Stripe vs Paddle for SaaS
Verdict
Stripe wins for API flexibility and pricing. Paddle wins as Merchant of Record handling global tax.
| Dimension | Stripe | Paddle |
|---|---|---|
| Tax compliance | Stripe Tax add-on ($50/mo+) | ✓ Included globally (VAT/GST/sales tax) |
| Transaction fee | ✓ 2.9% + 30c (card) | 5% + 5c (MoR) |
| Developer API | ✓ Industry gold standard | Good but more constrained |
| Subscription management | Full control via API | Handled by Paddle (retention) |
| Audit/burden | You file taxes per jurisdiction | ✓ Paddle handles all filings |
| Best for | US-focused, need payment control | Global SaaS, want tax offloaded |