PocketGamer.biz reports that the Ninth Circuit has reversed their initial granting of the stay, instead now granting Epic’s motion for reconsideration on the stay. The article goes on to quote Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney stating that “Apple’s delaying tactics have come to an end.”

Now the case will return to U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers for additional determinations regarding Apple’s fees.

The original ruling was released on April 30, 2025, with Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers declaring that Apple’s anti-steering policies for purchases outside of apps are anticompetitive and to be discontinued. That was to be effective immediately at the time the ruling was released, but various requests and appeals from Apple have affected the ruling’s application. A request by Apple for stay was initially denied in June 2025, but PocketGamer.biz reports that the court had temporarily paused the ruling early this month. Epic challenged the pause, which resulted in this new reversal and the court stating that Apple had not sufficiently shown how the original ruling would cause them irreparable harm.

The original ruling can be read as linked from the PocketGamer.biz article linked above. 

About FastSpring

FastSpring is how gaming studios and mobile app makers sell in more places around the world. For over two decades, FastSpring has been a payment provider you can use to sell apps, games, or in-game items on your website, web shop, or embedded directly into your app with fully customizable and branded checkouts just for you. FastSpring allows you to offload the complexity of global payments, sales tax and VAT compliance, player payments support, and many other aspects of payments management. Spend less time managing your payments and compliance and more time making great apps! 

Learn more about FastSpring for mobile apps or FastSpring for games. 

The post News: Apple Loses Stay Against Mandate in Epic Case appeared first on FastSpring.

Mobile app installs in Asia have grown 10x since 2017. And one in five global app ad dollars now comes from Asian companies, as APAC companies target users in Western markets as well as emerging economies in Latin America and Africa. 

TikTok, born in China, is now a billion-download phenomenon across 150+ markets. 

The message is clear: APAC founders can go global.

But growth outside the region isn’t automatic. Cultural differences, varied payment preferences, and rising user acquisition (UA) costs can trip up even great apps. 

Here are five lessons to help APAC developers and founders expand successfully into global markets.

Lesson 1: Localize Beyond Translation

Localization isn’t just language — it’s currency, culture, and user experience. For example, a Udonis article reports that 87% of consumers prefer content in their native language, and one app saw downloads double in 40 days after localizing its App Store listings.

Effective localization goes beyond translating text. It means adjusting visuals, formats, and features to align with local norms. Ensure your app supports local currencies, date formats, and units so that prices and details make sense to the user. 

Adapt your marketing creatives and in-app imagery to resonate with cultural expectations (because what works in Tokyo might not work in Paris). 

A great example is how ByteDance approached TikTok’s global rollout to push fast adoption in international markets. The same Udonis article points out how ByteDance went far beyond interface translations by running country-specific challenges and trends in each market to make the app feel homegrown.

Pro tip: Test a “minimum viable localization” approach — start with app store pages and key flows, then expand once traction is proven.

Lesson 2: Match Monetization to Local Preferences

Subscription behavior looks different across regions. In Asia, monthly subscription retention is only around 75% versus around 85%-89% in the West, but annual plans perform just as well as global averages. 

That means Asian users are less loyal to monthly plans but stick with yearly commitments. Adjust your offerings accordingly by promoting discounted annual plans in APAC, while leaning into monthly trials and flexibility in North America and Europe.

Payment methods also make or break conversions.

In Europe, buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) services like Klarna are expected checkout options, with 85M+ active Klarna users. 

Brazil’s Pix now outpaces credit cards, processing 64B transactions in 2024. 

And in China and India, users expect Alipay, WeChat Pay, or UPI.

The point is to meet users where they are. If you only offer USD + credit cards, you’ll miss out. Platforms like FastSpring help by supporting local currencies and payment methods without requiring you to set up entities in each market.

Lesson 3: Use Hybrid Monetization to Maximize Revenue

Relying on just ads or just subscriptions limits growth. Hybrid models that mix ads, subscriptions, and in-app purchases (IAPs) are now mainstream. AppsFlyer reports that 43% percent of gaming apps use a hybrid model, and the concept applies beyond games. 

Consider the case of Viva Republica, the South Korean fintech behind the Toss app. Traditionally, finance apps avoided ads for fear of ruining UX, but according to a Think With Google article, Toss experimented with adding non-intrusive, native ads into its app’s rewards section. 

The result? A nearly 3x growth in ad revenue within a year and the company’s first-ever profitable quarter, all while keeping users happy with the experience. 

For APAC apps expanding globally, a freemium hybrid approach works well:

1. Free tier with ads or limited features.
2. Premium tier with no ads + extras.

This lets you capture both budget-conscious and high-value users. The key is thoughtful execution. Ads should enhance — not annoy — and premium tiers must deliver real value.

Lesson 4: Acquire Users Strategically

User acquisition (UA) costs vary dramatically by region. In 2024, the average cost per install (CPI) was ~$5 in the U.S. vs. just $0.30 in LATAM — a 17x difference! Within APAC, costs can vary as well: An install in Japan or Australia typically costs a lot more than one in India or Vietnam. 

These variations mean you should allocate your UA budget carefully. 

Balance your spend across high-value but expensive markets (e.g., the U.S.) and lower-cost growth regions (e.g., Southeast Asia, LATAM).

Adapt your acquisition channels. In China, for example, you’re more likely to rely on local Android stores and WeChat; in Europe, experiment with carriers or BNPL partnerships; in the U.S., TikTok and influencer campaigns are strong bets.

And make sure to localize your creative pieces. What resonates in Seoul won’t land the same way in San Francisco.

Retention is as critical as acquisition. Remarketing campaigns in APAC now outpace new UA efforts, because keeping an existing user is cheaper than winning a new one. Track 7-day and 30-day retention by region and double down on re-engagement tactics where needed. 

Lesson 5: Get Started With Direct Monetization (and Stay Compliant)

App store commissions eat 15%-30% of your revenue. With regulatory shifts loosening Apple’’s and Google’s grips on the market, more developers are embracing direct monetization (also known as “app2web”) models by selling subscriptions or in-app purchases (IAPs) via web stores or in-app webviews. 

The most obvious benefit here is higher margins (20%-30% more per transaction).

Ownership of customer data is also hugely valuable for optimizing your UA and monetization strategies further. 

Direct monetization does come with added responsibilities, however, in the form of global taxes, compliance, fraud, and payment routing. 

This is where partnering with a merchant of record like FastSpring pays off. We handle VAT, local invoicing, local payment methods (from Klarna to Pix), and compliance across the globe, letting small teams expand globally without needing to become tax or legal experts. 

Optimizing your checkout also builds trust. Mobile-friendly design, local currencies, transparent pricing, and familiar payment logos reduce abandonment and improve conversion.

Capitalize on a $600B Opportunity — and FastSpring Can Help

New global app success stories will continue to rise out of APAC. The opportunity is massive: The mobile app economy is projected to hit around $600B+ through 2025. To seize it, remember to:

1. Localize deeply.
   
2. Match monetization to regional habits.
   
3. Diversify with hybrid models.
   
4. Acquire users strategically.
   
5. Go direct and simplify compliance.

APAC founders are already known for speed and innovation. With the right mix of localization, monetization, and smart UA, your app can make the leap from regional success to global phenomenon.

