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FastSpring description
FastSpring is an e-commerce platform built for companies who sell software online. It handles everything from payment processing and recurring billing to global tax compliance and fraud prevention. FastSpring acts as the "merchant of record" meaning they manage sales tax collection, remittance, and filing, relieving you of that burden. This allows you to focus on your business while ensuring compliant and efficient global sales.
Who is FastSpring best for
FastSpring is an e-commerce platform designed for software businesses selling online. It handles global payments, recurring billing, taxes, and fraud prevention, acting as the merchant of record. Users praise its excellent customer support and seamless tax compliance handling. However, some find the new dashboard UI confusing and the fees high. Best for small to large software companies needing a comprehensive solution for global online sales.
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Best for small to medium-sized software companies.
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Ideal for software, IT, telecommunications, and media & entertainment companies.
FastSpring features
| Supported FastSpring automates recurring billing, including trials and various billing cycles. |
| Supported FastSpring supports creating, updating, canceling, and tracking subscriptions. |
| Supported FastSpring allows customizing fonts, colors, logos, and other design elements. |
| Supported FastSpring offers secure automated payments, fraud prevention, refunds, and likely guest checkout. |
FastSpring reviews
We've summarised 218 FastSpring reviews (FastSpring Capterra reviews and FastSpring G2 reviews) and summarised the main points below.
- Excellent customer support, responsive and helpful.
- Handles global tax compliance and VAT, simplifying international sales.
- Easy to set up products and integrate with existing websites.
- Offers multiple payment methods and currencies.
- Reliable platform with minimal downtime.
- Difficult to manage subscriptions and lack of downloads for subscribers.
- The new dashboard UI is confusing and requires using both the old and new dashboards.
- Limited customization for the online store, especially in the new platform.
- Affiliate program through Impact Radius adds complexity.
- High fees compared to Stripe and PayPal, especially for low-priced products.
FastSpring pricing
The commentary is based on 19 reviews from FastSpring Capterra reviews and FastSpring G2 reviews.
FastSpring's pricing is generally considered reasonable for its features, especially its global tax management. However, some users find the fees a bit high compared to competitors, particularly for smaller businesses or those with lower sales volumes. Others appreciate the lack of monthly fees and minimums.
Users sentiment
See the FastSpring pricing page.
FastSpring alternatives
PayPro GlobalMore customizable checkout process. Offers better customer support. Has slower momentum. Less positive pricing sentiment.Read more
CleverbridgeHas slower momentum. Lower ratings on Glassdoor. Some users report slow development and occasional bugs. A FastSpring alternative and competitor.Read more
WixBetter for businesses seeking a general website builder with integrated features, not solely focused on software sales. Wider industry applicability makes it a more versatile FastSpring competitor. More user reviews suggest broader adoption, but user sentiment on pricing is less favorable.Read more
Digital RiverWebsite traffic is growing faster. Consider this FastSpring competitor if you prioritize international sales. However, user reviews are considerably worse, citing poor customer service and refund difficulties. It may not be suitable for those seeking transparent pricing.Read more
PaddleBetter ease of use and implementation. Higher rated by users. Handles retail, education, hospitality and tourism, and professional services. Positive pricing sentiment.Read more
SAP Commerce CloudBetter for enterprise businesses with complex e-commerce needs. Caters to a wider range of industries like retail, consumer goods, and automotive. More customizable but potentially more complex and expensive.Read more
FastSpring FAQ
What is FastSpring and what does FastSpring do?
FastSpring is a comprehensive e-commerce platform designed for software businesses. It simplifies selling software online by handling recurring billing, global tax compliance, and fraud prevention. This allows developers to focus on product development while FastSpring manages the complexities of online sales.
How does FastSpring integrate with other tools?
FastSpring integrates with various tools, offering flexible APIs and webhooks for custom integrations. It connects with popular platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Google Analytics, enabling streamlined workflows. This allows for automated data synchronization and enhanced business insights.
What the main competitors of FastSpring?
FastSpring's main competitors include Paddle, PayPro Global, Cleverbridge, and Digital River. These platforms offer similar e-commerce and subscription management solutions for software businesses. While Shopify and Sana Commerce Cloud are also e-commerce platforms, they cater to a broader market and may not address the specific needs of software vendors as effectively.
Is FastSpring legit?
Yes, FastSpring is a legitimate e-commerce platform specializing in software sales. It's known for handling global tax compliance and recurring billing, simplifying international sales for software businesses. However, some users find the platform's fees high and the new dashboard confusing.
How much does FastSpring cost?
FastSpring doesn't publicly disclose its pricing. Contact their sales team for a customized quote based on your specific business needs and transaction volume. Consider factors like average order value and sales volume when evaluating if the product is worth the cost.
Is FastSpring customer service good?
FastSpring's customer service receives positive feedback, with users highlighting the helpful and responsive support team. Customers mention prompt answers and solutions to questions and issues. However, some users have reported difficulties with technical support, citing slow response times and unresolved issues.
Reviewed by
Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.
Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.