FastSpring vs Recurly
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Merchant of record for software.
The verdict
Both FastSpring and Recurly are credible subscription billing tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
FastSpring — Merchant of record for software.
Choose Recurly if you'd rather have a lower starting price (from $249/mo). Subscription management and recurring billing.
FastSpring vs Recurly: side by side
| Dimension | FastSpring | Recurly |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Custom | From $249/moWinner |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Pricing model | Usage-based | Subscription |
| Best for | Software Companies | Subscription Businesses |
| Platforms | Web, Api | Web, Api |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
FastSpring key facts
- Vendor
- FastSpring
- Pricing
- Usage-based — Custom
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Api
- Best for
- Software Companies
- Editor rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Founded
- 2005
- Headquarters
- Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Recurly key facts
- Vendor
- Recurly
- Pricing
- Subscription — From $249/mo
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Api
- Best for
- Subscription Businesses
- Editor rating
- 4.3 / 5
- Founded
- 2009
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is FastSpring better than Recurly?
Neither is universally better — FastSpring edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is FastSpring or Recurly cheaper?
Recurly is the more affordable of the two to get started, at from $249/mo. FastSpring starts at custom; Recurly starts at from $249/mo.
Can FastSpring replace Recurly?
Yes for most teams — both are subscription billing tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.