Subscription Billing API Integration: Stripe Billing vs Recurly
Subscription billing is at the core of SaaS revenue models. Choosing the right subscription billing API is a critical infrastructure decision.
Stripe Billing
Core Capabilities
- Flexible pricing models (fixed, metered, tiered, hybrid)
- Auto-renewal with smart retries (exponential backoff, up to 4 retries)
- Invoice management with PDF generation
- 135+ currency support
- Customer portal for self-service plan changes
Retry Schedule
| Attempt | Interval | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| 2nd | 5 hours | 8 hours |
| 3rd | 13 hours | 21 hours |
| 4th | 2 days | 3 days |
| 5th+ | Every 4 days | Up to 28 days |
Recurly
Core Capabilities
- Advanced lifecycle management (pause/resume/extend/swap)
- Usage-based billing with real-time tracking
- Multi-site management under one account
- Built-in tax automation (Avalara)
- Prorated refunds
Comparison
| Dimension | Stripe Billing | Recurly |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Transaction fee + no monthly fee | $99-599/month + transaction fee |
| State machine | Basic | Rich (incl. pause/revoke) |
| Usage billing | Supported | Supported with tiers |
| Multi-site | Multiple accounts | Single account |
| Tax automation | Stripe Tax (extra) | Built-in Avalara |
| Customer portal | Pre-built UI | Pre-built UI |
| API complexity | Low (same Stripe API) | Medium |
| Best for | Startups, early SaaS | Growing to complex subscriptions |
Other Options
- Chargebee: Good balance, $149/month, strong integrations
- Paddle: Merchant of Record (handles tax compliance), 5% + $0.50
- Zuora: Enterprise-grade, $50K+/year
Selection Guide
- Early stage: Stripe Billing (zero monthly fee)
- Growing: Stripe or Chargebee
- Scaling: Recurly or Chargebee
- Enterprise: Zuora or Recurly Enterprise
Summary
Stripe Billing suits startups, Recurly suits complex subscriptions, Chargebee offers balance. Choose a platform that supports future growth in pricing models, payment methods, and tax needs.