Recurly vs Plaid

Subscription billing that doesn't make you want to pull your hair out when you need to handle a prorated refund meets the api that turns 'i need bank data' into 'i have bank data' without the regulatory headache. 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

Plaid

The API that turns 'I need bank data' into 'I have bank data' without the regulatory headache.

Pros

• Handles bank authentication and data aggregation across thousands of institutions
• Simplifies compliance with financial regulations like PSD2 and GDPR
• Provides real-time transaction and balance data with high reliability

Cons

• Can be expensive for high-volume applications due to per-request pricing
• Limited customization for specific bank integrations or niche use cases

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 Plaid if: You prioritize handles bank authentication and data aggregation across thousands of institutions 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.