Your Pencil Spaces plan includes a set number of billable Space hours each month. Youâre only charged after you exceed those included hours, and only when there are at least two people in a Space.
Understanding My Plan
When your plan says:
25 hours included, then $0.75/user/hour
It means:
You get 25 billable Space hours per billing cycle
Once you exceed the included hours, youâre billed per user, per hour, based on your plan rate (in this case, $0.75)
What Are Billable Space Hours?
Billable Space hours only accrue when:
There are two or more users in a Space
Users are actively present
If a user becomes inactive, theyâre removed after 5 minutes
You are not charged for inactive time
Important rules:
If youâre alone in a Space, no usage is billed
Hours are calculated per user
Joining from multiple devices under the same account does not increase usage
Simple Math:
Scenario | Billable Hours |
1 user for 1 hour | 0 hour |
2 users for 1 hour | 2 hours |
3 users for 30 minutes | 1.5 hours |
Example scenario:
â
Teacher Tina and Student Sam have a class from 9:00â9:30 AM.
8:50â9:00: Tina prepares alone | No billing |
9:00â9:30: Tina + Sam in the Space | 0.5 hour Ă 2 users = 1 billable hour |
Tina also joins on her iPad using the same account | No extra charge |
In the evening, Sam entered the Space to review the lesson. | No extra charge |
Total usage: 1 billable Space hour
đĄ Key Takeaways
âIncluded hoursâ = billable Space hours
Billing starts only when 2+ users are active
Usage is per user, per hour
Solo prep time is always free
Cloud Recording Usage
Some plans include separate Cloud Recording charges.
Recording hours accrue only when recording is active
Billed per Space, not per user
Example:
2 users + 1-hour recorded session = 1 recording hour billed
Web Viewer Usage
If your plan includes Web Viewers:
Usage is billed per viewer per hour
Example:
4 web viewers for 1 hour = 4 web viewer hours
Other Possible Charges
Some plans may include additional charges, such as:
Cloud Recording storage (charged per GB/month beyond retention)
Space Hours (different from billable Space hours):
Charged even with 1 user
Does not exclude inactivity (except the 5-minute cutoff)
If youâre unsure which applies to your account, contact your account manager.
Need More Support?
Please contact our 24/7 Pencil Spaces Support. We'd be glad to assist you.