Flowglad

Introduction to Flowglad

Flowglad is an open source payment provider designed to simplify the integration of payment systems into applications. Unlike traditional payment processors that require complex webhook setups and glue code to maintain data consistency, Flowglad offers a streamlined API that provides real-time customer entitlements and usage tracking. This allows developers to focus on building their product rather than managing payment infrastructure.

The product is built with a developer-first mindset, offering tools such as React hooks and backend functions that align with modern development practices. Flowglad's unique approach eliminates the need for webhooks by maintaining a single source of truth for billing data, making it easier to manage subscriptions, usage-based billing, and other financial workflows. With support for multiple payment methods and a strong emphasis on open source, Flowglad is positioned as a flexible and scalable solution for startups and growing businesses.

Takeaways

• Open source and webhook-free integration
• Real-time customer entitlements and usage tracking
• Built-in support for subscriptions and usage-based billing
• Developer-friendly SDK with React hooks and backend functions
• MCP-first integration for AI-driven development
• Focus on reducing friction in payment system setup

How Flowglad Works

Flowglad operates by providing a direct API connection to payment data, eliminating the need for webhooks. Instead of relying on external events to update your database, Flowglad’s API returns live billing information, ensuring your application always has the most up-to-date state of customer accounts. This approach reduces complexity and minimizes the risk of data inconsistencies.

The platform integrates seamlessly with your existing authentication system, allowing you to use your own customer IDs and manage user access directly. It also supports a variety of pricing models, including one-time payments, recurring subscriptions, and usage-based billing. Flowglad handles the logic behind these models, including retries, dunning, and account balance management, while keeping the billing layer separate from the actual payment processing.

Core Benefits and Applications

Flowglad is ideal for developers who want to build payment functionality without the overhead of managing webhooks or syncing data manually. It is particularly useful for SaaS products, platforms with usage-based billing, and startups looking for a lightweight and flexible payment solution.