Payments Tools
Handle transactions and subscriptions.
Stripe
Financial infrastructure for the internet.
Payment ProcessingLemon Squeezy
Payments, tax, and subscriptions for software.
Merchant of RecordPaddle
The complete payments infrastructure for SaaS.
Merchant of RecordRevenueCat
In-app subscriptions made easy.
Mobile SubscriptionsPolar
Monetization for open source developers.
Open Source FundingChargebee
Subscription billing and revenue management.
Subscription ManagementBraintree
Reach more buyers and drive higher conversion.
Payment GatewayAdyen
The financial technology platform of choice.
Enterprise PaymentsWise
The international account.
International TransfersMercury
Banking for startups.
Business BankingPagar.me
Payment infrastructure for Brazil.
Brazilian PaymentsPayPal
Global online payment system.
Online PaymentsPaystack
Modern online and offline payments for Africa.
African PaymentsSquare
Integrated payments, POS, and business solutions.
POS & PaymentsStripe Billing
Subscription management and recurring payments.
Subscription ManagementGumroad
Sell digital products and memberships.
Creator E-commerceLago
Open-source metering and billing API.
Usage-based BillingCoinbase Commerce
Accept cryptocurrency payments.
Crypto PaymentsChoosing the Right Tool
- 1SaaS applications with subscription billing
- 2E-commerce and online product sales
- 3Digital products and course platforms
- 4Marketplace and multi-vendor platforms
- 5One-time payments and donations
- ✓Transaction fees and pricing structure
- ✓Supported payment methods and currencies
- ✓Merchant of record vs payment processor
- ✓Subscription management and billing features
- ✓Tax compliance and global VAT handling
- ✓Developer experience and API quality
About Payments Tools
Payment processing is critical for any revenue-generating application, but building it from scratch is complex and risky. Modern payment platforms handle everything from credit card processing to subscription billing, invoicing, and fraud prevention, while ensuring PCI compliance and supporting global payment methods.
Stripe dominates the market with its developer-friendly APIs and extensive features, but alternatives like Paddle, Lemon Squeezy, and PayPal offer different advantages. Some platforms (Paddle, Lemon Squeezy) act as merchants of record, handling all tax compliance and VAT globally - perfect for SaaS businesses. Others (Stripe, Braintree) offer more control but require you to handle taxes yourself.
Choose based on your business model (one-time vs subscriptions), international requirements, tax complexity, and technical resources. Consider fees, supported payment methods, checkout experience, and whether you need features like subscription management, invoicing, or affiliate tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stripe vs Paddle: which should I choose?
Stripe offers more control and lower fees (~2.9%) but you handle taxes yourself. Paddle is a merchant of record handling all taxes and compliance (~5% + fee), perfect for global SaaS. Choose Stripe for flexibility and control, Paddle for simplicity and tax compliance.
What does 'merchant of record' mean?
The merchant of record is the legal seller. Platforms like Paddle and Lemon Squeezy are the merchant of record, handling all taxes, compliance, and chargebacks for you. With Stripe, you're the merchant of record and must handle these yourself. MoR platforms simplify compliance but take higher fees.
How much do payment processors charge?
Varies by platform and volume. Stripe/PayPal: ~2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. Paddle: ~5% + $0.50. Lemon Squeezy: ~5% total. High-volume businesses can negotiate lower rates. Factor in currency conversion, international fees, and any platform fees.
Do I need PCI compliance for payment processing?
If using modern payment platforms like Stripe, Paddle, or PayPal, they handle PCI compliance for you. You never touch raw card data. However, you still have some compliance responsibilities depending on your integration method. Using hosted checkouts minimizes your burden.
Can I handle global payments and multiple currencies?
Yes! Most platforms support international payments. Stripe supports 135+ currencies. Paddle and Lemon Squeezy handle multi-currency pricing and global taxes automatically. Consider currency conversion fees and local payment methods (Alipay, iDEAL, etc.) for international customers.