Best Recurring Payment Platforms & Subscription Billing Software for 2023

Over the last decade, many businesses across all markets and segments have shifted to the subscription model. This model resonates highly with entrepreneurs and investors because it allows companies to enjoy recurring revenue while customers enjoy the convenience of the payment process. At the core of a subscription, business is efficient and sophisticated recurring billing software that ensures seamless invoicing and efficient payment processing.

Generally, a good payment management solution should provide user-friendly features which make it easier for your customers to view and pay their recurring invoices. Whether you are a small business owner or a large enterprise, having efficient billing software increases customer satisfaction and streamlines all your accounting operations. This way, you can focus on other important aspects of your business. In this regard, we have carefully curated a list of the top 10 recurring billing software options in 2023. You can use our list to identify the platform that best matches your needs.

What is a Recurring Billing Software

Recurring billing software is a platform that automates a business’s recurring invoicing process. Ideally, this software integrates with business systems as well as payment gateways and includes various features such as invoicing, billing history and reporting. It is particularly crucial for businesses that offer subscriptions or usage-based pricing because they can securely manage and customise the payment process based on their needs.

Depending on the type of software used, businesses can have an unprecedented view of the invoice-to-payment process from a single view. Furthermore, recurrent billing software offers subscription-based enterprises complete control over the invoicing process as well as the ability to customise the notifications content, timing and alerts to ensure that all payments are made promptly. This allows businesses to seamlessly accept online payments and eliminate the need for manual invoicing and the errors associated with it.

Recurring Billing Software: Features and Benefits

Besides simplifying the invoicing process, refined recurring billing software can help you manage special offers, free trials and discounts. Notably, these platforms help businesses address everything related to payment processing, including accounting, subscription management, and fraud management.  In addition, highly functional payment solutions can increase customer satisfaction and engagement because they experience simplicity, gratification and greater flexibility.

Ideally, most recurring billing platforms have similar basic features and functionalities. Regardless of your software, here is a list of must-have features:

• Automated recurring billing (including coupons, prorations, discounts and calendar billing)
• A/B testing opportunity with pricing plans
• Various invoicing options include automated, customised, consolidated and advanced invoicing.
• A product catalogue
• Strong security, encryption and privacy compliance.
• Seamless transition from free to premium packages.
• Support for localised billing requirements

Top 10 Recurring Billing Software in 2023

Although multiple recurring billing platforms exist, some are more suitable for small businesses and some for large ones. Some platforms allow you to serve unlimited clients, while others control the maximum number of clients you can bill.  Furthermore, some offer complementary features such as bookkeeping, tax calculation and invoicing at the same time. This means that you can use them for other functions, such as project management.

Most of these solutions are secure and customisable. In this regard, we advise you to choose the software that fulfils the most needs at the most affordable price. Here is the list of the top 10 recurring billing software in 2023:

1.   Zoho Subscriptions

2.   Stripe billing

3.   Zuora

4.   Xero

5.   Wave Accounting

6.   Recurly

7.   Square

8.   Chargebee

9.   Chargify

10. QuickBooks Online

Zoho Subscriptions

Zoho Subscriptions is free-to-use billing software that offers a variety of tools that can help you run a service-based business. It is one of the leading payments management solutions and allows companies to track their projects and billable hours, send estimates, and create customised recurring invoices.  Zoho Invoices have a built-in client portal, which allows businesses to communicate with their customers and address any issues related to client billing.  Its most highlighted features include:

• Subscription Billing
• Subscription management
• Usage Based metered billing
• Subscription metrics
• Subscription automation
• Hosted payment pages
• Dunning management

Although it is free software, you must pay transaction fees every time you get paid through an invoice. Depending on your payment processor, you can accept online payments, through bank transfers or in person (with accepted credit cards).

Generally, Zoho is ideal for small businesses with few customers. Zoho Subscriptions support global payment methods and multiple currencies, making it an excellent recurring billing software for solopreneurs and companies with an international client base. In addition, this platform offers various integration and add-ons that make it easier for businesses to run multiple aspects of their subscriptions.

Stripe Billing

Stripe billing is a cloud-based platform that offers businesses various ways to manage their accounting operations and develop recurring revenues. Some of its highlighted features include:

• Customer quotes
• Integration with different apps and workflows
• Automatic billing
• Multiple payment methods
• Multiple currencies
• Automated invoices
• PCI compliance aid
• Instant payment acceptance

With Stripe Billing, you have access to solutions for both mobile and web payments. The pricing is usage-based and flexible according to your business sales. For the basic starter plan, Stripe charges 0.5% for every transaction.

Zuora

Zuora is considered one of the best billing software for larger businesses because it offers sophisticated features and functionalities that can power high-revenue organisations. Its most highlighted features include

• Product catalogue
• Salesforce integration
• Revenue recognition
• Billing rate management
• Refund management
• Multi-currency support
• Usage-based pricing
• International payment
• Billing and A/R settlements
• Multiple paying methods.
• Subscription billing

Ideally, Zuora enables businesses to choose the set of features they would like for their billing process instead of buying one package.  This billing software can monitor and adapt to changes in the subscription lifecycle, including upgrades, downgrades, suspensions, and other modifications across all sales channels. Not to mention it supports over 180 currencies and 50 billing charge models.

Zuora is considered one of the leading payments management solutions for international companies because it offers 15 payment options and 30 payment gateways. In fact, it is trusted by renowned global enterprises like Zoom, Toyota, NBC Universal, and CAT, among others, to power their subscription-based business operations. With Zuora, you can serve an unlimited number of clients and can receive global payments.

