When a learner starts a free trial of a subscription product on your site, Thinkific Payments automatically sends them a reminder before the trial ends and their first payment is charged. This article explains how the reminder works and what you can and can’t control.
This feature will be available on all accounts using Thinkific Payments on November 17, 2026.
How it Works
If you use Thinkific Payments and a learner starts a free trial of more than 7 days, they get an email 7 days before the trial ends and their first payment begins. The email is sent under your school’s name and logo, maintaining your brand.
The reminder gives learners clear notice that their subscription is about to start and how to cancel if they choose.
The email includes:
- The charge amount, charge date and billing frequency
- Your school name and the product name
- The trial end date
- Cancellation instructions (as described here: How can students manage their billing and credit card information?)
- Your contact details
The amount shown is the subscription price before any active coupon discount, plus any applicable taxes.
When the Reminder Is Sent, and When It Isn’t
The reminder is sent to learners with:
- Trials longer than 7 days: The learner gets the reminder 7 days before the trial ends.
- Extended trials: If you extend a trial, the reminder moves to 7 days before the new end date.
The reminder is not sent to learners with:
- Trials of 7 days or less: No separate reminder is sent.
- Cancelled or paused subscriptions: No reminder is sent if the learner has already cancelled, their trial has already ended and converted to a paid subscription, or if the subscription is paused.
Turning Off the Reminder
Card network rules require advance notice before the first charge after a free trial, so this reminder supports payment compliance. Because of this, you can’t turn it off, edit its content, or choose which products it applies to.
The reminder also helps you. Learners who know a charge is coming are less likely to be surprised, dispute the payment, or request a refund.
Important Considerations
- The email reminding learners that their free trials end is only sent for subscription products paid through Thinkific Payments.
- If a learner replies to the reminder email, your site's reply-to email.