STARTEND is a Gravity Forms add-on that fixes a frustrating limitation—the inability to set custom subscription start and end dates. If you need subscriptions that begin next month, run for exactly 6 months, or end after 12 payments, this plugin fills the gap.
What It Actually Does
STARTEND extends Gravity Forms‘ Stripe subscription functionality. Instead of subscriptions starting immediately and running indefinitely, you can:
- Set a future start date (single or multiple options for subscribers to choose)
- End subscriptions on a specific calendar date
- End after a set number of payments (e.g., 12 monthly payments)
- End at the conclusion of a defined term
This unlocks subscription models that the native Stripe integration simply doesn’t support.
The Pros
1. Future start dates enable pre-sales
Launch a course that starts next month. Sell memberships that activate on January 1st. Collect signups now, start billing later—without manual intervention or messy workarounds.
2. Payment limits create finite-term subscriptions
6-month coaching packages. 12-payment financing plans. 3-installment courses. STARTEND automatically cancels after the specified number of payments. No “oops, I forgot to cancel” customer service required.
3. End dates for seasonal/timed access
Summer program subscriptions that end August 31st. Annual access that expires December 31st. Conference memberships that terminate the day after the event. Set it once, let it run.
4. Multiple date options in forms
Let subscribers choose their preferred start date from a list. Batch cohorts that begin on the 1st, 15th, or 30th. Customers self-select; you don’t manually sort them into groups.
5. Clean integration with Stripe feeds
Settings live inside your existing Stripe feed configuration. No separate dashboards or external tools. If you know how to set up Gravity Forms + Stripe subscriptions, you’ll understand STARTEND immediately.
The Cons
1. Requires Gravity Forms Stripe add-on (Pro/Elite)
This isn’t a payment processor—it’s a date controller. You still need Gravity Forms with the official Stripe add-on (included in Pro or Elite licenses). Budget for that if you’re not already on those tiers.
2. Pricing isn’t transparent
The website lists “STARTEND Pro (Paid)” but doesn’t display actual prices. You have to click through or inquire to learn costs. For budget-conscious planners, that’s friction.
3. Free version is basic
STARTEND Basic covers standard billing cycles, setup fees, and trial periods—features Gravity Forms already handles natively. The real value (future dates, payment limits, automatic term endings) requires Pro.
4. No self-service portal included
Unlike GravityStripe which includes subscriber management, STARTEND focuses purely on date logic. Customers can’t modify their start/end dates after signup. Admin changes only.
5. Limited to Stripe subscriptions
If you’re using PayPal, Square, or another payment processor through Gravity Forms, STARTEND doesn’t apply. Stripe-only functionality.
Use Cases That Work
1. Cohort-Based Courses
Signups open all month, but the course starts the first Monday of next month. Multiple start date options let students pick their cohort. Subscriptions auto-terminate after the 8-week program ends.
2. Seasonal Memberships
Beach club memberships that run May 1 through September 30. Ski resort access November 15 through April 15. Fixed dates that match the season, not arbitrary 30-day windows.
3. Payment Plan Products
$1,200 product split into 6 monthly payments of $200. STARTEND ends the subscription automatically after payment 6. Customer gets the product upfront, pays over time, subscription self-terminates.
4. Annual Access with Calendar Alignment
Professional association memberships that always run January 1 to December 31, regardless of when someone joins mid-year. Prorated first year, then locked to calendar cycle.
5. Limited-Term Software Licenses
Plugin or theme subscriptions that include 12 months of updates and support. StartEND terminates after 12 payments. Customer can renew manually, but isn’t auto-billed forever.
Pricing
STARTEND uses a freemium model through Freemius:
| Version | Features |
|---|---|
| Basic (Free) | Standard billing cycles, setup fees, trial periods (largely overlaps native GF features) |
| Pro ($26.99) | Future start dates, multiple date options, end after X payments, end on specific date, end at term limit |
Note: Pro pricing not publicly displayed—visit the site to view current rates. 15-day money-back guarantee included.
Who Should Buy This?
✅ Course creators with cohort launches
✅ Membership sites with fixed seasonal terms
✅ Businesses offering payment plans with automatic completion
✅ Organizations with calendar-aligned annual cycles
✅ Anyone frustrated by “subscriptions start now and never end” limitations
❌ Skip if you only need standard recurring billing (use native Gravity Forms + Stripe)
❌ Skip if you need customer self-service date changes (not supported)
❌ Skip if you use PayPal or non-Stripe processors
The Verdict
STARTEND solves a specific, frustrating problem: Gravity Forms subscriptions that don’t fit the “start immediately, bill forever” model. The free version is a preview; the Pro version unlocks real flexibility.
If you’re building cohort courses, seasonal memberships, payment plans, or any subscription with defined boundaries, this plugin removes technical headaches. No more manual cancellation reminders. No more “can I join the next batch?” emails. No more calendar math.
The pricing opacity is annoying, but the 15-day guarantee reduces risk. For the right use case—finite-term, date-bound subscriptions—it’s worth the inquiry.
