On-Demand vs. Subscription plans
Written by Justin Hoehn
•Updated May 25, 2026Launch offers two ways to run a company swag store: On-Demand launches and Subscription-based programs.
The right option depends on how often your company runs merchandise programs, how employees order throughout the year, and the level of operational flexibility your team needs.
On-Demand plans
On-Demand is designed for companies that launch swag stores occasionally throughout the year.
These stores are commonly used for:
- Holiday gifting
- Company events
- Employee appreciation programs
- Seasonal merchandise drops
- Limited-time company stores
On-Demand works best for companies running a few store launches per year without needing an ongoing subscription structure.
Because stores are launched individually, On-Demand provides flexibility for companies that do not need year-round employee ordering or recurring merchandise operations.
Subscription plans
Subscription plans are designed for companies managing ongoing employee merchandise programs throughout the year.
Launch currently offers two subscription tiers:
Subscription plans are commonly used for:
- New hire kits
- Recurring employee gifting
- Uniform programs
- Multi-office employee stores
- Always-On employee ordering
Subscription plans include expanded operational flexibility, additional product capacity, advanced shipping options, reporting tools, and recurring employee ordering support.
These plans are best for companies looking to build a more consistent employee merchandise program rather than launching occasional standalone stores.
Minimum store volume
Some Launch plans include minimum store volume requirements.
On-Demand stores currently require a minimum store volume per launch. Subscription plans may also include minimum requirements depending on the selected plan and operational setup.
If your company is unsure which option is the best fit, the Launch team can help recommend the appropriate setup based on your ordering frequency and employee program goals.
You can also Compare Launch Plans to review plan features, requirements, and determine which option best fits your program.
Which option should I choose?
Choose On-Demand if:
- You run stores a few times per year
- Your merchandise needs are event-based or seasonal
- You prefer a launch-by-launch structure
Choose a Subscription plan if:
- You manage employee merchandise throughout the year
- You run recurring gifting or new hire programs
- You need Always-On ordering or Multi-Office shipping
- Your company requires more operational flexibility
Best practices
- Choose On-Demand for occasional campaigns, events, and seasonal ordering.
- Choose Subscription plans for recurring employee programs and ongoing merchandise management.
- Consider Growth for new hire kits, gifting, uniforms, and recurring employee ordering.
- Consider Scale for fulfillment operations, integrations, and enterprise-level support.
- Review minimum store volume requirements when selecting a Launch plan.