# Changing your billing cycle and upgrading your plan

> Switch between monthly, annual and multi-year billing, upgrade or downgrade your hosting plan, and what you pay when you do.

Source: https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/billing/guides/changing-your-billing-cycle-and-upgrading/

## Change your billing cycle

Hosting can be billed **monthly**, **annually**, or for longer terms of **up to 10 years**. Longer cycles usually cost less overall.

To change your billing cycle, [open a ticket](https://dashboard.ruachost.com/submitticket.php) in the **Billing** department and tell us which service and which cycle you want. The new cycle starts at your next renewal, and your next invoice is for the new period.

## Upgrade or downgrade your plan

1. Log in to the [client area](https://dashboard.ruachost.com/clientarea.php) and go to **Services → My Services**.
2. Open the plan and click **Upgrade/Downgrade**.
3. Choose the new plan and billing cycle, and click **Continue**.
4. Pay the invoice for the difference.

## What happens when you upgrade

- **You only pay the difference** for the rest of your current billing period. The amount is worked out for you on the invoice.
- **The change is made automatically** once the invoice is paid, usually within minutes.
- **Nothing is moved:** your website, files, databases, email and settings stay exactly as they are, with no downtime.
- **Your renewal date doesn't change.** From your next renewal, you pay the new plan's price.

When you **downgrade**, check that your usage (disk space, email accounts, databases, websites) fits the smaller plan first. Any difference may be added to your account credit.

## Moving to a different type of service

Moving from shared hosting to a [Managed VPS](https://ruachost.com/vps), for example, needs a new order and a migration. [Contact us](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/getting-started/guides/contact-support/) and we'll help you move.

## Related articles

- [Ruachost billing FAQ](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/billing/guides/ruachost-billing-faq/)
- [Fixing 503 and 508 "Resource Limit Is Reached" errors](https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/getting-started/website-troubleshooting/fixing-503-and-508-errors/)