Akeeba Subscriptions
Version
2.1.1 (last update on Mar 21, 2012)
Rating
Compatibility
Votes
Favoured
20
License
GPLv2 or later
Non-Commercial
Type
Views
13647
Date Added
6 July 2011
Uses 1.6 Updater?
- Yes
The killer features
- FULL JOOMLA! 1.6/1.7/2.5 ACL & MULTILINGUAL SUPPORT
- Streamlined administrator interface
- Rich subscription levels (subscription packages) editor which allows you to choose different images for each of your subscriptions and even a different order confirmation and order cancellation text to show to your users.
- The easiest subscription management interface you've seen on a component. It will even show you your users' faces, powered by Gravatar.
- Users can upgrade or expand (renew) their subscriptions. Renewing a subscription will create a new subscription which becomes valid the very second their old one expires. Users do not lose any of their subscription time when renewing, unlike most other subscription systems out there.
- Discount coupon codes which allow you to set an absolute money value or percentage discount for all or a specific subscription level and user, have publish up/publish down dates or a usage limit (e.g. the coupon code is valid only for the first 100 people to use it) – or a combination of any and all of the above!
- Automatic discounts for upgrading or renewing subscriptions based on the subscription level and days of presence in the subscription package. This allows you to easily create rules like: 30% discount if you renew up to 30 days before the end of your subscription, 15% discount if you renew within the last 30 days, no discount otherwise.
- Full support for complex tax calculations based on country, state and ZIP code. It fully integrates with the European Union's VIES system so that you can charge no VAT tax for intra-EU B2B transactions.
- Integration with third party components.
- Payment methods: PayPal (for personal, verified and business accounts) is supported out of the box. Other payment methods (ccAvenue, WorldPay, 2Checkout and more) are being added continuously. Check out our documentation for more information.
- Send emails to subscribers upon subscription, when their subscription/payment status changes and when their subscription is about to expire
- Very simple affiliates system
Note: The component is free, but you need a valid subscription (starting at EUR 7.79) to request support. Bug reports are free; use the Contact Us page.
I'm building a chess website for an association and needed a means to collect paid registrations. I tried some other free "Form" components but they required either too much configuration to get Paypal to recognize the data or they didn't provide Paypal Integration.
I tried Akeeba Subscriptions hoping it would be an answer for what should be a relatively easy project.
Pros:
1. Installation was easy and direct.
2. Easy to create subscription levels
3. I like the idea of the auto subscription notifications you can configure.
Cons:
1. I set up a Paypal sandbox account for testing. I could run through a few test subscriptions but after Paypal confirmed the payment, the account would not automatically activate. I don't know if this is normal in test mode or not.
2. If one of the test payments went through, I'd try another test for another level and noticed the form data was still there from the last submittal. My browser is set to clear everything and not save form data so I don't think it was my browser. Also, I have my template set to not cache pages.
3. I would go back to make a configuration change to one of the subscription levels and when I went to save the changes I got a fatal error message. After that, I could no longer submit any payments to the test account.
I'm sure there are explanations for all these but you must pay for any support as Akeeba does not have a free forum. That is not a criticism, that's just the way they do business.
I think I would rather they charge for their component and then I would not have used up so much time trying to make this work.
I tried Akeeba Subscriptions hoping it would be an answer for what should be a relatively easy project.
Pros:
1. Installation was easy and direct.
2. Easy to create subscription levels
3. I like the idea of the auto subscription notifications you can configure.
Cons:
1. I set up a Paypal sandbox account for testing. I could run through a few test subscriptions but after Paypal confirmed the payment, the account would not automatically activate. I don't know if this is normal in test mode or not.
2. If one of the test payments went through, I'd try another test for another level and noticed the form data was still there from the last submittal. My browser is set to clear everything and not save form data so I don't think it was my browser. Also, I have my template set to not cache pages.
3. I would go back to make a configuration change to one of the subscription levels and when I went to save the changes I got a fatal error message. After that, I could no longer submit any payments to the test account.
I'm sure there are explanations for all these but you must pay for any support as Akeeba does not have a free forum. That is not a criticism, that's just the way they do business.
I think I would rather they charge for their component and then I would not have used up so much time trying to make this work.
Owner's reply
Regarding your points:
1. There are certainly issues with PayPal's Sandbox. I know that. You have to use a penny value of .00 for the transaction to go through. There's however an easy workaround: use the live account, create a subscription with a value of $1.00 and buy it.
2. The form data is saved in the user session and auto-filled from the user's profile. Think about a user who wants to buy two or three subscriptions to different levels on the same day. Would you really want them to retype the same information each time they visited your site? Or retype all that info when all he needs is renew his subscription? I don't understand how something which increases your conversion rate is a bug?!
3. You are the first and only person to have (semi-)reported that. Unfortunately I can't provide support over the comments here, especially since I would have to guess version numbers, trigger conditions etc. Also note that bug reports are FREE. All you have to do is use our Contact Us page – which you obviously did not do. I will say it again: a bug unreported is a bug never fixed. I don't put bugs in my software intentionally and I certainly cannot fix a bug that's not been reported and I cannot reproduce.
