Paddle vs Podia
Pricing
Paddle: 5% + 50c per transaction
Podia: From $39/mo, no transaction fees
Description
Paddle: Payment platform that handles global taxes for you: they are the seller, you get paid net
Podia: Sell courses, memberships, and digital downloads
Pros
- Merchant of record means they handle VAT, sales tax, and invoicing worldwide
- Built-in subscription management with dunning and recovery
- You never have to file taxes in foreign countries
- No transaction fees
- All-in-one for creators
- Built-in email marketing
Cons
- 5% + 50c is nearly double Stripe's rate
- Approval process required: they review your business before you can start
- Less flexibility than Stripe for custom checkout flows
- Less customizable than alternatives
- Limited payment options
Details
Paddle takes the scariest part of selling software internationally (tax compliance) and makes it someone else’s problem. They act as the merchant of record, which means they are legally the seller. They collect the payment, handle VAT/sales tax in every country, and pay you a net amount. You never file a foreign tax return.
The price for this peace of mind is real: 5% + 50c per transaction versus Stripe’s 2.9% + 30c. For many SaaS founders selling to customers in the EU, UK, and beyond, the math still works out: hiring an accountant or using a tax service would cost more. Paddle requires approval before you can start, so apply early.
Podia lets creators sell courses, memberships, and digital products with zero transaction fees. Includes email marketing and community features.
Founded by Spencer Fry, lifelong entrepreneur who never took a paycheck from anyone else. Previously built Carbonmade (bootstrapped). 35-person team after 7+ years.
Verified
