About Freemius
Freemius is a merchant of record for software makers. It handles payments, global taxes, subscriptions and license keys, so developers can sell their products without managing tax filings themselves.
What it does
Freemius runs a checkout built for software, with options for hosted or embedded pages. It collects VAT and sales tax on each sale, and it handles tax authority questions on behalf of the seller. The platform also creates and validates license keys, manages activations and renewals, and gives customers a self-service portal for downloads, invoices and subscriptions. An affiliate system tracks referrals and processes commission payouts.
Key features
- Handle VAT and sales tax for software sales
- Create and validate software license keys
- Run subscriptions, free trials and renewals
- Give customers a self-service portal
- Track referrals and pay affiliates
Who it's for
Freemius suits developers who sell plugins, apps, desktop tools and other software. It is a good match for small software businesses that want billing and licensing in one place. Teams that sell WordPress products may find the licensing tools especially useful.
Pricing and good to know
The platform uses a revenue share model, so its cost grows with the sales a seller makes. Onboarding is described as quick, and the company offers founder led support. The company says it works with software makers in more than 100 countries, and the checkout includes cart abandonment recovery and global currency support.
Highlights
- Handle VAT and sales tax for software sales
- Create and validate software license keys
- Run subscriptions, trials and renewals
- Give customers a self-service account portal
- Track referrals and pay affiliates
