Data fro AEC can be exported - can it be imported to CB-subs? Recreating the plans is easy, copying data is tougher, and if it is manual, I need to know as the paid side turns on in 2 weeks.
CBSubs features an Import feature which will allow importing users subscriptions on a basic (drop-downs) or advanced level (file based). File based method is a comma separated list of users and their subscription information such as plan, expiration date, etc...
I have multiple plans - some free, some paid, some very paid. I there an easy way for subscribers to upgrade / downgrade / cancel?
Users can easily upgrade, unsubscribe, cancel, etc.. as they see fit, but is completely dependent on how you've configured your plans.
I use Authorize.net and process in US$. However, I live in Canada and must collect GST and HST. Do you have the tax side of Authorize.net working as you have with PayPAl?
I have not personally used Authorize.net, but if taxes are handled on Authorize.net end then yes. As is Paypal handles all the taxes, which is why it is supported. Currently CBSubs it self does not handle taxes, but is a feature to be added.
Does CB-subs handle access to articles / videos / downloads the way community ACL does?, or do I still need ACL?
I can not comment on comparison to ACL as have never used ACL, sorry. However, CBSubs features various protection methods an numerous integrations for specific extensions. Most extensions you'll only ever need
By URL Part protection which will allow you to protect entire URLs or part of URLs for various extensions.
I assume that I can install cb-subs, configure it, and just not turn it on until all data is populated, then turn it on and AEC off?
Correct, CBSubs is a CB plugin which you may enable or disable as you see fit.
One problem I have is that I have 3 levels of membership Earth / Lunar / Solar. Earth is free and gets some content, Lunar gets all Earth and more, Solar gets everything. If I have an article at Earth level, I must grant access at earth / Lunar and Solar levels individually. It can't figure out that if its OK at Earth, then Solar gets it to, Id this also teh way cb-subs works, or does it have a hierarchy?
CBSubs supports a Parent -> Children relationship, but only goes 1 child deep such as the following.
Parent
-> Child
-> Child
In your situation I recommend all 3 plans be Exclusive Parent plans.
I recommend reviewing the article found
here
as it should be capable of answering all your questions.
krileon