>> I think I would rather they charge for their component and then I would not have used up so much time trying to make this work.
I fail to understand the logic behind that. Let's say we asked for 100$ for the component. It would be the same component you now get for free. You'd have the same problems. The only difference is that you'd have support. You can have support for 8 days for 7.79 EUR or for 365 days for 85 EUR (which also includes access to *all* of our software). So, if it makes you feel better to actually spend money rather than get the software for free why didn't you just subscribe to our 85EUR AKEEBADELUXE level?
It is surprising that Akeeba does not charge for this product - it is truly excellent and comes with so many plugins to cover a large range of components.
The documentation is excellent.
You have to pay a small fee for technical support, but if you follow the manual closely you should not need support at all as it is an excellent component.
The documentation is excellent.
You have to pay a small fee for technical support, but if you follow the manual closely you should not need support at all as it is an excellent component.
I am in the process to set up a membership site and thanks to the reviews I went with akeeba subscription and my decision was perfectly right on the money. This Component is easy to install and to set up. I had a couple of hickups with the paypal settings but everything is solved and works perfectly fine now and I have to thank Nicholas for that. He is not just a great developer he also gives great service. With choosing his products - you never go wrong. I can vouch for that. Thanks again :)
This is an excellent component but there is a little thing missing .... when using Paypal, if recurring payment had a free trial option before recurring payments begin, this component would be the best!!.
Owner's reply
This is actually semi-possible. You can have a free subscription and flag it as "Forbid Renewals". This will allow your clients to participate in a free trial. Once their trial is over, they will only have the option to buy one of your paid subscriptions. In our opinion, this is more user-friendly in the event your client decides not to buy your service than having to go to PayPal and cancel his subscription.
Very satisfied with the recurring payment option. Excellent customer support!
I tried a lot of solutions for selling saubscriptions within Joomla! But nothing really worked in a perfect way.
The configuration is very simple, but powerfull.
You can:
- create different subscription types
- offer a lot of payment gateways to your customers
- taxes can be determined fine-grained
- define fine-grained discount codes (all subscriptions, only defined subscriptions, for all users, for defined users, percent discount, fixed discount, allowed period, how often it can be used and so on ...)
This component is very effective, easy to use and powerfull. It works right out of the box with only a few configuration "clicks". And it's free.
I can't tell something about the support, because I didn't needed it until now. All issues could be solved with the very detailled manual (also available for free).
The configuration is very simple, but powerfull.
You can:
- create different subscription types
- offer a lot of payment gateways to your customers
- taxes can be determined fine-grained
- define fine-grained discount codes (all subscriptions, only defined subscriptions, for all users, for defined users, percent discount, fixed discount, allowed period, how often it can be used and so on ...)
This component is very effective, easy to use and powerfull. It works right out of the box with only a few configuration "clicks". And it's free.
I can't tell something about the support, because I didn't needed it until now. All issues could be solved with the very detailled manual (also available for free).
I've tried all subscription and payed download over there, until I encountered this, and before it was published on JED.
It's simply "perfect" and if used together with Joomla 2.5 native ACL allows you to manage any subscriptions in a manner simple and effective.
It deserves 5 stars even if it was paid, but it's absolutely free.
God bless you!
It's simply "perfect" and if used together with Joomla 2.5 native ACL allows you to manage any subscriptions in a manner simple and effective.
It deserves 5 stars even if it was paid, but it's absolutely free.
God bless you!
From where to start? We have tried almost all possibilities with Joomla! Two years ago we ended up with VirtueMart for selling digital goods. It was really far from perfect, but there was nothing better or close to better.
We are currently testing and evaluating the Akeeba Subs extension for our site upgrade and we consider it as the best option so far. Don't be tricked - it's not an easy extension. Well, not really hard one, but definitively not easy. If you are used to setup something with click here and there, you might get lost. However, if you really want to build a web site, that offers subscriptions and you can't manage with Akeeba Subs, the problem is within you. I mean that you probably simply don't know what you are doing.
The real pros of this extension is its great flexibility, enormous power and endless integration with the most popular extensions out there. In combination with Akeeba Release System, it is incredible tool to sell subscriptions, download access and so on.
There are cons, which can be ignored, but be prepared anyway. Nikolas is far from being good designer, so the UI may look a bit blurry. Anyway, he has coded the interface in the proper way, so any designer could just overwrite the CSS. If our final decision is to go with Akeeba Subs for our new website version, we will donate the extension design for our own web site to Akeeba Subs.
We are currently testing and evaluating the Akeeba Subs extension for our site upgrade and we consider it as the best option so far. Don't be tricked - it's not an easy extension. Well, not really hard one, but definitively not easy. If you are used to setup something with click here and there, you might get lost. However, if you really want to build a web site, that offers subscriptions and you can't manage with Akeeba Subs, the problem is within you. I mean that you probably simply don't know what you are doing.
The real pros of this extension is its great flexibility, enormous power and endless integration with the most popular extensions out there. In combination with Akeeba Release System, it is incredible tool to sell subscriptions, download access and so on.
