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Head-to-head · Subscription Ecommerce Software

Sticky.io vs PayWhirl

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Sticky.io #5 in Subscription Ecommerce Software 8.6/10 Paid ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Sticky.io
PayWhirl #15 in Subscription Ecommerce Software 7.7/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit PayWhirl

Sticky.io leads on 0 checks, PayWhirl on 2, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSticky.io · 8.6/10
  • Lowest starting pricePayWhirl · $9/mo
  • Free planonly PayWhirl
  • Free trialonly PayWhirl

Sticky.io scores higher on our rubric for subscription ecommerce software: 8.6 against 7.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #15.

PayWhirl offers free plan; Sticky.io doesn't. PayWhirl is cheaper to start at $9/mo against $499/mo.

Sticky.io is the better fit for enterprise businesses needing custom checkout flows. PayWhirl is the better fit for budget-conscious multichannel sellers.

  • Sticky.io fits best

    Enterprise businesses needing custom checkout flows

  • PayWhirl fits best

    Budget-conscious multichannel sellers

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Sticky.io 8.6/10 Visit ↗ PayWhirl 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 7.7
Ranking #5 in Subscription Ecommerce Software #15 in Subscription Ecommerce Software
Best for Enterprise businesses needing custom checkout flows Budget-conscious multichannel sellers
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $499/mo $9/mo (best)
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — 14 days
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs Email, Live chat, Tickets, Phone, Docs
Compliance PCI DSS, GDPR, HIPAA PCI DSS
Integrations 500+ integrations 13 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Sticky.io 5/5 · PayWhirl 5/5
Subscriber portal ✓ ✓
Pause or skip ✓ ✓
Prepaid plans ✓ ✓
Payment recovery ✓ ✓
Native storefront ✓ ✓
Specs
Product types Both Both
Billing intervals Custom Custom
Our review
Pros
  • 160+ payment gateways with multi-gateway payment routing
  • Flexible trials, proration, plan bundles, and custom billing models
  • AI-timed recovery, smart dunning, portals, APIs, and headless access
  • Free plan with customer portal, analytics, and exports
  • Integrates with Shopify, BigCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, and payment gateways
  • Supports pauses, skips, retries, dunning, APIs, and webhooks
Cons
  • Starts at $499 per month before usage-based fees
  • Recovery pricing is available on request
  • Support hours are limited to business hours
  • Transaction fees apply on listed plans
  • Advanced features require paid monthly tiers
  • Multiple plan sections can make pricing comparisons less direct
Our verdict

Sticky.io is a subscription commerce platform for ecommerce merchants, subscription businesses, performance marketers, and enterprise teams. It combines subscription and offer management, checkout and funnel building, recurring and custom…

Read the review →

PayWhirl is subscription billing software for ecommerce merchants, membership businesses, and service providers. It supports recurring billing, scheduled payment plans, invoices, receipts, payment retries, dunning, hosted payment links,…

Read the review →
  1. Sticky.ioSubscription Ecommerce Software 8.6Paid
  2. PayWhirlSubscription Ecommerce Software 7.7Free plan · 14-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Sticky.io — where it wins

    • 160+ payment gateways with multi-gateway payment routing
    • Flexible trials, proration, plan bundles, and custom billing models
    • AI-timed recovery, smart dunning, portals, APIs, and headless access

    Where it doesn't

    • Starts at $499 per month before usage-based fees
    • Recovery pricing is available on request
    • Support hours are limited to business hours

  • PayWhirl — where it wins

    • Free plan with customer portal, analytics, and exports
    • Integrates with Shopify, BigCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, and payment gateways
    • Supports pauses, skips, retries, dunning, APIs, and webhooks

    Where it doesn't

    • Transaction fees apply on listed plans
    • Advanced features require paid monthly tiers
    • Multiple plan sections can make pricing comparisons less direct
  • Sticky.io8.6/10 · Paid

    A broad subscription commerce stack for enterprise teams building custom checkout flows.

    Visit Sticky.ioFull verdict →
  • PayWhirl7.7/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    Flexible subscription billing for multichannel sellers, with free entry and paid automation.

    Visit PayWhirlFull verdict →

More comparisons

All subscription ecommerce software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update