Understand Marketplace pre-payments
Learn about Smartcat Marketplace's pre-payment system.
Smartcat Marketplace supports both advance payment (prepayment) and post-payment models for Marketplace Translation Services. The payment method applied to your account depends on your subscription plan, your contractual agreement with Smartcat, and your account payment status, as outlined in the Customer Agreement (Section 3.1).
Prepayment
With prepayment, funds are paid upfront before a Marketplace linguist starts work. This helps ensure that Marketplace linguists are paid for completed services.
Prepayment applies in the following cases:
Customers without an active subscription plan
Customers on the Basic subscription plan, unless otherwise agreed with Smartcat
Customers on paid subscription plans where advance payment is defined in the agreement
Customers whose accounts have been transitioned to prepayment due to overdue Marketplace invoices
When prepayment is required, you’ll be asked to top up your balance before assigning a Marketplace linguist.
Post-payment
With post-payment, Marketplace services are paid after the work is completed and accepted.
Post-payment may apply:
For customers on the Enterprise plan
Based on individual commercial terms agreed with Smartcat
In this case, you receive an invoice after job completion and pay according to the agreed payment terms.
FAQs
Why does Smartcat require prepayments for Marketplace services?
Prepayments help ensure that Marketplace linguists are paid for the work they complete. This supports a reliable Marketplace for both clients and linguists.
Why is my account set to prepayment?
Your account may use prepayment based on your subscription plan, your agreement with Smartcat, or your account’s payment history. Accounts with overdue Marketplace invoices may also be transitioned to prepayment.
Can my account be moved from post-payment to prepayment?
Yes. If Marketplace invoices become overdue, or if required under the agreement, Smartcat may transition the account to prepayment for future Marketplace services.
Does upgrading to subscription remove prepayments?
Not necessarily. The payment model depends on your subscription plan, payment history and agreement with Smartcat.
How Do Prepayments Work for Linguist Hires in Smartcat?
When you hire a translator from Smartcat Marketplace, you can make a prepayment using your balance, credit card, wire transfer, or PayPal. Before work starts, Smartcat calculates the total cost based on the job scope, the linguist’s rate, and the applicable service fee, and you confirm the prepayment. After the work is completed, the invoice is automatically paid using the prepaid funds, and if the final cost is lower, the remaining amount is credited back to your balance.
How Can I Transition My Account to Post-payment?
If you prefer to pay after Marketplace work is completed, post-payment may be available under the Enterprise subscription plan. Customers on the Enterprise plan pay for Marketplace services after the work is completed and accepted, subject to the terms of their agreement with Smartcat.