There are cons, which can be ignored, but be prepared anyway. Nikolas is far from being good designer, so the UI may look a bit blurry. Anyway, he has coded the interface in the proper way, so any designer could just overwrite the CSS. If our final decision is to go with Akeeba Subs for our new website version, we will donate the extension design for our own web site to Akeeba Subs.
Just started using, seems great. Dont tested yet the afilliate function, but the subscription, payment plugins are very simply and great. have what i need with suficient options.
The only downside for me is the registration that doesnt collect the user phone number on registration. and isnt possible to turn off. so even if you have another regsitration form, users can always use akeeba registration when they purchase.
The only downside for me is the registration that doesnt collect the user phone number on registration. and isnt possible to turn off. so even if you have another regsitration form, users can always use akeeba registration when they purchase.
When I began developing a website for a nonprofit that had $0 for web development, I had to find a good subscription management extension that was cheap, preferably free. Akeeba Subs was the first subscription management extension that I found that was free. I have found myself needing to modify the views to fit the nonprofit's needs, but this is extremely easy to do. The documentation is well written, the forums contain many answers to common questions, but more importantly, the code is easy to read and understand. Like the other Akeeba extensions I've used, this extension is truly a joy to work with.
I use it on my new project page for my Joomla! extensions.
Great work, Nicholas!
Great work, Nicholas!
I've been using Akeeba Subs since the very early days and am continually impressed with the new features and plugins that are being released.
I've had to contact Nicholas via the support system several times and have always have extremely quick responses, often with new releases to fix whatever problem I was experiencing being released within an hour of reporting the issue.
I've also subsequently integrated AS with CCInvoices - again a very simple process. We have AS working with ARS, ccInvoices and PayPal quite harmoniously.
Great support, great extension, and a great way to manage your subscriptions.
I've had to contact Nicholas via the support system several times and have always have extremely quick responses, often with new releases to fix whatever problem I was experiencing being released within an hour of reporting the issue.
I've also subsequently integrated AS with CCInvoices - again a very simple process. We have AS working with ARS, ccInvoices and PayPal quite harmoniously.
Great support, great extension, and a great way to manage your subscriptions.
Install and manage to setup within minutes. I came across issues and received a fast and excellent support from developer although I'm not a paid customer. Its really easy to get akeeba subscriptions ext. up and running just by reading its manual and easy interface.
Highly recommended and I surely going to subscribe to akeeba premium support.
Highly recommended and I surely going to subscribe to akeeba premium support.
We're already using Akeeba Backup, which is perfect, so I thought I would give this a shot.
WOW, I'm glad I did! It delivers just what we needed: A simple subscription system. So many subscription components try to throw nearly everything in there, and in all reality, what most of us need is just a basic, simple subscription system... that works! I don't need all these useless add-ons. Just for them to see the subscription, the price, and pay... that's all.
Akeeba Subs does just that, and works flawlessly. It's so easy to set up, and looks great on the front-end. It returns the correct information from PayPal (many others don't). It "just works".
We bought AEC last year, and it was nothing but a tremendous headache, and always seemed to not work properly. Members were always complaining... and it was expensive!
Akeeba Subs is THE BEST subscription component available, by a mile! Best of all, it's free! I applaud the team for creating this, and am supporting them any way I can.
If you need a sub add on, you need to grab this one. You will not regret it, I promise!
WOW, I'm glad I did! It delivers just what we needed: A simple subscription system. So many subscription components try to throw nearly everything in there, and in all reality, what most of us need is just a basic, simple subscription system... that works! I don't need all these useless add-ons. Just for them to see the subscription, the price, and pay... that's all.
Akeeba Subs does just that, and works flawlessly. It's so easy to set up, and looks great on the front-end. It returns the correct information from PayPal (many others don't). It "just works".
We bought AEC last year, and it was nothing but a tremendous headache, and always seemed to not work properly. Members were always complaining... and it was expensive!
Akeeba Subs is THE BEST subscription component available, by a mile! Best of all, it's free! I applaud the team for creating this, and am supporting them any way I can.
If you need a sub add on, you need to grab this one. You will not regret it, I promise!
The title says it all! Akeebasubs is simply the best subscription software available right now. It is not as easy to use as one would like, but hey you have to read the DOCUMENTATION and all your questions are answered! The response of the developers is really fast and if you encounter any problem it will be fixed in minutes.
If you are searching for subscription software your quest is over! Get akeebasubs now ;)
If you are searching for subscription software your quest is over! Get akeebasubs now ;)
Easy to use. Great suport.
If you need something, just write into the support forum. The developer will response quickly and he is always open for new ideas if they compatible.
And because of this probably this extension is going to be the best subscription extension of JOOMLA.
Nicholas, thanks for all.
If you need something, just write into the support forum. The developer will response quickly and he is always open for new ideas if they compatible.
And because of this probably this extension is going to be the best subscription extension of JOOMLA.
Nicholas, thanks for all.
This extension does what it promises. But it is buggy coded. I had to fix several views by adding missing 'endif's, by replacing short tags by the required proper php-tags as otherwise these views did not get rendered. I always ended up with errors - specially due to plenty missing semicolons.
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