ACV vs. ARR: SaaS metrics defined + How to calculate
Alvaro MoralesWhether you’re looking to start your SaaS billing journey on the right foot, or you feel like your current solution is beginning to fall short, the message is clear: You need SaaS billing software that fits your business needs as ideally as possible.
In this blog post, we’ll share an overview of the most-watched SaaS billing solutions in the market and help you find one that meets your specific business requirements.
You’ll learn:
Let’s begin by explaining why specialized SaaS billing solutions should be on your radar.
A SaaS billing system is essential because it’s built to handle the complexities of recurring revenue, subscription tiers, and usage-based billing that generic platforms can’t manage efficiently.
SaaS billing platforms automate invoicing, ensure accurate tracking, and adapt to customer changes like upgrades or trials. By using SaaS billing software, you also gain access to key metrics like MRR and churn rate, which are crucial for driving informed decisions and optimizing growth.
Here are the key benefits of using automated and integrated billing systems:
Following is an overview of the pros and cons of the SaaS billing solutions we'll cover:
Orb is a user-friendly billing management platform that specializes in usage-based models. It emphasizes detailed invoicing and seamless data integration.
Its core strength lies in making complex billing scenarios transparent and manageable. Orb excels in handling high volumes of billing events. That's why it's ideal for usage-based pricing where large datasets are standard.
These are some of its most robust features:
Orb's standout feature is its raw event ingestion architecture. This system allows businesses to capture and process large volumes of raw data in real-time, making sure that every usage event is tracked precisely.
By leveraging this architecture, Orb provides unparalleled transparency and accuracy in billing, particularly for usage-based SaaS models. Companies can bill their customers based on actual usage, with data-driven insights powering granular invoicing too.
On request.
Stripe is a comprehensive payment processing platform. It offers powerful tools for subscription management and a developer-first focus.
Known for its robust APIs, global reach, and focus on customization, Stripe is ideal for teams that need complete control over their payment and billing stack. Its strength lies in streamlined billing operations and automation tools for managing tax rules across various jurisdictions.
Stripe’s developer focus is not the most intuitive solution for non-technical teams — especially those on the finance side. Companies prioritizing ease of setup or those with less complex billing models will notice that solutions like Orb require less development overhead.
These are some of its best features:
Stripe's international payment capabilities and its ability to automatically handle sales tax calculations across different regions make it a strong contender for companies selling SaaS globally.
Additionally, their customization options give businesses flexibility in building unique billing flows.
Stripe’s billing capabilities offer two pricing options:
Chargebee is a full-fledged subscription management platform designed for ease of use. It prioritizes quick setup, transparent pricing, and effective churn reduction tools.
It offers a billing solution with core subscription and payment recovery features. However, compared to other platforms, it may lack some highly customizable features.
These are some of its best features:
Chargebee simplifies the setup process. It offers tools for managing core aspects of the client’s subscription lifecycle.
Chargebee is a solid option for companies that want to get their SaaS billing system running smoothly in minimal time. This billing platform can be particularly useful for companies facing high customer churn rates.
Starter plan: $0 / per month. Chargebee’s pricing is structured as a pay-as-you-go model with no annual commitment. Once the business’s cumulative billing exceeds $250k, an overage fee of 0.75% is charged every month for all billing beyond that.
Performance plan: $599 / per month. This pricing tier is an annual commitment with discounts available if paid upfront. The same overage fee of 0.75% is charged monthly for all billing that surpasses a $100K monthly limit.
Enterprise plan: A custom quote is required.
Maxio is a powerful billing and financial platform built specifically for B2B SaaS. It's especially designed to scale with rapidly growing companies.
Its strength lies in adaptable billing workflows, GAAP compliance, and the ability to handle complex subscription models and enterprise reporting needs. Maxio offers in-depth customization for invoicing and financial reporting.
Maxio's often convoluted customization can lead to a steeper learning curve compared to others. Businesses lacking teams with uber-technical knowledge might find the setup process more complicated.
These are some of its strongest features:
Maxio stands out for its ability to adapt to intricate billing models. It's also a good choice because it can handle revenue recognition in GAAP-compliant ways.
