FAQ

What is BotSubscription?

BotSubscription is an automated membership management platform for Telegram and Discord. It allows community owners to sell access to private channels, groups, and servers by automating the entire lifecycle: processing payments, generating invite links, assigning roles, and revoking access when subscriptions expire.

How does it work?

Connect: You add the BotSubscription bot to Telegram/Discord and connect your own payment processor (like Stripe).
Configure: You define your subscription plans (e.g., $10/month).
Automate: The bot handles everything else. It takes payments, gives users access, sends renewal reminders, and removes them if they stop paying.

Which platforms are supported?

BotSubscription officially supports Telegram (channels and groups) and Discord servers. One BotSubscription account can manage both platforms.

What is the cost of using BotSubscription?

BotSubscription uses a progressive revenue-share model (like tax brackets). There are no monthly subscriptions for the core service. You only pay a percentage of what you actually earn:

Free: €0 platform fees on your first €85 of monthly revenue.
Scaling: Once you exceed €85, fees start at 9% and drop as your volume increases (down to 1% for revenue over €5,000/month). Each fee rate applies only to the portion of your monthly revenue inside that tier. You do not pay the higher tier rate on your earlier revenue. Your effective fee rate is the blended average across tiers. €0 – €85: Free €85 – €200: 9% €200 – €300: 7% €300 – €500: 6% €500 – €800: 5% €800 – €1,200: 3% €1,200 – €5,000: 2% €5,000+: 1%

Are there any setup fees or hidden costs?

No. Creating an account, setting up your bot, and launching your first plan is free. You only pay for the revenue you process over the free tier.

What are "Optional Add-ons"?

Some premium features have small monthly costs because they use specialized infrastructure:

AI Assistant: Usage-based (requires topping up a balance). These are strictly optional—you only pay if you enable them.

Do I pay fees on failed or test transactions?

No. Fees are only calculated on successful, completed payments. Sandbox/Test Mode transactions are always free.

How do I create my bot?

On Telegram: Use @BotFather to create a new bot and get an API Token. Then send it to the BotSubscription bot via https://t.me/BotSubscriptionBot
On Discord: Add the BotSubscription bot to your server via https://botsubscription.com/bot/discord

Does the BotSubscription bot respond in public groups or servers?

No. For security and to prevent business data, payment details, invite links or other sensitive information from being leaked, the BotSubscription bot only responds to private messages (Telegram) or ephemeral messages (Discord). If a user tries to use the bot in a group/server, it stays silent to protect sensitive flows.

Who holds my money?

You do. BotSubscription is not a payment middleman. Funds go directly from the member to your own account (Stripe, PayPal, or a crypto wallet). BotSubscription does not custody your funds.

Which payment methods are supported?

Stripe: Credit/Debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay.
PayPal: Traditional PayPal balances and cards.
Crypto: Via NOWPayments (Bitcoin, Ethereum, 200+ tokens).

What is the "Web Portal"?

It is a professional, customizable hosted checkout/landing page where users can browse your plans and subscribe via their web browser without needing to message the bot first. It's included for free.

What is a Stripe Restricted Key?

It is a special API key that grants BotSubscription only the specific permissions it needs (like creating customers and processing charges). Using a Restricted Key is the most secure way to connect Stripe.

Does it support recurring billing?

Yes. If you use Stripe or PayPal, you can enable recurring subscriptions. The bot automatically charges the user every period (month/year) until they cancel.

How are memberships revoked?

When a subscription expires or a payment fails/is cancelled, the bot automatically removes the user from your Telegram channel or strips their role in Discord.

Can I offer trial memberships?

Yes, we support two types:

Free Trials: Immediate access for a limited time (e.g., 3 days) without payment info.
Paid Trials: Requires payment info upfront; the user is charged automatically when the trial ends (e.g., "7 days for $0, then $20/month").

What is the Affiliate Program?

