Recurly vs Paddle: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Recurly and Paddle comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Recurly
Automate exceptional digital subscription experiences to grow recurring revenue and improve retention.
Best for you if:
- • You need crm features specifically
- • Automates subscription management and recurring billing for digital businesses.
- • Offers advanced churn mitigation, revenue recovery, and global payment capabilities.
Paddle
Payments infrastructure for SaaS
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 8.5/10)
- • You need payment processing features specifically
- • Complete payments infrastructure for SaaS
- • Merchant of Record handling all compliance
| At a Glance |  Paddle | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Paid |
Best For | CRM | Payment Processing |
Rating | 85/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | Recurly | Paddle |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 85 | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CRMPayment Processing | Payment ProcessingSubscription Billing |
How Recurly and Paddle Compare
Recurly
Automate exceptional digital subscription experiences to grow recurring revenue and improve retention.
Paid · 85/100 score
Paddle
Payments infrastructure for SaaS
Paid · 86/100 score
Recurly is a crm tool. Paddle is in payment processing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Paddle
Want the highest-rated option?
Recurly: 85/100. Paddle: 86/100.
Go with: Paddle
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Paddle
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Recurly is a crm tool. Paddle is in payment processing. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Paddle scores higher: 86/100 vs 85/100.
Key Takeaways
Paddle
- Higher score: 86/100 vs 85
- Our pick for this comparison
Recurly
- Better fit for crm
The Bottom Line
Paddle (86/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Recurly or Paddle better?
Paddle scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Recurly and Paddle used for?
Recurly: Automate exceptional digital subscription experiences to grow recurring revenue and improve retention.. Paddle: Payments infrastructure for SaaS.
What does Recurly cost vs Paddle?
Recurly is a paid tool. Paddle is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.