FastSpring

What is FastSpring?

FastSpring is a comprehensive digital commerce platform and Merchant of Record designed exclusively for SaaS, software, video games, mobile apps, AI products, eLearning, and other digital goods businesses. Operating since 2005, FastSpring provides an all-in-one solution that handles global payment processing, subscription management, tax compliance, fraud prevention, and checkout optimization. The platform enables digital product companies to sell in over 200 countries and territories while FastSpring manages all the complexities of international commerce.

Merchant of Record Model

As a Merchant of Record, FastSpring becomes the legal seller of your digital products, taking full responsibility for every transaction. When customers purchase from your website, they're technically buying from FastSpring, who then pays you for the product. This model means FastSpring handles payment processing, collects and remits all sales taxes and VAT globally, manages chargebacks and refunds, maintains compliance with regional regulations, and responds to any tax audits on your behalf. You retain full ownership of customer data and can migrate it at any time.

Global Payment Processing

FastSpring processes payments in over 240 countries and territories, supporting 23+ currencies and 21+ languages. The platform offers dozens of local payment methods to maximize conversion rates in different regions. Local acquiring relationships deliver higher approval rates than typical cross-border transactions. There are no additional cross-border fees, and FastSpring's predictable flat-rate pricing makes international expansion straightforward for growing businesses.

Subscription Management

The platform provides complete subscription lifecycle management including trial periods, recurring payments, proration, customizable billing intervals, plan upgrades and downgrades, and paused subscriptions. FastSpring automatically retries failed payments and sends notifications for expiring credit cards to prevent involuntary churn. Whether you're running a small business or enterprise SaaS, the subscription tools handle everything from initial signup through renewal and retention.

Localized Checkout Experience

FastSpring enables businesses to create modern, branded checkout experiences that drive conversions. The checkout can be embedded directly on your website or hosted by FastSpring, maintaining your brand throughout the purchase flow. Localization features automatically display prices in local currencies, translate checkout pages, and present regionally preferred payment methods. The Store Builder Library provides custom JavaScript tools for building tailored checkout experiences.

B2B Sales Tools

For enterprise and B2B sales, FastSpring offers digital invoicing capabilities and Interactive Quotes that streamline custom deals. Sales teams can create professional proposals with real-time analytics, e-signatures, payment integration, and CRM connections. The platform supports hybrid billing models that combine subscription payments with invoiced enterprise accounts, all managed through a single system.

Tax Compliance

FastSpring handles all aspects of global tax compliance, including calculating correct tax rates, collecting taxes at checkout, filing returns, and remitting payments to tax authorities worldwide. The platform stays current with ever-changing VAT, sales tax, and regulatory requirements across all jurisdictions. This eliminates the need for businesses to register for tax in multiple countries or worry about compliance audits.

Fraud Prevention

The platform includes built-in fraud prevention powered by partnerships with industry leaders like Sift. FastSpring monitors transactions, manages chargebacks, and implements intelligent alerts to protect your business from fraudulent purchases. For video game companies, specialized fraud rules address gaming-specific transaction patterns and risks.

Pricing Structure

FastSpring offers simple, flat-rate pricing based on transaction type and business volume, with no hidden fees or cross-border charges. The pricing works on a revenue-sharing model, with specific rates determined during consultation with an Account Executive. Unlike payment processors that charge separately for each feature, FastSpring's pricing includes access to all platform features and tools.

Key Features and Benefits

FastSpring provides webhooks and robust APIs for custom integrations, affiliate marketing tools to find engaged buyers, comprehensive reporting and analytics dashboards, and award-winning customer support. The platform complies with GDPR, CCPA, and PCI DSS standards. Managed migration services help businesses transition subscription data from other payment providers seamlessly.

Who Should Use FastSpring?

FastSpring is ideal for SaaS companies, software developers, video game publishers, mobile app creators, eLearning platforms, and digital content sellers who want to sell globally without building complex payment infrastructure. The platform particularly suits businesses looking to expand internationally, those wanting to avoid marketplace fees (commonly 30%), and companies seeking a true partner relationship rather than just a payment processor.

Security and Compliance

FastSpring maintains comprehensive security measures including PCI DSS compliance for payment card data protection. The platform adheres to GDPR for European data privacy and CCPA for California consumer protection. A dedicated Trust Center provides detailed information about security practices, compliance certifications, and data privacy policies.