BioRender offers both a permanently free Basic account and a 14-day Free Trial of Premium features. Understanding the difference between these two options can help you decide which is best suited for your scientific illustration needs, whether you're just getting started or preparing content for publication.
BioRender Basic and the Free Trial
Use the chart below to understand the key differences between BioRender Basic and the Free Trial:
| Feature | BioRender Basic (Free account) | Free Trial (14 Days of Premium Access) |
| Illustration limit | Up to 5 illustrations | Unlimited illustrations |
| Objects per canvas | Up to 50 objects | Unlimited objects |
| High-resolution exports | Not available | Included (PNG, JPG, PDF with transparent background) |
| Watermark-free images | Not available | Included |
| Publishing rights | Not included | Not included (requires upgrade to Premium) |
| PowerPoint Add-In usage | 2 file updates per month | Unlimited |
| Credit card required | No | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
Can I publish illustrations created during the Free Trial?
- No. Publishing rights are not included in either the Free Trial or the Basic plan. You must upgrade to a paid Premium plan to publish in journals or distribute externally.
Do I need to enter payment information to use BioRender Basic?
- No. BioRender Basic is completely free and does not require a credit card.
What happens after my 14-day Free Trial ends?
- If not canceled, your account will automatically upgrade to the selected Premium billing cycle. You can cancel anytime during the trial to avoid charges.
Can I use the PowerPoint Add-In on the Basic plan?
- Yes, but with limitations. You can perform up to two file updates per month. The Free Trial offers unlimited usage for the duration of the trial.
Related articles
- Getting started with the Free Trial
- Cancelling your Premium plan
- Upgrading your BioRender account to a Premium subscription
What’s next
If you're unsure which plan to choose, consider starting with the Free Trial to explore all Premium features. Just remember to cancel before the 14-day period ends if you don’t wish to continue. For ongoing, light educational use, BioRender Basic offers a no-cost option to create and share simple scientific illustrations. Ready to publish? Skip the Free Trial and upgrade to a full Premium subscription for full access and publishing rights (please note the Undergraduate subscription does not come with publishing rights).
Need help?
- Email: support@biorender.com
- Live Chat: Available by clicking on the "Help" bubble in the app on the bottom right-hand corner.
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