Side by side

Nordgate vs Polar

Both stand on merchant of record software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

Nordgate

Paid APIWeb

Nordgate brings payment processing, tax handling, fraud controls, and subscription billing together for eligible software transactions. Check pricing and transaction eligibility with the provider, since rates are not published and payment availability varies.

Visit Nordgate

Polar

Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+2

Polar combines billing, usage metering, and merchant-of-record functions for AI products. Its meters track usage but leave quota enforcement to the product, and plans include transaction fees.

Visit Polar

The facts

	Nordgate	Polar
Free plan	No	Yes
Open source	Not published	Not published
Runs on	API, Web	Android, API, Extension, iPhone, Web
Lowest paid plan	Free or on request	Pro: $20 a month
Plans published	1	4
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	nordgate.financial	polar.sh
On merchant of record software	#26 of 32	#5 of 32

Nordgate: what it does well

Offers cards, wallets, bank transfers, and local methods.
Supports multiple subscription billing models.
Provides REST API, webhooks, sandbox, and six SDKs.
May handle indirect taxes for eligible transactions.
Represents disputes when acting as merchant of record.

What to know first

Pricing is on request, with no published rate.
Physical goods and hardware are not supported.
Regulated finance and crypto are out of scope.
Buyer support first response is stated as 1–2 business days.

Polar: what it does well

Free Starter plan includes all features to sell.
Meters support several aggregation methods.
Merchant-of-record service covers sales tax and refunds.
Hosted checkout includes localized currencies and sales tax.

What to know first

Plans charge transaction fees.
Usage meters do not enforce quotas.
Pro costs $20 a month.

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