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Core capability

Subscription Billing

Recurring payment management, subscription tiers, trials, and billing lifecycle handling.

4-10 daysTypical timeline
$1,500 - $4,000Typical range
4Approaches compared

SCOPE DECISION

Does this belong
in the first release?

A capability is only essential when the product promise depends on it. Use these signals to keep the decision tied to user value.

INCLUDE WHEN

The product needs it now

  • 01
    SaaS business model
  • 02
    Membership sites
  • 03
    Content subscriptions
  • 04
    Recurring service payments
LEAVE OUT WHEN

The release works without it

  • 01
    One-time payment products
  • 02
    Marketplace/transaction fee model
  • 03
    Usage-based pricing only

IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS

Choose the approach
that fits the product.

The right technology depends on ownership, scale, integration depth, and how much operational responsibility the team wants to carry.

Stripe BillingSubscription management by Stripe

Strengths
  • Full control
  • Great API
  • Customer portal
  • Flexible pricing
Tradeoffs
  • Requires implementation
  • Tax handling separate
  • Complexity

PaddleMerchant of record for software

Strengths
  • Handles tax/VAT globally
  • Checkout included
  • Less compliance burden
Tradeoffs
  • Higher fees (5%+)
  • Less control
  • Approval needed

Lemon SqueezySimple selling for digital products

Strengths
  • Easy setup
  • Handles taxes
  • Good for indie hackers
Tradeoffs
  • Less customizable
  • Newer platform
  • Limited features

ChargebeeEnterprise subscription management

Strengths
  • Advanced billing logic
  • Revenue recognition
  • Multiple gateways
Tradeoffs
  • Complex
  • Enterprise pricing
  • Overkill for MVPs

DELIVERY SEQUENCE

A practical path
through the work.

  • 01Define pricing tiers and features
  • 02Choose billing platform
  • 03Implement checkout flow
  • 04Handle subscription webhook events
  • 05Build customer billing portal
  • 06Implement trial period logic
  • 07Add upgrade/downgrade flows
  • 08Set up dunning for failed payments

WATCH FOR

Common implementation mistakes.

  • 01
    Not handling failed payments properly
  • 02
    Missing proration for plan changes
  • 03
    Complex pricing too early
  • 04
    Not offering trials
  • 05
    Hard cancellation instead of pause options
  • 06
    Not tracking subscription metrics

QUESTIONS

Before you commit the scope.

How many pricing tiers should my MVP have?+

Start with 2-3 tiers. A free/trial option, a main paid tier, and optionally a premium tier. Add complexity when you understand customer segments.

Should I offer a free trial or freemium?+

Free trials work for complex products needing time to show value. Freemium for products with quick value demonstration. Test both if unsure.

How do I handle failed payments?+

Implement smart dunning: retry automatically (days 1, 3, 7), send emails, downgrade after grace period, make payment update easy.

RELATED DECISIONS

Continue mapping the release.

Core capability

Payment Processing

Accept payments via credit cards, ACH, and digital wallets with proper security and compliance.

DISCUSS YOUR APP

Turn this decision
into working software.

Bring the product context and current scope. We will choose the approach after the release is clear.

Discuss your app