Recurly vs Stripe: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Recurly and Stripe 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.
Stripe
Payment infrastructure for the internet
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.4/10 vs 8.5/10)
- • You need api tools features specifically
- • Payment processing for internet businesses
- • Subscription and billing tools
| At a Glance |  Stripe | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Paid |
Best For | CRM | API Tools |
Rating | 85/100 | 94/100 |
| Feature | Recurly | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 85 | 94 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CRMPayment Processing | API ToolsPayment Processing |
How Recurly and Stripe Compare
Recurly
Automate exceptional digital subscription experiences to grow recurring revenue and improve retention.
Paid · 85/100 score
Stripe
Payment infrastructure for the internet
Paid · 94/100 score
Recurly is a crm tool. Stripe is in api tools.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Stripe
Want the highest-rated option?
Recurly: 85/100. Stripe: 94/100.
Go with: Stripe
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Stripe
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. Stripe is in api tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Stripe scores higher: 94/100 vs 85/100.
Key Takeaways
Stripe
- Higher score: 94/100 vs 85
- Our pick for this comparison
Recurly
- Better fit for crm
The Bottom Line
Stripe (94/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Recurly or Stripe better?
Stripe scores 94/100 in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Recurly and Stripe used for?
Recurly: Automate exceptional digital subscription experiences to grow recurring revenue and improve retention.. Stripe: Payment infrastructure for the internet.
What does Recurly cost vs Stripe?
Recurly is a paid tool. Stripe is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.