Compare Stripe and Paddle for startup payments — merchant of record, global tax, pricing, and when each wins.
Stripe is a payment processor. Paddle is a merchant of record that handles global sales tax, VAT, and compliance for you. The right pick depends on how much tax pain you want to own.
US-focused SaaS, marketplaces, and any startup with a finance team that can handle sales tax filings.
Global SaaS without a tax team, indie SaaS, and founders who value simplicity over margin.
Paddle's take rate is higher, but it replaces sales tax software, chargeback handling, and international entities.
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