Need an app-to-web payments solution to monetize your mobile app? FastSpring provides an all-in-one payment platform for mobile apps, SaaS, software, video games, and other digital products businesses, including VAT and sales tax management, payment localization, and consumer support. 

Get started today: Set up a demo or try it out for yourself.

The post 5 Moves for Mobile App Makers in APAC to Maximize Revenue appeared first on FastSpring.

To succeed in these regions, businesses must support local payment methods–like debit networks, mobile wallets, and bank transfers that locals already trust. Doing so removes friction, increases conversion rates, and drives new revenue.

That’s why we’re launching several key updates in our Spring 2025 release, including:

• UPI Support.
• New Taiwan Dollar (TWD) Support.
• Hipercard and Elo Support in Brazil.
• Checkout Conversion Dashboard.
• Improved Checkout Customizations.

UPI Support Opens the Door to 350M+ Digital Buyers

As a mobile-first economy, and with Indian regulations that are unfriendly to foreign-made payment methods, India’s digital consumer market is heavily reliant on government backed payment rails like UPI. Easy-to-use on mobile, and used by more than 90% of India’s online buyers, UPI eliminates purchase friction for buyers and opens up the vast majority of the Indian market to outside companies. 

With UPI, FastSpring users can:

• Replace low-converting card payments with instant, secure UPI transactions.
• Comply with Indian financial regulations and avoid foreign card blocks.

Learn More about UPI.

Offer Localized Experiences in Emerging Markets With Local Brazilian Cards and TWD in Taiwan

Websites that localize pricing have twice the conversion rate of those that don’t. To further help businesses who are expanding across the globe, we’ve added additional payment methods in Brazil with support for local cards like Elo and Hipercard on top of the domestic only Visa and MasterCard cards as well as enabling TWD in Taiwan. (Coming Q2 2025)

Learn more about Brazilian Cards and TWD.

Track Conversions in Real Time With the Checkout Conversion Dashboard

When selling products, understanding key points in the buyer journey is essential to improving conversion rates. With FastSpring’s new Checkout Conversion Dashboard, get a clear visualization of your users’ checkout conversion journey through monitoring user Sessions, Orders, and Completed Orders. Plus, pinpoint where buyers drop off and why.

With Checkout Conversion Dashboard, FastSpring users can:

• Visualize performance of products across an Area and Funnel Chart.
• Filter data by timeframe, product, country, and segment.
• Understand key points in the buyer journey like Sessions, Orders, and Completed Orders.

Learn more about Checkout Conversion Dashboard.

Improve Conversion Rates With Popup Checkout Themes and New Embedded Options

Brand cohesion throughout the entire purchase journey is a key lever in improving conversion rates. To better support our users, we’ve released the first of our new themes: Dark Theme. This brings a dark mode checkout to our modal popup offering that can be enabled by a simple toggle in checkout settings. Plus, we’ve streamlined our embedded checkout to simplify data entry and remove unnecessary checkout steps.

With the Spring Checkout Improvements, FastSpring users can:

• Match their checkout theme to their site’s branding for a more cohesive buyer experience.
• Reduce required steps in embedded checkout with a single field for MM/YY, fewer input fields, and improved usability icons (Coming Q2 2025)

Learn more about Checkout Customization.

With support for region-specific payments and tools to improve every step of your funnel, FastSpring makes it easier to scale globally, no matter the market you’re expanding into. Ready to learn more? Schedule some time with FastSpring today.

The post FastSpring Launches Support for Indian Payment Method UPI and More Market Expansion Features With Its Spring Product Releases appeared first on FastSpring.

• How much of the payment lifecycle each platform handles (e.g. payment processing, gathering and remitting taxes, subscription management, etc.), plus any additional software you’ll need to add to your tech stack.
• Use cases, companies, and industries each solution is best for.
• A detailed comparison of key features, such as checkout and reporting.
• Basic information on pricing models for each.

TL;DR: Stripe primarily deals with payment processing, whereas FastSpring and Paddle handle payment processing, subscription management, collecting and remitting tax, fraud protection, and much more — without the need for additional software.

Table of Contents

• What areas of the payment lifecycle will you be able to manage, and what other software will you need for a complete payment solution?
• What types of businesses and which industries can use each platform?
• Functionality and feature comparisons:
  • Payment Processing
  • Calculating and remitting sales tax, VAT, and GST
  • Checkout
  • Subscription Management
  • Reporting and Analytics
• Pricing.
• Customer reviews.

Note: Information in this article was validated at time of publishing and is subject to change.

If you’ve been looking at payment services providers but want a more comprehensive merchant of record to help you grow your business internationally, we can help. FastSpring provides an all-in-one payment platform for SaaS, software, video games, and digital products businesses, including VAT and sales tax management, payment localization, and consumer support. Interested? Set up a demo or try it out for yourself.

Stripe vs. Paddle vs. FastSpring: How Comprehensive Is Each Payment Solution?

What areas of the payment lifecycle will you be able to manage with each, and will you need other software or services for a complete payment solution?

Stripe

Stripe is best known for payment processing, meaning they help you collect payment details and get payments authorized. Stripe enables you to accept payments online (or in-person with the Stripe Terminal) for any type of product. 

Stripe also offers a few basic features for subscription management, fraud detection, and invoicing, among other features. That said, you’ll need additional software to manage complex recurring billing needs, accept more payment methods around the world, or create a customized checkout process.

With Stripe, you’re responsible for remitting sales tax and VAT. Plus, it’s on you to stay up to date and compliant with local laws and regulations everywhere your customers live. (More on this later.) You may even need additional headcount to manage these aspects yourself.

FastSpring

Unlike Stripe, FastSpring offers a complete payment solution, ready “out of the box.” With FastSpring, you can outsource your entire checkout process from end to end — and we take on the liability for sales tax and VAT remittance, fraud prevention, and tax compliance.

With FastSpring, you’ll have access to:

• Multiple payment processors (to improve authorization rates and make global transactions easier).
• Flexible subscription management and recurring billing tools.
• Done-for-you tax compliance.
• B2B digital invoicing.
• Advanced fraud detection.
• Fully customizable checkout.
• Chargeback management.
• Detailed reports and analytics.
• And much more.

We act as your merchant of record (MoR), meaning we take on transaction liability for you. We take the lead on risk management, chargebacks, and global VAT and taxes — because we’re ultimately responsible for every transaction.

You’ll be able to manage all aspects of the payment lifecycle from your FastSpring dashboard — without adding extra software or headcount.

Paddle

Paddle offers solutions for payment processing, subscription management, and fraud detection, and is more feature-rich than Stripe’s solutions. Like FastSpring, Paddle is an MoR.

Related: SaaS Billing Software: 7 Tools in 3 Categories & How to Choose

Stripe vs. Paddle vs. FastSpring: Who Is Each Platform Best For?

Stripe: Nearly Any Business

Stripe can be used by nearly any type of business in nearly any industry, including both ecommerce and in-person sales.

