Back to subscription-management

Paddle

5% + $0.50/transaction (all-inclusive, no additional fees)
4.7/5

Global MoR platform with 5% + $0.50 pricing and mature feature set.

Why founders use Paddle

Subscription and recurring billing
Usage-based pricing and metering
Global tax compliance and VAT handling
Fraud prevention and chargeback protection
Revenue splits and affiliate payouts
Customer self-service portal

The Good

Mature, battle-tested platform
Merchant of record (global tax compliance)
All-in-one pricing with no hidden fees
Advanced analytics and reporting
Extensive integration ecosystem
Strong customer support for scale-ups

The Bad

Same 5% + 50¢ pricing as Lemon Squeezy (not cheaper)
More rigorous verification process vs. newer platforms
Overkill complexity for very early-stage founders
Limited customization of checkout pages

The Verdict

Paddle is a battle-tested merchant of record platform serving thousands of SaaS and software companies globally. With identical pricing to Lemon Squeezy (5% + $0.50), Paddle differentiates through a mature, feature-rich platform and stronger enterprise support. The platform handles complete payment operations: subscription management, tax compliance, fraud prevention, chargeback coverage, and customer support.\n\nFor indie hackers scaling beyond the initial product stage, Paddle's more polished dashboard, advanced analytics, and comprehensive integrations (CRM, analytics, marketing tools) offer advantages. The platform supports complex billing scenarios including usage-based pricing, tiered subscriptions, and revenue splits. Better suited for teams with some operational sophistication who value polish and support over lowest cost.

Daily Newsletter

Join 10,000+ indie hackers building in public

We curate the top launches, revenue milestones, and growth tactics — so you don't have to scroll for hours.

Trusted by indie hackers shipping real products.

Paddle Review (2026): Features, Pricing & Alternatives