Automate repeated vendor payments with Settle’s Recurring Payments feature. Whether you're paying contractors, rent, or subscriptions—save time and reduce manual work by scheduling consistent payments ahead of time.
What are recurring payments?
Recurring payments allow you to automatically schedule repeated payments to the same vendor at regular intervals. This is perfect for:
Monthly contractor payments
Rent and lease payments
Subscription services
Regular supplier payments
Any predictable, repeated expense
Setting up recurring payments
Step 1: Start a New Payment
Navigate to the Payments section in your left-hand navigation
Click Make Payment to open the payment dialog
Select your vendor and enter payment details as usual
Step 2: Configure Recurring Schedule
In the payment dialog, look for the recurring payments option
Enable recurring payments by checking the Set up as recurring checkbox
Choose your payment frequency:
Weekly - Every 7 days
Bi-weekly - Every 14 days
Monthly - Same date each month
Bi-monthly - Every two months
Step 3: Set Schedule Details
Start date: When the first payment should be processed
End date: Choose when to stop the recurring payments (optional - you can set no end date)
Payment amount: The amount for each recurring payment
Timeline preview: Review the schedule of all upcoming payments
Step 4: Review and Confirm
Review the estimated processing timeline for each payment
Ensure your approval rules are configured correctly
Click Schedule to activate your recurring payment series
Managing your recurring payments
Viewing recurring payment schedules
Go to the Payments page to see all your scheduled recurring payments
Each payment in the series will show its individual status and timing
Use filters to view only recurring payments if needed
Making changes to recurring payments
You can easily modify your recurring payment schedule:
Update payment details: Change amount, vendor information, or payment method for future payments
Cancel entire series: Stop all future payments in the recurring schedule
Skip individual payments: Cancel specific payments while keeping the series active
All changes can be made from the payment details page with batch management options.
Important notes
Approval workflows
Each recurring payment follows your existing approval rules
Approvals are triggered when each individual payment date arrives
The first payment requires immediate approval, while future payments will be sent for approval on their scheduled dates
Payment methods
Recurring payments support ACH, wire transfers, and paper checks
International payments in USD or foreign currency are supported
Processing times follow the same timelines as regular payments
Accounting integration
Each recurring payment creates a separate invoice entry (if desired)
Payments sync automatically with your connected accounting software (QuickBooks Online, NetSuite, Xero)
Expense categories can be set for consistent categorization
Best practices
Set Clear End Dates: For contractor payments or fixed-term agreements, always set an end date to avoid overpayments
Regular Review: Periodically review your recurring payments to ensure they're still needed and accurate
Vendor Communication: Let your vendors know about the recurring payment schedule so they can expect consistent payments
Account Management: Ensure your payment account has sufficient funds or financing available for upcoming recurring payments
FAQs
What happens if a recurring payment fails?
Failed recurring payments are handled the same way as regular payment failures. You'll receive email notifications and can retry the payment from the Payments page.
Can I change the payment amount for future payments?
Yes, you can update payment details for all future payments in the recurring series through the batch management options.
How do I stop recurring payments?
You can cancel the entire recurring series from the payment details page, which will remove all future scheduled payments.
If you need assistance with setting up or managing recurring payments, contact our support team at support@settle.co