diff --git a/test/api/unit/libs/payments/amazon/upgrade-groupplan.test.js b/test/api/unit/libs/payments/amazon/upgrade-groupplan.test.js
index e3dfe1c3c0..26cec74835 100644
--- a/test/api/unit/libs/payments/amazon/upgrade-groupplan.test.js
+++ b/test/api/unit/libs/payments/amazon/upgrade-groupplan.test.js
@@ -31,11 +31,14 @@ describe('#upgradeGroupPlan', () => {
     group = generateGroup({
       name: 'test group',
       type: 'guild',
-      privacy: 'public',
+      privacy: 'private',
       leader: user._id,
     });
     await group.save();
 
+    user.guilds.push(group._id);
+    await user.save();
+
     spy = sinon.stub(amzLib, 'authorizeOnBillingAgreement');
     spy.resolves([]);
 
diff --git a/test/api/unit/libs/payments/group-plans/group-payments-cancel.test.js b/test/api/unit/libs/payments/group-plans/group-payments-cancel.test.js
index ccbe63f328..49cb80d4e3 100644
--- a/test/api/unit/libs/payments/group-plans/group-payments-cancel.test.js
+++ b/test/api/unit/libs/payments/group-plans/group-payments-cancel.test.js
@@ -21,11 +21,14 @@ describe('Canceling a subscription for group', () => {
     group = generateGroup({
       name: 'test group',
       type: 'guild',
-      privacy: 'public',
+      privacy: 'private',
       leader: user._id,
     });
     await group.save();
 
+    user.guilds.push(group._id);
+    await user.save();
+
     data = {
       user,
       sub: {
@@ -141,6 +144,8 @@ describe('Canceling a subscription for group', () => {
 
   it('prevents non group leader from managing subscription', async () => {
     const groupMember = new User();
+    groupMember.guilds.push(group._id);
+    await groupMember.save();
     data.user = groupMember;
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
@@ -162,7 +167,9 @@ describe('Canceling a subscription for group', () => {
 
     let updatedGroup = await Group.findById(group._id).exec();
     const newLeader = new User();
+    newLeader.profile.name = 'newLeader';
     updatedGroup.leader = newLeader._id;
+    await newLeader.save();
     await updatedGroup.save();
 
     await api.cancelSubscription(data);
@@ -185,8 +192,6 @@ describe('Canceling a subscription for group', () => {
         'user-agent': '',
       },
     };
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     expect(group.purchased.plan.planId).to.not.exist;
     data.groupId = group._id;
     await api.createSubscription(data);
@@ -211,10 +216,15 @@ describe('Canceling a subscription for group', () => {
     await api.createSubscription(data);
     await api.cancelSubscription(data);
 
-    expect(sender.sendTxn).to.be.have.callCount(4);
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.thirdCall.args[0]._id).to.equal(recipient._id);
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.thirdCall.args[1]).to.equal('group-member-cancel');
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.thirdCall.args[2]).to.eql([
+    expect(sender.sendTxn).to.be.have.callCount(6);
+    const recipientCall = sender.sendTxn.getCalls().find(call => {
+      const isRecipient = call.args[0]._id === recipient._id;
+      const isGroupMemberCancel = call.args[1] === 'group-member-cancel';
+      return isRecipient && isGroupMemberCancel;
+    });
+    expect(recipientCall.args[0]._id).to.equal(recipient._id);
+    expect(recipientCall.args[1]).to.equal('group-member-cancel');
+    expect(recipientCall.args[2]).to.eql([
       { name: 'LEADER', content: user.profile.name },
       { name: 'GROUP_NAME', content: group.name },
     ]);
@@ -246,8 +256,6 @@ describe('Canceling a subscription for group', () => {
     recipient.guilds.push(group._id);
     await recipient.save();
 
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
@@ -259,11 +267,13 @@ describe('Canceling a subscription for group', () => {
     const group2 = generateGroup({
       name: 'test group2',
       type: 'guild',
-      privacy: 'public',
+      privacy: 'private',
       leader: user._id,
     });
     data.groupId = group2._id;
     await group2.save();
+    user.guilds.push(group2._id);
+    await user.save();
     recipient.guilds.push(group2._id);
     await recipient.save();
 
