Inquiry Regarding ShinyApps.io Plans and Usage Details

I am currently evaluating the plans on ShinyApps.io and I would like to clarify a few points before deciding which subscription best fits our needs. Could you kindly help provide more information on the following:

  1. Regarding “Applications” – what exactly is meant by an application? Does it refer to the number of deployed links (apps) that are published on ShinyApps.io, or is there another definition?
  2. Active Hours – could you please explain how active hours are calculated? For example, does it count the duration when a user accesses the application, total runtime per month, or another measurement?
  3. Apart from the Standard Plan, is there a more economical plan that still supports authentication for users?
  4. What payment methods are available for subscribing to a paid plan? Do you support payment via bank transfer, credit card, or other methods?