---
source_url: https://www.pubnub.com/docs/portal/billing-alerts
title: Billing alerts
updated_at: 2026-05-22T11:05:33.642Z
---

> Documentation Index
> For a curated overview of PubNub documentation, see: https://www.pubnub.com/docs/llms.txt
> For the full list of all documentation pages, see: https://www.pubnub.com/docs/llms-full.txt


# Billing alerts

The **Billing alert** feature sends notifications when your PubNub usage counts or costs meet the trigger details criteria. This feature is available on Starter and Pro plans.

[Notifications](#billing-alert-notifications) always appear in the Admin Portal. You can also receive email, Slack, and/or Microsoft Teams [notifications](#notification-methods).

##### "I want to know when I've spent 75$"

![Billing alert example showing trigger value and generated notifications](https://www.pubnub.com/assets/images/alerts-example-452b0fcc1a7de312eca0db2ef2968732.png)

Example flow:

* In January, you create a billing alert for total usage cost. Trigger value: $75.
* On January 16, the daily scan sees $110. It exceeds $75. The alert triggers and creates notifications.
* After it triggers, no new notifications appear for the rest of January unless you change the alert criteria.
* On February 1, all billing alert notifications reset.
* On February 4, the usage cost reaches $75. The alert triggers for February and creates notifications.

On the **Billing alerts** page, you see a table of alerts from most recent to oldest. Each alert includes the full trigger history.

![Billing alerts table with Trigger history link open](https://www.pubnub.com/assets/images/billing-alert-table-599d034923f9385374d93a66009023ce.png)

Account admins can create, edit, and resolve billing alerts. Other Admin Portal roles can view alerts. Each alert includes general info, trigger conditions, and optional extra notification methods.

## Create billing alerts

To create a billing alert:

1. Click the + Create alert button in the top-right corner of the screen. The Create billing alert pane opens.
2. In the topmost section of the Create billing alert pane, provide the following information: ParameterDescriptionOptionsAlert nameName for your billing alert.N/AAlert categoryCategory to trigger the billing alert for.Total usage cost or Single entry on invoice If you select Single entry on invoice, select the transaction usage type to be notified about. Depending on your plan, options include: Edge Transactions Functions MAU (Monthly Active Users) Message Actions Persistence Transactions Overage Replicated Transactions Signals TransactionsDescriptionExplanation of what the billing alert is about. This parameter is optional.N/A
3. In the Trigger details section, configure the criteria for triggering the alert: CategoryOptionDescriptionTriggerCostTrigger based on the monetary value (US dollars).UnitTrigger based on the number of transactions.Trigger typeValueUse a specific number, for example $50 or 500 transactions.PercentageUse a percentage, for example 20% of previous usage cost or 20% of previous transactions.Trigger valueNumber to be used for the threshold. Billing alerts are triggered when the actual production value is greater than or equal to the entered trigger value.
4. In the Notification methods section, configure additional notification methods for a triggered alert. You can be notified by email (one or more recipients), Slack, and/or Microsoft Teams.
5. Click the Create alert button to save your billing alert.

## Billing alert notifications

When a billing alert is triggered, notifications are displayed in the Admin Portal. Notifications are generated once per month unless you change the trigger details (category, conditions, or value). Billing alert notifications reset on the first of every month. Billing alert scans run daily at 9 PM Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Notifications appear in the following parts of the Admin Portal:

* As a notification banner on the Homepage.
* As a notification banner on the Plans and billing page.
* As a badge on the account menu in the top-right of the Admin Portal.
* As a highlighted item on the main Billing alerts page.

### Notification methods

When [creating a billing alert](#create-billing-alerts), you can also receive notifications outside the Admin Portal.

Choose a method, fill in the required details, then select **Add**:

* **Email**: Provide one or more email addresses.
* **Slack**: Provide one or more webhook URLs and channels.
* **Microsoft Teams**: Provide one or more webhook URLs.

You can choose one or all of them for each billing alert.

Emails are sent from `pubnub@pubnub.com`. Add this address to your allowlist. Click **Review Alert** in the email to resolve or dismiss the notification.

![Email notification showing a Review Alert button](https://www.pubnub.com/assets/images/billing-alert-email-notification-cbc506892ceafec7bcab901a5e26ae47.png)

## Terms in this document

* **Trigger details** - A set of predefined criteria for a given billing alert. When met, billing alert notifications are generated.