@@ -285,8 +295,6 @@ describe('Canceling a subscription for group', () => {
   });
 
   it('does cancel a leader subscription with two cancelled group plans', async () => {
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
@@ -298,7 +306,7 @@ describe('Canceling a subscription for group', () => {
     const group2 = generateGroup({
       name: 'test group2',
       type: 'guild',
-      privacy: 'public',
+      privacy: 'private',
       leader: user._id,
     });
     user.guilds.push(group2._id);
diff --git a/test/api/unit/libs/payments/group-plans/group-payments-create.test.js b/test/api/unit/libs/payments/group-plans/group-payments-create.test.js
index 788f9ea7c2..383d7dfe6f 100644
--- a/test/api/unit/libs/payments/group-plans/group-payments-create.test.js
+++ b/test/api/unit/libs/payments/group-plans/group-payments-create.test.js
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import { model as Group } from '../../../../../../website/server/models/group';
 import {
   generateGroup,
 } from '../../../../../helpers/api-unit.helper';
+import i18n from '../../../../../../website/common/script/i18n';
 
 describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
   const EMAIL_TEMPLATE_SUBSCRIPTION_TYPE_GOOGLE = 'Google_subscription';
@@ -33,11 +34,14 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
     group = generateGroup({
       name: groupName,
       type: 'guild',
-      privacy: 'public',
+      privacy: 'private',
       leader: user._id,
     });
     await group.save();
 
+    user.guilds.push(group._id);
+    await user.save();
+
     data = {
       user,
       sub: {
@@ -112,6 +116,30 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
     expect(updatedGroup.purchased.plan.dateCreated).to.exist;
   });
 
+  it('does not create a group plan for a public guild', async () => {
+    const publicGroup = generateGroup({
+      name: groupName,
+      type: 'guild',
+      privacy: 'public',
+      leader: user._id,
+    });
+    await publicGroup.save();
+
+    expect(publicGroup.purchased.plan.planId).to.not.exist;
+    data.groupId = publicGroup._id;
+
+    await expect(api.createSubscription(data))
+      .to.eventually.be.rejected.and.to.eql({
+        httpCode: 401,
+        name: 'NotAuthorized',
+        message: i18n.t('onlyPrivateGuildsCanUpgrade'),
+      });
+
+    const updatedGroup = await Group.findById(publicGroup._id).exec();
+
+    expect(updatedGroup.purchased.plan.planId).to.not.exist;
+  });
+
   it('sends an email', async () => {
     expect(group.purchased.plan.planId).to.not.exist;
     data.groupId = group._id;
@@ -148,8 +176,6 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
   });
 
   it('grants all members of a group a subscription', async () => {
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     expect(group.purchased.plan.planId).to.not.exist;
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
@@ -179,17 +205,28 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
 
-    expect(sender.sendTxn).to.be.calledTwice;
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.firstCall.args[0]._id).to.equal(recipient._id);
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.firstCall.args[1]).to.equal('group-member-join');
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.firstCall.args[2]).to.eql([
+    expect(sender.sendTxn).to.be.calledThrice;
+    const recipientCall = sender.sendTxn.getCalls().find(call => {
+      const isRecipient = call.args[0]._id === recipient._id;
+      const isJoin = call.args[1] === 'group-member-join';
+      return isRecipient && isJoin;
+    });
+    expect(recipientCall.args[0]._id).to.equal(recipient._id);
+    expect(recipientCall.args[1]).to.equal('group-member-join');
+    expect(recipientCall.args[2]).to.eql([
       { name: 'LEADER', content: user.profile.name },
       { name: 'GROUP_NAME', content: group.name },
       { name: 'PREVIOUS_SUBSCRIPTION_TYPE', content: EMAIL_TEMPLATE_SUBSCRIPTION_TYPE_NONE },
     ]);
+
     // confirm that the other email sent is appropriate:
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.secondCall.args[0]._id).to.equal(group.leader);
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.secondCall.args[1]).to.equal('group-subscription-begins');
+    const leaderCall = sender.sendTxn.getCalls().find(call => {
+      const isLeader = call.args[0]._id === group.leader;
+      const isSubscriptionBegin = call.args[1] === 'group-subscription-begins';
+      return isLeader && isSubscriptionBegin;
+    });
+    expect(leaderCall.args[0]._id).to.equal(group.leader);
+    expect(leaderCall.args[1]).to.equal('group-subscription-begins');
   });
 
   it('sends one email to subscribed member of group, stating subscription is cancelled (Stripe)', async () => {
@@ -205,17 +242,28 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
 
