Alternatives · Digital Products
Paddle alternatives
As of Nov 12, 2026, the highest-graded Paddle alternative is Lemon Squeezy (2.8 GPA). It's also the best free one.
Paddle compared with 5 alternatives: Lemon Squeezy, FastSpring, Freemius, Polar and Gumroad.
Paddle has a free plan. 4 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from
Black Friday: is there a Paddle sale?
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| PaddleThis tool | Free plan | Yes | Web |
| Lemon Squeezy | Free plan · from $10/mo | Yes | Web |
| FastSpring | Paid | No | Web |
| Freemius | Free plan | Yes | Web |
| Polar | Free plan · from $20/mo | Yes | Web |
| Gumroad | Free | Free | Web, iOS, Android |
How each one differs from Paddle
Lemon Squeezy
Merchant of record checkout for software, subscriptions and downloads
- Lemon Squeezy starts at $10 per month for email marketing to 1,000 subscribers.
- Lemon Squeezy also covers email campaigns, affiliate tracking and digital downloads.
- Lemon Squeezy does not cover invoicing and reports, which Paddle does.
Suits: Software makers selling licenses or subscriptions worldwide
FastSpring
Merchant of record checkout and billing for software and digital goods
- FastSpring has no free plan, unlike Paddle.
- FastSpring also covers affiliate tracking and digital downloads.
- FastSpring does not cover reports, which Paddle does.
Suits: SaaS and downloadable software sellers
Freemius
Merchant of record, licensing and payments for software sellers
- Freemius also covers affiliate tracking and digital downloads.
- Freemius does not cover invoicing and reports, which Paddle does.
Suits: WordPress plugin and theme sellers
Polar
Open-source billing and merchant of record for software sellers
- Polar starts at $20 per month, with a lower fee on each sale.
- Polar is open source, according to its own site.
- Polar also covers digital downloads.
- Polar does not cover invoicing, reports and online store, which Paddle does.
Suits: Developers selling software, licenses or SaaS subscriptions worldwide
Gumroad
Sell downloads, memberships and courses for a cut of each sale
- Gumroad is free.
- Gumroad also lists iOS and Android apps.
- Gumroad also covers email campaigns, affiliate tracking and digital downloads.
- Gumroad does not cover invoicing, reports and online store, which Paddle does.
Suits: Creators testing a first product who want no monthly bill
Limits worth knowing in Paddle
- The fee is 5% + 50¢ per transaction; products under $10 in value are quoted custom pricing on request.
- It is positioned for SaaS, apps and software, not as a storefront for creators.
- As merchant of record Paddle appears on buyers' statements, so buyers may see its name rather than yours.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Paddle?
The alternatives to Paddle in this directory are Lemon Squeezy, FastSpring, Freemius, Polar and Gumroad. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Paddle.
Is there a free alternative to Paddle?
Yes. Gumroad is free to use. Lemon Squeezy, Freemius and Polar have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Paddle alternatives work on Android?
The Paddle listing does not include an Android app. Gumroad lists one.
Which Paddle alternatives work on iOS?
The Paddle listing does not include an iOS app. Gumroad lists one.
Is there an open-source alternative to Paddle?
Polar is described as open source on its own site.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 18, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.