Recurring add-on or setup fee: what is the difference?
Both are extra charges on a service. Only one of them repeats.
Short answer
A recurring add-on is an optional extra that repeats with the package, such as a monthly support option. A setup fee is a one-time charge for onboarding or preparation. It is paid once and is not repeated in each billing period.
How it works
Ask whether the amount comes back every billing period. If it does, it is a recurring add-on and belongs in the periodic total. If it does not, it is a one-time charge and should be shown separately, so it does not look like a permanent price rise.
Illustrative example
Hypothetical values: a $190 monthly package, a $40 monthly priority support add-on and a $75 one-time onboarding fee. The first invoice totals $305, of which $75 is one-time. From the second period the total is $230.
Common confusion
Putting a one-time charge into the monthly price, or hiding a recurring add-on inside a setup fee, makes offers hard to compare. The customer should be able to tell what repeats.
How Komashi handles it
Komashi keeps the two apart. Add-ons can be recurring or one-time, and each one states which of its charges repeat. Setup fees, onboarding and audits can be charged once while the package repeats, and the order summary lists the recurring price and one-time additions separately.
Common questions
Can an add-on be one-time?
Yes. Komashi supports both recurring and one-time add-ons. A recurring add-on repeats with the package, and a one-time addition is charged once.
Should a setup fee be part of the monthly price?
No. A setup fee is a one-time charge. Komashi shows it separately from the recurring amount.