Question 1

How do I integrate Polar with my Next.js app to sell digital products?

Accepted Answer

Use Polar's JavaScript SDK or API to embed payment components and manage subscriptions. Their documentation provides examples for integrating with modern frameworks like Next.js, and webhooks handle real-time updates for access control.

Question 2

Is Polar better than Stripe for monetizing my indie project?

Accepted Answer

Polar is built on payment processors and adds developer-specific features like tax compliance and digital product types, saving time compared to using Stripe directly. However, for full customization or non-digital sales, Stripe might offer more flexibility.

Question 3

Can Polar automatically handle VAT for international customers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as the merchant of record, Polar manages VAT and sales tax compliance by calculating and remitting taxes based on customer location, which is a key feature mentioned in the README to reduce headaches.

Question 4

What are the steps to self-host Polar on my own server?

Accepted Answer

Follow the DEVELOPMENT.md guide to set up the environment, configure payment processors, and deploy. It requires technical expertise in DevOps and might involve additional setup for tax services and security.

Question 5

Does Polar support one-time payments for license keys?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Polar supports both one-time payments and subscriptions for digital products like license keys. You can configure this through their dashboard or API to sell access instantly.

Question 6

How does Polar compare to Gumroad for selling digital downloads?

Accepted Answer

Polar is open-source and offers more control with self-hosting and API integration, while Gumroad is a closed platform with easier setup but less flexibility for developer-centric workflows.

Polar

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