-    expect(sender.sendTxn).to.be.calledTwice;
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.firstCall.args[0]._id).to.equal(recipient._id);
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.firstCall.args[1]).to.equal('group-member-join');
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.firstCall.args[2]).to.eql([
+    expect(sender.sendTxn).to.be.calledThrice;
+    const recipientCall = sender.sendTxn.getCalls().find(call => {
+      const isRecipient = call.args[0]._id === recipient._id;
+      const isJoin = call.args[1] === 'group-member-join';
+      return isRecipient && isJoin;
+    });
+    expect(recipientCall.args[0]._id).to.equal(recipient._id);
+    expect(recipientCall.args[1]).to.equal('group-member-join');
+    expect(recipientCall.args[2]).to.eql([
       { name: 'LEADER', content: user.profile.name },
       { name: 'GROUP_NAME', content: group.name },
       { name: 'PREVIOUS_SUBSCRIPTION_TYPE', content: EMAIL_TEMPLATE_SUBSCRIPTION_TYPE_NORMAL },
     ]);
+
     // confirm that the other email sent is not a cancel-subscription email:
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.secondCall.args[0]._id).to.equal(group.leader);
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.secondCall.args[1]).to.equal('group-subscription-begins');
+    const leaderCall = sender.sendTxn.getCalls().find(call => {
+      const isLeader = call.args[0]._id === group.leader;
+      const isSubscriptionBegin = call.args[1] === 'group-subscription-begins';
+      return isLeader && isSubscriptionBegin;
+    });
+    expect(leaderCall.args[0]._id).to.equal(group.leader);
+    expect(leaderCall.args[1]).to.equal('group-subscription-begins');
   });
 
   it('sends one email to subscribed member of group, stating subscription is cancelled (Amazon)', async () => {
@@ -238,17 +286,28 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
 
-    expect(sender.sendTxn).to.be.calledTwice;
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.firstCall.args[0]._id).to.equal(recipient._id);
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.firstCall.args[1]).to.equal('group-member-join');
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.firstCall.args[2]).to.eql([
+    expect(sender.sendTxn).to.be.calledThrice;
+    const recipientCall = sender.sendTxn.getCalls().find(call => {
+      const isRecipient = call.args[0]._id === recipient._id;
+      const isJoin = call.args[1] === 'group-member-join';
+      return isRecipient && isJoin;
+    });
+    expect(recipientCall.args[0]._id).to.equal(recipient._id);
+    expect(recipientCall.args[1]).to.equal('group-member-join');
+    expect(recipientCall.args[2]).to.eql([
       { name: 'LEADER', content: user.profile.name },
       { name: 'GROUP_NAME', content: group.name },
       { name: 'PREVIOUS_SUBSCRIPTION_TYPE', content: EMAIL_TEMPLATE_SUBSCRIPTION_TYPE_NORMAL },
     ]);
+
     // confirm that the other email sent is not a cancel-subscription email:
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.secondCall.args[0]._id).to.equal(group.leader);
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.secondCall.args[1]).to.equal('group-subscription-begins');
+    const leaderCall = sender.sendTxn.getCalls().find(call => {
+      const isLeader = call.args[0]._id === group.leader;
+      const isSubscriptionBegin = call.args[1] === 'group-subscription-begins';
+      return isLeader && isSubscriptionBegin;
+    });
+    expect(leaderCall.args[0]._id).to.equal(group.leader);
+    expect(leaderCall.args[1]).to.equal('group-subscription-begins');
 
     amzLib.getBillingAgreementDetails.restore();
   });
@@ -275,17 +334,28 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
 
-    expect(sender.sendTxn).to.be.calledTwice;
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.firstCall.args[0]._id).to.equal(recipient._id);
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.firstCall.args[1]).to.equal('group-member-join');
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.firstCall.args[2]).to.eql([
+    expect(sender.sendTxn).to.be.calledThrice;
+    const recipientCall = sender.sendTxn.getCalls().find(call => {
+      const isRecipient = call.args[0]._id === recipient._id;
+      const isJoin = call.args[1] === 'group-member-join';
+      return isRecipient && isJoin;
+    });
+    expect(recipientCall.args[0]._id).to.equal(recipient._id);
+    expect(recipientCall.args[1]).to.equal('group-member-join');
+    expect(recipientCall.args[2]).to.eql([
       { name: 'LEADER', content: user.profile.name },
       { name: 'GROUP_NAME', content: group.name },
       { name: 'PREVIOUS_SUBSCRIPTION_TYPE', content: EMAIL_TEMPLATE_SUBSCRIPTION_TYPE_NORMAL },
     ]);
+
     // confirm that the other email sent is not a cancel-subscription email:
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.secondCall.args[0]._id).to.equal(group.leader);
-    expect(sender.sendTxn.secondCall.args[1]).to.equal('group-subscription-begins');
+    const leaderCall = sender.sendTxn.getCalls().find(call => {
+      const isLeader = call.args[0]._id === group.leader;
+      const isSubscriptionBegin = call.args[1] === 'group-subscription-begins';
+      return isLeader && isSubscriptionBegin;
+    });
+    expect(leaderCall.args[0]._id).to.equal(group.leader);
+    expect(leaderCall.args[1]).to.equal('group-subscription-begins');
 
     paypalPayments.paypalBillingAgreementGet.restore();
     paypalPayments.paypalBillingAgreementCancel.restore();
@@ -302,8 +372,6 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
     recipient.guilds.push(group._id);
     await recipient.save();
 
