ExtraBrain Billing and Payment FAQ

Welcome to the ExtraBrain billing and payment FAQ. This guide explains how the free app works, what ExtraBrain Pro includes at a high level, how activation usually fits into the product experience, what to check before updating the app, and how to think about plan changes, cancellations, refunds, and provider costs.

ExtraBrain is a free, local-first desktop AI interview assistant and meeting copilot for Mac. It supports live transcription, screen-aware context, local Gemma 4 on-device AI where installed and compatible, bring-your-own AI providers, and privacy controls.

Use ExtraBrain responsibly and only where interview, employer, school, workplace, meeting, and platform rules allow AI assistance, transcription, screenshots, or notes.

How does ExtraBrain pricing work?

The core ExtraBrain Mac app is free. You can download it, set it up, and use the free desktop app for interviews, meetings, lectures, research calls, and practice sessions.

ExtraBrain Pro is available for users who want paid features and a longer-term product relationship. Current listed Pro pricing is $9.99 per month regular, $6.99 per month Founder pricing, $79 per year, or $149 Lifetime launch pricing.

External AI and transcription provider usage is separate from ExtraBrain billing. If you connect Anthropic, OpenAI, Deepgram, a custom OpenAI-compatible endpoint, Claude Subscription, Codex Subscription, or another supported provider path, that provider may bill you directly according to its own terms.

For the most current plan comparison, check the ExtraBrain pricing page.

Do I need a free trial?

Most users do not need a traditional trial just to start using ExtraBrain because the core Mac app is free. Install the app, complete the onboarding steps, choose your transcription and AI provider setup, and start a test session before using it in a real interview or meeting.

A good first test is a short private practice call. Speak for a few minutes, share a sample screen if you plan to use screen context, and confirm that transcription, analysis, shortcuts, and privacy settings behave the way you expect.

How do I activate ExtraBrain Pro?

If you purchase ExtraBrain Pro, activation should be completed through the product flow or the instructions provided during purchase. Keep the email address, receipt, and license information associated with your purchase in a safe place.

If the app asks for license details, copy the license exactly as provided. Avoid adding extra spaces before or after the license value. If activation fails, first confirm that you are using the same email and license details connected to the purchase.

If you still cannot activate Pro, visit the ExtraBrain help center for support guidance.

What should I check before paying for Pro?

Before upgrading, make sure ExtraBrain fits your actual workflow. Run a practice session, confirm that your microphone is available, verify that transcription works for your setup, and test any AI provider you plan to use.

Also confirm your platform. ExtraBrain is available for macOS today, including Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. Windows and Linux are planned future platforms, so do not buy Pro expecting a supported Windows or Linux app today.

If you plan to use a fully local posture, confirm that local Parakeet transcription and local Gemma 4 on-device AI are installed and compatible with your Mac. Local Gemma 4 availability depends on installation and compatible hardware, and it may not be available in every customer environment.

Will provider usage be included in my ExtraBrain payment?

No. ExtraBrain billing and third-party provider billing are separate.

ExtraBrain can connect to local Gemma 4 where installed and compatible, Anthropic, OpenAI, custom OpenAI-compatible endpoints, Claude Subscription, Codex Subscription, and optional Deepgram transcription. Depending on your configuration, those services may charge you directly.

This distinction matters for budgeting. Your ExtraBrain Pro payment covers ExtraBrain Pro access, while external provider accounts, API usage, subscriptions, or transcription minutes may be billed by the provider you choose.

What happens to my data when I use paid or external providers?

Billing status does not automatically decide where your data goes. Your provider and privacy configuration matter more.

With local Parakeet transcription plus local Gemma 4 on-device AI where installed and compatible, transcription and AI prompts can stay local. When you use external providers, selected prompts, transcript text, screenshots, audio, or context may leave your device depending on your settings and the provider path you choose.

Review your settings before real interviews, workplace meetings, school sessions, or sensitive calls. Only record, transcribe, screenshot, or use AI assistance where the rules and expectations allow it.

Should I delete data when updating ExtraBrain?

Be careful before deleting app data during updates, reinstalls, or troubleshooting. App data may include settings, provider configuration, session history, privacy preferences, or license-related state. Deleting it can make the app feel like a fresh install and may require you to set things up again.

For routine updates, prefer the normal update path provided by ExtraBrain. If you are troubleshooting and think data deletion is necessary, first make sure you understand what will be removed and that you have any needed license or provider details saved elsewhere.

What if I removed my license or activation details by mistake?

If you accidentally remove license information, first look for the purchase email, receipt, account page, or license message you received when buying Pro. Then try activating again using the exact purchase email and license details.