These strengths are vital for scaling B2B SaaS companies. Those having trouble with their financial reporting accuracy may appreciate Maxio’s offering.
Maxio employs a flexible pricing model determined by your billing volume over a year. You have the option to customize your solution by adding or removing modules.
Base plan: Starting at $5k a year (up to $500k in annual billings)
Custom plan: On request.
Zuora is a subscription billing platform tailored towards large, established enterprises. It prioritizes advanced financial compliance. It also handles highly intricate pricing models and integrations with other enterprise-level software.
Its less intuitive interface trades off against its extensive feature set and level of customization. Zuora emphasizes robust customer communication tools and granular configuration for specialized use cases.
These are some of its best features:
Zuora's ability to support highly complex subscription structures and its emphasis on customization makes it a good fit for enterprise-level SaaS businesses with niche pricing models or specialized compliance needs.
On request.
Recurly is a subscription billing platform with a developer-friendly approach and a laser focus on customer retention.
It’s good for providing data-driven insights into subscriber behavior. Recurly offers powerful tools to understand and reduce churn, ultimately optimizing revenue. Recurly's focus on dunning and proactive churn prevention makes it stand out.
Recurly’s feature set isn’t as good for businesses with highly intricate billing models or those needing advanced customization outside of churn prevention. Companies with complex pricing structures might find platforms like Orb or Maxio offer them better features.
These are some of its strongest features:
Recurly provides insightful analytics for churn reduction and powerful tools to automate payment retries. It's ideal for SaaS companies aiming to optimize revenue through proactive customer retention.
Starter plan: $249/month ($0 for the first 12 months and new customer only)
Professional plan: On request.
Elite plan: On request.
Paddle is a billing and revenue management platform tailored specifically for SaaS companies. Paddle helps SaaS companies expand internationally without the administrative burden of handling different tax regulations or payment methods.
These are some of its best features:
Paddle’s ability to manage global tax compliance and handle all billing scenarios as a merchant of record makes it an attractive option for SaaS businesses looking to scale internationally with ease.
Paddle charges 5% + 50¢ per transaction, covering all aspects of billing and compliance. They also offer a tailored pricing option once you request a quote.
Ordway is a newer, growing SaaS billing system. It'sknown for its ability to handle complex billing workflows and subscription management.
Despite being a newer player, Ordway has established a strong reputation. Particularly, it's gaining traction among companies with highly customized subscription and usage-based models.
These are some of its key features:
Ordway’s ability to handle complex workflows, alongside its easy-to-navigate API and powerful contract management features, makes it a solid choice for fast-scaling SaaS companies with unique billing needs.
On request.
To save you time, here's a quick comparison chart that highlights key features across top SaaS billing platforms. Use it to identify the strengths and limitations of each solution based on your specific needs:
Legend:
With this chart in mind, you should now weigh which of these SaaS billing platforms best fits your business needs. Here's a breakdown of the critical factors to consider:
Think closely about how you currently charge your customers and how those needs might change in the future. Here's how popular billing software options usually align with different models:
You should also consider your customer base:
B2C: Ease of use should be a priority, both on your end and the customer's. Chargebee and Paddle are known for their user-friendly interfaces.
B2B: You will need sophisticated reporting capabilities and features to handle complex contracts. Maxio and Orb are designed with B2B needs in mind. Ordway may be strong, but it struggles with higher transaction volumes at scale because it’s relatively new in the industry.
Your billing software should fit into your existing workflow like a glove. Consider the essential tools you use and look for billing platforms that offer native integrations with:
Choose a billing solution that can grow alongside your SaaS business. Consider these critical factors:
Now that you’ve got an overview of the best SaaS billing software available today, you're ready to choose a billing platform that fits your business objectives and helps you deliver better customer satisfaction overall.
For a fully done-for-you usage-based billing solution, consider using Orb.
Product leaders at industry-leading companies like Perplexityand Vercelturn to Orb to build a pricing engine that supports their growth ambitions and aligns with market expectations.
Test-drive our platform by starting a free 30-day trial. Discover the convenience Orb brings, taking the burden of complex billing off your shoulders.
See how AI companies are removing the friction from invoicing, billing and revenue.