Choosing between recurring and one-time billing is one of the most important decisions for your SaaS business. The right model affects cash flow, customer retention, and growth—especially in diverse markets like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
In this guide, we’ll break down both billing models and how ZgCodes makes it easy to use one—or both—for your SaaS product.
1. What is Recurring Billing?
Recurring billing means charging your customers on a schedule—monthly, quarterly, or yearly.
It’s common in:
Productivity SaaS
Cloud platforms
Fintech tools
Subscription-based services
✅ Pros:
Predictable revenue
Strong customer retention
Upsell/cross-sell friendly
❌ Cons:
Requires trust and good onboarding
May face hesitation in regions unfamiliar with auto-renewals
2. What is One-Time Billing?
One-time billing charges customers once for lifetime access, usage credits, or downloadable products.
It works well for:
Tools with no updates required
Micro SaaS with simple use cases
Pay-per-use models
✅ Pros:
Faster conversions
Great for emerging markets
Easier to explain pricing
❌ Cons:
No recurring income
No opportunity for LTV growth unless upgrades are added
3. Billing Preferences in the MENA Region
Different parts of MENA have different expectations:
| Region | Preferred Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Egypt 🇪🇬 | One-time or annual | Monthly auto-renewal adoption is growing |
| UAE 🇦🇪 | Monthly recurring | More familiar with global SaaS norms |
| Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 | Monthly/annual mix | B2B prefers annual contracts |
| Jordan & Levant | One-time + trials | Trust building is essential |
| North Africa | Pay-per-use favored | Low-cost entry is important |
4. How ZgCodes Supports Both Billing Models
ZgCodes lets you set billing modes per plan, per product, or even by region:
🔁 Recurring Billing Options:
Monthly, quarterly, or annual
Auto-renewal with reminders
Prorated upgrades/downgrades
Automatic invoice and tax calculation
💳 One-Time Billing Features:
Instant checkout link
No renewal or subscription tracking needed
Optional add-ons for lifetime plans
Usage tracking for pay-per-credit systems
💼 You can even mix both in one product suite.
5. When to Use Each Model
Use Recurring Billing when:
You offer ongoing updates or support
Your users need the product long-term
You want stable revenue
Use One-Time Billing when:
You're targeting price-sensitive users
You're launching in regions with low auto-billing adoption
Your service has a defined, one-time value
6. Bonus: Hybrid Billing Strategy
You can combine both:
Offer a one-time starter pack, then convert to monthly
Use lifetime deals to build an early user base
Allow users to choose between monthly or annual billing
📊 ZgCodes supports hybrid billing logic with zero extra code.
Conclusion
There’s no one-size-fits-all billing model in the MENA region. Your best move? Stay flexible.
ZgCodes empowers you to experiment, localize, and scale with the billing logic that fits your audience.
👉 Choose the right billing model—and let ZgCodes handle the rest.