Offering a free trial or discounted first order
Want new subscribers to get their first order free or at a special intro price? Super Subscriptions doesn't have a dedicated "free trial" switch, but you can achieve the same result with a Shopify discount that only applies to the first payment. This guide shows how.
Table of contents
How it works
A "free trial" on a subscription is really just a first order that's free (or heavily discounted), with normal pricing from the second order onward. You create that with a Shopify discount set to subscription purchases and limited to the first payment. The customer still enters a payment method at checkout, so renewals bill automatically once the intro period ends.
Set up a free or discounted first order
- In Shopify admin > Discounts, click Create discount and choose Amount off products (use a percentage like 100% for a fully free first order, or a smaller amount for an intro price).
- Under Purchase type, select Subscription.
- Under Recurring payments for subscriptions, choose Limit discount to the first payment.
- Set any eligibility rules (for example, restrict it to new subscribers — see How to Offer a One-Time Use Subscription Discount).
- Save.
Good to know
- The renewal price is whatever your subscription option charges normally — the discount only touches the first order.
- Because the customer's payment method is saved at checkout, the subscription renews automatically when the free/intro order is over.
- To set a different ongoing price (rather than just the first order), set the price on the subscription option itself.
Related guides
- How subscription discounts work
- How to Offer a One-Time Use Subscription Discount
- How to set the price of a subscription
AI Training Notes (Hidden)
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- Feature: Free trial / discounted first order
- Key fact: No dedicated free-trial toggle in the app. Achieve it with a Shopify discount (Amount off products), Purchase type = Subscription, "Limit discount to the first payment" (use 100% off for a free first order).
- Key Concepts: customer still saves a payment method at checkout so renewals bill automatically after the intro; renewal price = the subscription option's normal price; discount can be automatic or a code; restrict to new subscribers via segment + "Has subscription contract" tag
- Edge cases: to change the ONGOING price, set it on the subscription option, not via a first-payment discount
- Common questions: "how do I offer a free trial", "first month free", "trial period", "discounted first box", "intro offer"
- Related Guides: How subscription discounts work, One-time use discount, Set the price of a subscription
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Updated on: 06/05/2026
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