If the license appears to have reached a usage limit or no longer works after a reinstall, app update, device change, or plan change, contact ExtraBrain support through the help center. Include the purchase email, plan, approximate purchase date, and a concise description of what changed.

Do not share private interview transcripts, screenshots, access tokens, API keys, or sensitive employer information in a support request unless support explicitly asks for a safe diagnostic artifact.

Why might a license say it has reached its usage limit?

A license or paid entitlement may fail to activate for several practical reasons. The most common causes are a mismatch between the purchase email and the email used in the app, a device change, a reinstall that removed local state, a plan change, an expired subscription, or a license value copied with missing or extra characters.

If you see a usage-limit message, do not keep repeatedly changing settings at random. Collect the purchase email, license details, and a short timeline of what happened, then contact support through the ExtraBrain help center.

I paid but do not see Pro access yet.

First, check the email address used during checkout. Then check spam, promotions, and other filtered inbox folders for the receipt or license message.

If you used the wrong email, saved a typo, or cannot find the purchase confirmation, contact support with enough payment context to locate the order. Useful details include the purchase email you intended to use, the approximate purchase time, the plan selected, and the last four digits of the payment card if your payment provider makes that safe to share.

Do not send full card numbers, passwords, API keys, private transcripts, or confidential interview materials.

What is the difference between Free and Pro?

The free ExtraBrain app gives Mac users a local-first AI interview and meeting copilot foundation. It is built around live sessions, transcription, screen-aware context, provider choice, and privacy controls.

ExtraBrain Pro is the paid tier for users who want the Pro offering under the current pricing model. Because plan details can change, use the Free vs Pro page and pricing page as the source of truth before purchase.

When comparing plans, also account for external provider costs. A paid ExtraBrain plan does not necessarily replace separate Anthropic, OpenAI, Deepgram, custom endpoint, Claude Subscription, or Codex Subscription costs.

How do I switch, change, or upgrade plans?

If you want to move from monthly to annual, from Founder pricing to another plan, or from a subscription to Lifetime launch pricing when available, start from the billing or account flow provided by ExtraBrain. If the app does not expose the change you need, contact support through the help center.

Before changing plans, confirm whether the change affects renewal timing, existing Pro access, lifetime access, promotional pricing, or license activation. Keep the confirmation email after the change is complete.

How do I cancel my subscription?

If you need to cancel a recurring ExtraBrain Pro subscription, use the billing flow associated with your purchase or follow the cancellation instructions in your receipt. If you cannot find the correct billing portal, contact support through the ExtraBrain help center.

Cancellation usually affects future renewals rather than past usage. Before canceling, consider exporting or reviewing any local session materials you want to keep, and make sure you understand whether Pro-only features will stop at cancellation or at the end of the paid billing period.

Can I get a refund?

Refund handling depends on the purchase path, payment processor, timing, and the details of the request. If you believe you were charged incorrectly, bought the wrong plan, had duplicate billing, or could not access Pro after payment, contact support with the purchase email and order details.

Keep the request factual and concise. Include what you bought, when you bought it, what went wrong, and what resolution you are asking for.

Billing checklist before a real interview or meeting

Use this checklist before relying on ExtraBrain in a high-stakes session.

• Confirm ExtraBrain opens correctly on your Mac.
• Confirm your microphone and transcription setup work.
• Confirm your selected AI provider is connected and funded if it is an external paid provider.
• Confirm Pro access is active if you need Pro features.
• Confirm your privacy settings match the session sensitivity.
• Confirm you are allowed to use AI assistance, transcription, screenshots, and notes in that interview, meeting, class, or workplace context.
• Confirm you know how to stop recording and delete local session history if needed.

Quick billing FAQ

Is ExtraBrain free?

Yes. The core ExtraBrain Mac app is free. ExtraBrain Pro is available as a paid option.

What does ExtraBrain Pro cost?

Current listed Pro pricing is $9.99 per month regular, $6.99 per month Founder pricing, $79 per year, or $149 Lifetime launch pricing. Always confirm current pricing on the pricing page before purchase.

Does ExtraBrain support Windows?

Not today. ExtraBrain is available for macOS today, including Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. Windows and Linux are planned.

Are AI provider costs included?

No. External AI and transcription provider usage is billed separately by the providers users choose.

Can ExtraBrain run fully local?

A fully local posture requires local Parakeet transcription plus local Gemma 4 on-device AI where installed and compatible, with no external provider requests. If you use external providers, selected prompts, transcript text, screenshots, audio, or context may leave the device depending on configuration.

Where should I go for help with payment or activation?

Start with the ExtraBrain help center. Include purchase context, the email used for payment, the plan involved, and the exact error you see.