Paddle vs Recharge: Which is right for you? (1970)
TL;DR
- Choose Paddle if you want global taxes and compliance handled for you.
- Choose Recharge if keeping fees low matters most.
- Both work for: teams in their respective categories.
Paddle
5% + $0.50 per transaction
Merchant of Record for SaaS. Handles global VAT and tax remittance across 190+ countries.
Recharge
Standard: free + 1.25% + $0.19/transaction. Pro: $499/mo + 0% transaction.
Leading subscription management platform for Shopify and ecommerce. Handles recurring orders for physical products, boxes, and D2C brands. Not for SaaS or digital products.
Pricing comparison
Feature comparison
Best for
Paddle is best for SaaS, B2B, global, Teams scaling up, web, Usage-based billing. Recharge is best for ecommerce, shopify, physical products, subscriptions, d2c, SaaS.
FAQ
Is Paddle better than Recharge?
Neither is universally better. Paddle is the right pick if you want global taxes and compliance handled for you; Recharge wins if keeping fees low matters most.
Which is cheaper, Paddle or Recharge?
Recharge ranks higher on fee competitiveness (4/5). Paddle pricing: 5% + $0.50 per transaction. Recharge pricing: Standard: free + 1.25% + $0.19/transaction. Pro: $499/mo + 0% transaction..
Can I switch from Paddle to Recharge?
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 Paddle handle sales tax?
Yes. Paddle handles global sales tax and VAT for you.
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