---
id: licensing-payments.coupon-vs-onboarding-code
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/licensing-payments/coupon-vs-onboarding-code
category: "Licensing & payments"
subcategory: "Buying, coupons and onboarding codes"
question: "What's the difference between a coupon and an onboarding code?"
alt_questions:
  - "coupon or onboarding code"
  - "What is an onboarding code?"
  - "Is an onboarding code a discount?"
  - "onboarding code meaning storage studio"
  - "access code vs coupon"
short_answer: "A coupon discounts a plan you still pay for; an onboarding code is pre-arranged access with nothing to pay, redeemed on the spot."
tags: ["coupon", "onboarding code"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/licensing-payments/how-do-i-redeem-an-onboarding-code", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/licensing-payments/how-do-i-use-a-coupon-code"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# What's the difference between a coupon and an onboarding code?

A **coupon** gives a discount: you still choose a plan and pay, just at a lower price. An **onboarding code** is pre-arranged, full access with **nothing to pay** — enter it and it's redeemed on the spot.

Both go in the **Have a coupon or onboarding code?** field on the [pricing page](https://storagestudio.us/pricing), which tells you which kind you've typed before you continue.