While smaller companies and startups may get by with Stripe for a while, growing SaaS companies are likely to run into a few struggles while using Stripe, particularly around sales tax and VAT.

In the past, SaaS companies didn’t have to remit sales tax or VAT, but that changed when the European Union (EU) began requiring software sellers to collect and remit VAT based on the buyer’s location and the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states can charge sales tax on purchases from out-of-state sellers.

Now SaaS companies have to keep track of — and adhere to — constantly changing tax laws in every locality where you have customers. That’s why SaaS and digital products companies are better off choosing an MoR (such as FastSpring) that will handle sales tax and VAT collection, remittance, and general compliance for you.

FastSpring: B2C and B2B SaaS and Digital Goods Companies

For 20 years, FastSpring has been serving both B2C and B2B companies selling software and digital products. We’ve been here throughout the growth of the subscription business and have an in-depth understanding of the unique complexities of subscription selling and billing.

• Mailbird achieved over 100% growth by switching from Stripe to FastSpring. The flexibility of the platform and the ability to stay compliant with tax laws, were the main reasons Mailbird chose FastSpring. Read the Mailbird case study here.
• Capture One increased their conversion rate by 40% by switching from an in-house solution to FastSpring to help them with global payments. FastSpring offers localized checkout experiences that automatically display accurate pricing, language, currency, and taxes around the world. Plus, it was clear FastSpring is a partner in growth, ready to help migrate from another payment processing platform, optimize checkout flows, or help expand into new global marketplaces. Read the Capture One case study here.
• SocialBee doubled their monthly recurring revenue and managed tax compliance by switching from Braintree to FastSpring. Once the SocialBee team realized they needed more than a payment processor, partnering with FastSpring was an easy choice. Read the SocialBee case study here.

Paddle: SaaS Companies

Paddle has been serving SaaS companies for about ten years. While Paddle’s platform was historically better suited for B2C companies, they’ve added more features for B2B companies such as automated invoicing.

Stripe vs. Paddle vs. FastSpring: Key Features

Payment Processing (Payment Methods, Currencies, and More)

Stripe

To start processing payments with Stripe, you have to configure each location with the currency and payment methods you want to offer in that location. Once set up, Stripe will automatically convert product prices and display the correct currency and payment options at checkout.

Stripe supports 135+ currencies. 

You’ll be able to accept payments from major credit card networks (including MasterCard and Visa), bank transfers, vouchers, and popular wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Stripe also supports in-person transactions via the Stripe Terminal and mobile SDKs.

FastSpring

FastSpring makes it simple for SaaS and ecommerce companies to accept payments in most currencies and preferred payment methods around the world. Instead of configuring each one individually, FastSpring sellers can simply turn on localized payments and start accepting global payments right away.

While Stripe automatically converts prices to the local currency for you, FastSpring provides more flexibility:

• You can let FastSpring make the conversions for you, or you can set a fixed price for each of your products in each currency.
• You can let FastSpring choose the appropriate currency based on the user’s location, choose a specific currency for each location, or let the customer choose their preferred currency. FastSpring supports 23+ currencies.

With FastSpring, customers can make payments using: 

• Credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB, WeChat Pay, Kakao Pay, and UnionPay.
• ACH.
• SEPA Direct Debit.
• Wire transfers.
• Wallets including PayPal, Apple Pay, Amazon, Alipay, and more.

FastSpring also connects to multiple international payment gateways, improving the likelihood of authorization.

Payments have a higher success rate when the payment gateway is in the same location as the buyer. FastSpring automatically uses intelligent payment routing to route online payments through the gateway with the highest authorization rates for that payment method and location. 

Plus, using multiple payment gateways solves most failed payment issues that are due to network errors. If a payment gateway is experiencing a technical failure, FastSpring automatically retries the payment using a different gateway — without your team having to lift a finger. 

Bonus: FastSpring Partners with Sift

FastSpring takes the lead on fraud and risk activities (including chargebacks). We partner with Sift, a global leader in risk analysis and fraud prevention, to keep your transaction secure. Sift uses machine learning and AI to:

• Increase accuracy in fraud decisions.
• Improve approval rates and result in fewer false positives.
• Stop bad actors before a transaction is even processed.

FastSpring also blocks transactions from countries and jurisdictions where companies are currently not allowed to do business.

Paddle

Paddle also utilizes multiple payment gateways and lets companies accept global payments with minimal setup. 

Paddle supports 30+ currencies, popular credit cards (including MasterCard, Union Pay, and more), wire transfers, and wallets (including Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Alipay) — although some of these options are still in beta testing. Paddle does not accept checks or Pix.

Calculating and Remitting Sales Tax, VAT, and GST

Stripe

Stripe Tax can help you calculate sales tax, VAT, and GST. While Stripe can help handle U.S. tax registrations, they only provide instructions for enabling tax features and assigning tax codes in other localities. You are responsible for the decisions and implications of using those features (e.g., knowing how your product is classified under tax law and if/where you have nexus, need to register, collect, file, and submit consumption tax).

If you have questions about how to optimize tax rates, qualify for reduced tax rates, or any other tax-related question, you’ll likely be told to consult your tax advisor or read through the help articles. 

If you accidentally set it up incorrectly and collect the wrong amount (or type) of tax, you’ll be held liable. 

Plus, remitting sales taxes is often more involved than filling out a simple spreadsheet and writing a check. More and more countries are mandating additional requirements to stay compliant. For example: 

• Countries such as Colombia, Japan, Mexico, Serbia, and others require local representation, meaning you have to hire someone with a physical presence in that country to be responsible for your tax liability. This can cost anywhere from US$5k to US$15k per year.
• Countries such as India, Indonesia, Japan, and others require your account to be “pre-funded” meaning you have to predict the amount of tax you will owe and keep that money in your account until it’s time to file (up to three months in advance).
• Countries such as Serbia, United Kingdom, Taiwan, and others require electronic invoicing (it applies to non-resident companies, as well). An average sized company will pay around US$10k annual for these services.  Note: E-invoicing mandates are increasing at an alarming rate — with the EU rolling out universal electronic invoicing requirements by 2028.
• Countries such as Taiwan, Indonesia, Nigeria, Vietnam, and others require you to file corporate income tax in addition to VAT, regardless if you have a physical presence or permanent establishment. (This can increase a country’s compliance burden from 5%-20% based on local tax rates).  

Finally, wiring international tax payments isn’t easy or free. The corresponding and receiving banks both charge fees, and there’s the additional risk involved with foreign transactions.

So, while Stripe has taken important steps toward helping you collect sales tax, they’re a long way from providing an end-to-end solution for sales tax and international tax.

FastSpring

FastSpring handles the entire process of gathering and remitting sales tax, VAT, and GST for you.

With 20 years of experience filing 1,200+ tax returns each year, our team ensures the correct amount of sales tax and VAT is being collected at checkout — we even handle tax-exempt transactions in the U.S. and B2B reverse charges when allowed internationally. 

FastSpring files and collects taxes in over 55 countries, 13 provinces, and all 45 U.S. states that collect sales tax (five states don’t collect any sales tax). 

Then, our team remits those taxes for you and ensures all the necessary procedures are in place to stay compliant. If a country or state approaches you about tax compliance, our team will advise you on how to respond — even as far as providing copy-and-paste responses.

