> ## Knowledge Base Index > Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://docs.downpay.app/sitemap.xml > Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further. > Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash). # Downpay overview 🎉 Welcome to Downpay! 🎉 This article will help you understand if Downpay is right for you, and how to get started. --- --- ###### On this page: [How to get started](#1-how-to-get-started) [Ways to use Downpay for deposits](#1-ways-to-use-downpay-for-deposits) * [Where Downpay works](#2-where-downpay-works) * [Preorders](#2-preorders) * [Made to order](#2-made-to-order) * [Bookings](#2-bookings) * [Out of stock](#2-out-of-stock) * [High end products](#2-high-end-products) * [Try before you buy](#2-try-before-you-buy) * [Rentals](#2-rentals) [Key features](#1-key-features) [Compatibility notes](#1-compatibility-notes) [Pricing plans](#1-pricing-plans) --- --- # How to get started There are three ways to get started with Downpay: * [Quick start video series](/en/article/1dtrqcp/) * [Book free onboarding call](https://cal.com/dianabirsan/chat) * [Contact us](https://apps.shopify.com/downpay#modal-show=GetSupportModal) --- --- [Jump to top](#6-on-this-page) # Ways to use Downpay for deposits Downpay enables partial and deferred payments on Shopify, storing a payment method on file for each order so you can collect the remaining balance easily. That single capability supports a range of selling strategies. The most popular ones are below. ## Where Downpay works Downpay supports two places where orders are created: * **Online store.** Customers select a deposit purchase option on your product page and pay the deposit at checkout. This is the standard setup for preorders, out of stock items and high end products. * **Draft orders and manual orders.** You build the order in your Shopify admin, send the customer a secure link to add a card, then charge the deposit and remaining balance from the order page. No checkout is needed. This suits quotes, phone orders and bespoke work. | Learn more: [Deposits and partial payments on draft orders](https://docs.downpay.app/en/article/deposits-and-partial-payments-on-draft-orders-uz0vsv/) ## Preorders **What it is:** Customers pay a deposit to reserve a product that has not launched yet. **Why merchants use it:** A preorder deposit lets you gauge demand before committing to a production run. It also manages customer expectations, which matters when the ship date is months away and a full charge upfront would feel risky to the buyer. **Best for:** New product launches, drops and limited releases. ## Made to order **What it is:** Customers pay an upfront deposit on a custom or commissioned product, and the balance when it is ready to ship. **Why merchants use it:** The deposit funds materials and production before work begins, and confirms the customer is committed before you start building something you cannot resell. **Best for:** Custom furniture, fine jewelry, bridal, commissioned art and any made-on-demand product. ## Bookings **What it is:** Customers pay a deposit to secure a spot, with the balance charged closer to the date. **Why merchants use it:** A deposit reduces no-shows and confirms attendance, while letting customers pay the bulk of the cost nearer the time. You can set the balance to be charged the day before the booking. **Best for:** Workshops, classes, travel packages, retreats and events. ## Out of stock **What it is:** Customers pay a small deposit on an out of stock product to hold their place in line. **Why merchants use it:** Back in stock notifications rely on the customer returning to buy. A deposit captures the sale now and saves their payment method, so you can charge the balance and ship as soon as stock arrives. **Best for:** Restocks, popular SKUs and anything with a reliable return date. ## High end products **What it is:** Customers split a large purchase into a deposit and a balance, like a layaway. **Why merchants use it:** Paying in full at checkout is a real conversion barrier on high ticket items. Splitting the payment makes the purchase easier on the customer's wallet. It works especially well when a high price is paired with a long shipping time. **Best for:** Furniture, fine jewelry, luxury goods and anything with a high average order value. ## Try before you buy **What it is:** Customers receive the product before being charged, and payment is deferred for a set window. **Why merchants use it:** Removing the upfront charge lowers the barrier to trying a product. You charge only if the customer does not return it within the window. **Best for:** Apparel, eyewear, cosmetics and any category with high try-on intent. ## Rentals **What it is:** An authorized hold is placed for a set amount while the customer has your product. **Why merchants use it:** The hold covers damage or loss without charging the customer upfront, and is released if the item comes back in good condition. **Best for:** Equipment, formalwear, furniture and event rentals. || Authorization periods vary by Shopify plan. Check how long you can hold an authorization before setting up a rental flow. --- --- [Jump to top](#6-on-this-page) # Key features Downpay includes many features to help enable payment flexibility with many more on the way. Some features will only be available for certain pricing plans. Downpay key features: * Deposits based on % or $ price of a product on your store or offering deferred payment per product * Payment method on file per order * Storefront purchase options design and content customization * Order tags by purchase option name and scheduled order status for future fulfillments * Customer payment method changes and/or cancellations * Customer purchase options cancellation policy at checkout | Hypehound encourages merchants to review [Shopify’s guidelines](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/products/purchase-options/pre-orders) for managing preorder purchase options and also understand the current limitations. --- --- [Jump to top](#6-on-this-page) # Compatibility notes It’s important to be aware of certain limitations when using any kind of partial or deferred payment on Shopify. * Deposits are available for stores using the following Payment Gateways: Shopify Payments, Paypal Express, Stripe and some Authorize.net setups. Adyen is also available on Shopify Plus. * Deposits are only available to be paid using a credit card or Paypal account. * Local payment methods are not available yet and once Shopify enables these, Downpay will be compatible. * Deposits with payment vaulting are only available on the Online store channel. For Downpay orders placed on the online store, POS can be used to collect the remaining balance. Downpay's [Checkout Links integration](https://docs.downpay.app/en/article/checkout-links-integration-setup-jigw7) also offers a POS workflow that may work for your business. * Deposits with Downpay is not available for Facebook Commerce and Google Merchant Center * Some bundles apps like Shopify Bundles are not compatible of deposits due to a Shopify limitation related to the cart transform API not having support for partial payment yet. Review our [compatibility list](https://getdownpay.com/shopify-downpay-app-compatibility-list/) to find one that works for your brand. * Discount codes are always applied to the remaining balance. * Deposits don’t support “Buy x, get y” Shopify discounts due to a Shopify limitation however many apps like Dollarlabs and Abra support Downpay for this type of discount. * Only one future payment collection is available for orders with deposits. The exception is merchants included in [our partial pay beta](https://docs.downpay.app/en/article/collect-partial-payment-on-deposit-orders-1mz38yb/), who are able to collect more than one balance. * Buy now, pay later and subscription purchase options do not support deposits but can be used as separate options on the same product * Orders with deposits do not support Shopify's tipping functionality due to a Shopify limitation * Shopify Store credit cannot be used for paying a deposit due to a Shopify limitation. It can be used for paying a remaining balance. * Gift cards cannot be used for paying a deposit due to a Shopify limitation. It can be used for paying a remaining balance. --- --- [Jump to top](#6-on-this-page) # Pricing plans Pricing can be reviewed our our [Shopify app store page](https://apps.shopify.com/downpay) or [website](https://getdownpay.com/#pricing). [Contact us directly at sales@hypehound.io](mailto:sales@hypehound.io) to discuss custom pricing plans for brands processing more than $100k per month.