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Trial vs Standard Service

Understanding the difference between trial and standard service helps you make the best decision for your appointment monitoring needs.

Trial Service (Free)​

Free Trial Features
  • Duration: 7 days
  • Locations: 1 location only
  • Notifications: Email only (with 15-minute delay and 5/day limit)
  • Monitoring: 24/7 monitoring during trial period
  • Support: Full customer support

Trial Limitations​

  • Single location: Can only monitor one location at a time
  • Email only: SMS notifications are disabled during trial
  • 15-minute delay: All notifications are delayed by 15 minutes
  • Daily limit: Maximum 5 email notifications per day
  • Time limited: Automatically expires after 7 days
  • Feature restrictions: Date/time filters and Quiet Hours can be set but don't apply until upgrade

Trial Benefits​

  • Risk-free testing: Experience SpotPatrol monitoring before paying
  • No credit card required: Start immediately without payment info
  • Easy upgrade: Seamless transition to standard service
  • Settings preserved: Your location and filter preferences carry over

Standard Service ($29)​

Full Service Features
  • Duration: 1 month from purchase
  • Locations: 3 locations included
  • Notifications: Email and SMS (instant delivery, unlimited)
  • Monitoring: 24/7 monitoring
  • Support: Priority customer support
  • Add-ons: Option to add Location Boost
  • SMS limit: 15 SMS messages per day (email unlimited)
  • Discounted Renewals: Only $19 for additional months (if needed)

Standard Benefits​

  • Multiple locations: Monitor up to 3 locations simultaneously
  • Instant notifications: No delivery delays
  • SMS included: Both email and SMS notifications
  • Full features: All date/time filters and quiet hours active
  • Better coverage: Increased chances of finding appointments
  • Flexible management: Add/remove locations as needed

Making the Decision​

Stay on Trial If:​

  • You only need to monitor one specific location
  • You're not in a hurry to find an appointment
  • You want to test the service before paying
  • You can work with email-only notifications
  • You don't mind the 15-minute delivery delay

Upgrade to Standard If:​

Consider Upgrading When
  • You want to monitor multiple locations (up to 3)
  • You need instant notifications without delays
  • You want SMS alerts in addition to email
  • You want full access to date/time filtering features
  • You're serious about finding an appointment quickly

Location Boost Add-On​

What It Adds​

  • Additional locations: Increases limit from 3 to 6 locations
  • Cost: $9 for 90 days
  • Timing: Can be added anytime to standard service
Learn More

For complete details about Location Boost, see our Location Boost guide.

When to Add Location Boost​

  • You live between multiple metropolitan areas
  • You're willing to travel further for an appointment
  • You want maximum geographic coverage
  • You're in a highly competitive market

Upgrading from Trial​

Timing Your Upgrade​

  • Before trial expires: Seamless transition, no monitoring gaps
  • After trial expires: Brief setup period to restart monitoring
  • Anytime during trial: Immediate access to additional locations

What Happens When You Upgrade​

  1. Immediate access: Add up to 2 more locations right away
  2. Instant notifications: 15-minute delays are removed
  3. SMS enabled: Start receiving SMS notifications immediately
  4. Full features: Date/time filters and quiet hours become active
  5. Continuous monitoring: No interruption in service
  6. Billing cycle: New 30-day period starts from upgrade date

Service Comparison​

FeatureTrialStandardStandard + Boost
Duration7 days1 month1 month
Locations136
Email Notifications✅ (5/day, 15-min delay)✅ (Unlimited, instant)✅ (Unlimited, instant)
SMS Notifications❌✅ (15/day)✅ (15/day)
Date/Time Filters⚙️ (Can set, inactive)✅ (Fully active)✅ (Fully active)
24/7 Monitoring✅✅✅
Customer SupportStandardPriorityPriority
CostFree$29$29 + $9

Renewal and Billing​

No Auto-Renewal​

  • SpotPatrol does not automatically renew
  • You choose when to purchase additional service
  • No surprise charges or automatic billing

Renewal Options​

  • Before expiration: Seamless continuation of service
  • After expiration: Easy reactivation with same settings
  • Service extensions: Available near expiration date

Payment Methods​

  • Credit/debit cards
  • PayPal
  • Apple Pay (on supported devices)
  • Google Pay (on supported devices)

Frequently Asked Questions​

Can I change locations or other settings during my service period?​

Yes, you can add, remove, or change locations or any other settings anytime through your dashboard (within your location limit).

What happens if I don't upgrade from trial?​

Your monitoring stops after 7 days, but your account and settings remain saved for easy reactivation.

Do notifications work the same on both plans?​

No. Trial users receive email-only notifications with a 15-minute delay and 5-per-day limit. Standard users get both email and SMS with instant delivery and higher limits (email unlimited, SMS 15/day).

Getting Started​

Starting Your Trial​

  1. Create your account
  2. Choose your location
  3. Set up email notifications
  4. Monitor for 7 days (email only, 15-min delay)

Upgrading to Standard​

  1. Go to your Dashboard
  2. Click "Upgrade" in the trial banner or locations section
  3. Add additional locations if desired
  4. Complete payment for instant notifications and SMS
Need Help After Upgrading?