We build and maintain relationships with tax law specialists across the world to make sure we are aware of laws and regulations as they change.

Bonus: Custom Tax Codes

Tools like TaxJar, Avalara, and other tax software provide you with tax codes for most products and services. If you want to offer a product or service that doesn’t fit neatly into those codes (e.g., an in-person conference with some virtual attendees and speakers), you’ll be on your own to calculate and collect the right tax rate. 

This isn’t an issue for FastSpring sellers: we build unique product tax codes customized by use case — within minutes. Just tell us about your product or service, and we’ll create the tax code for you.

Paddle

Like FastSpring, Paddle takes the lead on gathering and remitting sales tax, VAT, and GST for you. Unlike FastSpring, Paddle doesn’t support tax exempt cases in the U.S.

Checkout

Stripe

Stripe Checkout is a prebuilt payment page designed for use on any device. You have a few options for customization (e.g., font, block shapes, colors, etc.) but it’s pretty limited. Stripe automatically translates Checkout to the appropriate language (35+ options) and currency (135+) based on the buyer’s location.

FastSpring

FastSpring lets you customize your checkout, from custom fields to custom colors using our branding tools and CSS overrides. You also have the flexibility to choose whether you want to give your developer complete control over checkout or let FastSpring manage it for you (or somewhere in between). 

Here’s an overview of FastSpring’s checkout options: 

• Three versions: You have the option to embed checkout directly on your webpage, use a popup checkout, or redirect your customers to a Web Storefront managed by FastSpring.

• Store Builder Library (SBL): FastSpring’s JavaScript library lets you customize, brand, and streamline your entire checkout flow to build trust and eliminate friction throughout the buyer’s journey.
• Localized Checkout: Let customers choose their preferred language or let FastSpring choose the appropriate language based on the buyer’s location. FastSpring supports 21+ languages and 23+ currencies to help expand your global reach.
• Built-in tracking and testing tools: With FastSpring’s built-in tracking tools, you can easily identify ways to improve conversion rates.
• Personalized customer support: Our team is always available to help you build the best checkout experience for your business. Some companies only provide personalized support to their largest clients. At FastSpring, we don’t play favorites — our team is always happy to help in any way they can.

Paddle

Paddle provides two versions of checkout: 

• Pop-up overlay.
• Inline embedded on your webpage.

Customization is pretty limited with the overlay checkout option, but the inline version allows you more control of the look and feel. Paddle supports 17 languages and automatically translates your checkout.

Subscription Management

Stripe

Stripe Billing includes a few different subscription options: 

• Flat-rate billing (for a monthly or annual price).
• Multiple price billing (where a single product is sold for different prices in different locations).
• Per seat billing (based on active users during the billing cycle).
• Usage-based billing (single unit or tiered).
• Flat-rate + overage (a combination of flat-rate and usage-based billing).

These options work for some companies that only have a few simple subscription-based products, but companies with more complex recurring billing needs (read: SaaS) often need an additional tool, meaning you’ll have to manage and pay for both separately.

Finally, Stripe offers a customer portal where customers can manage their accounts (both FastSpring and Paddle offer this as well). 

Related: 8 Best Chargebee Alternatives and Competitors (And How They’re Different)

FastSpring

FastSpring provides a wide variety of subscription management options built specifically for SaaS and other digital product companies. 

Plus, most of these options can be set up without writing any code. For example, you can set up: 

• Automatic weekly, monthly, yearly, or custom recurring billing.
• Prorated billing to accommodate upgrades — and downgrades — mid cycle.
• Free or paid trials of any length.
• Trials with or without collecting payment details.
• Automatic or manual renewal.
• Upsells, cross-sells, one-time add-ons, and discounts.
• Automatic failure handling, notifications, and retries to reduce churn.
• B2B digital invoicing
• And much more.

 You’ll also have access to our API and webhooks library for more customization options. 

Don’t forget: If you don’t use an MoR like FastSpring, you’ll still need to worry about your recurring billing model following local transaction laws and regulations. 

For example, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) limits most automatic recurring payments to ₹15,000 (approximately US$180). If a payment is over that amount, the customer must approve each transaction manually. You also have to file an official mandate with the RBI that outlines the procedures you have in place to ensure compliance — or face heavy fines or be prevented from selling to customers in India.

While some subscription management tools will release community updates whenever they learn about new regulations, you’re the one held responsible for keeping track of and adhering to all laws and regulations.

FastSpring customers don’t have to worry about this because we take on transaction liability for you. 

Our team of legal experts stays up to date on all relevant legalities, ensures the necessary procedures are in place, takes the lead on audits, and offers individual guidance on how to stay compliant — all at no additional cost. 

Related: International Recurring Payments (How We Handle It for You)

Paddle

Using a series of webhooks and their API, Paddle claims to support “any billing model.” 

Paddle supports free or paid trials; however, it looks like customers will be required to provide payment details in order to start the trial. Paddle also automatically applies prorated amounts when customers change their plan mid-cycle (e.g., add new users or upgrade). 

Related: An In-Depth Guide to Subscription Billing Platforms (+ 5 Options)

Reporting and Analytics

Stripe

Stripe offers a suite of revenue recognition tools to help you streamline accounting, including: 

• Standard accounting reports, such as balance sheets and income statements.
• Configurable revenue rules, such as excluding passthrough fees and auto-adjusting recognition schedules.
• Revenue overview reports.
• Query your Stripe data using SQL.

All reports can be viewed in your Stripe dashboard, and some reports can be downloaded as a CSV file. You can also integrate with popular accounting tools such as QuickBooks Desktop and Xero. However, the ability to import data from other revenue recognition providers into Stripe is still in beta. 

FastSpring

FastSpring Reporting and Analytics is a robust suite that helps you understand: 

• How each product contributes to your bottom line. 
• When customers are most likely to drop off.
• What coupons or promotions are working.
• Which subscription models generate the most revenue.
• Where your customers are located.
• What currencies and payment methods customers prefer.
• Chargeback rates by customer segment.
• Chargeback rates by product line.
• The status of your active webhooks.
• And much more.

Most of this information can be found in one of FastSpring’s several dashboards, including: 

• Revenue Overview.
• Subscription Overview. 
• Revenue Recognition (Beta).
• Chargeback Overview.
• Webhook Status.

For example, the revenue overview dashboard contains more general information, such as total transactions by country or net sales by product. 

For another example, the subscription overview dashboard lets you drill down into more specific details, such as active customers or monthly recurring revenue (MRR) over time. 

If you don’t see the exact report you need in the dashboards, you can create and save custom reports. Or, you can reach out to our team and we’ll help you find (or build) the report you need. Any report can be viewed in your dashboard or downloaded as a CSV, PNG, or XLSX file. 

Paddle

Paddle acquired ProfitWell to provide reporting and analytics features. A few of the things you can do with ProfitWell Metrics include:

• Automatically track and report on key performance indicators, such as MRR.
• Monitor user engagement and churn.
• Use benchmarking and segmentation tools.

