Cleverbridge alternatives: 6 top platforms for SaaS & Software sales
Nexway vs Cleverbridge: Top alternatives for digital sales in 2025
Selling SaaS and software across global markets isn’t easy. Between navigating tax regulations, ensuring local compliance, supporting multiple currencies, and optimizing subscription models, the complexities can quickly slow down your growth. That’s where the right Merchant of Record (MoR) can make all the difference.
At Nexway, we understand these challenges firsthand. That’s why we’ve built a powerful, flexible commerce platform designed to help software vendors and digital businesses sell globally, faster and smarter.
If you’re currently using Cleverbridge or exploring other options, you may be looking for more flexibility, faster onboarding, and a partner that adapts to your business, not the other way around. In this article, we compare top Cleverbridge alternatives and show you how Nexway stands out in 2025 as a modern solution for digital sales.
What is Cleverbridge?
Cleverbridge is an enterprise-focused merchant of record that handles payment processing, global taxes, and subscription billing for digital products and SaaS businesses.
Pros:
Global tax and compliance handled
Subscription and recurring billing tools
Experience with large enterprise clients
Cons:
Rigid implementation and less pricing flexibility
Slower onboarding for mid-market or smaller companies
Limited go-to-market adaptability
Nexway vs Cleverbridge: Key comparison
1. Go-to-Market Flexibility
Nexway offers flexible business models including reseller, merchant of record, or hybrid.
Cleverbridge primarily operates as a full MoR, which can limit customization for some businesses.
2. Subscription Management
Nexway includes customizable subscription logic, usage-based pricing, and churn-reduction features.
Cleverbridge supports recurring billing but has more rigid workflows.
3. Compliance & Global Reach
Both platforms handle VAT, sales tax, GDPR, and other global compliance requirements.
Nexway supports more emerging markets with localized payment methods and currencies.
4. Integration & APIs
Nexway offers modern RESTful APIs and flexible integration options for fast time-to-market.
Cleverbridge has enterprise-grade integrations but can be more complex to set up.
5. Support & Onboarding
Nexway is known for personalized onboarding and hands-on support.
Cleverbridge provides dedicated account management, but feedback on onboarding speed is mixed.
Why Nexway is a strong Cleverbridge alternative
If you’re looking for an alternative to Cleverbridge that provides more flexibility, better speed to market, and scalable pricing, Nexway is worth serious consideration. Here’s why:
Operates as your Merchant of Record (MoR) globally
Enables fast scaling with localized payment support
Offers multi-model ecommerce: subscriptions, one-time sales, trials, and B2B transactions
Allows you to sell software globally without legal or tax headaches
Full-service or modular approach depending on your internal capabilities
6 best Cleverbridge alternatives
Here’s how Nexway compares with other top Cleverbridge alternatives:
| Platform | MoR | Subscription Billing | Global Tax Compliance | API Access | Best For |
 Best Alternative |
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Software & SaaS vendors |
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SMB SaaS companies |
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Startups focused on B2C SaaS |
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Digital goods & ecommerce |
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Partial | |
Developers & custom solutions |
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(needs Stripe/others) |
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Subscription SaaS with dev team |
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Enterprises & legacy clients |
FastSpring vs Cleverbridge: A quick look
Many SaaS companies also compare FastSpring vs Cleverbridge. FastSpring provides a simpler, developer-friendly MoR model focused on smaller SaaS businesses, while Cleverbridge continues to cater to larger enterprises. However, Nexway strikes a balance between scalability and flexibility – making it a better long-term fit for growing software businesses.
Final thoughts: Choose the right platform for growth
Choosing the right ecommerce and billing partner is about more than features – it’s about strategy, flexibility, and scalability. While Cleverbridge has proven value, it may not suit all business models in 2025.
If you want a merchant of record that adapts to your needs
If you’re aiming to sell software globally
And if you need more control over subscriptions and user experience
Then Nexway is a top Cleverbridge alternative to evaluate today.
Ready to Switch?
👉 Book a demo with Nexway to see how we can help you grow your SaaS or digital business globally.
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