How do I start my free trial?

KB-077 | Applies to: Core | Last reviewed: November 7, 2026 | Version 1.1

AffirmReady Core starts with a 14-day free trial. This article walks you through starting it, from creating your account to your first day in the app.

The short answer

Create your account, set up your password and authenticator app, then choose Core on the Choose a plan page and click Start 14-day free trial. You enter a card on Stripe's secure checkout page, and you aren't charged during the trial. If you cancel before the trial ends, you pay nothing.

Before you start

• The person who creates the account becomes your company's first Owner. Only an Owner can choose a plan. See KB-006 for roles.
• Have your phone ready for a free authenticator app, such as Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator.
• Have a credit or debit card ready. Checkout takes cards only.
• The free trial applies to your company's first Core subscription. Pro does not include a free trial. See KB-022.

Step 1: Create your account

1. Go to www.affirmready.com/sign-up, or click the free trial button on our home page or pricing page.
2. Enter your details and create your password.
3. Confirm your email with the 6-digit code we send you.
4. Set up your authenticator app and save your 10 backup codes somewhere safe.

KB-052 explains each of these screens.

Step 2: Choose your plan

When your account is set up, the Choose a plan page opens.

1. If you see Monthly and Yearly, choose how you'd like to pay.
2. On the Core card, read the short billing summary under the price. It explains the trial, what you'll be charged when it ends, and how to cancel.
3. Check I agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
4. Click Start 14-day free trial.

Need someone else to approve it first? Click Print plan summary to print the plans or save them as a PDF to share. The printout shows your company name, the date, and each plan's price, summary and billing terms as shown on the page, without the buttons.

Not ready to choose yet? Click Skip for now, go to my dashboard. You'll see a look-only Home page with what's waiting for you once you choose a plan. Nothing can be changed there until a plan starts, and each time you sign in you land on Choose a plan again. Click Choose a plan when you're ready. Until then, we send your company's Owners up to three short reminder emails, each with a link to unsubscribe.

Step 3: Enter your payment details

1. Stripe's secure checkout page opens. Enter your card. AffirmReady never sees or stores your card number.
2. If you have a promotion code, click Add promotion code on the checkout page and enter it.
3. Finish checkout. You aren't charged today.
4. You come back to AffirmReady, and Setting up your account shows for a few seconds while Stripe confirms your plan. The app then opens on its own.

During your trial

• Everything in Core is open to your team. For a good order to work in, see KB-039.
• Invite the people who will help, such as your office manager or IT provider. See KB-006.
• The Billing page shows the date your trial ends, and we send a reminder before it does.

When your trial ends

• If you don't cancel, your Core subscription begins automatically and your payment method is charged the price shown on the Core card, plus any applicable tax.
• To stop before you're charged, cancel from the Billing page before the trial ends. See KB-023.
• For refunds, see KB-025. If a payment doesn't go through, see KB-054.

If something doesn't work

• The page says only an Owner can choose a plan: you joined from an invitation as an Editor or Read-only member. Ask your company's Owner to start the plan.
• "Plans could not be loaded right now": wait a few minutes and try again.
• You closed the checkout page: you're back on Choose a plan and nothing was charged. Start again when you're ready.
• Setting up your account doesn't move on: refresh the page after a minute. If it still doesn't move on, email us.

Still need help?

If you have a billing question, include "Billing" in your subject line. Email support@affirmready.com and include your company name and the email address on your AffirmReady account. Our team is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern, and replies within one business day.

For CMMC Level 1 readiness purposes only. Not legal advice. Your company is responsible for the accuracy of its self-assessment and affirmation.