Skip to main content
FAQ home

Are usage-based and subscription billing the same?

Yes and no.

Do you only think of fixed recurring billing when someone mentions subscription billing solutions? You’re not alone. Although fixed recurring subscription billing—think Netflix—has gained popularity (for a good reason, but that’s for another post), SaaS subscription companies offer different subscription products and services, including usage-based subscription billing.

Are usage-based and subscription billing the same?

Yes and no. A subscription business model nurtures an ongoing relationship with a customer and is essentially an open contract. A usage-based billing model is just one of the pricing options available for that subscription. A usage-based subscription—sometimes referred to as a pay-as-you-go subscription—is just that: Customers receive recurring bills according to their service usage within the billing period. The more they use a service, the more they pay; thus, usage-based billing can be a type of subscription (as opposed to fixed recurring billing).


If your business is currently wading through the waters of subscription billing solutions and don’t know where to start or what to look for, check out these best practices from our financial experts.

‍

Recommended FAQs

Are all reconciliations made automatically?
The short answer is that you can but shouldn't reconcile all your transactions automatically.
Can I Integrate my HR with Payroll in NetSuite?
The integration conversation may be slightly more complex if the payroll and HR solutions in question are both standalone from NetSuite. This is purely because it introduces a third consideration for mapping.
Can ZoneBilling handle usage-based billing?
Yep, no problem.
Can ZoneCapture manage multiple subsidiaries and countries in NetSuite?
Yep! Having been developed specifically for NetSuite and natively in NetSuite, ZoneCapture harnesses and extends NetSuite’s core functionality to manage multiple subsidiaries, currencies, languages, and tax jurisdictions as standard.
Can ZoneCapture match to an existing PO in NetSuite?
Absolutely! ZoneCapture matches an incoming bill / invoice to an existing purchase order in NetSuite. It provides the user also with an out-of-the-box full 3-way matching overview.
Can ZoneReconcile manage multiple subsidiaries, currencies, and countries in NetSuite?
Absolutely. ZoneReconcile extends NetSuite’s core functionality and is tailor-made for growing international businesses. 
Does NetSuite Have Payroll?
Yes. But your options are determined by the countries in which you need to manage payroll.
Does NetSuite have my banking information?
No, NetSuite does not have your banking information. Payments are processed solely through Stripe, maintaining PCI & NACHA compliance.
Does ZoneBilling handle monthly, quarterly, and annual billing cadences?
Bill your customers and build invoices to match your exact needs directly in NetSuite with ZoneBilling.
Does ZoneReconcile integrate directly with my bank/card provider?
Depending on your bank, you can configure live bank feeds to push transactions into NetSuite automatically via ZoneReconcile.
Does the software produce all of our CRA, CPA and compliance documentation and submissions?
As standard, ZonePayroll records all relevant data and produces everything you need to fulfill your legal requirements with the CRA, CPA and other bodies.
How are incoming transactions captured?
Incoming transactions will be received in NetSuite by email.
How are various VAT rates supported?
Multiple VAT rates are split into separate lines for vendor bills created from PDFs.
How can I prepare for a successful ERP adoption?
Start by identifying the pains of your current processes.
How does ZoneBilling access usage information managed in proprietary software?
An integration software can set up your proprietary system to send usage data to NetSuite, giving ZoneBilling seamless access to that information.
How does ZoneBilling connect to NetSuite?
ZoneBilling is a native SuiteApp, and this means it functions entirely inside the walls of NetSuite.
How does ZoneCapture create bills and credits in NetSuite?
You select an email address to receive your incoming AP documents. ZoneCapture uses OCR and machine learning (AI) to read the transaction information and create a new transaction in NetSuite or match it to existing POs and bills based on reference numbers, dates, amounts, and vendor details.
How is ZoneCapture different from other AP solutions?
We can’t speak for anyone else, but we developed our SuiteApp specifically for NetSuite in 2014, following several customer requests for an affordable native Netsuite solution already within their core set-up. ZoneCapture is driven by constant user input and the latest technologies like GenAI.
What are some signs that you should start looking into ERP solutions?
In addition to your finance team spending hours, days, or weeks on things like billing, collecting, and closing the month, look at the things that other business departments can’t do because of the finance team’s limitations.
What languages can I use with ZoneCapture?
ZoneCapture supports almost all languages and character systems.
What should a business look for in an ERP?
Think about the risks, the costs, the benefits, the required change management. Discuss these things with your CFO and CEO, and make sure you’re all aligned before moving forward.
What’s a good approach for implementing an ERP?
Take a phased approach. There’s no need to do everything all at once—actually, we recommend against it.
When is the right time for a business to transition to an ERP?
It all depends on the reality of your finance team’s day-to-day work. If they’re losing a lot of time to things like billing, collecting, and closing the month, then it’s time to consider an ERP.
Which Canadian provinces and territories are supported?
All provinces and territories are currently supported except for Quebec.
Which payment types does ZonePayments support?
We support credit cards, ACH, and SEPA Direct Debit but are adding more with each release. Visit our knowledge center for more information on the supported payment methods.
Why is it so important to transition to an ERP?
Transitioning to an ERP eliminates a lot of the manual work associated with billing and RevRec, reducing the likelihood of error but also ensuring that customers are invoiced on time and payments are captured quickly and efficiently.