> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.sterlinglabs.co/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.sterlinglabs.co/getting-started/trial-and-plans.md).

# Trial and plans

## The free trial

Every new account starts a **seven-day trial** on first sign-in. No card is required and there is nothing to sign. During the trial you have the full product: Analyst questions at no charge, live data, Deep Research, and Portfolio. The standard limit of 100 Analyst messages an hour still applies.

A one-time popup, **Your Pro trial is live**, tells you the date the trial ends and offers to add a payment method now. You can dismiss it and decide later.

## The Pro Plan

|                     |                                                                                            |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Price               | **$30 per month**                                                                          |
| Includes            | Every part of Sterling, plus a **$30 Analyst allowance** each billing period               |
| Extra Analyst usage | Purchased credits, which never expire. See [Usage balance](/the-analyst/usage-balance.md). |

Billing runs through a hosted checkout and customer portal. Your card details are never entered in Sterling itself.

## Where your plan stands

The **Plan** tab of your account settings always shows your current state and the one action that matters.

| State               | What it says                                                              | Action                    |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------- |
| Trial, no card      | "Your trial ends in N days"                                               | **Add payment method**    |
| Trial, card on file | "Trial active · Pro starts *date*"                                        | **Manage subscription**   |
| Trial ended         | "Free trial ended *date*. Subscribe to keep access."                      | **Start subscription**    |
| Active              | "Your subscription will auto renew on *date*."                            | **Manage subscription**   |
| Canceling           | "Plan ends *date* · won't renew"                                          | **Resubscribe**           |
| Payment failed      | "Your last payment failed. Update your payment method to restore access." | **Update payment method** |

**Manage subscription** opens the customer portal, where you can change the card, download invoices, or cancel. When you return, Sterling briefly shows **Updating your account…** while it picks up the change.

## What happens without a plan

When a trial ends or a subscription lapses, Sterling stays open but locks.

* The Terminal, company pages, Research Library, Trade Ideas, Events Calendar, and Portfolio show blurred previews with sample data.
* The Analyst, company search, and live research feeds are unavailable.
* Your account settings open on the **Plan** tab. On most pages the dialog stays until you act; on the Trading Pit you can keep reading, and a banner reads **An active subscription is needed to take part** with a **Choose a plan** control.

Nothing is deleted. Conversations, connected brokerages, and preferences are waiting when you subscribe.


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