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
@@ -356,8 +424,6 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
     recipient.guilds.push(group._id);
     await recipient.save();
 
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
@@ -419,8 +485,6 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
 
     data.gift = undefined;
 
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
@@ -455,8 +519,6 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
 
     data.gift = undefined;
 
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
@@ -483,8 +545,6 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
     recipient.guilds.push(group._id);
     await recipient.save();
 
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
@@ -511,8 +571,6 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
 
     await recipient.save();
 
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
@@ -541,8 +599,6 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
 
     await recipient.save();
 
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
@@ -566,8 +622,6 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
     recipient.guilds.push(group._id);
     await recipient.save();
 
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await recipient.cancelSubscription();
@@ -589,8 +643,6 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
     recipient.guilds.push(group._id);
     await recipient.save();
 
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await recipient.cancelSubscription();
@@ -611,8 +663,6 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
     recipient.guilds.push(group._id);
     await recipient.save();
 
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
@@ -632,8 +682,6 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
     recipient.guilds.push(group._id);
     await recipient.save();
 
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
@@ -653,8 +701,6 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
     recipient.guilds.push(group._id);
     await recipient.save();
 
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
@@ -688,8 +734,6 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
     recipient.guilds.push(group._id);
     await recipient.save();
 
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
@@ -713,8 +757,6 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
     recipient.guilds.push(group._id);
     await recipient.save();
 
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
@@ -726,13 +768,15 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
     const group2 = generateGroup({
       name: 'test group2',
       type: 'guild',
-      privacy: 'public',
+      privacy: 'private',
       leader: user._id,
     });
     data.groupId = group2._id;
     await group2.save();
     recipient.guilds.push(group2._id);
     await recipient.save();
+    user.guilds.push(group2._id);
+    await user.save();
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
 
@@ -757,8 +801,6 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
     recipient.guilds.push(group._id);
     await recipient.save();
 
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
@@ -770,17 +812,22 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
     const group2 = generateGroup({
       name: 'test group2',
       type: 'guild',
-      privacy: 'public',
+      privacy: 'private',
       leader: user._id,
     });
     data.groupId = group2._id;
     await group2.save();
     recipient.guilds.push(group2._id);
     await recipient.save();
+    user.guilds.push(group2._id);
+    await user.save();
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
 
     const updatedGroup = await Group.findById(group._id).exec();
+    updatedGroup.memberCount = 2;
+    await updatedGroup.save();
+
     await updatedGroup.leave(recipient);
 
     updatedUser = await User.findById(recipient._id).exec();
@@ -806,8 +853,6 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
     recipient.guilds.push(group._id);
     await recipient.save();
 
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
@@ -835,8 +880,6 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
     recipient.guilds.push(group._id);
     await recipient.save();
 
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
@@ -864,8 +907,6 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
     recipient.guilds.push(group._id);
     await recipient.save();
 
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
@@ -894,8 +935,6 @@ describe('Purchasing a group plan for group', () => {
     recipient.guilds.push(group._id);
     await recipient.save();
 
-    user.guilds.push(group._id);
-    await user.save();
     data.groupId = group._id;
 
     await api.createSubscription(data);
diff --git a/test/api/unit/libs/payments/stripe/upgrade-group-plan.test.js b/test/api/unit/libs/payments/stripe/upgrade-group-plan.test.js
index a1ce194cae..045d119a0e 100644
--- a/test/api/unit/libs/payments/stripe/upgrade-group-plan.test.js
+++ b/test/api/unit/libs/payments/stripe/upgrade-group-plan.test.js
@@ -33,11 +33,14 @@ describe('Stripe - Upgrade Group Plan', () => {
     group = generateGroup({
       name: 'test group',
       type: 'guild',
-      privacy: 'public',
+      privacy: 'private',
       leader: user._id,
     });
     await group.save();
 
