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Why We Ask for a Credit Card to Unlock Your Free Workstation

We know—entering a credit card before free access can feel unexpected. Here’s why it matters—and how it keeps things secure, fast, and fair.

Lisa M Watts avatar
Written by Lisa M Watts
Updated this week

First, What You Get

When you activate your trial, you get access to a real, cloud-based creative workstation—not a simulation or demo. It’s the full thing, with the power to install your favorite tools, test workflows, and experience CREE8 exactly as our paying customers do.

💡 Think of it like unlocking your own private editing suite in the cloud—no IT setup required.


Why We Ask for a Card (Even Though It’s Free)

Requiring a credit card helps us:

  • Keep the platform secure by verifying users are real humans

  • Prevent misuse or abuse, like bots spinning up expensive resources

  • Ensure a smooth experience for all users by protecting system performance

Since you can install and run anything you want on your trial machine, we need to make sure access is given responsibly—just like handing over the keys to a rental car.


You Won’t Be Charged Automatically

We promise:

No surprise charges

  • No automatic upgrades

  • We’ll always notify you before anything is billed

You’re in control the whole time. The card is just there to verify identity and protect the platform.


Want Access Without a Card?

If you’re with a school, a large company, or working with our sales team, we may be able to approve your access manually. Just book a short demo with our team and we’ll do our best to help.

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