This article explains how credits work, how they are consumed, and the differences in credit usage between account types.
Defining Credits
Credits are used by free users to send secure, encrypted messages. These credits allow users outside of a paid organization to experience the secure message platform while ensuring secure data exchange.
How Credits are Consumed
Credits are deducted from your balance only when a free user sends a secure message to another user and the recipient opens it. The credit is deducted when the recipient opens the message, rather than when the Send button is clicked.
When Credits Are Not Used
Credits are not used in the following situations:
- Communicating with Paid Users: It is always free to send or receive secure messages with paid users. No credits will be deducted from your balance in these instances.
- Receiving Secure Messages: You do not use a credit to open or read a secure message that has been sent to you.
Credit Limits by Account Types
Free users receive 25 complimentary credits when they open an account. Once these credits are used, you will only be able to read incoming messages and reply to paid users. You will no longer be able to send secure messages to other free users.
Paid users do not operate on the same credit basis. If you have a paid account, you have unlimited sending capabilities.
Managing Your Credits
If you are a free user and have used all your credits, you can upgrade to a paid subscription to continue sending secure messages without restrictions. To upgrade your free account:
- Log in to your KnowBe4 account.
- Select Purchase.
- Follow the prompts to select the plan that fits your needs.