CallHippo pricing and charges primarily work on a seat-based system, along with the numbers present in your account.
Also, CallHippo works on an auto-renewal system, which makes it mandatory to add and keep at least one primary payment method added into your account.
You cannot stop the auto-renewal system for your account.
What is a seat?
The term "seat" refers to a user slot in your account. Your billing is based on the number of seats you have, not on how many users are actively using them.
By default, the number of seats matches the number of users. When you add a new user, a new seat is automatically added, and your billing will reflect that change.
You are billed based on the total number of seats (user slots) available in your account, giving you the flexibility to add users as needed without adjusting your subscription each time.
For example, if your account includes 5 seats and currently has 2 active users, the remaining 3 seats stay ready for you to fill anytime, and your billing will reflect the 5-seat plan.
What are the per-seat charges?
The charges visible on the CallHippo pricing page are the per-seat charges. Kindly refer to the website link and the screenshot below: https://callhippo.com/pricing/
The prices highlighted in the pricing page are the per-seat charges. For example, the Starter plan for the US and Canada, visible in the screenshot, costs $25 per seat. If you have an account with CallHippo that has 3 users, 4 seats in this plan, you will be charged for 4 seats, which is $25 x 4 = $100 per month.
Additional charges apart from the plan charges:
1. Number charges:
Each user in your CallHippo account includes one free standard number as part of the plan benefits.
As long as the number of standard numbers matches the number of users, there will be no additional charges for the numbers.
To avoid additional charges, always add the user before assigning or adding a new standard number to your account.
If the number of standard numbers exceeds the number of users, the extra numbers will be billed based on your billing cycle (monthly, quarterly, or annually).
Example: If you have two users and add a third standard number, charges for the third number will apply as it goes beyond the included limit.
2. Number replacement case:
When you remove a phone number from your account and add a new one during the same billing cycle, the new number is treated as additional for billing purposes. As a result, you may be charged for both the removed and the newly added numbers within that billing period.
Example 1:
You have a 4-user CallHippo account, which includes a benefit of 1 free standard number per user (up to 4 numbers).
If you delete one of your 3 existing numbers and add a new one, the system will treat the new number as a 4th standard number. Therefore, all four user benefits will be used for that cycle—no extra charge.
Example 2:
You have a 2-user account with 2 standard numbers.
If you delete one number and add a new one, the system will count the new number as a 3rd. Since your plan only includes 2 free numbers, the new number will be billed as an additional number for that billing cycle.
Note: In both cases, your number count and billing will reset at the start of the next billing cycle, and charges will be adjusted accordingly.
3. Premium number charges:
Premium numbers are different from standard numbers—they are not included in the “one free standard number per user” benefit.
This means you’ll be charged for premium numbers separately, no matter how many users you have on your account.
Example:
You have a 2-user account and have only used 1 free standard number so far.
If you now add a premium number, you’ll be charged for it.
Your second user’s free standard number is still available—you haven’t used that benefit yet.
So, you can still add 1 more standard number for free later.
You can refer to the number classification details here.
4. Add-on charges:
What is an add-on?
Add-ons are additional features that can be added to your CallHippo plan to enhance your account's capabilities. These features are available to all customers, regardless of the plan they’re on, and can be added at any time (except during the free trial period). Add-ons provide flexibility, allowing you to customize your account with the tools and resources you need. Simply choose the add-on features you require, and they will be seamlessly integrated into your plan.
Example:
If you're on the Bronze plan and want to use the Call Scribe feature (which isn’t included), you can still access it by adding it as an add-on.
You will be able to see the add-ons on our pricing page website if you scroll towards the bottom of the page at the “Large scale business” section: https://callhippo.com/pricing/
5. Calling credits:
Calling credits work like a prepaid top-up for your CallHippo account. You can add them anytime, and they’re used only when certain situations come up that aren’t covered by your plan.
When Are Calling Credits Used?
Calling credits are used in these cases:
You call or receive calls from countries not covered in your current plan.
You send or receive SMS messages.
You've used up all your free calling minutes for the current billing cycle and still want to keep calling.
You make or receive calls to/from premium numbers (special numbers with higher charges).
You forward calls to an external number in a country that’s not included in your plan.
How Are Credits Deducted?
Credits are used up based on your actual usage and the rates for calls and SMS. You can view the current rates here:
Frequently asked questions:
Q: What is a seat, and why am I being charged for it even if no one is using it?
A: A seat means a spot for a user in your account. You are charged for the number of seats you have, not whether someone is using them. So even if a seat is not used, you still have to pay for it.
Q: If I add a new user, will I be charged immediately for the additional seat?
A: Yes! When you add a new user, a new seat is created for them, and you’ll be charged for it. The charge will be added to your ongoing billing on a pro-rated basis.
Q: Why am I being charged even after deleting a phone number and adding a new one?
A: When you delete a number and add a new one in the same billing cycle, the new number is treated as an extra and is charged separately. So you may see a charge for both numbers during that cycle.
Q: Can I stop auto-renewal for my CallHippo account?
A: CallHippo works on an auto-renewal system by default, and this can’t be turned off. To keep your service active, you’ll need to keep at least one payment method on file.
Q: Why do I need to add a primary payment method if I already paid for my plan?
A: Even if you've paid, CallHippo requires a primary payment method for renewals, add-ons, credits, and any usage-based charges that may apply during the billing cycle.
Q: Will my calling credits roll over to the next billing cycle if I don’t use them all?
A: Yes! Unused calling credits can be carried forward and used in the future.
We hope this information was helpful to you.
For any more queries, you can contact support via live chat or email at [email protected].