Launchsub vs Upgrade.chat: Which Discord Payment Bot Should You Use?
Upgrade.chat is a long-running Discord payment bot that also works with Telegram and other channels. Launchsub is built only for Discord memberships. Both automate role access and both send money to your own payment accounts, but they make different trade-offs on fees, payment methods, and focus.
Upgrade.chat information comes from its public website and documentation, as of November 6, 2026. Check their site for current prices before deciding.
Quick comparison
| Launchsub | Upgrade.chat | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ✅ 10% per transaction, no member limit | ✅ 5.9% rate, up to 500 subscribers |
| Paid plans | Pro: €29/mo + 4%, Scale: €49/mo + 2% | Lower rates (4.9%, 3.9%, 2.9%), sold monthly or as a one-time lifetime purchase |
| Payment methods | Cards via Stripe | Stripe, PayPal, Venmo, Google Pay, Apple Pay |
| Where the money goes | Your Stripe account | Your Stripe or PayPal account |
| Platforms | Discord | Discord, Telegram, Mailchimp, and more |
| Automatic role assignment and removal | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free trials and coupons | ✅ | See their docs |
| Branded checkout page | ✅ | ✅ Storefront (some options on paid plans) |
| Revenue analytics (MRR, churn) | ✅ | See their docs |
| Import existing members | ✅ CSV import | Design & migration services on higher plans |
Pricing compared
Both tools take a percentage of each sale, and in both cases the payment processor (Stripe or PayPal) charges its own fee on top.
Upgrade.chat has a free plan at a 5.9% rate for up to 500 subscribers. Its paid plans lower the rate to 4.9%, 3.9%, or 2.9% and raise the subscriber limit, in exchange for a monthly fee or a one-time "lifetime" payment.
Launchsub has three plans with no member limit on any of them:
- Free: 10% per transaction
- Pro: €29 per month + 4%
- Scale: €49 per month + 2%
Here's the platform cost at different revenue levels, comparing Launchsub's cheapest plan with Upgrade.chat's free plan:
| Monthly revenue | Launchsub (best plan) | Upgrade.chat Free (5.9%) |
|---|---|---|
| 300 | 30 (Free) | 17.70 |
| 1,000 | 69 (Pro or Scale) | 59 |
| 3,000 | 109 (Scale) | 177 |
| 10,000 | 249 (Scale) | 590 |
Platform fees only, before Stripe or PayPal processing fees. Launchsub prices are in euros. Upgrade.chat's free plan is limited to 500 subscribers, and its paid plans would lower its column at higher revenue in exchange for a plan fee.
In short:
- For small servers, Upgrade.chat's free plan is cheaper than Launchsub's Free plan.
- Above about 1,250 per month, Launchsub Scale costs less than Upgrade.chat's free rate.
- At that point, the real comparison is with Upgrade.chat's paid plans. Check their pricing against your expected revenue.
Payment methods: Upgrade.chat's biggest strength
If a large share of your members want to pay with PayPal or Venmo, Upgrade.chat supports them directly. Launchsub processes card payments through Stripe and does not support PayPal.
For communities whose members are used to paying by card, this difference rarely matters. For some gaming and younger audiences, PayPal can make a real difference to conversion.
Focus: one platform or many
Upgrade.chat is built to monetize several channels from one account: Discord, Telegram, Mailchimp lists, and more. That's useful if your community lives in several places.
Launchsub only does Discord, and the product is shaped around it:
- Each product is mapped to a Discord role, and access is granted the moment the payment succeeds.
- Roles are removed automatically after cancellations or unpaid renewals.
- Discord webhooks post purchases, renewals, and failed payments into a channel you choose.
- The checkout page can show your server's name, icon, and member count.
Billing and growth features
Launchsub includes on every plan:
- Subscriptions billed daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or yearly
- One-time and lifetime access
- Free trials, coupons, and optional setup fees
- A built-in affiliate program so members can refer others
- A dashboard with MRR, active subscribers, churn, and growth
- CSV import to bring members over from another platform
Which should you choose?
Choose Launchsub if:
- Your community lives on Discord and you want a tool built around it.
- You expect to grow past about 1,250 per month and want low, predictable fees with no member cap.
- You want built-in revenue analytics, flexible billing periods, and an affiliate program.
Choose Upgrade.chat if:
- Many of your members want to pay with PayPal or Venmo.
- You sell access on Telegram or other platforms as well as Discord.
- You're small (under 500 subscribers) and want the lowest possible rate on a free plan.
Frequently asked questions
Does Launchsub support PayPal?
No. Launchsub accepts card payments through Stripe. If PayPal is essential for your audience, Upgrade.chat supports it.
Which is cheaper, Launchsub or Upgrade.chat?
For small servers, Upgrade.chat's free plan (5.9%) costs less than Launchsub's Free plan (10%). Above about 1,250 per month, Launchsub's Scale plan (€49 + 2%) becomes cheaper than Upgrade.chat's free rate.
Do both tools hold my money?
No. With both, payments go to your own processor account (Stripe for Launchsub; Stripe or PayPal for Upgrade.chat).
Can I move my members from Upgrade.chat to Launchsub?
Yes. If you can export your member list as a CSV, import it into Launchsub and send members the link to continue their membership. Your Discord roles stay the same.
Keep reading
Built for Discord from day one: start selling for free.