Synchronizing subscription statuses between Drupal and Stripe

See how we helped the client retain users by fixing the subscription process

Client

NDA

Industry

Events

Technologies

logo Drupal Drupal

Scope of work

Subscription data migration, payment integration refactoring

Background element

No Access to Paid Subscriptions

The client came to us with a problem that initially seemed simple. Subscription payments were working, and Stripe (the payment management system) indicated that everything was fine. However, on the Drupal side, where access was managed, inconsistencies began to appear – paid subscriptions were shown as expired or not renewed.

Upon verification, we found that the integration between the payment system and Drupal was only partial. This meant that some active subscriptions existed only in Stripe, and Drupal didn’t update their status.

As a result, the users paid for a subscription that was treated as expired or not renewed in the CMS. It led to frustration and an increasing number of complaints, putting the brand’s reputation and customer trust at risk.

How Did We Fix The Problem of Inconsistent Subscriptions?

Using the Stripe API and the existing Drupal data structure, we identified subscriptions that were active in Stripe but weren’t correctly linked to user accounts in the CMS. Then, we mapped them and transferred the missing information to Drupal. Thanks to that, we mirrored every subscription, preserving its billing cycles and statuses.

Additionally, we organized and simplified the legacy, complex code to prevent similar problems in the future.

What Did the Client Get?

We ensured full data synchronization between Stripe and Drupal, which meant that:

  • Users have constant access to paid packages
  • The problem of incorrect subscription expiration has been eliminated
  • We reduced the number of complaints and payment-related support tickets
  • The subscription system is more stable and predictable for future development
Drupal and Stripe synchronization

Kewin Nammert

Drupal Developer

Users should have access to their paid subscriptions without having to wonder if everything is working correctly. That’s why achieving data consistency between Stripe and Drupal was our top priority.

When To Use This Solution?

Background element

  1. When users have problems with renewing or cancelling subscriptions

  2. When you have to manually change subscription statuses

  3. When you plan to expand the subscription model

Users pay for subscriptions

but the system doesn’t show consistent data?