What are the four package types and which one should I use?

Every package in Octiv has one of four package types. The type decides when a member's sessions are released, what happens to unused sessions, and, together with the billing frequency, which payment types the package can use. You choose the type when you create the package under Settings >> Packages >> Create New >> Package Type.

The four types, as they appear in the Package Type dropdown, are:

Limited: Once-Off Sessions
Weekly: Recurring
Monthly: Recurring
Billing Cycle: Recurring (shown as Billing Linked in the Type column of your packages list)

⚠ Choose carefully: the package type, the number of sessions and the top-up price can't be changed once the package is created. To change them, duplicate the package (Actions >> Duplicate) and choose the settings you want on the copy.

The four types at a glance

Limited: Once-Off Sessions — Sessions are released all at once, when the package is added or bought. Unused sessions stay until they’re used or until the Default Period ends. Paid once upfront; it doesn’t recur.
Weekly: Recurring — Sessions are released every Monday. Unused sessions expire at the end of each week. Billed at the frequency you set: any payment type if billed every 1 month, otherwise Card Subscription or Manual Invoicing.
Monthly: Recurring — Sessions are released on the 1st of every calendar month. Unused sessions expire at the end of each month. Billed at the frequency you set: any payment type if billed every 1 month, otherwise Card Subscription or Manual Invoicing.
Billing Cycle: Recurring

1. Limited: Once-Off Sessions

A fixed number of sessions, released all at once when the package is added to the member or bought. The member pays once, upfront, and the package does not recur: there is no billing frequency on a Limited package. Members can use the sessions at any pace they like.

When it ends: when all its sessions are used, or when its Default Period runs out, whichever comes first.
Unlimited isn't available: a Limited package always has a set number of sessions.
Paying online: if you use an ad-hoc card gateway (Paystack, Stripe or Netcash PayNow), members buying in the app or on the sign-up widget pay by card straight away, and the sessions are released once the payment succeeds. Without an ad-hoc gateway, the invoice is created automatically and the sessions are released once you record it as paid under Accounts >> Invoices.

We recommend always setting a Default Period on Limited packages. If you leave the Default Period empty, the package never expires. It stays active on the member's profile until every session has been used or a staff member ends it manually. That means a member could come back months or even years later and still book with sessions they bought long ago. Setting a Default Period (for example, 3 months for a 10-class pass) gives the package a clear expiry date. Octiv works it out by adding the Default Period to the purchase date. Mention the expiry in the package description too, so members know about it upfront.

Best for: class passes and punch cards (for example a 10-class pass), trial packs, once-off bundles and promotions.

Tip — don't call your packages "drop-ins". Single-visit drop-ins have their own setup under Settings >> Packages >> Drop-Ins (see How do I set up Drop-In packages?). Naming a package "drop-in" as well confuses members and leads about what they're buying, so keep the word for actual drop-ins.

2. Weekly: Recurring

A set number of sessions per week, released every Monday.

Unused sessions expire at the end of the week. They don't carry over to the next week.
Members can't book more than the weekly allowance. If a member wants an extra class that week, they can buy a top-up (if the package has a top-up price).
Joining mid-week: a member who joins partway through the week gets that week's full allowance straight away.
Unlimited: enter 0 sessions for an unlimited weekly package.
Billing is separate from the weekly release. For example, a 3-classes-a-week package can be billed once a month.

Best for: encouraging consistent attendance (for example 3 classes a week). It also stops members from using a whole month's sessions in the first week, which keeps your classes evenly booked.

3. Monthly: Recurring

A set number of sessions per calendar month, released on the 1st of every month, regardless of the member's billing date.

Unused sessions expire at the end of the month. They don't carry over to the next month.
Members can't book more than the monthly allowance. Extra sessions can be bought as a top-up (if the package has a top-up price).
Joining mid-month: a member who joins partway through the month gets that month's full allowance straight away.
Unlimited: enter 0 sessions for an unlimited monthly membership. Bookings are still subject to your booking settings.

Best for: flexible memberships where members spread their sessions across the month as they like (for example 8 classes a month), and unlimited memberships.

4. Billing Cycle: Recurring

A set number of sessions per billing cycle, released on the member's own billing date each cycle. For example, a member billed on the 15th gets new sessions on the 15th, not on the 1st.

Sessions are released on the billing date whether or not that cycle's payment has gone through.
Unused sessions expire at the end of each billing cycle.
Billing frequency and interval set the cycle, for example every 1 month, every 4 weeks or every 2 weeks.
Payment types: Card Subscription, Manual Invoicing or Debit Order Subscription, whatever the frequency.
In your packages list, this type shows as Billing Linked.

Best for: memberships that don't follow the calendar month, such as every 4 weeks (28 days), and any membership where you want each member's sessions to renew on the same day they're billed.

For unlimited memberships, the release date makes no difference, so Monthly: Recurring or Weekly: Recurring with 0 sessions is simpler. For full setup steps, see How do I create a billing cycle package for recurring monthly or weekly charges?

Billing frequency and payment types

Weekly, Monthly and Billing Cycle packages all have a Billing Frequency (Week or Month) and a Billing Interval (how many weeks or months between charges). Octiv confirms your choice under the fields, for example "Members will be billed every 2 months." Limited packages have no billing frequency because they're paid once.

The billing frequency decides which payment types the package can use. When it limits them, Octiv shows a Please Note box on the package listing the payment types available.

Weekly or Monthly package billed every 1 month: every payment type is available, including debit order, card subscription, manual invoicing and cash or EFT.
Weekly or Monthly package billed weekly, or every 2 or more months: only Card Subscription and Manual Invoicing.
Billing Cycle package, any frequency: Card Subscription, Manual Invoicing and Debit Order Subscription.

Which package type should I use if I want to…

…sell a 10-class pass or punch card? Limited: Once-Off Sessions, with a Default Period (for example 3 months) so the pass expires.
…offer a trial or a once-off promotion? Limited: Once-Off Sessions, with a short Default Period that matches the trial.
…limit members to a set number of classes each week (for example 3 a week)? Weekly: Recurring.
…give members a set number of classes to use whenever they like in the month (for example 8 a month)? Monthly: Recurring.
…sell an unlimited membership? Monthly: Recurring (or Weekly: Recurring) with 0 sessions.
…bill every 4 weeks or every 28 days? Billing Cycle: Recurring, with Billing Frequency Week and Billing Interval 4. Each member's sessions then renew on their own billing date, and you can use Card Subscription, Manual Invoicing or Debit Order Subscription.
…collect a monthly debit order? A Weekly or Monthly package billed every 1 month (all payment types available), or a Billing Cycle package using Debit Order Subscription.
…have each member's sessions renew on the day they pay? Billing Cycle: Recurring.
…stop members using all their sessions in the first week of the month? Weekly: Recurring.
…sell a single visit? Don't create a package. Set up a drop-in under Settings >> Packages >> Drop-Ins.

Top-ups

Members can buy extra sessions (top-ups) in the app when the package has a Top-Up Price (Per Session). You can set a top-up price on any package type. It has to be added when you create the package, because it can't be added later. Leave the field blank if you don't want to offer top-ups. Top-ups don't apply to unlimited packages.

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