Paddle Retain Overview
Paddle Retain is the built-in churn reduction and payment recovery feature within Paddle's Merchant of Record (MoR) platform. It includes dunning emails, cancel flows, and AI-powered optimization—all included in your Paddle subscription.
Why Teams Look for Paddle Retain Alternatives
Paddle Lock-In Required
Paddle Retain only works if you use Paddle as your payment processor. If you're using Stripe (or want to), Retain isn't an option. And migrating to Paddle just for Retain rarely makes sense.
Limited Customization
As part of a larger platform, Paddle Retain offers less customization than dedicated dunning tools. Your dunning sequences, templates, and timing are more constrained compared to standalone solutions.
No SMS Recovery
Paddle Retain is email-only for payment recovery. Multi-channel recovery with SMS has been shown to significantly improve recovery rates, especially for younger demographics who prefer text communication.
Hidden Costs in Transaction Fees
While Retain is "included" with Paddle, Paddle's transaction fees (5%+) are significantly higher than Stripe's (~2.9%). You're paying for Retain through higher overall platform costs on every transaction.
How Rekko Compares
| Feature | Paddle Retain | Rekko |
|---|---|---|
| Dunning emails | ✅ | ✅ |
| SMS notifications | ❌ | ✅ |
| Multi-channel sequences | ❌ | ✅ |
| Works with Stripe | ❌ | ✅ |
| Cancel flows | ✅ | ❌ |
| AI optimization | ✅ | ❌ |
| Full template control | Limited | ✅ |
| No platform lock-in | ❌ | ✅ |
| Transparent pricing | ❌ | ✅ |
Pricing Comparison
With Paddle, you pay 5%+ on all transactions. With Stripe + Rekko:
| Monthly Revenue | Paddle Fees (5%) | Stripe (2.9%) + Rekko |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $500 | $290 + $29 = $319 |
| $50,000 | $2,500 | $1,450 + $49 = $1,499 |
| $100,000 | $5,000 | $2,900 + $129 = $3,029 |
| $500,000 | $25,000 | $14,500 + $129 = $14,629 |
Rekko plans:
- Starter: $29/month (1,000 emails, 1 Stripe account)
- Essential: $49/month (5,000 emails, 3 Stripe accounts)
- Pro: $129/month (20,000 emails, unlimited accounts)
- SMS: Pay per use
When to Choose Rekko Over Paddle Retain
Choose Rekko if:
- You use Stripe (or want lower transaction fees)
- You want SMS + email dunning
- Full customization control matters
- You want to avoid platform lock-in
- You prefer transparent, predictable pricing
Stick with Paddle Retain if:
- You're already committed to Paddle's ecosystem
- All-in-one MoR simplicity is your priority
- Tax/compliance handled by MoR is essential for you
- You don't need SMS recovery