+    user.guilds.push(group._id);
+    await user.save();
+
     spy = sinon.stub(stripe.subscriptions, 'update');
     spy.resolves([]);
     data.groupId = group._id;
diff --git a/test/api/v3/integration/groups/POST-groups_groupId_leave.test.js b/test/api/v3/integration/groups/POST-groups_groupId_leave.test.js
index e848908db4..56de50b822 100644
--- a/test/api/v3/integration/groups/POST-groups_groupId_leave.test.js
+++ b/test/api/v3/integration/groups/POST-groups_groupId_leave.test.js
@@ -274,6 +274,7 @@ describe('POST /groups/:groupId/leave', () => {
 
   each(typesOfGroups, (groupDetails, groupType) => {
     context(`Leaving a group plan when the group is a ${groupType}`, () => {
+      if (groupDetails.privacy === 'public') return; // public guilds cannot be group plans
       let groupWithPlan;
       let leader;
       let member;
@@ -341,6 +342,7 @@ describe('POST /groups/:groupId/leave', () => {
 
   each(typesOfGroups, (groupDetails, groupType) => {
     context(`Leaving a group with extraMonths left plan when the group is a ${groupType}`, () => {
+      if (groupDetails.privacy === 'public') return; // public guilds cannot be group plans
       const extraMonths = 12;
       let groupWithPlan;
       let member;
diff --git a/test/api/v3/integration/payments/stripe/POST-payments_stripe_checkout.test.js b/test/api/v3/integration/payments/stripe/POST-payments_stripe_checkout.test.js
index 82ba66c2e0..b73d6f8533 100644
--- a/test/api/v3/integration/payments/stripe/POST-payments_stripe_checkout.test.js
+++ b/test/api/v3/integration/payments/stripe/POST-payments_stripe_checkout.test.js
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ describe('payments - stripe - #checkout', () => {
       stripePayments.checkout.restore();
     });
 
-    it('cancels a user subscription', async () => {
+    it('creates a user subscription', async () => {
       user = await generateUser({
         'profile.name': 'sender',
         'purchased.plan.customerId': 'customer-id',
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ describe('payments - stripe - #checkout', () => {
       expect(stripeCheckoutSubscriptionStub.args[0][0].groupId).to.eql(undefined);
     });
 
-    it('cancels a group subscription', async () => {
+    it('creates a group subscription', async () => {
       user = await generateUser({
         'profile.name': 'sender',
         'purchased.plan.customerId': 'customer-id',
diff --git a/website/client/src/components/groups/group.vue b/website/client/src/components/groups/group.vue
index 6f58e1f4b1..533c63d3a2 100644
--- a/website/client/src/components/groups/group.vue
+++ b/website/client/src/components/groups/group.vue
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@
         <div class="col-12 buttons-wrapper">
           <div class="button-container">
             <button
-              v-if="isLeader && !group.purchased.active"
+              v-if="isLeader && !group.purchased.active && group.privacy === 'private'"
               class="btn btn-success btn-success"
               @click="upgradeGroup()"
             >
diff --git a/website/common/locales/en/groups.json b/website/common/locales/en/groups.json
index 0c4e201c59..8a88291086 100644
--- a/website/common/locales/en/groups.json
+++ b/website/common/locales/en/groups.json
@@ -293,6 +293,7 @@
   "claim": "Claim Task",
   "removeClaim": "Remove Claim",
   "onlyGroupLeaderCanManageSubscription": "Only the group leader can manage the group's subscription",
+  "onlyPrivateGuildsCanUpgrade": "Only private guilds can be upgraded to a group plan.",
   "youHaveBeenAssignedTask": "<%- managerName %> has assigned you the task <span class=\"notification-bold\"><%- taskText %></span>.",
   "yourTaskHasBeenApproved": "Your task <span class=\"notification-green notification-bold\"><%- taskText %></span> has been approved.",
   "thisTaskApproved": "This task was approved",
diff --git a/website/server/libs/payments/subscriptions.js b/website/server/libs/payments/subscriptions.js
index 1de9282a01..893ab97966 100644
--- a/website/server/libs/payments/subscriptions.js
+++ b/website/server/libs/payments/subscriptions.js
@@ -91,6 +91,10 @@ async function createSubscription (data) {
       throw new NotAuthorized(shared.i18n.t('onlyGroupLeaderCanManageSubscription'));
     }
 
+    if (group.privacy !== 'private') {
+      throw new NotAuthorized(shared.i18n.t('onlyPrivateGuildsCanUpgrade'));
+    }
+
     recipient = group;
     itemPurchased = 'Group-Subscription';
     purchaseType = 'group-subscribe';