Creem vs Paddle
Creem or Paddle for your paid community?
Both work with Ubunya: members who pay are let in automatically, and lose access when their membership ends. Here's how they differ on fees, payment methods, tax and payouts.
The short answer
Choose Creem if
- Small sellers in Kenya or Nigeria who want tax handled and a low flat fee.
Choose Paddle if
- Established software or digital businesses that want tax handled and can wait for monthly payouts.
Side by side
| Creem | Paddle | |
|---|---|---|
| Handles sales tax and VAT (merchant of record) | Yes | Yes |
| Card fee | 3.9% + 40¢. No extra fee for international cards. Payout fee is 7 USD/EUR or 1%, whichever is higher. | 5% + 50¢. Custom pricing for products under $10. Payouts are free for most countries; some pay a $15 SWIFT fee. |
| Members can pay with | cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay | cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfer, Alipay, WeChat Pay, UPI, Pix, iDEAL, BLIK |
| Recurring billing | Subscriptions by card or wallet. | Subscriptions by card, PayPal and wallets. |
| Who can sign up as a seller | 87 countries, including Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa | Most countries except sanctioned ones |
| Payouts | Local bank transfer or USDC wallet, on the 1st and 15th | Wire transfer or Payoneer, monthly, $100 minimum |
| Free test mode | Yes | Yes |
| Connecting it to Ubunya | Paste an API key. We add the webhook for you. | Paste an API key and client-side token. We add the webhook for you. |
| Prices on your community | Your Creem products, subscription or one-time. | Your Paddle prices, subscription or one-time. |
| Renewals in Ubunya | Renews automatically. | Renews automatically. |
| Members' billing page | Creem's customer portal. | Paddle's customer portal. |
From Creem's and Paddle's own websites, checked November 2026. Prices change; check theirs before you sign up. Compare all 11 providers.
Questions
Which handles tax, Creem or Paddle?+
Both are merchants of record: they sell to your members and handle VAT and sales tax for you.
Can members pay with M-Pesa on Creem or Paddle?+
Creem: not that we could find on its website. Paddle: not that we could find on its website.
Can I use Creem or Paddle with Ubunya?+
Yes, both. Connect your own account under Manage → Payments. Creem: Paste an API key. We add the webhook for you. Paddle: Paste an API key and client-side token. We add the webhook for you.
What happens when a member stops paying?+
Their access stays until the end of what they paid for, plus the grace days you set (three by default). Then the community closes to them. Staff never lose access.
More comparisons
Charge for your community with the account you already have
Connect it under Manage → Payments. Paying members are let in automatically.