Stripe vs. Paddle vs. FastSpring: Pricing Models

Stripe

For Stripe, pricing works loosely on an a la carte model. Payment processing is priced based on transactions, with the exact transaction fee varying based on payment method (e.g., credit card, digital wallet, Buy Now Pay Later, ACH, etc.).

By using Stripe payment processing, you’ll gain access to a number of features, such as checkout and payment links. Other key features, such as recurring billing, invoicing, instant payouts, and tax features incur additional fees.

With Stripe, you may also need to pay for additional software and headcount to manage other aspects of the billing lifecycle such as advanced fraud detection, subscription management, remitting sales tax and VAT, and more.

To learn more about Stripe pricing, check out their pricing page.

FastSpring

With FastSpring, you’ll have access to the entire platform (and all services) for one flat-rate fee. Since we take on transaction liability for you and take the lead on sales tax and VAT, you won’t need any additional software or headcount. 

Our team works with you to find an affordable price based on the volume of transactions you move through FastSpring. Plus, you’ll only be charged when successful transactions take place.

Reach out to our team to find the rate that works for you. You can also preview FastSpring features by setting up a free account. 

Paddle

Paddle advertises a flat-rate fee of 5% + 50¢ per transaction for their core product, which includes most of the features you’ll need — payments processing, checkout, subscriptions, global tax and compliance, fraud protection, reporting, and more — but it doesn’t include everything. 

Invoicing, for example, is an extra charge.

To learn more about Paddle pricing, visit their website.

Customer Reviews

Stripe

Stripe currently has 4.4 stars on G2 (a popular software review site) with 125+ reviews.

FastSpring

FastSpring currently has 4.5 stars on G2 with 185+ reviews.

Here’s what some of our customers had to say:

Paddle

Paddle currently has 4.5 stars on G2 with 171+ reviews.

Conclusion: FastSpring vs. Paddle vs. Stripe

If you’re selling physical products or services, FastSpring and Paddle are not an option, making Stripe the best choice out of the three options discussed here. If you are selling digital products, Stripe may not be the best choice because you’ll be on your own to build out a complete payment solution (which is costly and time-consuming). 

FastSpring has been serving SaaS businesses for twenty years and is well prepared to support B2C and B2B business needs.

If you’re looking for a payments solution that also handles taxes — so you can focus on building great products — FastSpring can help. Our all-in-one payment platform for SaaS, software, video games, and digital products businesses includes VAT and sales tax management, payment localization, and consumer support. Interested? Set up a demo or try it out for yourself.

This post was originally published in January 2023 and has been updated.

The post A Detailed Comparison of Stripe vs. Paddle vs. FastSpring appeared first on FastSpring.

However, navigating these expansion journeys requires strategic planning, local market knowledge, and the right technology infrastructure.

In this guide, we explore five proven strategies that successful LATAM companies have used to establish their presence in Western EU and U.S. markets, with practical insights on overcoming common challenges.

FastSpring is how SaaS, software, digital products, and video game companies sell online in more places around the world. We handle every payment need — from subscription management to tax collection, remittance, and more — so your business can go farther, faster. Set up a demo or try it out for yourself. 

5 Ways LATAM Companies Can Accelerate Their Growth in US and EU Markets

1. Localize Your Payment Infrastructure

One of the most critical factors for successful market entry is adapting your payment infrastructure to meet local expectations and requirements.

Why it matters: Payment preferences vary significantly across regions. While cards dominate in the U.S. (with credit and debit cards accounting for a total of 62% of all payments), European consumers often prefer local payment methods like iDEAL in the Netherlands or Klarna in Sweden.

Success strategy: 

Implement a flexible payment platform (such as a merchant of record) that supports:

• Multiple currencies with dynamic pricing.
• Region-specific payment methods.
• Local tax compliance automation.
• Subscription management across different regulations.

2. Adapt Your Go-to-Market Strategy for Each Region

The marketing and sales approaches that work in LATAM markets often need significant adjustment for Western markets.

Why it matters: Business cultures, buying processes, and customer expectations differ substantially between regions. U.S. businesses typically have faster decision cycles but demand more comprehensive support, while EU organizations often have longer, more committee-driven purchasing processes.

Success strategy:

• Develop region-specific value propositions.
• Adjust pricing strategies based on local market conditions.
• Create localized content marketing strategies.
• Build region-appropriate sales cycles.

3. Navigate Complex Regulatory Landscapes

Companies often face significant regulatory hurdles when expanding to EU and U.S. markets.

Why it matters: Western European markets operate under GDPR, while different U.S. states have varying data protection laws. Additionally, each region has specific requirements regarding financial transactions, business registration, and consumer rights.

Success strategy:

• Implement comprehensive subscription management systems with built-in compliance.
• Automate tax collection and reporting.
• Develop clear data handling policies that meet different regional requirements.
• Partner with experts who understand multi-regional compliance.

4. Build Strategic Partnerships in Target Markets

Successful LATAM companies rarely enter Western markets alone — they leverage strategic partnerships.

Why it matters: Local partners provide invaluable market knowledge, established distribution channels, and credibility in new markets where your brand may be unknown.

Success strategy:

• Identify complementary businesses in target markets.
• Create joint offerings that leverage each company’s strengths.
• Establish integration partnerships with popular local platforms.
• Consider channel sales models where appropriate.

5. Implement Scalable Subscription and Pricing Models

The subscription economy has revolutionized how software and digital services are sold globally, but requirements vary significantly by region.

Why it matters: Different markets have varying tolerance for pricing levels, subscription terms, and billing frequencies. Additionally, managing subscriptions across multiple currencies and tax jurisdictions presents significant operational challenges.

Success strategy:

• Create flexible subscription management systems.
• Implement smart dunning processes to reduce voluntary and involuntary churn.
• Automate currency conversion and regional pricing.
• Build analytics dashboards to track performance by region.
• Design subscription models that align with regional expectations.

The Technology Foundation for Global Expansion

At the core of successful international expansion lies the right technology infrastructure. Many LATAM companies falter not because their product isn’t competitive, but because their backend systems can’t handle the complexities of multi-regional operations.

Key technology requirements include:

• Supporting regional payment methods.
• Multi-currency support with automatic exchange rate updates.
• Global tax calculation and compliance automation.
• Localized checkout experiences.
• Subscription management across different regulatory environments.
• Fraud prevention adapted to regional risk profiles.

Ready to Take Your LATAM Business Global?

Expanding from Latin America into Western European and U.S. markets represents a tremendous growth opportunity, but it requires careful planning and the right infrastructure. The most successful companies recognize that payment processing, subscription management, and compliance aren’t just operational details — they’re strategic advantages when implemented correctly.

FastSpring’s all-in-one merchant of record platform is designed specifically to help companies like yours navigate international expansion with confidence. Our platform handles the complexities of global payments, subscription management, tax compliance, and fraud prevention, allowing you to focus on what you do best: building great products and services.

Talk with a FastSpring expert today to create your customized global expansion strategy and learn how our platform can accelerate your growth in Western European and U.S. markets.

FastSpring is how SaaS, software, digital products, and video game companies sell online in more places around the world. We handle every payment need — from subscription management to tax collection, remittance, and more — so your business can go farther, faster. Set up a demo or try it out for yourself. 