It allows your members to promote your community. They get a unique referral link; when someone joins using it, the affiliate earns a commission (percentage) that you define. You pay them after a "Due Period" (to allow for refunds/disputes).

What is the AI Assistant? How does it work?

The AI Assistant is an optional add-on that helps your bot answer customer questions automatically when no human admin is responding. It's a usage-based add-on that requires topping up a balance. You can train an AI on your own "Knowledge Base" (FAQs). When a customer asks a question, the AI responds on your behalf using your specific data. It understands multiple languages and can learn from your manual replies (Adaptive Learning).

What is a Broadcast?

The /broadcast is a Telegram command that allows you to send a message to specific segments of your users (e.g., "all members," "only churned users," or "affiliates"). It’s perfect for newsletters or sales announcements.

Can I use Coupons?

Yes. You can create promo codes (e.g., "GET20OFF") that provide either a fixed discount or a percentage off the subscription price.

How does the Waiting List work?

If you set a "Customer Cap" (maximum number of members) and it's reached, users can join a Waiting List. When a spot opens up (someone leaves), the bot automatically notifies everyone on the list that a spot is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Can I enforce Age Verification?

Yes. You can set a minimum age requirement. Users must confirm they are above that age before they can interact with the bot or purchase a plan.

What is "Strict Access Control"?

An extra security layer: if a non-member joins via a leaked link, the bot removes them. This ensures that users who have been banned or have expired memberships are kicked immediately and cannot use any bot features until they have an active, valid subscription.

How do my members join?

They message your bot, click "Subscribe", pick a plan, and pay. The bot then delivers a unique, one-time invite link or assigns a Discord role.

How can a customer cancel?

They message the bot and use the /memberships command. They can cancel anytime with a couple of clicks, and the bot handles the cancellation with the payment provider automatically.

Is there a support system?

Yes. If enabled, members can send a message to the bot to contact you. These messages appear in your Management Group, where you can reply directly to the user.

How do I pay my platform fees?

Every month, the bot sends you a Usage Report with a breakdown of your earnings and the fee owed. You pay this via a simple payment link sent to your bot.

What happens if I don't pay the platform fee?

Your bot will be temporarily suspended after the due date. Once the balance is settled, it is reactivated immediately.

Can I manage multiple bots/projects?

Yes. One BotSubscription account can manage multiple independent projects, each with its own bot, plans, and payment settings.

Can I migrate from InviteMember?

Yes! You can export your users.csv, payments.csv, and subscriptions.csv from InviteMember and simply forward them to your BotSubscription bot. It will automatically import your members and their data.

Can I use my existing Telegram bot?

Yes. If you already have a bot token from @BotFather, you can link it to BotSubscription. Your existing users will see the new menus as soon as they interact with the bot.

Can I prevent members from forwarding my content?

Yes. On Telegram, you can enable "Protected Content" (found in Group/Channel Info > Channel Type > Restrict Saving Content). This prevents message forwarding, copying, and screenshots.

Is there an Age Restriction?

Yes, you can set a global minimum age for your project. Users will be prompted to verify their age before they can see plans or make payments.

How does BotSubscription secure invite links?

BotSubscription generates unique, single-use invite links. After a member uses a link, that link becomes invalid, which reduces link sharing/abuse.

Can I grant free access to collaborators (Access Tokens)?

Yes! You can generate Access Tokens (single-use links) to give free memberships to partners, giveaway winners, or offline payers. This doesn't cost you any platform fees.

Can BotSubscription accept tips or donations without changing memberships?

Yes. BotSubscription can enable a dedicated /donate command. Donations let users send voluntary contributions without changing an existing subscription.

What is the difference between "Cancellation" and "Termination"?

Cancellation: The user stays in the group until their paid time runs out, but they won't be charged again.
Termination: The user is kicked immediately, and their access is revoked right away (reserved for admins).

Do you have an API?

Yes. BotSubscription offers a REST API for managing users, plans, memberships, and more. Documentation is in the API Reference section.

