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Heralded

The most visible merchant of record platforms, October 2026

October 2026 · 15 questions asked in English, worldwide · ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Gemini and Google AI Mode · 81 answers read

Leader

Paddle

85%of answers name it

Most cited source

paddle.com

53citations

From Google AI Mode, Gemini, Google AI Overviews and ChatGPT

Where engines disagree most

They agree

Every engine names the same top three.

Brands

Rank Brand Rank change Heralded Score Score trend Mentioned Recommended By engine Mentioned by Change
1 Paddle GB New entry 75 , range 65–81
75
  • : score 75 · #1
 85% 39% First reading
2 Lemon Squeezy US New entry 62 , range 49–73
62
  • : score 62 · #2
 68% 29% None First reading
3 FastSpring US New entry 42 , range 36–52
42
  • : score 42 · #3
 48% 9% First reading
4 Gumroad US New entry 29 , range 9–38
29
  • : score 29 · #4
 21% 4% None First reading
5 PayPro Global CA New entry 9 , range 5–32
9
  • : score 9 · #5
 13% 1% None First reading
6 Polar SE New entry 7 , range 3–31
7
  • : score 7 · #6
 9% 1% None First reading
7 Freemius IL New entry 6 , range 2–29
6
  • : score 6 · #7
 8% 1% None First reading
8 Nexway FR New entry 5 , range 2–27
5
  • : score 5 · #8
 8% 0% None First reading
9 Dodo Payments IN New entry 5 , range 2–26
5
  • : score 5 · #9
 8% 0% None First reading
10 Cleverbridge DE New entry 5 , range 2–27
5
  • : score 5 · #10
 7% 1% None First reading

“=” marks brands whose score ranges overlap, so the test cannot separate them. Every brand named in at least three answers is ranked. By engine has one dot per engine (ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Gemini and Google AI Mode), darker the more often it names the brand.

This month's moves

First reading. No comparable previous month yet.

Biggest risers

No clear rise.

Biggest fallers

No clear fall.

Drop-outs

No drop-outs.

Most cited sources

Rank Source Type Cited in Engines Pages cited Brands its pages mention
1 stripe.com Vendor site 30.9% 4 of 4 18 0
2 numeral.com Vendor site 8.6% 3 of 4 4 2
3 chargebee.com Vendor site 3.7% 2 of 4 4 0
4Withheld. Run a full Snapshot to see it.
5Withheld. Run a full Snapshot to see it.
6Withheld. Run a full Snapshot to see it.
7 avalara.com Vendor site 3.7% 2 of 4 4 0
8Withheld. Run a full Snapshot to see it.
9 anrok.com Vendor site 3.7% 2 of 4 2 0
10Withheld. Run a full Snapshot to see it.

The questions, and who wins each

QuestionLanguageWins it
what should a software company use to sell subscriptions worldwide and handle sales tax? English Paddle
which platform can sell digital products globally and manage payments, tax, and refunds? English No brand recommended
how can a small saas business sell in multiple countries without building a billing team? English Lemon Squeezy and Paddle, tied
what service handles checkout and tax for a company selling software internationally? English Lemon Squeezy and Paddle, tied
how do i collect and remit sales tax when customers buy my software abroad? English Paddle
how can i accept payments from customers in different countries for my subscription? English Paddle
what do i need to sell digital downloads worldwide without handling tax filings myself? English Gumroad, Lemon Squeezy and Paddle, tied
how can a software business manage refunds and chargebacks across international sales? English Lemon Squeezy and Paddle, tied
should i use one checkout service or separate payment and tax providers for global software sales? English Paddle
is it easier to manage subscriptions globally with a merchant of record or a payment processor? English FastSpring, Lemon Squeezy and Paddle, tied

Each engine's top three

Method

Each month Heralded asks every engine the same buyer questions, twice each, and reads every answer. An answer counts 0 for a brand it leaves out, 50 for a brand it names and 100 for a brand it recommends, and the Heralded Score is built from those. A brand named in at least three answers gets a score and a place.

How the leaderboards are measured