Recurly vs Adyen

Subscription billing that doesn't make you want to pull your hair out when you need to handle a prorated refund meets the payment platform that actually unifies everything, so you can stop juggling 10 different providers. Here's our take.

Recurly

Nice Pick

Subscription billing that doesn't make you want to pull your hair out when you need to handle a prorated refund.

Pros

• Handles complex subscription logic like upgrades, downgrades, and pauses without custom code
• Built-in dunning management to automatically retry failed payments and reduce churn
• Strong API with webhooks for real-time subscription events and easy integration
• Supports multiple currencies and tax compliance (VAT, GST) out of the box

Cons

• Pricing is steep for small startups, with setup fees and percentage-based transaction cuts
• Reporting can feel limited compared to pulling raw data into your own analytics

Adyen

The payment platform that actually unifies everything, so you can stop juggling 10 different providers.

Pros

• Single API for online, in-app, and in-store payments
• Supports over 250 payment methods and 150 currencies globally
• Built-in fraud prevention and data analytics tools

Cons

• Pricing can be steep for smaller businesses
• Complex setup may require dedicated technical resources

The Verdict

Use Recurly if: You want handles complex subscription logic like upgrades, downgrades, and pauses without custom code and can live with pricing is steep for small startups, with setup fees and percentage-based transaction cuts.

Use Adyen if: You prioritize single api for online, in-app, and in-store payments over what Recurly offers.

The Bottom Line

Recurly wins

Subscription billing that doesn't make you want to pull your hair out when you need to handle a prorated refund.