What are Webhooks?

Webhooks send real-time JSON data to your server when events occur (e.g., order_completed, membership_terminated). This allows you to integrate BotSubscription with your own apps or databases.

Can I use my own Custom Domain?

Yes! You can link your own domain to the Web Portal for a fully branded experience (e.g., join.yourcommunity.com).

Why is my Stripe checkout not working?

The most common cause is missing permissions on your Restricted Key. Ensure you have "Write" access for all required categories listed in the Stripe setup guide.

What does “Invite Link Permission Error” mean?

This happens if the bot is not an Administrator in your Telegram channel or doesn't have the "Invite Users via Link" permission.

Can I test everything for free?

Absolutely. Use Test Mode (Sandbox). You can simulate payments using test cards (like Stripe's 4242... card) without spending real money or being charged platform fees.

My Discord member paid but didn’t get the role. What should I check first?

Verify the BotSubscription role is above the role(s) you want it to assign in Discord role hierarchy.
Ask the member to check /memberships (or the web portal) to confirm the subscription is active.

Why aren’t BotSubscription Discord slash commands showing or working?

Wait a few minutes for Discord to sync commands. If it persists, confirm the bot is online and has the required permissions in the server. Make sure your billing is up to date.

Why does PayPal show “Pending” and access isn’t granted yet?

BotSubscription grants access only when PayPal marks the payment as COMPLETED. Some payments may be held for review.

Why does crypto checkout show a “minimum amount” error?

Some coins have minimum transaction limits at the provider level. Try a different coin (often a stablecoin or a low-fee network) or raise the plan price for that coin.

My bot is “suspended”. What does that mean?

Most commonly: an unpaid BotSubscription bill. While suspended, the bot stops processing payments and stops adding/removing users until the balance is paid.

What happens if my bot stays suspended too long?

Bots suspended for 90+ days may be permanently deleted along with their data (per the Terms of Service).

What is a “Project”?

A project is one independent setup (a bot/community + its plans, targets, payment settings, and members). One BotSubscription account can manage multiple projects.

Can I manage multiple Discord servers?

Yes. Each Discord server is its own isolated project. You authorize the bot separately for each server.

Can I run multiple Telegram bots under one account?

Yes. You can connect multiple bot tokens and manage them as separate projects.

What’s the difference between Sandbox and Production?

Sandbox/Test: for testing; no platform fees; uses sandbox merchant accounts; payments are simulated.
Production/Live: real payments; normal platform fees apply; uses live merchant accounts.

What data is shared between Sandbox and Production?

Shared across both environments:

Plans and bot configuration
Memberships and orders (subscriber history is shared)

If I create test memberships in Sandbox, do they carry into Production?

Yes (memberships are shared). Terminate test memberships before going live.

How many merchant accounts can I have active?

You can have multiple installed, but only one active account per provider per environment (e.g., one active Sandbox Stripe + one active Production Stripe is fine).

Does BotSubscription hold my money?

No. Funds go directly to your payment provider account/wallet. BotSubscription doesn't custody your funds.

What fees should I expect?

You may pay:

BotSubscription platform fee (revenue-share; free up to €85/month, then tiered)
Payment processor fees (Stripe/PayPal/crypto network fees), charged by the provider/network

Do platform fees apply to failed/refunded/test payments?

No. Fees are calculated on successful, completed payments. Sandbox/test transactions are excluded.

Do I need Stripe to use recurring billing?

Recurring billing depends on the provider. Stripe supports subscriptions and saved payment methods; PayPal can also support recurring behavior depending on configuration.

Can I use PayPal without a registered company?

Yes. You need a PayPal Business account, but you can often register as an individual/sole trader depending on PayPal's rules in your region.

Why does crypto sometimes "arrive short"?

Crypto payments can include provider fees and blockchain network fees. The received amount depends on the network and token/coin used. It's important to note that none of these fees are charged by BotSubscription.

What currencies can I charge in?

