The Paywall feature allows you to monetize your videos or presentations by requiring viewers to pay before watching. Buyers keep permanent access in their free MediaZilla account. If you also offer rentals, renters can watch for the time you set. You collect payments directly through Stripe.
Video Overview: Watch here
Step 1 — Access Monetization Settings
Open the video or presentation you want to sell.
Click Monetize.
Step 2 — Connect Stripe
At the top of the Monetization Settings, click Connect Stripe.
Sign in to an existing Stripe account or create a new one.
Once Stripe is verified, the status will show as Active.
Without an active Stripe account, the Paywall cannot be enabled.
👉 Learn more: How do I connect Stripe to my MediaZilla account?
Step 3 — Enable and Configure Paywall
Turn on Enable Paywall.
Under Pricing, choose your currency and turn on Buy, Rent, or both, with a price for each. See How to Set Up Video Rentals.
Optionally, turn on Let purchasers download this content in the Buy section.
Under Paywall page, go to Preview and click Browse to choose a preview video from your library (recommended).
Click Save Changes.
Go to the poster frame settings in the left menu and upload an image. It's used as the Paywall background. See How do I set a video's poster frame?
Add a description to tell buyers what they're getting.
Keep the Share Link private. If this item's Share Link is set to Public, people may be able to watch without paying. MediaZilla warns you about this when you turn the Paywall on.
Step 4 — Preview the Paywall
Navigate to the Monetize settings. A live preview of your Paywall is displayed on the right.
Confirm the following display correctly:
Title
Background image
Branding
Content duration
Maximum resolution (SD/HD/4K, HDR if available)
Description
Pricing
Preview
👉 Learn more: Customize the email buyers receive
Step 5 — Share the Paywall Link or QR Code
Copy and share the generated Paywall Link.
(Optional) Download the QR code to place on posters, programs, or other materials.
Step 6 — (Optional) Collect Presales
If your content is not yet ready, you can still share the Paywall link and begin collecting presales. Buyers will gain access automatically once the content is published.
👉 Learn more: Collect presales using a paywall
Step 7 — Payment & Access
Customers buy or rent the content directly on the Paywall page.
After payment, they receive an email that adds the content to their MediaZilla library: permanently for buyers, for the rental period for renters.
Payments are deposited into your connected Stripe account.
Tip: For the best results, pair Paywalls with strategic marketing — clear descriptions, strong preview videos, and targeted audience outreach can significantly boost sales.
Tracking Sales in the Monetize Panel
Open the item, click Monetize, and select the Sales tab to see how your Paywall is selling, without checking Stripe.
The Sales tab shows:
Revenue Earned: revenue from completed purchases, before fees and refunds. Pending checkouts are not counted.
Sales: the number of completed purchases.
Buyer Conversion: the share of Paywall viewers who bought, measured separately from any add-ons.
If you offer rentals, the figures are split into Buy and Rent. Each order shows the buyer, what they bought, the amount and the payment status. Use the order's ⋮ menu to manage their access, or to change a buyer's email if they mistyped it at checkout. Click Export CSV to download every order.
👉 Learn more: How do I track sales for a presentation or video? and How do I fix a buyer's email address that was typed wrong at checkout?
When the Paywall Can't Sell
If you turn the Paywall off, visitors who follow a Paywall link see a page with your company details instead of a purchase page, so a potential buyer can still reach you. The same page appears if selling stops for another reason, for example Stripe isn't connected or your plan doesn't include selling.
The page shows the contact email from your Company Profile, unless email is turned off in this item's Branding settings. Keep that email current so no sale is lost silently.
👉 Learn more: Why isn't my Paywall or add-on selling?