22.50\*\*
    * **Total:** $47 + $22.50 = **\$69.50**
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="SMS-heavy campaign (Pro)">
    * **Plan:** Artist Pro (\$47/mo)
    * **Send:** 1,000 texts after credits
    * **Messaging charge:** 1,000 × $0.009 = **$9.00\*\*
    * **Total:** $47 + $9.00 = **\$56.00**
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Billing Cycle

* Your messaging usage resets each **billing cycle** (based on your subscription start date).
* Starter credits refresh at the start of each cycle.
* At-cost messaging from the prior cycle appears as a line item on your next invoice alongside your plan fee.

***

## Plan vs Messaging Costs

Messaging is **pay-as-you-grow** on both plans. Choose Basic or Pro based on **automation depth and release marketing**, not because one plan "includes more sends" in the hero sense.

| Reason to choose Pro (\$47/mo) | Reason messaging alone is not enough |
| - | - |
| Label-level marketing power (Aura Manager) | At-cost email is inexpensive on Basic too |
| Instagram DM automation flows | Large email blasts are affordable at \$0.0009 each |
| Team workspace access | |
| Fan map and tour planning | |

<Tip>Before a major send, open **Settings → Billing** and estimate recipients × at-cost rate if you are past starter credits.</Tip>

***

## Enterprise Volume

Labels and agencies sending at very high volume should contact sales for Enterprise pricing. Custom messaging terms may apply alongside multi-artist dashboards and dedicated support.

***

## Common Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Is there a limit on emails or texts?">
    No. You can send to your entire fanbase anytime. Starter credits cover early usage; after that you pay at-cost per send ($0.0009 email, $0.009 SMS).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do unused starter credits roll over?">
    Starter credits reset each billing cycle. They do not roll over to the next month.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Am I cut off if I exceed starter credits?">
    No. Sends continue. Additional messages bill at the at-cost rates above.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Where do I see messaging charges?">
    Settings → Billing shows usage and upcoming invoice line items. PDF invoices include messaging as a separate line when applicable.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Related

* [Pricing Overview](/pricing/index)
* [Plan Features](/pricing/features)
* [Billing & Subscription](/settings/billing)


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