On the sales call
Use the calculator to quote a deposit and monthly amount in seconds, then build the plan in Cadence while the client is still interested.
Payment plans for coaches
Say yes to the client who can’t pay it all today.
High-ticket coaching sells on a call, and the price question comes up live. Offer a deposit and monthly installments on the spot, send the client the exact schedule to accept, and stop tracking who’s current in a spreadsheet.
Stripe collection is in a sandbox pilot. No live payments yet.
Fictional example · 6-month coaching program
$4,800Agreed total
$1,200Deposit
6 × $600Monthly
| Due | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | $1,200 | Paid |
| Nov 1 | $600 | Paid |
| Dec 1 | $600 | Invoice open |
| Jan 1 | $600 | Scheduled |
| 3 more installments | $1,800 | Scheduled |
| Paid | $1,800 | |
| Remaining balance | $3,000 | |
The customer accepted this schedule. Each installment is paid on Stripe.
Where Cadence helps
The moments a plan gets offered, accepted and paid off.
Before the first session
The client opens a private link, reviews every amount and date, and accepts. You both have the same record of what was agreed.
Every month after
Each installment goes out as a Stripe invoice from your account. Your dashboard shows paid and remaining for every client.
Is it a fit?
Good fit
- Programs, masterminds or retainers priced from about $1,000 to $15,000
- You already take payments with Stripe
- Sales happen on calls or by application, not only at a cart
- You want to decide who gets a plan yourself
Probably not
- You need someone else to pay you in full up front
- Your program sells only through a course platform checkout that already has plans
- You want buyers credit-checked or approved by a lender
Questions
Should coaches offer payment plans?
Many do, because a plan turns “I can’t afford it right now” into “I can start today.” The trade-off is that you carry the risk of a client stopping payment, so set a meaningful deposit and clear terms.
How big should the deposit be?
There is no single rule. Many coaches ask for 20–30% up front, or the first month plus a deposit. Use the payment plan calculator to compare options before the call.
What if a client stops paying?
You remain the merchant, so collection is your decision. Cadence keeps the accepted schedule and an exact remaining balance, so you know precisely what is owed. Reminders and failed-payment recovery are planned.
Do my clients need a Cadence account?
No. They open a private link to review and accept the plan, and pay each installment on a Stripe-hosted invoice.
Offer the plan. Know the balance.
Stripe collection is in a sandbox pilot. No live payments yet.