Operations

Razorpay vs Stripe vs Cashfree for Indian D2C 2026

For Indian D2C brands, Razorpay is the default choice — strongest INR subscription support, native UPI mandate, and the right developer experience at the ₹50L–₹50Cr ARR scale. Stripe doesn't support INR subscriptions on Indian-issued cards at this band.

Model this for your store in the Unit Economics Planner.

Open the Planner →

Why Razorpay wins for INR subscriptions

Native UPI Autopay support — UPI is dominant on D2C in India.
INR card subscriptions including BBPS-linked recurring.
Local-bank coverage and rupee settlement without FX friction.
Stripe's strength is global multi-currency; that's not the D2C-India use case.

Pricing

Razorpay Standard: 2% per transaction
Razorpay Subscriptions: 2% + ₹3 per subscription debit
Cashfree: comparable, slightly cheaper at scale
PayU: enterprise pricing negotiable above ₹10Cr GMV

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Stripe in India?↓

Yes for international payments. For Indian-card INR subscriptions at retail-D2C price bands, no — the subscription support gap is the constraint.

Is UPI Autopay reliable?↓

Yes in 2026 — adoption is high and failure rates are low. UPI Autopay is the cleanest recurring-payment surface in India.

Does Razorpay handle COD?↓

Yes via Razorpay Magic Checkout and Easebuzz; reverse-logistics integration is still a separate operational decision.

Put this into practice