Paddle.net is a payment processor that bills merchants' customers on their behalf
When you see a charge from Paddle.net on your credit card statement, it means a merchant you bought from uses Paddle to process payments. Paddle handles billing for software, apps, digital subscriptions, and online services — it collects the payment, takes a cut, and passes the rest to the seller. You did not authorize Paddle directly; you authorized a purchase from a company that chose Paddle as its payment handler.
Paddle operates globally and handles transactions in multiple currencies. The charge appears under the name "Paddle" or sometimes "Paddle.net" followed by the merchant's name or a reference number. If you do not recognize the merchant name in the charge description, that is the first place to look — the merchant, not Paddle, is who you bought from.
Key Takeaways
- Paddle.net charges come from merchants who use Paddle as their payment processor, not from Paddle itself — the merchant name should appear somewhere in the transaction details.
- Recurring charges from Paddle mean you have an active subscription with that merchant, and you need to cancel the subscription through the merchant's account settings, not through Paddle.
- If you do not recognize a charge, contact the merchant first to ask what product or service it covers, because Paddle does not own the transaction — the merchant does.
- Disputing a charge with your credit card company is an option if the merchant will not refund you, but the merchant is responsible for the sale, not Paddle.
How to identify what you paid for
The charge description on your statement usually includes either the merchant's name or a reference code. Start by searching your email for receipts from that merchant — most send a confirmation when you complete a purchase. If you find a receipt, it will show what product or service you bought and when.
If you cannot find an email receipt, log into the merchant's website or app using the email address linked to your credit card. Look for an account page, subscription settings, or order history. Many merchants list active subscriptions and past purchases there. If you see a subscription you no longer want, you can cancel it directly from that page.
If you still cannot identify the merchant, visit Paddle's customer support page and search for your transaction. Paddle can tell you the merchant name and what was purchased, though they cannot process refunds — only the merchant can do that.
Canceling recurring Paddle charges
If the charge is recurring and you want to stop it, you must cancel the subscription through the merchant's account, not through Paddle. Log into the merchant's website, find your subscription or billing settings, and look for a cancel or pause option. The exact steps vary by merchant, but most have a self-service cancellation button.
If you cannot find a cancel button on the merchant's site, look for a contact page or support email. Many merchants require you to email them to cancel, especially for annual subscriptions or business accounts. Include your account email and the date of the charge you want to stop.
Do not rely on Paddle to cancel on your behalf — Paddle processes payments but does not manage subscriptions. If you contact Paddle asking them to cancel, they will direct you back to the merchant. Canceling through the merchant ensures the subscription actually stops and prevents future charges.
Disputing a charge you did not authorize
If you did not make the purchase and do not recognize the merchant, contact your credit card company and report the charge as unauthorized. Your card issuer will open a dispute and ask you for details about why you believe the charge is fraudulent. Provide any information you have — the date, the amount, and what you remember about your card activity that day.
While the dispute is open, your card issuer will typically refund the amount temporarily and investigate. They will contact Paddle and the merchant to determine whether the charge was legitimate. If the merchant cannot prove you authorized the purchase, the refund becomes permanent and the merchant absorbs the loss.
This process usually takes 30 to 90 days. Your card issuer will notify you of the outcome in writing. Keep records of all communication with your card company and any evidence you gather — receipts, emails, account access attempts — in case you need to provide it during the investigation.
Requesting a refund directly from the merchant
If you recognize the charge but believe it was made in error — you were double-charged, charged the wrong amount, or the product did not work — contact the merchant first before disputing with your card company. Most merchants have a refund policy and will process a refund if you ask within a reasonable window, often 30 days.
Look for a refund request form on the merchant's website, or email their support team with your order details and reason for the refund. Be specific: include the transaction date, the amount, and what went wrong. Merchants are more likely to refund quickly if you are clear and polite.
Keep a copy of your refund request and any response from the merchant. If they refuse to refund and you believe the charge was unfair, that is when you escalate to your credit card company and file a dispute. Having documentation of your refund attempt strengthens your case.
Understanding Paddle's role and limits
Paddle is a payment processor and merchant-of-record for some transactions, meaning it handles the technical side of billing but does not own the product or service you bought. The merchant — the company that created the software, app, or service — is responsible for customer service, refunds, and subscription management.
Paddle does not have access to your account with the merchant, cannot cancel subscriptions on your behalf, and cannot issue refunds without the merchant's approval. If Paddle's support team responds to your inquiry, they will ask for your merchant account details or direct you to contact the merchant directly. This is not a limitation of Paddle's helpfulness — it is how payment processing works.
If you have a problem with a product or service, the merchant is the right contact. If you have a problem with how you were charged — a billing error, a duplicate charge, or a charge you did not authorize — Paddle's support can help you understand what happened, but the merchant must approve any refund.
Preventing unwanted Paddle charges in the future
Before you complete a purchase, read the terms carefully. Many digital products and services auto-renew on a subscription basis, and the terms should disclose this. If you do not want to be charged again, look for a checkbox that opts you out of auto-renewal, or note the renewal date so you can cancel before it happens.
After you buy something, add a reminder to your calendar for the renewal date if it is a subscription. Log into your merchant account a few days before and cancel if you no longer want the service. This is faster and cleaner than disputing a charge after the fact.
Monitor your credit card statement regularly. Set up alerts with your card issuer for charges over a certain amount, or review your statement weekly. The sooner you spot an unwanted charge, the sooner you can contact the merchant or your card company to resolve it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the charge say Paddle.net instead of the company I bought from?
Paddle is the payment processor, so it appears on your statement as the billing entity. The merchant's name or a reference code should also appear in the charge description. If you only see "Paddle.net" with no merchant identifier, contact your card issuer and ask them to provide the full transaction details — they have access to information your statement does not show.
Can I call Paddle to cancel my subscription?
No. Paddle processes payments but does not manage subscriptions or customer accounts. You must cancel through the merchant's website or by contacting the merchant directly. Calling Paddle will not stop future charges because Paddle does not have the authority to cancel subscriptions — only the merchant does.
How long does a Paddle charge dispute take?
Disputes typically take 30 to 90 days. Your card issuer will investigate, contact the merchant, and notify you of the outcome in writing. Most card companies refund the amount temporarily while the dispute is open, so you should see the money back within a week or two, even if the final decision takes longer.
What if I cannot find the merchant's name on my statement?
Contact your credit card company and ask for the full transaction details, including the merchant category code and any reference numbers. You can also visit Paddle's support page and enter your transaction date and amount — Paddle can tell you which merchant processed the charge. Once you know the merchant, search your email for receipts or log into their website to find your account.
Can Paddle refund me if the merchant will not?
No. Paddle can only refund with the merchant's approval. If the merchant refuses to refund and you believe the charge is unfair, your option is to dispute it with your credit card company. Your card issuer will investigate and may force a refund if they determine the merchant violated your card network's rules.