After 6 months of using Continue in our projects: it’s a mixed bag, with hidden costs lurking around every corner.
Context
I’ve been working with Continue pricing since October 2025 for a mid-sized online marketplace. We wanted a straightforward SaaS solution for managing subscriptions and user accounts for a variety of tiers—basic, premium, and enterprise. We kicked off the implementation process with around 2,500 active paying users, expecting our user base to grow as we improved our marketing efforts. However, after half a year, I’ve got some thoughts to share about what we’ve experienced.
What Works
- Simple User Interface: The dashboard is sleek, clean, and intuitive. We didn’t waste time hunting for what we needed. For example, adding new subscription plans took just a few clicks. A huge advantage compared to our previous solution.
- API Support: Their REST API works pretty well for automating various tasks. For instance, we were able to integrate with our custom CRM to pull user data through a straightforward API call:
import requests
url = "https://api.continue.example.com/v1/users"
response = requests.get(url, headers={'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_TOKEN'})
print(response.json())
What Doesn’t Work
- Pricing Tiers and Extra Costs: Here’s the kicker. The structure of Continue pricing seems intentional to trap you in. The cheap $49/month tier is essentially an entry-level joke. You hit limitations fast, like having only 1,000 active users before being charged an additional $0.10 per user. Suddenly, you’re looking at $149 a month for a team of 1,500 users, plus additional charges if you want features like advanced analytics. Ended up receiving an invoice that made my stomach drop.
- Error Messages: When we hit the user cap, Continue decided to throw some dreadful errors. One time, when trying to create a new plan, we received this delightful message:
USER_LIMIT_EXCEEDED. No direction on how to fix it; just back to the drawing board. - Limits on Customization: Want to tweak the default email templates? Forget it! You’re stuck with their branding, and any changes feel like you’re slapping duct tape on a leaking pipe. Makes us look unprofessional to our users.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Continue | Alternative A (Chargebee) | Alternative B (Stripe) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Pricing | $49/month | $29/month | $0/month (transaction fee based) |
| Active User Limit | 1,000 (Additional $0.10/user) | Unlimited (with higher tiers) | Pay-as-you-go |
| Customization Options | Low | High | Medium |
| Support Response Time | Hours | Minutes | Hours |
| API Documentation Quality | Good | Excellent | Good |
The Numbers
Let’s break down some performance and cost data. Here’s what we found after six months:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Users | 2,500 |
| Monthly Subscription Cost | $149 (with user cap) |
| Annual Cost Projection | $1,788 (with additional growth) |
| Support Tickets Opened | 15 |
| Resolved Tickets Within 24h | 80% |
Who Should Use This
If you’re an individual developer just starting out or a small team launching a basic project, Continue pricing may seem appealing initially. You can manage simple subscription models without too much hassle. But I wouldn’t recommend it for fast-growing startups or businesses looking to scale. You’ll face costs that quickly spiral out of control, leaving you with nasty surprises in your budget. Seriously, back when I was building my first project, I chose a budget option too. Guess who had to spend an extra day fixing budget miscalculations. Spoiler: me.
Who Should Not
If you’re a larger team or a startup focused on high user growth, skip Continue. The pricing model sets you up to constantly adjust your budget based on user growth. Plus, without full customization options, you’ll find it hard to maintain a consistent brand identity. Go for either Chargebee with better pricing plans or Stripe for a flat-rate approach that’s way more sensible.
FAQ
- Can I Change My Pricing Plan Whenever?
Yes, you can shift between plans, but you better buckle up for the potential cost increase. They have a dreary way of calculating your final invoice. - Does Continue Charge for Downtime?
Nope, they don’t charge during downtime—wonderful, right? But it brings us back to their unreliable service during peak times. - Can I Approach Support Via Chat?
Unfortunately, support is entirely ticket-based. You won’t find any real-time chat, which can be economically frustrating during emergencies. - Is There a Free Trial Available?
Yes, they offer a free trial for the first 30 days. However, be cautious about your user count—keep it low unless you want those hidden fees to jump at you. - Are There Any Set-Up Fees?
No initial setup fees. That’s a plus, but beware of costs that arise as you add users or features. Always read the fine print.
Data Sources
Information was gathered from the official documentation, user experience reports, and community discussions on platforms like Reddit and Product Hunt.
Last updated April 17, 2026. Data sourced from official docs and community benchmarks.
đź•’ Published: