Credits and Overages
Understand how CallMeter handles usage beyond your plan limits with credits, overage rates, volume bonuses, auto-reload, and usage monitoring.
When your tests consume more stream minutes than your plan includes, the excess usage is billed as overage. CallMeter provides a credits system that lets you prepay for overages, giving you predictable costs and preventing unexpected charges.
This guide covers how overages are calculated, how credits work, how to purchase and manage credits, and strategies for controlling costs.
How Overages Work
Each plan includes a monthly allocation of audio minutes and video minutes. These two pools are tracked separately because audio and video streams have fundamentally different infrastructure costs -- video requires significantly more bandwidth and processing power than audio.
When your usage exceeds the included allocation in either pool during a billing period, the excess minutes are classified as overage.
The overage flow works as follows:
- Your test run completes and usage is recorded
- If usage exceeds your plan allocation for audio or video, the excess is flagged as overage
- Overage charges are deducted from your credit balance first
- If your credit balance is insufficient and extra usage is enabled, the overage accrues on your account
- If your credit balance reaches zero and no extra usage is enabled, new tests that would exceed limits are blocked
Separate audio and video pools
Audio and video minutes are not interchangeable. Running out of audio minutes does not consume your video allocation, and vice versa. This separation ensures transparent pricing that reflects actual resource costs.
Overage Rates
| Stream Type | Overage Rate |
|---|---|
| Audio | $0.01 per minute |
| Video | $0.03 per minute |
Video costs three times more than audio because video streams require substantially more bandwidth and processing. These rates apply uniformly to all overages regardless of the specific codec used (for example, Opus and PCMA audio are billed at the same rate; H.264 and VP8 video are billed at the same rate).
Overage Cost Examples
| Scenario | Overage Amount | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 100 audio minutes over plan | 100 min | $1.00 |
| 500 audio minutes over plan | 500 min | $5.00 |
| 50 video minutes over plan | 50 min | $1.50 |
| 200 video minutes over plan | 200 min | $6.00 |
| 300 audio + 100 video over plan | 300 audio + 100 video | $3.00 + $3.00 = $6.00 |
How Streams Are Counted
CallMeter meters usage at the stream level, counting each direction independently. This section explains the counting model so you can accurately estimate costs before running tests.
Per-Direction Counting
Every media stream in a SIP call has a direction: send or receive. Each direction is metered as a separate stream minute. A single endpoint participating in a call with sendrecv media contributes two streams -- one for sending and one for receiving.
Example: Two-Party Audio Call
A standard two-party audio test with two endpoints:
| Endpoint | Direction | Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Endpoint A | Send | 1 audio stream |
| Endpoint A | Receive | 1 audio stream |
| Endpoint B | Send | 1 audio stream |
| Endpoint B | Receive | 1 audio stream |
Total: 4 audio streams
If the call runs for 10 minutes, total consumption is 40 audio stream minutes.
Example: Two-Party Audio + Video Call
A test with both audio and video media lines on two endpoints:
| Media | Streams | Duration | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio | 4 (2 per endpoint, 2 directions) | 10 min | 40 audio minutes |
| Video | 4 (2 per endpoint, 2 directions) | 10 min | 40 video minutes |
Total: 40 audio minutes + 40 video minutes
Audio and video are counted independently. The audio minutes come from your audio pool; the video minutes come from your video pool.
Example: Load Test with 50 Endpoints
A 50-endpoint audio-only test running for 5 minutes:
- 50 endpoints x 2 directions = 100 audio streams
- 100 streams x 5 minutes = 500 audio stream minutes
Example: Mixed Groups
If your test uses multiple groups with different media configurations, each group's streams are counted based on its own configuration:
| Group | Endpoints | Media | Duration | Audio Min | Video Min |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | 20 | Audio only | 5 min | 200 | 0 |
| Group B | 10 | Audio + Video | 5 min | 100 | 100 |
| Total | 30 | 300 | 100 |
Group configurations affect stream count
If your test uses multiple groups with different media configurations, each group's streams are counted independently based on its media settings. Review your test configuration to understand the total stream count before running.
Concurrent Stream Limits
In addition to monthly minute allocations, each plan includes concurrent stream limits -- the maximum number of audio or video streams that can be active simultaneously across your organization.
| Plan | Max Concurrent Audio | Max Concurrent Video |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 2 | 1 |
| Starter | 10 | 2 |
| Pro | 50 | 10 |
| Business | 200 | 50 |
If you attempt to start a test that would exceed your concurrent stream limit, the test is blocked. You need to wait for running tests to complete, or upgrade to a plan with higher concurrency.
Concurrent limits are separate from minute limits
Concurrent stream limits control how many streams can run at the same time. Minute allocations control total usage over the billing period. You can hit one limit without hitting the other.
The Credits System
Credits are a prepaid balance on your organization account. They serve as the primary mechanism for paying overage charges and provide several benefits over direct billing.
Benefits of Credits
- Cost predictability -- Load a known amount and track consumption against it
- Automatic overage coverage -- Credits are consumed automatically when overages occur, so tests are not interrupted
- Volume bonuses -- Larger credit purchases include bonus credits, reducing your effective per-minute cost
- Shared across the organization -- Credits apply to all tests across all projects within your organization
- No expiration -- Credits remain active as long as your subscription is active
Volume Bonuses
When purchasing credits, larger amounts include a percentage bonus:
| Purchase Amount | Bonus | Effective Value |
|---|---|---|
| Under $50 | No bonus | Face value |
| $50 -- $199 | 5% bonus | $50 gets you $52.50 |
| $200 -- $499 | 10% bonus | $200 gets you $220 |
| $500 -- $999 | 15% bonus | $500 gets you $575 |
| $1,000+ | 20% bonus | $1,000 gets you $1,200 |
Volume bonuses make credits more cost-effective as you scale. For teams that regularly exceed their plan allocation, purchasing credits in larger increments saves money compared to smaller frequent purchases.
How Credits Are Consumed
When a test run completes and usage exceeds your plan allocation:
- The overage amount is calculated separately for audio and video
- Audio overage: (excess audio minutes) x $0.01
- Video overage: (excess video minutes) x $0.03
- The total overage charge is deducted from your credit balance
- A transaction record is created for audit purposes
Credits are deducted automatically. You do not need to manually authorize each overage charge.
Credit Lifecycle
- Purchase -- Buy credits from the Billing page
- Accumulate -- Credits are added to your organization balance immediately, including any volume bonus
- Consume -- When a test run completes with usage exceeding your plan, credits are automatically deducted
- Monitor -- Track your remaining balance in real time from the billing dashboard
- Reload -- Purchase additional credits manually or configure auto-reload
Purchasing Credits
- Navigate to Settings > Billing
- Click the Credits tab
- Select a preset credit amount or enter a custom amount
- The volume bonus (if applicable) is shown before you confirm
- Complete the purchase
- Credits are added to your organization balance immediately
The minimum purchase amount is $10. There is no maximum.
Auto-Reload
Auto-reload automatically purchases credits when your balance drops below a threshold you define. This prevents service interruptions during heavy testing periods.
Configuring Auto-Reload
- Navigate to Settings > Billing > Credits
- Enable Auto-Reload
- Set your threshold -- the balance level that triggers a reload (for example, $25)
- Set your reload amount -- the amount to purchase when triggered (for example, $100)
- Save the configuration
When your credit balance drops below the threshold, CallMeter automatically charges your payment method for the reload amount and adds the credits (including any applicable volume bonus) to your balance.
Auto-reload includes volume bonuses
Auto-reload purchases qualify for the same volume bonuses as manual purchases. Set your reload amount to $200 or more to receive the 10% bonus on every automatic reload.
Auto-Reload Best Practices
- Set the threshold high enough that you do not run out of credits between test completions
- Set the reload amount to at least $200 to take advantage of the 10% volume bonus
- Review your auto-reload settings periodically as your testing volume changes
- Auto-reload requires a valid payment method on file
Usage Monitoring
CallMeter provides real-time visibility into your consumption from the billing dashboard, so you always know where you stand relative to your plan limits.
Dashboard Metrics
The billing overview displays:
- Audio minutes used -- Current period consumption vs. plan allocation, shown as a progress bar
- Video minutes used -- Current period consumption vs. plan allocation, shown as a progress bar
- In-progress usage -- Minutes from currently running tests are displayed separately so you can see real-time accumulation
- Credit balance -- Remaining prepaid credits
- Estimated overage -- Projected overage cost if current usage trends continue
Usage Alerts
CallMeter sends automated notifications as your usage approaches plan limits:
| Threshold | Alert Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 50% consumed | Informational | Awareness that you are halfway through your allocation |
| 75% consumed | Warning | Consider monitoring usage more closely |
| 90% consumed | Critical | Approaching your limit; consider upgrading or purchasing credits |
| 100% consumed | Limit reached | You have exhausted your included allocation; overages begin |
Alerts are sent separately for audio and video pools. You receive notifications via email to organization administrators. Each alert is sent once per billing period per threshold -- you will not receive duplicate notifications.
Pre-Test Usage Estimate
Before running a test, CallMeter estimates the expected usage based on your test configuration. This estimate appears on the test launch screen and includes:
- Projected audio minutes -- Based on endpoint count, group configuration, and test duration
- Projected video minutes -- If video is enabled in any group
- Current usage -- How much of your allocation is already consumed this period
- Overage warning -- A clear notice if the test would push you beyond your plan limits
- Estimated overage cost -- The approximate credit cost if overage occurs
Estimates are projections
Pre-test estimates assume the full configured duration. Actual usage may differ if a test ends early due to call failures or manual termination.
Managing Overage Costs
Here are strategies for keeping overage costs under control:
1. Monitor Usage Regularly
Check the billing dashboard before and after large test runs. The usage progress bars give you an immediate sense of how much allocation remains.
2. Use Credits with Volume Bonuses
Prepay with credits to take advantage of volume bonuses. A $500 credit purchase gives you $575 in effective balance -- a 15% discount on overage costs.
3. Enable Auto-Reload
Prevent test interruptions by keeping credits topped up automatically. Set a reasonable threshold and reload amount based on your typical testing patterns.
4. Optimize Test Configurations
- Use shorter durations for iterative debugging tests; reserve longer runs for final validation
- Reduce endpoint count when you only need to test a specific scenario
- Use audio-only tests when video metrics are not needed (video costs 3x more)
- Split large tests into smaller batches if you are approaching concurrent stream limits
5. Upgrade Your Plan When Appropriate
If you consistently exceed your allocation by a significant margin, upgrading to a higher plan is often more cost-effective than paying overage rates. For example:
- If you are on Starter and regularly use 5,000+ audio minutes, the Pro plan ($249/mo for 10,000 minutes) is cheaper than paying $30+ in overage on top of the $99 Starter plan
- The break-even point for upgrading depends on your typical overage amount each month
6. Review Group Configurations
If your test uses multiple groups, check that each group has the media types it actually needs. Removing unnecessary video from a group eliminates video stream charges for those endpoints.
Billing Period Reset
- Minute allocations (audio and video) reset at the start of each billing period (monthly or annual). Unused minutes do not roll over.
- Credits persist across billing periods as long as your subscription remains active. They are not reset.
- Concurrent stream limits are enforced in real time and are not tied to billing periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do credits expire? No. Credits remain on your account as long as your subscription is active. If your subscription expires, credits are preserved and become available again if you reactivate.
Can I get a refund for unused credits? Contact our support team to discuss credit refund requests on a case-by-case basis.
What happens if I have no credits and exceed my plan limits? If extra usage is enabled on your account and you have insufficient credits, overage charges accrue on your account. If extra usage is not enabled, new tests that would exceed your limits are blocked.
Are audio and video overage rates the same for all plans? Yes. The standard overage rates ($0.01/audio minute, $0.03/video minute) apply to all plans. Enterprise plans may negotiate custom overage rates.
How soon after a test are overages deducted? Overages are processed automatically after test completion. The deduction typically occurs within minutes of the test run ending.
Can I set a spending cap on overage? You can control overage spending through your credit balance. If you do not enable auto-reload and your credits run out, overages stop accruing (or tests are blocked, depending on your settings).
Do concurrent stream limits affect overage? No. Concurrent stream limits and minute allocations are independent. Concurrent limits control how many streams can run at the same time. Minute allocations control total usage over the billing period.
How are minutes calculated for tests that end early? Only the actual duration is billed. If you configure a 10-minute test but it ends after 3 minutes, you are billed for 3 minutes of stream time.
Next Steps
- Plans and Pricing -- Compare plans and choose the right tier
- Managing Your Subscription -- Upgrade, downgrade, and manage payment
- Creating a Test -- Configure and run a test