Supported currencies vary by provider and your merchant account region. Some currencies may work on Stripe but not on PayPal (and vice versa).

Can I use my own domain?

Yes. You can point a custom domain to your portal for a branded experience (e.g., join.yourbrand.com).

What can members do in the portal?

Common actions include viewing subscriptions, payment history, downloading invoices (if enabled), updating billing details, and canceling.

Are BotSubscription invite links secure?

BotSubscription generates unique invite links for members. Invite links are designed to reduce easy sharing/abuse, and memberships can be enforced via access control settings.

Can members generate a new invite link if they lost it?

Yes. Members can generate links again while their membership is active (via /join or the provided join buttons).

Why can't the bot auto-add users into Telegram chats?

Telegram doesn't allow bots to add users directly. The bot generates an invite link for the user to click.

What is "Strict Access Control"?

An extra security layer: if a non-member joins via a leaked link, the bot removes them. It's a toggle in settings (Group Management → Join Requests).

Can I manually approve join requests instead of auto-approve?

Yes. You can switch join requests to manual approval by admins.

Can users take a free trial multiple times?

No. Users with a previous membership (trial or paid) typically won't see the free trial plan again.

How do coupons work?

Coupons can be configured with rules like:

expiration date/time
usage limits (counts paid + pending orders)
min/max spend
auto-apply vs manual code
per-plan eligibility
new/renewal/churn targeting
invitee-only targeting (when affiliates are enabled)

Can BotSubscription run donations as a separate flow from subscriptions?

Yes. BotSubscription can enable donations as a dedicated flow that is separate from subscriptions.

Who can receive broadcasts?

Only users who have interacted with your bot at least once (Telegram requires user-initiated contact).

Can I target broadcasts?

Yes. Audiences include members, non-members, churned, trial members, affiliates, invitees, recent joiners, users with pending orders, and inactive users.

Can I set different commission rates for new sales vs renewals?

Yes. Configure separate percentages for first orders and renewals (including 0% if desired).

What are "due period" and "minimum payout"?

Due period: commissions stay pending for a set time before becoming withdrawable (helps with refunds/disputes).
Minimum payout: affiliates must reach this balance to request a payout.

Are affiliate payouts automatic?

Depends on payout method. PayPal can be automated; many other methods are manual (the bot collects payout details and admins approve).

Can affiliates use their commission as credit to pay for subscriptions?

Yes. Affiliates can pay using internal credit if enabled.

How do API keys work?

You create an API key in the bot (Developer settings) and use it to authenticate API requests.

What are webhooks and when should I use them?

Webhooks send event payloads (JSON) to your server when things happen (e.g., order completed, membership terminated). Use them for real-time integrations.

Do webhooks have retries and signature verification?

Yes. Webhooks include signature headers and delivery attempts; BotSubscription retries failed deliveries (up to several attempts) before giving up.

Does my webhook URL need HTTPS?

Yes. Use https:// and return HTTP 200 for successful delivery.

Is adult/NSFW content allowed?

Yes in your own Telegram/Discord communities (subject to their rules), but BotSubscription-hosted media/content must be SFW. No explicit imagery on checkout pages, plan images, or hosted media.

What content is never allowed?

Examples include CSAM, non-consensual imagery, violence/terror content, human exploitation, and illegal goods/services. Violations can lead to termination and may be reported.

Is BotSubscription affiliated with Telegram or Discord?

No. It's an independent platform that integrates with them.

How is AI billed?

AI is usage-based and requires topping up a balance (the AI calls third-party services). It's a usage-based add-on that requires topping up a balance.

Can the AI reply in multiple languages?

Yes. Training in multiple languages is optional; it can still reply in many languages without it.

Why did the AI stop replying in a conversation?

If an admin replies in that chat, AI pauses for that chat.

Does AI learn from conversations automatically?

Optionally. With Adaptive AI Learning, the bot can propose new Q&A items based on admin replies; this can consume more credits on long chats.