Xero

Xero is a billing solution which offers enough accounting features for small businesses. Its most highlighted features include:

• Invoicing
• Inventory purchasing
• Bookkeeping
• Bank reconciliation
• Cash flow tracking.
• Subscription billing

It is cloud-based and can be accessed using a mobile phone or computer. The Xero dashboard gives you a clear overview of your business’s financial situation by highlighting your bank balances, upcoming bills and expenses, as well as outstanding and recurring invoices. These features allow you to manage client billing and track expenses easily.

Xero is ideal for your business because it integrates with over 1000 third-party apps, including Stripe, Hubspot, Capsule and Paypal. This streamlines workflows and synchronises important billing data, eliminating the hassle of manual entry. Although Xero is not a free platform, it offers various ideal plans depending on your business needs.

Wave Accounting

Wave accounting is free-to-use recurring billing software that offers various automation features. You can download this payments app on your mobile to manage your recurring invoices, payments and business banking. Its  most highlighted features:

• Invoicing
• Global payment support
• Online payments
• A selection of invoice templates
• Accounting
• Receipt scanning
• A centralised dashboard
• Payment communication and tracking

Although it is free software, it charges a 2.9% plus $0.30 fee for credit card processing and a 1% fee for bank payments if you use its subscription management solution. This platform allows entrepreneurs to seamlessly switch between automatic and manual billing as well as develop recurring revenues at any frequency. Wave accounting is ideal for small businesses, start-ups or solopreneurs. It may not be suitable for high-revenue firms.

Recurly

Recurly is an ideal recurring billing software for enterprises of all sizes. Its most highlighted features include:

• Automated recurring billing
• Revenue recognition
• Intelligent retention
• Analytics
• Subscription management
• Invoice personalisation
• Integration with ERPs and CRMs.

Recurly has a Revenue Optimization Engine, which can help your business maximise revenue and maintain billing continuity. Furthermore, its advanced machine-learning technology can assist your company in reducing customer churn and optimising revenue generation. This platform allows companies to create and manage various subscription arrangements, including usage-based, one-time fees, fixed recurring and hybrid options. You can also accept payments from over 20 payment gateways, allowing you to accept global payments without any hitches.

Square

Square is a unique billing software which helps businesses create predictable revenue streams. It is ideal for all industries and can be used to set up recurring payments for professional services, donations and membership fees.  This platform allows you to manage your account operations, track expenses, and add, pause, edit, or resume subscriptions.  Square offers free access with no monthly charges. However, you are required to pay a processing fee for every transaction.

If you have a traditional business,Square allows you to create QR codes, which you can share with customers. Companies can also allow their clients to subscribe through social media, email or SMS, which further improves customer relationships.

Chargebee

Chargebee is a cloud-based platform which is easy to use and available to businesses of all sizes. Among its highlighted features include

• Third-party integrations
• Subscription billing
• Billing automation
• Credit notes
• Multiple currencies
• Tax profiles
• Reports
• Subscription lifecycle management.

Chargebee allows you to choose the billing process that best suits your business needs. It also provides a customer portal where clients can manage their subscription and payment information. This payment solution is excellent for project management and allows you to set up automatic dunning emails to collect payments. Chargebee offers desirable features for businesses and customers, making it an ideal solution for companies looking to develop recurring revenues.

Chargify

Chargify is a recurring billing platform designed to scale growing enterprises. It integrates content management systems (CMS) and accounting platforms to help companies manage the customer sales cycle. Its most highlighted features and functionalities include:

• A self-service client billing portal
• User-friendly interface integration with Hubspot, Xero and Quickbooks
• Event-based billing for up to 250,000 events.
• Automatic recurring billing
• Multiple payment options

Businesses can use this platform to set up recurring payments and subscriptions that customers can track. Given that Chargify integrates with various tools, it offers detailed business analytics that entrepreneurs can easily use to understand their financial standing. While the platform offers four different payment plans, it also has a 30-day free trial for users to familiarise themselves with the software and see if it suits their business needs.

Quickbooks online

Quickbooks Online is a cloud-based recurring billing solution that helps small businesses manage their billing process and track expenses. Generally, entrepreneurs can view all accounts on an online login portal that offers various functionalities, including custom feeds and charts, a “Pay Now” button, and custom invoice creation. Some of the highlighted key features of this platform include:

• Accounts management
• Security and backup
• Subscription pricing details
• Multi-currency support
• Invoicing
• Insights and Analytics
• Receipt scanning

The Ultimate Verdict

The bottom line is that sophisticated recurring billing software will remove your accounting operations’ stress. Whether it is a free platform or one with extra features, all these options are ideal for simplifying the payment procedures. The best platform is the one that suits the needs of your specific industry. Our selection for the best overall is Chargebee. This software is generally easy to use and has multiple affordable payment plans.  One of its most unique features is that it can localise and translate content depending on the user’s location. In addition, it offers business analytics that companies can use to reduce cart abandonment rates.

How Wallester Can Assist You

Wallester is a global payment solution that will help you automate your billing process and ultimately cut down the manual financial administrations your team needs to handle.  Our highly qualified team of professionals will support in implementing and launching innovative payment solutions in no time. We can help you collect your recurring payments – and one-off payments as well. Importantly, we will assess your business and recommend the ideal recurring billing software based on your unique needs.