Topic, verified June 2026

Recurring Billing and Subscription Cost

Subscription billing adds a layer on top of card processing. Stripe Billing is included in the standard rate up to a recurring-revenue threshold then charges 0.8%. Chargebee and Recurly are standalone billing platforms with their own subscription. Moving to ACH or direct debit removes the percentage from the equation.

+0.5%
Stripe Billing Starter
On subscription card revenue
+0.8%
Stripe Billing Scale
On recurring revenue (Scale tier)
Tier
Chargebee / Recurly
Monthly subscription + per-tx
0.8-1%
GoCardless / Braintree ACH
Capped per transaction
Direct answer
Stripe Billing Starter adds 0.5% on subscription card revenue on top of the standard 2.9% + $0.30; Scale adds 0.8%. Chargebee and Recurly are standalone billing stacks priced as a monthly subscription plus per-transaction. Moving subscription revenue to ACH / direct debit (Braintree at 0.75% capped $5, GoCardless at 1% capped GBP 4) is the cheapest published path above roughly $50 per recurring charge.

Recurring-billing cost stack

FeatureToolBaseRecurring surcharge
Stripe Billing Starter2.9% + $0.30+0.5% sub revenue
Stripe Billing Scale2.9% + $0.30+0.8% recurring + flat
ChargebeePer-month plan from $0 LaunchPer-tx via underlying gateway
RecurlyQuote-onlyPer-tx via underlying gateway
Braintree (recurring as standard)2.59% + $0.49No add-on
GoCardless Pro1.4% + 20p, capped GBP 5.60No add-on

Related

GoCardless pricing
Direct-debit subscription specialist.
Braintree pricing
Native subscription on standard rate.
ACH vs card cost
Why recurring should shift to ACH at scale.
Last verified June 2026. Next review September 2026. Rates change without notice; always confirm directly with the vendor before signing a contract.