> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://academy.shade.inc/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://academy.shade.inc/administration-and-security/billing.md).

# Billing

Billing is managed at the workspace level. The pricing is simple: you are charged for seats and storage. You can view our pricing plans [here](https://shade.inc/pricing). Seats are prorated on a monthly basis and storage is prorated on a hourly basis.

Our billing viewing and management is split between 3 pages on the app.

<figure><img src="/files/hjcnBRq2E2vT8bSd18HE" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Usage

Your workspace usage can be found under Settings/Usage. This page is an overview of how your workspace is using seats, storage, drives, and credits.

## Plans

Your workspace plan can be found under Settings/Plans. This page is an overview of your current plan, and what features you have access to under that plan.

## Billing

Your workspace billing can be found under Settings/Billing. This page is a breakdown of your plan, billing cycle, and upcoming invoices.

## FAQs

### How can lower my bill?

You can move your workspace members to being guests on the drives they need to access. Note that drive guests will not be able to mount or access metadata on those drives even if they have full access. Purchasing storage in bulk is another way to lower your storage cost. You can also lower your storage costs by considering using a proxy workflow [here](https://academy.shade.inc/guides). In a proxy workflow you keep your raw files on disk or NAS, and sync proxies to a mounted Shade drive.


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