| Affiliate Marketing |
0% (earnings via commissions) |
Moderate: Requires integrating affiliate links or programs, plus tracking systems |
Moderate: Seamless if links are relevant, but can feel intrusive |
✅ Yes |
- Commissions for promoting products/services
- No direct user payments
- Integration with affiliate networks
|
Amazon Associates (example network) |
Monetizes by promoting third-party products/services through affiliate links. Requires alignment with user interests to avoid degrading experience. |
| ExtensionPay |
0% upfront, 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (via Stripe) |
Very Easy: Simple JavaScript API (ExtPay.js), open-source, no backend required |
✅ Very easy: Seamless payment flow |
✅ Yes |
- One-time and recurring subscriptions
- Free trials
- Cross-browser support (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
- User login for multi-device use
- Secure payments via Stripe
|
ExtensionPay |
Developer-friendly service for extensions, no server-side code needed. Supports multiple browsers, unlike deprecated Chrome Web Store Payments. |
| Stripe |
1.4% + €0.25 (EU cards), 2.9% + $0.30 (int'l) |
✅ Excellent SDKs & docs, but requires custom backend and authentication |
✅ Very easy: Clean UI, trusted brand |
✅ Yes |
- One-time and recurring payments
- Global payment support
- Customizable payment flows
- Subscription management
- Secure payment processing
|
Stripe |
Robust payment processor requiring custom backend integration. Offers flexibility but demands significant development effort. |
| PayPal |
2.9–4.4% + fixed fee (varies by country) |
⚠️ Outdated APIs, decent plugins, requires server-side integration |
✅ Familiar: Widely recognized |
✅ Yes |
- One-time and recurring payments
- Global payment support
- Subscription management
- In-app purchase support
|
PayPal |
Higher dispute rates and user friction. Suitable for extensions but APIs are less modern compared to Stripe or Paddle. |
| Paddle |
~5% + handling tax/VAT |
✅ Handles EU VAT automatically, good APIs for SaaS |
✅ Easy: Streamlined checkout |
✅ Yes |
- One-time and recurring payments
- Automatic VAT/tax handling
- Subscription management
- License key generation
- Global payment support
|
Paddle |
Ideal for EU/UK plugins with SaaS-style monetization. Automatically handles tax compliance, reducing developer overhead. |
| Lemon Squeezy |
5% + $0.50 per transaction |
✅ Modern APIs, focused on digital goods and licensing |
✅ Easy: User-friendly checkout |
✅ Yes |
- One-time and recurring payments
- VAT/tax handling
- Software licensing support
- Global payment support
- Subscription management
|
Lemon Squeezy |
Designed for digital products, handles VAT and licensing. A strong alternative to Paddle for Chrome extensions. |
| Freemium Model |
Variable (depends on premium pricing, often via Stripe/Paddle) |
Moderate to Complex: Requires implementing free/premium features and third-party payment integration |
✅ Easy: Free access lowers user barrier |
✅ Yes |
- Free core features with premium upgrades
- Subscription or one-time payment for premium
- Free trials or limited free usage
- Customizable feature tiers
|
N/A (depends on payment processor used) |
Attracts users with free features, monetizes via premium upgrades. Often paired with Stripe, Paddle, or Gumroad for payments. |
| FastSpring |
~8–10% (varies) |
✅ Full-stack SaaS licensing, robust APIs |
✅ Easy: Smooth checkout experience |
✅ Yes |
- One-time and recurring payments
- Global tax compliance
- Subscription management
- License key generation
- Multi-currency support
|
FastSpring |
Expensive but comprehensive solution for extensions. Handles global tax and licensing, suitable for complex monetization needs. |
| Gumroad |
10% (free plan), 3.5% + $0.30 (Pro plan) |
✅ Simple to integrate for downloads, license key support |
✅ Very easy: Familiar checkout |
⚠️ Not native: Requires external payment page |
- One-time payments
- License key generation
- Subscription support
- Global payment processing
|
Gumroad |
Ideal for selling licenses but requires external payment page and manual license validation in the extension. |
| Google Play Billing (via WebAPK) |
15% (for <$1M/yr revenue) |
⚠️ Complex: Only for Android-web hybrid apps, requires WebAPK setup |
⚠️ Limited: Android-specific |
❌ Not for extensions |
- In-app purchases
- Subscription support
- Android-specific payment flow
|
Google Play Billing |
Only viable for hybrid/PWA apps, not standard Chrome extensions. Limited applicability. |
| Chrome Web Store Payments |
❌ Deprecated (was 5%) |
❌ Retired: No longer supported |
❌ Not usable |
❌ Not allowed anymore |
- Previously supported one-time payments
- Monthly/yearly subscriptions
- Free trials
- In-app purchases
|
Chrome Web Store (Archived) |
Removed in 2020 due to fraud issues. No longer an option for Chrome extension monetization. |