WooCommerce Deposits Plugin: Accept Partial Payments

Not every shopper wants — or is able — to pay the full amount upfront. For stores selling high-value products, services, or bookings, offering customers a way to pay a deposit can be the difference between a lost sale and a conversion. That’s where the WooCommerce Deposits Plugin becomes a game-changer.

This plugin allows WooCommerce stores to accept partial payments, deposits, or payment plans, giving customers more flexibility and helping you close more sales. Whether you’re selling physical goods, online services, or event tickets, the ability to split payments provides peace of mind to both you and your buyers.

In this article, we’ll dive into everything the WooCommerce Deposits Plugin has to offer — including how it works, where it fits best, and why it’s one of the most powerful ways to increase conversions and grow your revenue.

What Is the WooCommerce Deposits Plugin?

The WooCommerce Deposits Plugin is a powerful extension that allows you to accept partial payments or deposits for any product in your store.

Instead of paying the full price at checkout, customers can:

• Pay a fixed deposit amount (e.g., $50)

• Pay a percentage of the product price (e.g., 30%)

• Choose between full payment or deposit

• Pay remaining balances later — either manually or automatically

You, as the store owner, get to control how payments are structured, when balances are due, and whether customers can choose or are required to use the deposit option.

The result is a more accessible and flexible shopping experience — especially for expensive items or multi-step services.

Core Features of the Plugin

Let’s explore the features that make WooCommerce Deposits plugin such a valuable tool.

1. Accept Deposits or Partial Payments

The plugin enables two main types of deposit structures:

• Fixed deposit: A set amount (e.g., $100)

• Percentage deposit: A percentage of the product price (e.g., 25%)

You can set this globally, by category, or per individual product.

2. Let Customers Choose or Force Deposits

You decide if customers:

• Must pay a deposit

• Can choose between full payment or deposit

This flexibility works for different business models. For example, you might allow optional deposits for regular products but require them for custom orders or bookings.

3. Schedule Remaining Payments

After a deposit is made, the plugin:

• Creates an order balance

• Allows you to collect payment manually via follow-up email or admin

• Or integrate with plugins to automate scheduled payments

This gives you a clear record of pending amounts and customer payment status.

4. Compatible with Variable Products

Sell products with variations like size, color, or model? No problem. Deposits can be applied to:

• Simple products

• Variable products

• Bookable products (with WooCommerce Bookings)

Each variation can have different deposit rules.

5. Custom Payment Plans (Pro or Extended Versions)

Some extended versions or premium integrations support:

• Installment-based plans (e.g., 3 monthly payments)

• Balance due by a specific date

• Automatic billing cycles

These features turn your WooCommerce site into a lightweight subscription or layaway platform.

6. Order Management for Deposits

In the WooCommerce Orders tab, you’ll see:

• Whether an order is partially paid

• The remaining balance

• Links to send payment reminders

• The ability to manually mark as paid

This helps you stay organized and track cash flow effectively.

7. Developer Hooks and Customization

For developers, the plugin includes:

• Hooks and filters to customize deposit behavior

• Template overrides for styling the frontend deposit display

• REST API access for syncing deposit orders with external systems

If you’re building a custom checkout experience or integrating with third-party tools, these options make it easy.

Why Accepting Deposits Helps Your Business

The deposit model isn’t just about affordability — it’s a conversion-boosting strategy backed by psychology and practical sales tactics.

1. Lower Upfront Cost = More Conversions

High prices create friction. If a customer can secure a product or booking with just 20–30% down, they’re more likely to move forward with confidence.

2. Enables Higher-Value Purchases

You can sell more expensive items or bundles by breaking the full amount into smaller, manageable chunks.

3. Improves Customer Trust

Customers are more willing to commit when they know they don’t have to pay in full right away — especially for customized or service-based products.

4. Reduces Cart Abandonment

When shoppers hesitate due to price, a deposit option can help overcome that final barrier and complete the sale.

5. Streamlines Pre-Order or Booking Processes

WooCommerce Deposits plugin are perfect for:

• Reserving event seats

• Pre-ordering limited editions

• Scheduling services

• Holding inventory before fulfillment

Real-World Use Cases for WooCommerce Deposits

This plugin supports a wide range of industries and use cases.

1. Furniture or Appliance Stores

Let customers reserve high-priced items like sofas, refrigerators, or mattresses with a deposit. Fulfill the order once the balance is paid.

