Paddle vs Recurly — 2026 comparison
A side-by-side look at how Paddle and Recurly compare on score, real user ratings, pricing and features.
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The verdict
Paddle and Recurly are both Subscription Management Software options worth comparing. Recurly ranks higher in our editorial score (88 vs 84 out of 100). Paddle has the larger review base (11,131 reviews across 3 sources). Paddle is best for saas sellers who want a merchant of record; Recurly is best for reducing involuntary churn with dunning. Starting price: Paddle 5% + $0.50 per transaction, Recurly From $249/mo. See the full breakdown below, then read each review before you decide.
Pick Paddle if…saas sellers who want a merchant of record
Pick Recurly if…reducing involuntary churn with dunning
Side by side
| Paddle | Recurly | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 84/100 | 88/100 |
| User consensus | 4.0/5 (11,131) | 4.5/5 (366) |
| Starting price | 5% + $0.50 per transaction | From $249/mo |
| Best for | saas sellers who want a merchant of record | reducing involuntary churn with dunning |
| Recurring billing & proration | ||
| Dunning/retry | ||
| Plans/trials/discounts | ||
| Payment gateway integrations | ◑ | |
| Revenue recognition | ◑ | ◑ |
| Subscription analytics |
Paddle
- Merchant-of-record model handles global sales tax, VAT and compliance
- All-in-one checkout and subscription setup with responsive support
- – All-in transaction fees are higher than gateway-only billing tools
- – Less flexibility and control over billing and payment configuration
Recurly
- ML-powered retry engine recovers a high share of failed payments
- Straightforward integrations with strong global and multi-currency support
- – Reporting and data export options feel limited
- – Coupon and discount configuration can be confusing