The post 5 Proven Strategies for LATAM Companies to Successfully Enter Western EU and US Markets appeared first on FastSpring.

The agency stated on Nov. 25 that Apple needs to lift restrictions regarding payment methods for in-app purchases, and that Apple must allow mobile app developers to add tools such as hyperlinks to other sites to help facilitate those other purchasing options, Reuters continues. The measures must be complied with within 20 days, or Apple will face fines of 250,000 real (around $43,000) per day.

The Cade ruling comes after an investigation looking into a 2022 complaint filed by MercadoLibre in both Brazil and Mexico, in which MercadoLibre took issue with Apple’s requirement that app developers must use Apple’s payment system for selling digital goods or services offered within the apps, the Reuters article explains. 

A TechCrunch article includes that while third-party mobile app payment options or external-pointing links have already been allowed in Europe, the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, many of those cases are still ongoing because “many regulators believe Apple is not going far enough.”

Read More About Ongoing Cases With Apple and Google

• Judge Issues Injunction With Details of How Google Must Open Up Android App Store to Competition in US (October 2024)
• Apple Revises App Store Link-Out Rules per EU DMA, but New Fees Still High (August 2024)
• Japan Enacts Regulatory Law Targeting Apple and Google Smartphone Marketplace Dominance (June 2024)
• Find more related industry news on our blog. 

About FastSpring

FastSpring is how gaming publishers sell in more places around the world. For nearly two decades, FastSpring has been a trusted payment provider you can use to sell games or in-game items on your website, web shop, or embedded directly into your game with fully customizable and branded checkouts just for you. FastSpring allows you to offload the complexity of global payments, sales tax and VAT compliance, player payments support, and many other aspects of payments management. Spend less time managing your payments and compliance and more time making great games! To learn more about how FastSpring supports game developers, visit fastspring.gg.

The post News: Brazil Joins Growing List of Countries Calling for Apple to Allow Steering to Payments Options Outside App Store appeared first on FastSpring.

But in many instances, just setting up the web shop is only part of the process — you’ll need to set up some sort of payments solution, too. 

For publishers developing their own web shops — or for those using a web shop that doesn’t have an integrated or partnered gaming payment processing system — a payment gateway is an important piece of the puzzle. 

But it’s only one piece of the puzzle, and you may need to set up a little more to make the system work easily and efficiently. (There are solutions that make this process much easier — more on that below.)

Below, we’ll cover:

• What a gaming payment gateway is.
• How a merchant of record like FastSpring can handle all the complexities of global payments for you, even taxes and compliance.
• Why you need a payment solution for your web shop.
• How to use FastSpring with your web shop.
• Plus, how you can get a web shop created by Nexus, with FastSpring’s payment processing and merchant of record services already integrated.

Spend less time managing your payments and compliance and more time making great games! For nearly two decades, FastSpring has been a trusted payment provider you can use to sell games or in-game items on your website, web shop, or embedded directly into your game with fully customizable and branded checkouts just for you. FastSpring allows you to offload the complexity of global payments, sales tax and VAT compliance, player payments support, and many other aspects of payments management. To learn more about how FastSpring supports game developers, visit fastspring.gg.

What Is a Gaming Payment Gateway?

Technically, a payment gateway functions as a secure super highway to connect businesses to payment processors, and collecting, encrypting, and transmitting any sensitive information needed for a transaction. 

Other Important Pieces of a Payments System

Payment Processors

Colloquially, the terms “payment gateway” and “payment processor” may get used interchangeably, but a payment processor is the piece on the back end that connects the payment gateway with the merchant’s account and card association networks. (The transaction request can then be authorized or denied by the issuing and acquiring banks.) 

Merchant Accounts

The merchant account is the business-specific bank account that allows you to accept and process payments from credit and debit cards; funds are held in that account until the transaction is completed.

More Comprehensive and Turnkey Payments Solutions

Payment Services Providers

A payment services provider (PSP) is a solution that can connect businesses to all of the above-mentioned payments elements — the payment gateway, the payment processor, and the merchant account — making payments management less complex. They might enable global cross-border payments, offer local payment methods, and handle credit card processing.

However, PSPs stop short of all the tax, compliance, and other services a merchant of record (MoR) will include intrinsically.

Merchants of Record

A merchant of record like FastSpring is a comprehensive payments solution that offers not only the basics of payment service providers, but also the convenience of calculating, collecting, and even remitting taxes on your behalf, all while staying compliant with local laws and regulations, plus much more.

How Is a Merchant of Record Better Than Just a Payment Gateway?

A merchant of record is the legal entity that sells the goods or services to the customer, so the legal liabilities of staying compliant with regulations and taxes also become the concern of the MoR. 

You don’t need to worry about compliance if you’re using a merchant of record — because the MoR is already handling it.

Because a payment gateway is only one of the many pieces needed to monetize your web shop or mobile game, you’d need to set up many other parts (and/or vendors) to have a complete payments system. This would need to include: 

• Collecting sensitive information and transmitting it securely with the payment gateway.
• Connecting to a merchant account and card networks with the payment processor.
• Having a merchant account set up in the first place.
• Dealing with compliance and taxes in any region, country, or jurisdiction where you choose to do business. 

But a strong merchant of record will handle those pieces for you, and much more — including but not limited to:

• Global, cross border secure payments.
• VAT and sales tax management, from calculating to collecting to remitting.
• Regulatory compliance, such as with PCI-DSS, GDPR, CCPA, and DPF requirements (visit FastSpring’s Trust Center for more info). 
• Fraud prevention.
• Regional payment processing.
• Offering regionally popular payment methods: credit cards such as Mastercard and Visa, debit cards, other regional card payments, and popular digital wallets such as PayPal.
• Ensuring prices can be displayed in local currencies.
• Subscription management with dunning support.
• Chargeback management and other customer support.

And if you choose a gaming merchant of record — meaning, an MoR like FastSpring that invests specifically in tailoring these services for gaming companies across mobile and PC — you should also expect elite fraud protection and risk management built specifically for video games. FastSpring can apply gaming-specific fraud rules just for your games, learning high-risk behavior patterns to proactively avoid chargebacks while allowing you to dynamically flag your “whale” players and VIPs as safe.

FastSpring recently hired a Head of Gaming to further expand our support for mobile gaming companies that are pursuing D2C growth. Read more here.

What About PSPs?

You can get a payment services provider (PSP) to handle payment gateways, payment processing, and merchant accounts, but PSPs typically won’t offer to help you with taxes and compliance. If they do, they’ll usually only offer to help with some of the pieces, and they often charge extra for those services. 

For example, a PSP might be able to calculate and collect taxes as part of the sale, but they usually won’t have a solution for remitting those taxes to all the right taxing authorities. 

In that case, you’ll need to handle taxes yourself or hire a service such as an accounting firm to ensure taxes are correctly filed and remitted.

A PSP’s service may initially seem cheaper than an MoR, but that’s because it doesn’t cover nearly as much in its services. And if you can add on those services to the PSP to make it more like an MoR, the price or transaction fees will increase with each piece you add. 

