Cleverbridge vs Paddle:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Cleverbridge had more branded searches than Paddle among merchant of record platforms worldwide. Cleverbridge had about 22,200 branded searches, while Paddle had 880. Cleverbridge made up 2.7% of all merchant of record platform searches we track, and Paddle accounted for 0.11%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about merchant of record platforms, Paddle appeared in all five answers and Cleverbridge in two. Paddle was mentioned before Cleverbridge in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Cleverbridge, about 25 searches for every 1 for Paddle
Who does AI mention more?
Paddle, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Paddle, named ahead of Cleverbridge in every answer
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Top merchant of record platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Paddle appeared in all five answers. Cleverbridge was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. Paddle was listed before Cleverbridge in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Paddle1st
Lemon Squeezy2nd
FastSpring3rd
Polar4th
PayPro Global5th- Cleverbridge6th
Gumroad–- Digital River–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Lemon Squeezy5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- FastSpring5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Paddle5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Cleverbridge2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Polar2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- PayPro Global2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Gumroad0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Digital River0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about merchant of record platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which merchant of record platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best merchant of record platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best merchant of record platform for software sales?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“merchant of record platforms”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best merchant of record”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Cleverbridge or Paddle more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Cleverbridge and Paddle by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight merchant of record platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Cleverbridge, Paddle. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Gumroad | Lemon Squeezy | Cleverbridge | FastSpring | Polar | PayPro Global | Digital River | Paddle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 84.2% | 6.2% | 4.1% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 1% | 0.68% | 0.04% |
| Nov 2025 | 83.7% | 7.5% | 3.4% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 1% | 0.55% | 0.04% |
| Dec 2025 | 86.6% | 6.4% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.85% | 0.46% | 0.04% |
| Jan 2026 | 87% | 6.4% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.86% | 0.38% | 0.05% |
| Feb 2026 | 85.2% | 7.7% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 1.3% | 1% | 0.37% | 0.13% |
| Mar 2026 | 83.4% | 9.2% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 1% | 0.45% | 0.19% |
| Apr 2026 | 84.1% | 9.3% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 1% | 0.83% | 0.37% | 0.13% |
| May 2026 | 84.6% | 9.3% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 1% | 0.83% | 0.3% | 0.16% |
| Jun 2026 | 84.6% | 9.3% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 1% | 0.83% | 0.3% | 0.16% |
| Jul 2026 | 84.8% | 9.3% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 0.83% | 0.83% | 0.3% | 0.13% |
| Aug 2026 | 84.6% | 9.3% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 1% | 0.83% | 0.3% | 0.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 82.2% | 11.1% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 0.99% | 0.81% | 0.35% | 0.11% |
How has the Cleverbridge and Paddle comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Cleverbridge was ahead of Paddle in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Cleverbridge’s share of searches among merchant of record platforms worldwide moved from 4.1% to 2.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 33.1K to 22.2K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Paddle’s share of searches among merchant of record platforms worldwide moved from 0.04% to 0.11%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 320 to 880.
How did search popularity change for merchant of record platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
Estimated monthly branded searches for Paddle worldwide rose 175% over 12 measured months, from 320 to 880 in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Cleverbridge worldwide fell 32.9% over 12 measured months, from 33.1K to 22.2K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Cleverbridge’s and Paddle’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Cleverbridge
1 branded search term
- cleverbridge
Paddle
1 branded search term
- paddle merchant of record
Other head-to-heads among merchant of record platforms
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