Paddle is a payment processing company that automates billing operations for businesses, acting as a merchant of record to handle payments, taxes, and compliance issues, catering to software companies, subscription-based businesses, digital product sellers, startups, and small businesses.
Paddle is an all-in-one payment, billing, and subscription platform tailored for SaaS businesses. Core features include subscription management, global tax compliance, fraud protection, reporting, and payment processing at a competitive cost of 5% + $0.50 per transaction. Unlike alternatives like Stripe or Chargebee, Paddle acts as the Merchant of Record, managing taxes and compliance—ideal for developers prioritizing operational simplicity. While its onboarding can be time-consuming, its automation saves effort. However, customer support has mixed reviews. Paddle is cost-effective for scaling globally but may not suit smaller businesses prioritizing instant service or complete control over payments.
Stripe, a comprehensive financial ecosystem, simplifies payment acceptance, subscription management, and global scalability. With developer tools, fraud prevention, and a unified dashboard, it's ideal for e-commerce, subscriptions, marketplaces, freelancers, and growing businesses seeking streamlined financial operations.