Capture

A capture is the transaction that completes a payment after an authorization has already placed a hold on a customer's funds. Only a previously authorized transaction can be captured, and the capture is what actually moves the money rather than just confirming it is available.

Capture is the second half of a two-step payment flow called authorization and capture. The authorization step verifies that a card is valid and that funds are available, placing a hold on the customer's account without transferring anything. The capture step then completes the transaction and moves the funds. If a merchant decides not to proceed after authorizing, a cancel releases the hold instead of capturing it. Because a capture always references a specific authorization, it cannot happen on its own. It exists to finalize a hold that was placed earlier.

Why it matters

Separating authorization from capture gives a subscription business more control over exactly when money changes hands. That matters whenever there is a gap between confirming a customer can pay and actually being ready to collect, such as waiting to confirm inventory for a physical good, completing a fraud review, or reaching the end of a free trial. Authorizing upfront also surfaces payment problems earlier, before fulfillment or fund movement, which reduces the number of failed captures and the customer friction that comes with them. Recurly runs the authorization and capture flow across its supported gateways, so merchants can separate verification from fund collection no matter which payment provider they use behind the scenes.

How to use

A common use of the authorization and capture flow is validating a card during a free trial signup, then capturing the charge only when the trial converts to a paid subscription. There are two general approaches to how much gets authorized at signup:

• A nominal authorization, such as a very small amount, confirms the card is valid but does not check whether there is enough balance to cover the actual subscription cost. This carries a higher risk of failure at the first renewal, particularly for prepaid cards or cards with a low balance.

• A full-amount authorization holds the full first billing period's amount on the card at trial signup. This confirms the necessary funds are actually available, which increases confidence that the later capture, or the renewal charge, will succeed. The authorization is voided without charging the customer, but the visibility into fund availability helps reduce failed payments down the line.

Card authorizations do not stay open indefinitely. If a capture does not happen in time, the authorization expires automatically, typically within about 7 to 10 days, though the exact window varies by card brand and payment gateway. Once expired, that authorization can no longer be captured and a new one is needed.

Benefits and examples

A subscription box merchant might authorize a customer's card when an order is placed, then capture the charge only once the item has shipped, confirming both payment eligibility and fulfillment readiness before money moves. A SaaS company offering a free trial might authorize the full subscription price at signup to confirm the card can support it, then capture that same amount only if the trial converts to a paid plan, without ever charging a customer who cancels during the trial. In both cases the value for the operator is the same: verification and fund collection stay separate, so the business decides when the charge actually lands.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between authorization and capture? An authorization checks that a card is valid and that funds are available, and places a hold without moving money. A capture is the follow-up transaction that actually completes the charge and transfers the held funds.

Can I capture a transaction that was never authorized? No. A capture always references a prior authorization, and only authorizations can be captured.

What happens if I do not capture an authorization in time? The authorization expires automatically if it is not captured, typically within about 7 to 10 days, though the exact timing depends on the card brand and payment gateway. Once it expires, it cannot be captured, and a new authorization is needed.

Why would a business separate authorization from capture instead of charging immediately? Separating the two gives more control over timing, which is useful for confirming inventory, completing a fraud review, or waiting for a free trial to convert, without giving up the early confirmation that a card is valid and funded.

Is it better to authorize a small amount or the full amount during a free trial? Authorizing the full first-period amount is generally the more reliable approach, since it confirms the funds needed for the eventual charge are actually available. A smaller nominal authorization only confirms the card itself is valid, which carries more risk of a failed charge later.