Web Payments

Apphud supports multiple payment gateway integrations to help you manage and process web-based transactions for your apps. The providers we support are leading payment platforms offering robust solutions tailored for subscription-based applications.

With Apphud’s Web Payments services integrations, you can enable users to subscribe directly through your website, and their subscription status will be automatically synced using the Apphud SDK to unlock access.

Keep in mind that Apple's guidelines prohibit promoting external payment methods for digital goods inside your app. Violating this rule may lead to your app being rejected or removed from the App Store.

Before launching, please review any limitations associated with web payments to ensure full compliance.

Available Web Payment Providers

This page serves as a starting point for integrating either service into your Apphud setup, offering flexibility depending on your business needs.

Stripe Integration

Stripe is a comprehensive payments platform that offers easy-to-implement APIs for managing web payments, subscriptions, and invoicing. Stripe allows businesses to accept payments online using various methods, including credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and many more. Stripe also provides tools for managing recurring billing, sales tax, and handling disputes.

Customers: Stripe serves over 1.2 million active websites globally, processing around $1 trillion in payments annually.
Commission: Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction in the US, with rates varying slightly by country and card type. An additional 1% fee applies for currency conversions if the payment currency differs from your account's default currency. Optional features like chargeback protection, fraud monitoring, and tax handling are charged per transaction if you choose to use them.
Key Features: Stripe offers a highly customizable payment system with extensive APIs, making it ideal for developers who need flexibility. Additionally, it provides robust tools such as Stripe Radar for fraud prevention, Stripe Tax for automating tax collection, and multi-currency support with over 135 currencies. However, Stripe does not act as a Merchant of Record, meaning you are responsible for handling tax remittance and compliance.

Learn more about how to set up the integration with Stripe in Apphud.

Paddle Integration

Paddle is an all-in-one platform designed specifically for software businesses. It offers payment processing, subscription management, global tax compliance, and built-in fraud protection. Unlike Stripe, Paddle operates under the Merchant of Record (MoR) model, taking on the responsibility for handling taxes and compliance. This makes Paddle an excellent option for businesses that prefer to outsource the complexity of global billing.

Customers: Paddle serves around 3,000 SaaS companies globally, specializing in providing an all-in-one platform.
Commission: Paddle charges 5% + $0.50 per transaction, with no additional fees for handling taxes, refunds, and chargebacks. However, if the transaction is in a currency other than your account’s default currency, a 2-3% currency conversion fee applies.
Key Features: Unlike Stripe, Paddle takes on the role of a Merchant of Record, meaning they manage tax compliance, refunds, and chargebacks, making it an attractive option for developers who prefer to outsource these complex responsibilities. This can be especially helpful for businesses expanding globally, as Paddle handles all tax remittance across 20+ currencies.

Learn more about how to set up the integration with Paddle in Apphud.

Which One to Choose?

When deciding between Stripe and Paddle as your first Web Payment solution for mobile apps, it's important to understand how each handles refunds and customer support:

Stripe offers a highly flexible payment platform, but it's important to note that excessive refunds, especially if you're new to web payments and haven't fully identified your target audience, can lead to account reviews or even temporary blocks. Stripe is strict about chargebacks and can flag accounts with a high refund rate, especially for businesses new to the platform. Along with that, it's the top Web Payments provider for established businesses that know their ideal customers and mastered targeting.

Paddle, on the other hand, operates under a Merchant of Record model, which means they take on the responsibility for chargebacks and customer refunds. It is generally more forgiving when it comes to refunds, making it a better option if you're concerned about dealing with high refund rates while you fine-tune your audience targeting.

Both platforms have strengths, but if your business is new to managing web payments and you want a solution that handles refunds and compliance more comprehensively, Paddle may be a better fit for you.

Choose Stripe if:

You need a highly customizable, flexible platform with extensive APIs
Your business is established, and you have a clear understanding of your target audience
You’re comfortable handling tax compliance and refunds directly.

Choose Paddle if:

You prefer a simplified approach where taxes, refunds, and chargebacks are managed for you.
Your business is new to web payments, and you’re concerned about high refund rates.
You’re expanding globally and need a solution that handles compliance in multiple regions.