How to choose your hosting billing script
Many web hosting billing software options are available. This guide provides an overview to help hosting providers choose the most suitable web hosting billing software for their business needs.
Price
Some billing software programs for web hosts are open source (free), while most are commercial and available in these payment options (depending on the program):
- A leased license for a recurring monthly fee
- An owned or perpetual license for a one-time fee
Some web hosts offer specific billing software licenses and/or pre-installed billing software programs with reseller and dedicated web hosting accounts. Depending on the web host, pre-installed programs might be open source or commercial.
Open source programs have the advantage that they’re free. Disadvantages are that features are limited, you might have to pay for support, and the software might not be as easy to use as paid alternatives. Also, if you switch to paid software later, you’ll have the inconvenience of transferring all your records to it.
Features
Specific features vary for each billing software program. Some common features:
Accounts
- Web host account provisioning
- Ability to upgrade or downgrade plans
Billing and payments
- Automated billing and invoicing
- Recurring billing: monthly, semi-annually, annually, other
- Automated payment tracking
- Support for a range of payment gateways
- Bills sent via email, PDF, or other methods
Support methods
- Knowledgebase
- Integrated helpdesk support system
Domain names
- Automated domain name registration
- Works with a range of domain extensions
- Can provide free domains with hosting packages
- Supports domain renewals and transfers
Other
- Multiple language support
- Unbranded
- Customization options
Compatibility
Each web hosting billing software program is compatible with some control panels, some domain registrars, and some payment gateways. Check that the ones you’re looking at are compatible with everything else that you’re using or would like to use.
If the program is not pre-installed with your web hosting account, check for server and (if applicable) minimum PHP and MySQL requirements.
To evaluate a web hosting billing system, look for ones within your budget that have the features you want and will work with what you have. Read reviews on them and try out their demos. In addition to your current needs, consider your future needs.
Billing and automation scripts
Overview of billing and automation scripts
There are lots of billing and automation scripts. They automate tasks for hosting companies.
Billing scripts are software that assist companies in billing their customers, for example, through online orders and invoices. It also helps integrate payment gateways and terminals for processing online payments and credit cards.
Billing software comes in different forms, for example:
- Downloadable software, which you install onto your server (Recommended)
- Hosted application solutions
- Desktop software that interfaces with a third party processor or payment gateway to automate payments
A lot of the common tasks involved in accepting payments online are entirely or partially automated for companies. For instance, some automation scripts can accept orders, create and monitor invoices, screen fraud, and communicate with gateways and credit card processors. Moreover, some automation software can enable hosting companies to automatically provision accounts and resources to new and existing customers.
Commercial billing and automation software
In general, if the billing or automation software is commercial, there are two types of licensing or payment methods for you to pay for the software:
Perpetual license
A perpetual license is also known as an “owned” license. This means you usually pay a one-time fee for a license to use the software, with usually one year of updates and support. You then pay for additional years of support and/or updates when they expire. A perpetual license is generally more expensive then a leased license, but owned is highly recommended.
Leased license
With a leased license, you usually pay a recurring fee (example: once a month) to use the license for as long as you renew your lease. A leased license is generally cheaper then a perpetual license.
Where to purchase?
Most billing and automation scripts allow you to purchase licenses directly from the developers (or publishers) website or through contacting the developers directly.
Some software cannot be purchased directly from the developers website and is only available through a reseller company. Usually this is because the developers have set a minimum purchase quantity for purchasing direct; otherwise customers who want fewer licenses must use a reseller.
Some software also can be purchased through an authorized reseller in addition to purchasing it direct from the developer or publisher. Usually these resellers will be able to utilize their larger buying power and negotiate a better rate with the developers allowing them to offer better rates to their customers.
Most resellers allow you to use the developers website for support and licensing, however some resellers only allow you to use their own interface to the developers website; which means you may not be able to speak to the developers for support directly.
Always ensure that if you are purchasing from a reseller that they are eligible to sell their licenses and that the licenses they sell are genuine.
Features
Billing and automation software often comes with a multitude of different and sometimes unique features. For instance, some pieces of billing software are labelled as “cart systems.” These systems let you allow your end users to add the products they want into a “cart” and then pay the total price at once, instead of having to order the products one by one.
In contrast, some billing and automation software only allows users to purchase one item, product, or service at a time. Normally, however, such systems can integrate with third-party technology to set up or provision accounts, resources, and services, though often the cart systems can do the same.
Many billing and automation software programs include additional features, for example:
- Support desks
- E-mail managers
- Download managers
- Client licensing
- Product licensing
- API access to internal workings for programmers
Many pieces of software do not include download managers, client licensing, e-mail managers, API access, product licensing, or a support desk. Often these features are included only if the software is targeted for a particular audience. For instance, some billing and automation software is targeted at web hosting, including automation of ordering, invoicing, and account provisions, with a support desk and online client area with payment gateway integration.
Other pieces of software are targeted towards both web hosts and software developers. These pieces of software might include ordering, invoices, account provisioning, support desk, and product/client licensing.
Many pieces of billing and automation software include automatic account provisioning and automated billing and payment integration. The most commonly integrated products and services are listed below, though many others are integrated in some products. This list is only the most commonly seen throughout web-hosting-specific billing and automation software.
Further, below is a list of billing and automation software. If the software you use or develop is not listed below, please insert it correctly via the alphabetical listing. If your software is in development, please add a note next to the name that it is in development and, if possible, include a release date.
Billing and automation software
Linux-based
- Blesta (website)
- ClientExec (website)
- iHost (website)
- iPanel (website)
- iScripts AutoHoster (website)
- LPanel (website)
- phpCoin (website)
- SolidBill (website) – In development
- Ubersmith (website)
- WHMAP – WHM AutoPilot (website)
- Whois.Cart (website)
Windows-based
Please add Windows only based billing and automation software here.
Windows- and Linux-based
- AccountLab Plus (website)
- AWBS (website)
- DHCart (website)
- MachPanel – for SaaS & Traditional Hosting – (website)
- Freelancer Panel (website)
- ModernBill (website)
- WHMCS – WHM Complete Solution (website) (Recomended)
Web-based service
- Freshbooks (online recurring billing service) (website)
Commonly integrated payment gateways
- 2Checkout (website)
- AlertPay (website)
- Authorize.net (website)
- BluePay (website)
- E-Gold (website)
- GoogleCheckout (website)
- LinkPoint (website)
- MoneyBookers (website)
- NoChex (website)
- PayPal (website)
- PayPal Website Payments Pro (US website) (UK website) (Also known as PayFlow Pro)
- Protx (website)
- PSIGate (website)
- WorldPay (website)
Commonly integrated server modules
- cPanel / WHM (website) (The Panel WHS uses)
- DirectAdmin (website)
- Helm (website)
- Hostmatic Control Server (website) (under development)
- Interworx (website)
- Plesk (website)
Related Websites
Tags: Billing And Invoicing, Billing Software, Customization Options, Domain Extensions, Domain Name Registration, Domain Names, Domain Registrars, Domain Renewals, Free Domains, Language Support, Open Source Programs, Payment Gateways, Perpetual License, Progra, Recurring Billing, Software Licenses, Software Options, Suitable Web, Web Host Account, Web Hosting Companies, Web Hosts
