In short
- Subscription billing infrastructure for Shopify and BigCommerce
- Customer self-service portal: skip, swap, pause, cancel
- Churn prediction and win-back automation built in
- Powers most large subscription DTC brands (replenishment, curation, build-a-box)
What is Recharge
Recharge is the dominant subscription billing platform for Shopify-based DTC brands. It handles recurring billing, customer-managed subscription portals, build-a-box configurations, churn prediction, and post-purchase upsells. Most large subscription brands on Shopify run on Recharge.
Where Recharge fits in 2026
Subscription DTC has matured into one of the highest-LTV business models in e-commerce. Recharge’s wedge is Shopify-native integration depth, checkout integration, customer portal, and billing logic that doesn’t require a separate platform. Competitors (Stay Ai, Smartrr, Bold) exist but Recharge is the default for serious subscription operations.
For brands above $500k ARR from subscriptions, attribution becomes load-bearing: which paid channels drive subscribers with the highest LTV, not just initial conversion. Pixel-only attribution systematically misses this.
FAQ about Recharge
How much does Recharge cost?
Recharge’s Standard plan is $99 per month plus 1% + 19 cents per transaction. Pro adds custom features and starts around $499 per month, with custom enterprise pricing for higher tiers. Costs scale significantly with subscription revenue.
What are the main Recharge alternatives?
The biggest alternatives are Skio (which Recharge acquired in April 2026 for $105M), Appstle, Loop Subscriptions, Bold Subscriptions, and Recurpay. Appstle is dramatically cheaper at small to mid scale.
Did Recharge acquire Skio?
Yes. Recharge acquired Skio in April 2026 for $105M in cash. Both platforms continue to operate independently for now, with a combined roadmap planned.
Is Recharge good for Shopify?
Yes. Recharge is the most-installed Shopify subscription app by GMV processed, used by brands like OLIPOP, Dr. Squatch, Ridge, and Pela Case. It also supports BigCommerce.
Does Recharge work for build-a-box and bundles?
Yes. Recharge supports dynamic bundles, multiple frequency options, build-a-box flows, custom subscriber portals, and Klaviyo lifecycle integration. It is the typical choice when subscription mechanics get complex.
How to use Recharge?
Install Recharge from your Shopify or BigCommerce app store, set up your subscription products and billing schedules, and launch the customer portal. Most stores are live within a week.
Why choose Recharge?
Recharge is the dominant subscription engine for DTC brands, with the deepest integrations across the Shopify ecosystem and the most mature churn management and customer portal tooling.
How does Recharge work?
Recharge runs alongside your Shopify or BigCommerce checkout, handles recurring billing, customer portals, dunning, and retention flows, and exposes APIs for custom subscription experiences.
Is Recharge free?
No, Recharge starts at $99/mo plus 1.25% transaction fees. There is no free trial.
How to learn Recharge?
Recharge maintains documentation at rechargepayments.com/help. Their YouTube channel has product walkthroughs and partner agencies offer paid training.
What are Recharge reviews?
Recharge is rated 4.4 on G2 with 55 reviews. See the reviews for detailed feedback.
Does Recharge have an API?
Yes, Recharge provides a REST API. Documentation at rechargepayments.com/api.
Does Recharge have a trial or a demo?
Recharge does not offer a free trial. Book a demo at https://rechargepayments.com to evaluate.
Does Recharge have AI?
Yes, Recharge added AI-powered SMS workflows that let subscribers manage their subscriptions over text, plus smart cancellation prevention, failed payment recovery, and win-back automations. AI is positioned as a retention layer on top of core subscription billing.
Recharge pricing
Recharge pricing starts at $99/mo + 1.25%. Plans are organised as Standard / Pro / Custom. See the full Recharge pricing page for current tiers and any add-ons.
