Payment plans let you break a single invoice into a series of smaller, scheduled payments, so your client can pay over time while you stay on top of what's collected and what's still due.

Ignition works out the installment amounts for you: choose how many payments and how often, and we split the invoice total evenly across the schedule.

There are two ways to set up a payment plan, and the right one depends on whether you already have your client's payment details:

This article walks through both, starting with how to get to the payment plan setup , which is the same for either method.

From your Invoices list, select the invoice you'd like to turn into a payment plan. Open the More actions dropdown and choose Create payment plan.

You'll now be in the payment plan setup, starting at Step 1. From here the two methods diverge at Step 2, so follow the section that matches how you want to set up the plan.

Use this when you want your client to add their own payment method and accept the plan.

Confirm the invoice details are correct before you build the plan, then continue to the next step.

You'll see two options: use a saved payment method or let client choose. Here we are selecting Let client choose. You can then decide how your client is allowed to pay by credit/debit card or ACH, before continuing.

Choose the number of payments and the frequency: monthly, weekly, or every two weeks. Ignition splits the invoice total evenly across the schedule you choose. For example, a $1,500 invoice set to three monthly payments becomes three payments of $500.

Review the email that will go to your client. You can edit the message to say whatever you'd like, and you'll need to enter the email address the payment plan should be sent to. When you're ready, hit Send.

You'll land on the invoice details drawer. In the Payments section you'll now see the payment plan attached to the invoice, marked Awaiting acceptance — it stays here until your client accepts.

Your client receives an email with a Review and accept button.

When they click Review and accept, they're taken to a screen where they select a payment method, either one already saved on file or a new one they add, and then accept the payment plan.

Use this when you already have a payment method on file and want the plan active right away, with no acceptance needed from your client.

Confirm the invoice details are correct, then continue. (Same screen as Method 1.)

At the payment method choice, select Use saved payment method. This is the one difference from Method 1 — everything else in setup is the same.

Choose the number of payments and the frequency (monthly, weekly, or every two weeks), just as in Method 1. Ignition splits the invoice total evenly.

For example, a $1,500 invoice at three monthly payments becomes three payments of $500.

Edit the email message as needed, confirm the recipient, and hit Send.

You'll land on the invoice details drawer. Unlike Method 1, the plan isn't awaiting acceptance. It's all set to go. The drawer shows the plan amount, the payment method that will be used, and the date the first installment will run.

Instead of a review-and-accept email, your client receives a view email with a View payment plan button. Opening it shows them the details of the plan, and they have the ability to change the payment method if they'd like.