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As of January 10th, 2025, we introduced a new subscription structure. Previously, our subscriptions allowed for unlimited companies. However, basic subscriptions are now limited to 10 active companies.
We understand that this change might impact some customers, and we have taken many steps to communicate these updates in advance. Our new pricing structure, including the introduction of 'Agent' level subscriptions for customers managing more than 10 companies, was shared through multiple channels:
- Emails sent on: April 2, 2024; September 11, 2024; November 11, 2024; and January 24, 2025.
- Notifications on our website.
- In-app popups and log events targeting customers managing more than 10 companies, such as the one below which when acknowledged shows up in Tools >> Licence Details.
We’ve done our best to ensure all affected users were informed ahead of time. These changes are essential for aligning our services with value-based pricing, which helps ensure the long-term success and sustainability of Lightning Payroll.
For customers wishing to manage more than 10 active companies, upgrading to the 'Agent' level subscription is necessary. To explore our available plans and pricing, please visit our pricing page.
A company only counts towards your limit if it has active (non-terminated) employees. If you no longer use a company, simply terminate all employees in that company to free up a slot. This can be done via Pays >> Edit Pay >> Terminate Employee or the Tools >> Bulk Termination Wizard for faster processing. Once all employees are terminated, the company is excluded from your active company count, freeing up space for another.
For more information on upgrading your subscription, please see our guide here: How to Upgrade.
Understanding Active Companies and Licenses
Your subscription license count is based on the number of active companies you manage. A company is considered "active" if it has any non-terminated employees. If you’re nearing the company limit, review your existing companies to identify those that are no longer needed.
To lock a company and exclude it from your active company count, terminate all employees in the company. For example, companies with outdated employee records can be managed quickly using the Bulk Termination Wizard.
Marking a company as inactive (locked) automatically frees up a slot in your subscription, enabling you to unlock a previously locked company or create a new one within your plan.
Why Termination is Key
Terminating employees helps keep your company records accurate and compliant with subscription limits. Inactive companies remain accessible for reporting and record-keeping but do not count toward your active company total.
Keeping your active companies streamlined ensures you stay within your subscription plan and reduces unnecessary administrative tasks. If you have any questions or need assistance, our support team is here to help!
What Can I Do?
If you are affected by the new 10-company limit, here are your available options:
- Terminate all employees in unused companies – Companies with no active (non-terminated) employees do not count toward your limit. You can do this via Pays >> Edit Pay >> Terminate Employee or the Tools >> Bulk Termination Wizard for faster processing.
- Upgrade to an Agent package – If you need to manage more than 10 companies, you can upgrade to our 'Agent' subscription, which supports unlimited active companies. Check out our pricing page for details.
- Convert your current subscription to an Agent package – If you want to switch to an Agent package immediately, contact us! We can convert your remaining subscription value into an Agent subscription, allowing you to upgrade without extra upfront costs by sacrificing remaining days on your current plan.
If you need help or have questions, our support team is happy to assist!