You'll typically get these from Iris directly, from an authorized channel partner, or from a reseller — via email, at an event, or as part of a hardware purchase. You enter the code during checkout when changing your plan, and the discount or plan benefit is applied automatically.
What You'll Need
An Iris account
A Studio where you are the owner — only the Studio owner has billing permissions and can apply promo codes
A valid, unredeemed promo code
If you're not the Studio owner, you won't be able to apply the code yourself. Ask your Studio owner to apply it from their account.
How to Apply a Promo Code
Go to your billing settings. Log into Iris, open your Studio, and navigate to Settings > Billing. You can find this using the profile dropdown in the top-right corner.
Select your plan. Click Upgrade Plan (or Change Plan) to see available plans. Choose the plan that fits your needs — Standard, Pro, etc. — and select Monthly or Yearly billing.
If your promo code is tied to a specific plan or billing cycle, make sure you select the matching option.
Enter your promo code. You'll be redirected to a checkout page. Look for the "Add promotion code" field and enter your code there.
Enter your promo code and the discount will be reflected in your billing summary before you confirm.
Complete the payment. Review the discount reflected in your total, then confirm. A credit card must be on file to proceed, even if the promo code covers the full cost of the plan. This is because potential overage charges (like cloud usage) may apply and need a payment method on file.
After Applying a Promo Code
Once payment is processed:
Your Studio's plan updates automatically. You'll see a "Plan Successfully Changed" notification in Iris.
The Billing section in Settings will reflect your updated plan, billing frequency, and any discount applied.
Your invoice history will show the promo code discount on the relevant invoice.
The promo code is permanently consumed — it can't be used again by anyone.
Limits and Restrictions
Single use. Each promo code can only be redeemed once. After redemption, it's permanently consumed.
One code per subscription. Only one promo code can be active on a subscription at a time. If you apply a new code, it replaces any existing discount.
Owner only. Only the Studio owner (the person with billing permissions) can apply a promo code. Other team members will see an access denied error if they try.
Plan-specific. Some promo codes are tied to specific plans. If a code doesn't match the plan you selected, it'll be rejected on the checkout page. Double-check your code's details to make sure you're selecting the right plan.
Expiration. Promo codes may have an expiration date. Expired codes can't be redeemed.
Credit card required. Even if the code covers the full subscription cost, a credit card must be on file for potential overage charges.
Some codes override your plan selection. Certain promo codes (like NFR codes for partners and resellers) are configured to upgrade your Studio to a specific plan tier regardless of what you selected during checkout. If your plan shows as something different than expected after applying a code, this is why.
Cloud usage charges are separate. Promo code discounts apply to the base subscription price. Cloud usage overage charges are billed separately and are not affected by promo codes.
What Happens If…
…your promo code isn't working? Make sure the code matches the plan you're selecting — codes are often plan-specific. Check for typos. If it still doesn't work, the code may have already been redeemed or expired. Contact the person or organization that gave you the code to confirm.
…you don't have permission to change the billing plan? You'll see an access denied error. Only the Studio owner can change plans and apply promo codes. Ask your Studio owner to apply the code from their account.
…your subscription lapses or becomes inactive? If your subscription is no longer active and the billing period has ended, your Studio reverts to the Free plan — regardless of whether a promo code was originally used.
…you close the browser during checkout? The promo code isn't consumed until payment is fully completed. If you close the browser before confirming, the code remains unused and you can try again.
…you enter an invalid or expired code? The checkout page will reject the code and show an error. You can still complete the plan change without a code, or try a different one.
…the code has already been redeemed? The checkout page will show an error indicating the code is no longer valid. Each code is single-use — once redeemed, it's gone.
Troubleshooting
What's happening | Likely cause | What to do |
"Promotion code is not valid" | Code is already used, expired, or doesn't apply to the selected plan | Check for typos. Confirm the code is still valid with whoever gave it to you. Make sure you're selecting the right plan. |
Plan didn't change after entering a code | Payment may not have completed, or there's a processing delay | Go to Settings > Billing and wait up to 30 seconds. If it hasn't updated, refresh the page. |
"Access denied" when changing plan | You're not the Studio owner | Ask the Studio owner to apply the code from their account. |
Promo code field not visible on checkout | The checkout page configuration may not support codes for this flow | Contact Iris support for help applying your code. |
Plan shows a different tier than expected | The promo code overrides to a specific plan (e.g., NFR) | This is by design for certain codes. The plan you receive is determined by the code's configuration. |
FAQs
Where do I get a promo code? Promo codes are distributed by Iris, authorized channel partners, and resellers. You may receive one via email, at an event, through a partner purchase, or through Iris newsletters and promotions.
Can I use more than one promo code on the same Studio? Only one promo code can be active on a subscription at a time. Applying a new code replaces any existing discount.
Can I use a promo code on the Free plan? Promo codes are applied during checkout when subscribing to a paid plan. They can't be applied to the Free plan directly.
Can I transfer my promo code to someone else? Yes, as long as it hasn't been redeemed yet. Share the code and the other person can use it when subscribing on their own Studio.
Do I need a credit card even if the code covers the full cost? Yes. A credit card is required on file to cover potential overage charges, even if the promo code fully covers the subscription price.
Will the discount apply to future billing cycles? It depends on the code. Some provide a one-time discount, others apply for a set number of cycles, and some apply indefinitely. The discount details are shown on the checkout page before you confirm.
What happens when my promotional period ends? Unless you cancel, your subscription continues at the standard rate for the plan you selected. Check your billing settings regularly to stay informed.
What is an NFR (Not For Resale) plan? Some promo codes are designated as NFR codes, typically given to partners and resellers for demo purposes. Applying an NFR code upgrades your Studio to the NFR plan, shown as "Not For Resale (NFR)" in your billing settings.
I applied a code but my plan shows something different than expected. Why? Certain promo codes are configured to upgrade your plan to a specific tier (like NFR). The plan you end up on depends on the code's configuration, not necessarily what you selected during checkout.
Does the promo code apply to cloud usage charges? No. Promo discounts apply to the base subscription price only. Cloud usage overage charges are billed separately.
Related Articles
Iris Plans and Pricing — Overview of available plan tiers and what's included.
Billing and Subscription Management — How to manage your plan, payment method, and invoices.