If you want a comprehensive payments solution that lets you focus on building great games instead of worrying about taxes and compliance, use a merchant of record.

Why Do You Need a Gaming Payment Solution? 

As the mobile gaming industry continues to evolve, there are a couple of intertwined reasons you may need an online gaming payments option: To sell outside of mobile app marketplaces like the Apple App Store and Google Play store with a web shop, and because most web shop options aren’t going to come with built-in online payment options.

To hear more voices on “How to Actually Succeed With D2C Web Shops for Mobile Games” and “Is Using a Web Shop or Third-Party Payment Solution Worth It?,” watch our videos from Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki.

Why Sell Outside Mobile App Marketplaces With an Online Gaming Web Shop? 

Many mobile gaming businesses are leaning into the evolving monetization landscape that is the mobile app world. 

A variety of cases, citations, and/or laws have been brought about in the last few years against Apple and Google, thanks to Epic Games, various U.S. Attorneys General, EU antitrust regulators, and Japan’s Cabinet. These legal and regulatory issues often include imposed changes against the mobile marketplace giants to allow game publishers to steer app users outside of the app to make purchases (such as from an online gaming web shop on a game publisher’s website), and to allow embedding of alternative payment options into mobile games that wouldn’t be directly processed by the app marketplaces. 

Find more mobile gaming industry news about these cases on our blog.

How Does Mobile Gaming Payment Processing Work With a Web Shop?

If you’re just getting started with a web shop for your mobile games, subscriptions, and/or in-game items and currencies, you may not know what your payment options are, or that you’ll need a payment solution like a gaming payment gateway or gaming merchant of record. 

Whether you build a web shop in house or hire an agency to build something bespoke (more on that below), you’ll likely need a gaming payment processing option to use with the web shop. 

The web shop will showcase your offerings and help you manage products, while the payments service will facilitate online payments so your players can actually make purchases.

Those purchases can be tied to each player’s account and appear automatically back in the mobile gaming platform, creating a seamless and easy gaming experience for your players while netting them a better deal on their purchases, just for buying through your web shop.  

Using FastSpring With Your Video Game, Mobile Game, and/or Web Shop

Setting Up a Payments Solution With an Existing Web Shop

You’ll need a way to use your payment solution with your web shop or mobile game, and the technical details will vary depending on the type of payment solution you opt for. But generally, you’ll need an online store or payment processing service you can integrate with your website using an API, webhooks, JavaScript, or other integration elements.

FastSpring offers three kinds of flexible checkout options: an embedded checkout (in your web shop, mobile game, or desktop game), a pop-up checkout, or a FastSpring-hosted web page that players are taken to to complete the purchase. These diverse checkout and store options allow FastSpring to support game publishers across many different types of custom web shop architectures.

With FastSpring, you can schedule time with one of our solutions consultants to learn more about our platform and what it can do for your gaming business, and they can assist you with setting up products and tax codes, or you can get started yourself. 

From there, you can choose your type of checkout and set it up, then configure webhooks to grant in-game access to players’ purchased items. Then it’s just a matter of confirming your store settings and testing the store before pushing it live. For more detailed information, check out our guide on How to Implement Direct to Consumer Sales for Video Games With FastSpring, or visit our Documentation. 

Setting Up a Web Shop and a Gaming Payment Processing Solution All at Once

Not sure how to set up your own web shop? Don’t want to use internal dev resources to build something custom? Wish you could streamline getting a custom web shop plus reliable payment processing and compliance all at once?

Nexus, a leading web shop platform for supporting content creators and monetizing games, has joined forces with FastSpring to provide done-for-you player optimized web shops backed by FastSpring’s 20 years of experience in global D2C payments and compliance.

This means you can get a custom designed web shop optimized specifically for your players by a team of D2C gaming ecommerce and marketing experts, and FastSpring’s global localized payments and compliance platform can come pre-integrated right in your web shop.

Get FastSpring as Your Gaming Merchant of Record

For nearly two decades, FastSpring has been a trusted payment provider you can use to sell games or in-game items on your website, web shop, or embedded directly into your game with fully customizable and branded checkouts just for you. 

FastSpring allows you to offload the complexity of global payments, sales tax and VAT compliance, player payments support, and many other aspects of payments management. 

Choose A Partner You Can Trust With Your Players™. Spend less time managing your payments and compliance and more time making great games!

To learn more about how FastSpring supports game developers, visit fastspring.gg.

The post Using a Gaming Payment Gateway to Monetize Your Game’s Web Shop appeared first on FastSpring.

Focusing on these three key areas can help your SaaS business win more customers:

• Language.
• Payment methods.
• Currency display.

FastSpring is a merchant of record that can help you easily grow your business internationally. We provide an all-in-one payment platform for SaaS, software, video game, and other digital product businesses, including VAT and sales tax management, payment localization, and award-winning consumer support. Set up a demo or try it out for yourself.

1. Language: Speaking the Customer’s Language

Language is one of the most critical aspects of checkout localization. A study by CSA Research found that 76% of online shoppers prefer to buy products with information in their own language, and 40% won’t buy from websites in other languages​.

Offering your checkout process in the local language of your customers builds trust and reduces friction. When customers can navigate the checkout in their native language, they are more likely to complete their purchase. 

Localizing the checkout language also helps avoid misunderstandings that could lead to abandoned carts or customer dissatisfaction. Clear communication in the customer’s language ensures that they fully understand the terms of their purchase, the payment options available, and the next steps after the transaction, which leads to more completed sales and less returns or chargebacks.

2. Payment Methods: Offering Preferred Options

Payment preferences vary significantly across different regions. Offering a variety of local payment methods caters to the diverse payments needs of your global customer base. 

For example, while credit cards are popular in the United States, alternative payment methods like PayPal, Pix, KakaoPay, or mobile payments are more common in other parts of the world.

Integrating local payment methods into your checkout process can significantly boost your conversion rates. Research shows that 76% of consumers will abandon a purchase if their preferred payment method is not available​. By offering the payment methods your customers are comfortable with, you reduce barriers to purchase and enhance the overall customer experience.

3. Currency Display: Enhancing Transparency and Trust

Displaying prices in the customer’s local currency is another important component of a localized checkout experience. Customers are more likely to complete a purchase when they see prices in a familiar currency, as it eliminates the need for mental calculations and reduces uncertainty about the final cost. 

Furthermore, showing the local currency at checkout helps build trust by providing transparency in pricing. Customers are reassured that there are no hidden fees or unexpected conversion rates that could increase the total cost. This transparency is key to reducing cart abandonment and improving customer satisfaction.

How FastSpring Can Help Your SaaS Business Go Global

A well-localized checkout process that includes language adaptation, multiple payment methods, and local currency display can dramatically improve your conversion rates and customer satisfaction. By speaking your customers’ language, offering their preferred payment options, and providing transparency in pricing, your SaaS business can build trust, reduce friction, and ultimately win more sales in global markets. 

These small but impactful changes can make a significant difference in your bottom line, turning potential customers into loyal ones.