2. Event Ticketing and Bookings

Secure bookings for workshops, weddings, coaching sessions, or retreats with a percentage deposit — then follow up for the rest.

3. Custom Products or Made-to-Order Items

Require deposits for handcrafted goods, personalized gifts, or bespoke artwork to protect against cancellations.

4. Rentals and Reservations

Allow users to pay a deposit to rent equipment, venues, or vacation rentals. Collect the balance on delivery or check-in.

5. Wholesale or B2B Sales

Enable bulk buyers to confirm large orders with a deposit while giving them time to prepare full payment.

How to Set Up WooCommerce Deposits

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide for setting it up.

Step 1: Install and Activate the Plugin

• Purchase the plugin from WooCommerce.com or a verified provider

• Upload via Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin

• Activate the plugin in your WordPress dashboard

Step 2: Enable Global or Per-Product Deposits

You can apply deposit settings:

• Globally: Set a default deposit rule for all products

• Per Product: Edit a product > go to the “Deposits” tab > enable deposits and set fixed or percentage amounts

You can also choose:

• Whether the deposit is optional or required

• How the remaining payment is handled

Step 3: Customize Front-End Display

Customers will see:

• A message like “Pay a 30% deposit today” near the price

• Options to choose between deposit and full payment (if enabled)

• Deposit amount and remaining balance on the checkout and order pages

You can customize the labels and styling via:

• Plugin settings

• Custom CSS

• Template overrides

Step 4: Manage Deposits from the Admin

In WooCommerce > Orders, you can:

• See deposit orders marked as “Partially Paid”

• Send follow-up emails for payment

• Manually mark balances as paid

• Issue refunds if necessary

You can also view a list of open balances for accounting or fulfillment purposes.

Plugin Compatibility

The WooCommerce Deposits plugin is compatible with:

• WooCommerce Bookings

• Product Bundles

• Subscriptions (with extensions)

• Variable products

• Multi-currency setups

• Popular page builders (Elementor, WPBakery)

It works smoothly with most standard WooCommerce themes and extensions.

Limitations to Consider

Although powerful, the plugin has a few limitations you should be aware of:

1. No Built-in Installment Billing

If you want automated recurring payments (like 3 equal payments), you’ll need an additional plugin or integration.

2. Manual Balance Collection

Without automation, collecting remaining balances requires sending reminders or manually invoicing — unless you integrate it with Subscriptions.

3. Limited Payment Gateway Control

You can’t easily restrict certain gateways (e.g., “PayPal only for deposits”) without customization.

Despite these, the benefits far outweigh the limits for most store owners.

Pricing Overview

WooCommerce Deposits plugin is a premium plugin:

• Price: $179/year (1 site license)

• Includes:

  • 1 year of support and updates

  • Access to fixed/percentage deposit options

  • Compatibility with major extensions

If you prefer a more budget-friendly option, GPL versions are sometimes available via marketplaces like Themexplug, but always ensure you’re sourcing safely.

Alternatives Worth Considering

Here are a few deposit plugin alternatives to explore:

1. YITH WooCommerce Deposits and Down Payments

A flexible plugin with installment support and more display control. Slightly more complex to configure.

2. Deposits for WooCommerce by Webtomizer

Simple, affordable option. Lacks some advanced features like compatibility with variable products.

3. Payment Plans for WooCommerce

Designed for installment-based payment plans. Good for courses, services, or product subscriptions.

Each has its pros and cons, but the official WooCommerce Deposits plugin offers the most reliable integration and support.

Is It Worth It?

If your store:

• Sells high-ticket items

• Takes bookings or reservations

• Offers made-to-order products

• Wants to reduce cart abandonment

• Needs better cash flow from partial payments

…then yes — the WooCommerce Deposits plugin is absolutely worth it.

Just one or two conversions saved per month because of the deposit option can cover the plugin’s cost.

Final Thoughts

Today’s shoppers expect flexibility. Offering partial payment options through the WooCommerce Deposits Plugin is an easy way to deliver on that expectation — without complicating your store setup.

From reducing checkout friction to boosting high-ticket sales, deposits are a proven strategy. And with this plugin, you don’t need a developer or custom code to make it happen.

If you want to unlock new revenue, sell more expensive products, and give your customers payment flexibility, this plugin is one of the smartest additions to your WooCommerce toolkit.

Click here to get WooCommerce Deposits Plugin now!