---
title: "Pay automatically"
description: "Save a card or bank account, have each invoice paid on its due date with automatic payments, read what you agreed to, and stop at any time."
url: "https://support.outpostplatform.com/portal-guide/autopay/"
product: "depot"
type: "how-to"
status: "draft"
ai_summary: "Client portal users. Payment methods: add a card or bank account; saving does not turn on autopay; Remove stops autopay on that method. Autopay: Set up automatic payments, choose card or bank account, enter it, read the authorization as its own step, tick, and Authorize. Each invoice is charged on its due date after an email. Stop here, from the email link, or through the IT provider."
source: "https://gitlab.com/outpostplatform/docs/-/edit/main/src/content/docs/portal-guide/autopay.md"
license: "CC BY 4.0"
---

# Pay automatically

Automatic payments charge a card or bank account for each invoice on its due
date, so you do not have to remember. You agree to a written authorization
first, and you can stop at any time. This page covers saved payment methods
and automatic payments.

## Before you begin

- Saving methods needs **Manage payment methods**, and automatic payments
  need **Manage autopay**. The **Billing** and **Owner** roles have both.
- Your IT provider has to offer automatic payments. If they do not, the page
  says so.
- These pages ask you to confirm who you are again if you have been away from
  them for 15 minutes.

## Save a payment method

1. Select **Payment methods**.
2. Under **Add a payment method**, choose **Add a card** or **Add a bank
   account**.
3. Enter the details. They go straight to the payment processor and never
   reach the portal.
4. Select **Save card** or **Save bank account**.

Saving a method does not turn on automatic payments. A saved method lets you
pay an invoice in one step.

Cards close to their expiry date are flagged, with a warning when automatic payments use
them. To remove a method, select **Remove** beside it. Removing the method
automatic payments use stops automatic payments.

## Turn on automatic payments

1. Select **Autopay**, then **Set up automatic payments**.
2. Under **Pay with**, choose a card or a bank account. A bank payment has no
   fee and takes 3 to 5 business days to clear.
3. For a bank account, choose **Business account** or **Personal account**.
4. Select **Continue**, then enter the card or bank account. Nothing is charged
   now.
5. Select **Next: read the authorization**.
6. Read the authorization. It names you, your organization, your IT provider,
   the method, how far ahead you are told about each charge, and how to stop.
   It is stored exactly as shown.
7. Tick the box that says you have read it and agree to it.
8. Select **Authorize automatic payments**.

A copy of the authorization, with a link to stop automatic payments, is
emailed to you.

## What happens next

- Before each charge, you get an email with the amount and the date.
- On the due date, the invoice is charged to your method.
- If a charge does not go through, you get an email with the reason and when
  it will be tried again. The invoice stays open, and you can pay it yourself.

## See what you agreed to

On **Autopay**, select **Read the authorization you agreed to**. It shows the
exact text, its version, and when you agreed.

## Change the method or stop

- **Use a different method** sets up automatic payments again with another
  card or bank account. The new authorization replaces the old one.
- **Stop automatic payments**, then **Stop** to confirm, stops them.
  Stopping takes effect before the next charge. Invoices already being paid
  are not affected. A confirmation is emailed to your billing contact.

You can also stop with the link in your confirmation email, without signing
in, or by asking your IT provider.

## Next steps

- [View and pay invoices](/portal-guide/invoices-and-payments/)
- [Choose your notifications](/portal-guide/notifications/)