Creem vs Polar
Creem or Polar 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 Polar if
- Developers and creators who want tax handled and can use Stripe payouts in their country.
Side by side
| Creem | Polar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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¢ (free plan). Plus 1.5% for non-US cards. Paid plans lower the rate (e.g. 3.8% + 40¢ for $20/month). Stripe payout fees apply: $2/month, 0.25% + 25¢ per payout, plus currency conversion. |
| Members can pay with | cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay | cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Link, Amazon Pay, Cash App Pay, WeChat Pay |
| Recurring billing | Subscriptions by card or wallet. | Subscriptions by card or wallet. |
| Who can sign up as a seller | 87 countries, including Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa | Countries supported by Stripe Connect Express, including Kenya and Nigeria |
| Payouts | Local bank transfer or USDC wallet, on the 1st and 15th | Bank account via Stripe Connect Express |
| Free test mode | Yes | Yes |
| Connecting it to Ubunya | Paste an API key. We add the webhook for you. | Paste an organisation access token, then add our webhook in Polar and paste its secret. |
| Prices on your community | Your Creem products, subscription or one-time. | Your Polar products, subscription or one-time. |
| Renewals in Ubunya | Renews automatically. | Renews automatically. |
| Members' billing page | Creem's customer portal. | Polar's customer portal. |
From Creem's and Polar's own websites, checked November 2026. Prices change; check theirs before you sign up. Compare all 11 providers.
Questions
Which handles tax, Creem or Polar?+
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 Polar?+
Creem: not that we could find on its website. Polar: not that we could find on its website.
Can I use Creem or Polar with Ubunya?+
Yes, both. Connect your own account under Manage → Payments. Creem: Paste an API key. We add the webhook for you. Polar: Paste an organisation access token, then add our webhook in Polar and paste its secret.
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.