FastSpring vs Polar: Which is right for you? (1970)
TL;DR
- Choose FastSpring if you need advanced billing (usage, dunning, entitlements).
- Choose Polar if keeping fees low matters most.
- Both work for: teams in their respective categories.
FastSpring
5.9% + $0.95 per transaction (or custom rate)
Established MoR for software and SaaS companies. Strong in desktop software, games, and B2B. Higher fees than Paddle but deep feature set.
Polar
4% + $0.40 per transaction (lowest MoR fees on the market)
Lowest MoR fees on the market (4% + $0.40). Open source, built for developers and OSS projects.
Pricing comparison
Feature comparison
Best for
FastSpring is best for SaaS, software, global, B2B, license keys, web. Polar is best for indie dev, open source, developers, Digital products, SaaS, web.
FAQ
Is FastSpring better than Polar?
Neither is universally better. FastSpring is the right pick if you need advanced billing (usage, dunning, entitlements); Polar wins if keeping fees low matters most.
Which is cheaper, FastSpring or Polar?
Polar ranks higher on fee competitiveness (5/5). FastSpring pricing: 5.9% + $0.95 per transaction (or custom rate). Polar pricing: 4% + $0.40 per transaction (lowest MoR fees on the market).
Can I switch from FastSpring to Polar?
Yes — most subscription and billing tools support migration via CSV import or API. Expect to reconfigure webhooks, paywalls, and entitlements. Check both vendors' migration docs before committing.
Does FastSpring handle sales tax?
Yes. FastSpring handles global sales tax and VAT for you.
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