Is analytics available?

Yes. There's basic analytics via bot commands and a more detailed analytics add-on in the dashboard (charts + deeper breakdowns).

What does analytics typically show?

Common metrics include users vs members, conversion rate, churn, revenue trends, payment method distribution, and revenue by plan.

Are access token memberships counted in analytics?

By default, access tokens are "zero-priced" and may be excluded from some revenue analytics unless you configure tokens to inherit plan price.

Can the bot automatically send invoices or receipts?

Yes. You have to configure your billing settings to automatically send invoices or receipts.

When are invoices/receipts issued?

After a paid order is confirmed (not before). Typically delivered within seconds to a few minutes.

Are invoices issued for trials or access tokens?

No. Documents are for paid orders only.

Can customers request invoices with their business details?

Yes. Customers can submit business details for admin review; invoices start only after approval and only for future payments (not retroactive).

Can I back up my bot data?

Yes. Use /backup to generate an encrypted backup archive.

Who can read my backups?

Backups are encrypted; only the bot can decrypt them (not even support can read them).

How do I restore from a backup?

Send the encrypted backup archive back to the bot to import/restore.

Can I rename or modify the backup file?

No. Any changes can corrupt it and the bot may refuse the import.

What languages are supported?

BotSubscription supports many UI languages (English default plus multiple others). The available list can change over time.

What is a “Free Chat”?

A Telegram channel/group that anyone can join without an active membership (useful for marketing and community building).

What happens if I switch a chat from free back to paid?

Users who joined while it was free will remain. The bot only enforces removals for users who join after it becomes paid again.

Yes. A setting can attach subscription buttons under messages in your free channel to drive conversions.

What is "Force Join"?

A setting that requires new users to join your selected free chat before they can use the bot's premium features (existing paying members/admins aren't affected).

Can users extend their membership by buying again?

By default (for non-recurring plans), users can buy another plan while active and extend/overwrite their expiry.

Can I prevent users from buying a new membership while already active?

Yes. Disable membership overwrites in Subscription settings. Then users must wait until expiry.

Can I extend a user's membership manually?

Yes. Admins can edit a specific member's payment/renewal date or extend all memberships by a duration (be careful with recurring subscriptions, which may keep provider billing dates).

Why can't I add a Telegram channel/group via the "Add channel/group" buttons?

Some Telegram clients don't support those buttons. Try another device/client (mobile/desktop/web), or add the bot manually as an admin in the chat with the needed permissions.

I got "Access token abuse" warning. What happened?

Access tokens are for offline payments/free access, not as the primary way to avoid fees. If the system detects heavy misuse, it may temporarily disable access-token creation/usage while leaving real payments working.

What are "saved payment methods"?

Saved billing details (like a card token or PayPal billing agreement) that let members pay faster and enable automatic renewals on recurring plans.

Why do saved methods matter for recurring subscriptions?

They allow the provider to charge future renewals automatically, reducing churn and support load.

What is "One‑Click Pay"?

If a member has a saved method, the bot can show a one-click button in checkout so they can pay without re-entering details.

How can members remove or update a saved method?

Via the web portal (billing/payment methods section) or in-bot: /settings → Payments → Payment Methods.

Can admins see members' card numbers or PayPal credentials?

No. Sensitive data stays with the payment provider (tokenized); admins don't get access to full billing details.

In the bot: /settings → Web Portal → Links, then send the full URLs for the platforms you want.

What is a "custom path" for the portal URL?

It lets you replace a generic URL path (like /123456) with a branded one (like /mybusiness). It's free.

What is the "Backoffice"?

It's an automatically-created admin-only category with channels for payments, notifications, and support logs/threads, plus an active member counter.

Can I customize who can see backoffice channels?

Yes. Use Discord permissions to grant access to specific staff while keeping payments restricted.

Can I move users from one recurring plan to another automatically?

