Paddle vs Stripe: The Ultimate Comparison Guide

If you’re setting up an ecommerce business and you need a solution to help you manage payments and revenue, you might be struggling to choose between Paddle and Stripe.

At a glance, they seem to offer similar tools and services. Both options can integrate easily with your ecommerce store and other tools.

Both support subscription management, multiple payment methods, and custom checkout options. They even both offer excellent reporting tools.

But, after testing both options myself, I can say there’s a clear difference between them. Stripe is more of an all-around solution for payment processing.

It’s definitely the more straightforward option for some companies. Paddle is a merchant of record that handles regulatory requirements and compliance for you, streamlines SaaS subscription management, and offers access to unique services.

I created this hands-on comparison guide to ensure you could access all of the authentic insights you need to make the right choice for your business.

All of the products reviewed in our comparison guides are thoroughly tested by technology experts. Visit our research methodology page to learn more.

Quick Verdict

Don’t have time for an extensive comparison? No problem. Here’s my quick verdict:

Paddle is best for B2B SaaS companies who need access to sophisticated billing constructs, automated sales tax calculations, enhanced compliance management, and hands-on support.

It provides more flexible revenue management tools, and gives you access to experts and tools to help you with everything from pricing to customer retention.

Stripe is best for ecommerce companies and subscription sellers who want a streamlined checkout, multiple payment options, and customizable pricing models.

It can be cheaper than Paddle (if you don’t need all the features Paddle offers), and its great for global organizations. Plus, the developer-friendly API makes it easy to integrate Stripe into your ecosystem.

Paddle Pros and Cons Pros