FastSpring is a merchant of record that can help you easily localize and grow your business internationally. Besides our support for 21+ languages, 23+ currencies, and many of the world’s most popular payment methods, we provide an all-in-one payment platform for SaaS, software, video game, and other digital product businesses — including VAT and sales tax management, payment localization, and award-winning consumer support. 

Set up a demo or try it out for yourself.

The post Going Global: Why a Localized Checkout Is Key to SaaS Success appeared first on FastSpring.

When it comes to payment methods in South Korea, nothing is more trusted in mobile wallets than Kakao Pay, which has over 36.5 million users. And when buyers see a payment method they know and trust—they’re more likely to buy. 

Giving buyers payment options that are simple, quick, and familiar is the single most effective way for mobile gaming companies to increase conversion rates and maximize revenue. 

With FastSpring’s new, seamless Kakao Pay integration, South Korean mobile gaming or app companies don’t have to wonder if they’re leaving revenue on the table. 

Solution Overview

Adding the Kakao Pay integration to mobile and desktop checkout empowers companies to cater to local preferences, reinforcing market presence and building user trust and loyalty. Plus, users will be less likely to abandon their carts due to unfamiliar payment options. 

FastSpring’s Kakao Pay integration empowers both desktop and mobile app companies to enhance the following:

New User Acquisition. When purchasing is simple with a familiar payment option, users are likely to complete the transactions they’ve started.

User Adoption and Geographic Reach. When companies offer familiar and secure regional payment methods that align with user preferences and habits, they’re more likely to make repeat purchases.

Customer Satisfaction. When the purchase experience is fast and convenient, customer satisfaction increases.

FastSpring’s Kakao Pay integration is easy for developers to implement and makes purchasing familiar, quick, and easy. Let’s see this solution in action!

Solution in Action

Have you ever played the game Monster Field? Probably not. We created it to highlight how FastSpring’s Kakao Pay integration can boost customer acquisition for mobile gaming companies in South Korea!

Monster Field is based on years of market research and user testing, so when the game launched in South Korea, the company expected significantly higher adoption from new customers. In turn, they implemented a multi-channel strategy to boost awareness and acquisition—including live events and digital advertising—but still weren’t seeing the desired results.

Monster Field’s research team ran a shopping cart abandonment rate analysis to understand how many potential buyers abandon the virtual shopping cart before completing the purchase. What they found was astonishing. While the abandonment rate in other regions averaged fifty percent, buyers were abandoning their carts seventy percent of the time in South Korea!

Monster Field knew if it could close that gap and get conversions closer to the global average, it would boost its revenue substantially.

Monster Field’s dev team decided to toggle on FastSpring’s Kakao Pay option by simply checking the box in the FastSpring platform. Doing so enabled Kakao Pay as a payment method on all checkout flows for buyers in South Korea, including web, pop-up, and embedded. 

Kakao Pay allows Monster Field customers in South Korea to complete purchases in United States Dollars (USD) and Korean Won (KRW).

Two months after enabling Kakao Pay, Monster Field ran another card abandonment analysis and found they increased conversion rates by twenty percentage points in South Korea, putting the region on par with other areas where Monster Field is sold. And, across new and repeat customers, thirty-five percent of customers choose Kakao Pay at checkout.

Conclusion

Configuring the Kakao Pay integration is one of the quickest, simplest, and most effective steps a FastSpring user can take to increase customer conversion and revenue.

With FastSpring’s Kakao Pay integrated, customers breeze through the payment process in a familiar environment that converts hesitant browsers into satisfied customers.

No more abandoned carts. No more revenue left on the table. Give buyers a payment method they know and trust, and watch your conversion, satisfaction, and revenue grow.

Want to know more about how we’ve helped gaming companies improve localization and increase revenue? Or, are you ready to get started with FastSpring? Talk to our team today.

The post How FastSpring’s Kakao Pay Integration Boosts New and In-Game Purchases for South Korean Gamers  appeared first on FastSpring.

Failure to consider the nuances of global cross-border payments in e-commerce can result in dangerous pitfalls like high and unexpected tax bills in new regions, lost revenue from mistaken fraud flags in certain regions, and increased checkout abandonment for a lack of popular regional payment methods. Equally as important are backoffice reporting requirements for subscription businesses.

Using a Merchant of Record like FastSpring allows businesses to outsource the entire cross-border transaction process to a global payments expert, including all the complexities that come with it. To that end, we’re excited to announce our latest payment method integrations as well as checkout improvements to support business growth in new regions across the globe, including:

• WeChat Pay Integration.
• Kakao Pay Integration.
• Mercado Pago.
• Klarna.
• Revenue Recognition (RevRec) Reporting.

Tap Into China’s Vast Consumer Base with WeChat Pay

With our new integration with WeChat Pay, FastSpring users gain access to more than a billion active users in China with a familiar, mobile-first checkout experience. Not only does WeChat Pay decrease cart abandon in China, but it also creates additional revenue through its localized payment option for Chinese buyers.

Improve the South Korean Buyer Experience with Kakao Pay

Like in China, South Korean buyers are much more likely to make a purchase on mobile. With nearly 40 million active users, Kakao Pay opens up additional revenue channels for businesses looking to grow their presence in South Korea. FastSpring users who enabled Kakao Pay saw almost immediate adoption of the payment method with 40% of their revenue coming through the payment method almost immediately.

Boost Trust in Latin America with Mercado Pago

As an emerging region, Latin America is projected to have a growth rate of 22% in the next two years, resulting in more than $700 billion in digital sales. Mercado Pago opens up additional regional payment methods for some of the strongest areas of Latin America in Chile, Mexico, and Brazil. This allows buyers in multiple countries to pay in their local currency with a trusted payment method to drive additional checkout completions.

Expand Purchase Options in the Austria, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, and More With Klarna

Boasting more than 85 million active users, Klarna is an excellent alternative payment option in Europe. Particularly in regions like Germany and Austria where card adoption is lower, Klarna opens up additional revenue channels for businesses as they grow their presence in these areas. Klarna will allow FastSpring users to reduce cart abandon and simplify the checkout process for millions of potential users.

Drive Accurate Financial Tracking with Revenue Recognition API

Accurate forecasting is a key part of global business strategy. With our latest API, users can easily automate revenue recognition across their various products and subscriptions. By integrating with backoffice systems, users can recognize and calculate revenue immediately for one-time purchases, or can calculate revenue forecasts for subscriptions when the money is earned.

Accurate financial tracking is a key part of global business strategy. With our latest API endpoint, users can easily automate revenue recognition across their various products and subscriptions. The RevRec API endpoint allows users to generate revenue recognition reports for specific months / years, filter the results by product and/or individual subscriptions, and choose whether to include one-off purchases or just focus on recurring payments. 

Drive Cross-Border Payment Strategy for Your Business with FastSpring

Our latest integrations and improvements allow businesses to expand across the globe with focus on their most valuable regions. With FastSpring, avoid the most common cross-border payment pitfalls and facilitate smooth checkouts, reduce payment declines, and avoid potentially high tax bills with new regional growth. Want to learn more? Visit us at fastspring.com/request-demo/.

The post Expand Your Business Globally with FastSpring’s Latest Cross-Border Payment Solutions Featuring WeChat Pay appeared first on FastSpring.