No. Recurring subscriptions are an agreement between you and the user. To change plans, cancel the existing subscription and have the user subscribe to the new plan.

Can recurring subscriptions be cancelled?

Yes. Users can cancel themselves, and admins can cancel a user’s recurring subscription. Subscriptions may also auto-cancel after repeated payment failures.

Chapter 43: Partner Access (Linking Multiple Bots)

What is Partner Access?

A feature that links two bots so buying on one bot can automatically activate a matching membership on the other bot (same expiry).

When should I use Partner Access?

If you run multiple bots (or partner with another business) and want one purchase to grant access across both bots.

How do I set it up?

In the bot: /settings → Project Settings → Partner Access → Add, then enter the other bot’s Bot ID + API key.

Chapter 44: Customer Caps and Waiting List

What is the Waiting List?

When you reach a customer cap, new users can join a waiting list and get notified when a spot opens up.

No. It notifies them; it’s first-come, first-served for claiming the available spot.

Do I need to enable the Waiting List?

No. It becomes active automatically when a customer cap is in place.

Chapter 45: Plans, Upgrades, and Bundle Billing

How do I change my plan?

Via @BotSubscriptionBot → /mybots → select bot → Change plan (you may need to settle any outstanding balance first).

What is the Bundle plan?

A plan for managing multiple bots: one “primary bot” can include up to 4 additional bots under the same subscription (no extra charge for those included bots).

How do I add/remove bots from my Bundle?

In @BotSubscriptionBot: /mybots → select the primary bot → Bots in your plan, then toggle bots in/out (green check = included).

Chapter 46: Crypto Payments Not Confirmed (Practical Checklist)

Why does a crypto payment show “pending” or not confirmed in BotSubscription?

Check these in order:

Use /export_clients_list to find the invoice/order and the deposit address.
Confirm they paid within the invoice payment window (commonly 6 hours).
Verify they used the exact coin/token and the correct network.
Check the address on a blockchain explorer to confirm the transfer exists.

Why is a crypto payment on-chain but still “pending” in BotSubscription?

Likely causes: late payment (after the invoice expired), wrong token, or wrong network. Contact the specific crypto payment processor to reactivate/resolve the invoice.

Why does an order show completed but the user still lacks access?

They may not have joined yet—tell them to use /join (or the join buttons) to enter the chat(s).

Chapter 47: Telegram Setup Tips (Admin Actions)

What permissions does the bot need in my Telegram channel/group?

At minimum: Invite Users via Link (to generate join links) and Ban Users (to remove non-renewals). Add the bot as an admin in every chat it manages.

How do I add the bot (or a teammate) as an admin in a Telegram chat?

In Telegram: open chat → edit → Administrators → Add Admin → select the account/bot → grant needed permissions → save.

How do I unban a user in Telegram so they can rejoin?

Telegram groups: open group → edit → Removed users → select user → Unblock.

How do I change my bot’s profile photo/description?

Use Telegram’s @BotFather: /mybots → select bot → Edit Bot → update name/about/description/botpic/commands.

Chapter 48: Premium Support (When You Need It)

What is Premium Support?

Paid help for advanced tasks (custom integrations, complex troubleshooting, custom development). Standard support remains free for normal setup/issues.

How much does Premium Support cost?

€75/hour (scope-based; you approve estimates before work starts).

How do I request Premium Support?

Email [email protected], use the Telegram support bot, or open a Premium ticket in the Discord support server.

Chapter 49: Web Portal Settings (Start Message + “Save IP Address”)

Can I add an intro text on my web portal homepage?

Yes. In the bot: /settings → Web Portal → Start Message → Add.

What does “Save IP Address” do?

It controls whether login/order notifications include extra metadata (country/IP/device info).

Does BotSubscription store users’ IP addresses?

If Save IP is off: no IP data is collected/stored.
If Save IP is on: IP/device info can be attached to completed orders as a note (helpful for disputes); login details are sent as notifications and not stored.

API Endpoint