Stripe vs RevenueCat for Mobile Apps (2026)
Stripe vs RevenueCat for React Native: physical goods vs subscriptions, Apple IAP rules, fees, and when to use each. From a developer who ships with both.
Short answer
Not a choice. Stripe for physical goods and real-world services. RevenueCat for digital subscriptions and in-app unlocks. Use both in the same app if your product needs both.
People keep framing this as a versus. It is not. The App Store rules decide.
What Apple actually requires
- Digital goods or subscriptions consumed inside the app: Must go through Apple IAP. Apple takes 15–30%. RevenueCat sits on top of IAP to make it bearable to use.
- Physical goods, real-world services, event tickets, hardware: Stripe is fine. Apple does not take a cut.
- Digital goods consumed outside the app (e.g., a subscription to a newsletter that reaches you by email): Gray zone. Apple has allowed this for "reader apps" if you do not promote the external purchase inside the app.
Confusing these two categories is the top reason ecommerce and fitness apps get rejected in my experience.
Stripe strengths
- Lower fees (~2.9% + 30¢, not 15–30%).
- Tax handled via
automatic_tax. - Refunds in two clicks from the dashboard.
- Webhooks are solid and well-documented.
- Great for anything the App Store does not claim.
RevenueCat strengths
- Handles Apple IAP and Google Play Billing with one SDK.
- Built-in paywall components if you want them.
- Entitlements layer — you do not store "is user pro?" yourself. RevenueCat does.
- Solid analytics on LTV, churn, trial conversion.
- Free for apps under $2,500/month in tracked MRR.
Where I use each
- Fitness app with an AI coach subscription: RevenueCat. Digital unlock. Apple wants IAP.
- Service booking app that charges for booking fees: Stripe. Real-world service.
- Ecommerce app selling physical hardware: Stripe. Physical goods.
- Chat app with a paid daily message limit: RevenueCat. Digital unlock.
What fails Apple review
- Stripe checkout for a digital unlock inside the app.
- A "contact us" button that opens a browser to pay for a digital subscription (they rejected this specific pattern for me once).
- A RevenueCat paywall that sells a physical good. Not broken, but pointless — you lose margin for no reason.
What AI App Factory ships
Both wired in by default. Stripe for physical-goods checkout. RevenueCat for subscriptions. You pick which flow your app uses per feature, or use both in different places.
Skip the debate. Ship the app.
AI App Factory gives you a proven stack. React Native + NestJS + Supabase + 11 AI agents. One-time purchase.