Stunning vs Churnkey —
and a better third option
Stunning starts at ~$99/mo and scales with MRR. Churnkey starts at $199/mo and needs a developer. If you only need payment recovery, there's a cheaper path than either.
~$99/mo
MRR-scaled
$199/mo
SDK required
$19/mo
5-min setup
Three-way comparison
Stunning vs Churnkey vs SubRevival
Featuring SubRevival as the third option — the one most teams overlooked when comparing Stunning and Churnkey.
Honest take
Where Stunning wins
No SDK required
Unlike Churnkey, Stunning doesn't require a JavaScript SDK in your application. Setup uses webhook configuration only — significantly simpler than Churnkey's SDK integration, though still more involved than SubRevival's OAuth-only flow.
Lower entry price than Churnkey
Stunning starts at ~$99/mo vs Churnkey's $199/mo. For businesses that want more than SubRevival but don't need Churnkey's cancel flows, Stunning sits in the middle on price.
Long track record
Stunning has been in the Stripe dunning space for over a decade. For businesses that prioritize proven longevity, that history is a genuine differentiator.
Honest take
Where Churnkey wins
Cancel flow builder
Churnkey's defining feature is the cancel flow — the screen that appears when a customer tries to cancel their subscription. It can show offers, surveys, pause options, and downgrades. Neither Stunning nor SubRevival offer this. If voluntary churn is your primary problem, Churnkey is the tool designed for it.
A/B testing for retention offers
Churnkey lets you test different retention offers in the cancel flow — discounts vs pauses vs downgrades. This is advanced functionality that neither Stunning nor SubRevival provide.
Flat rate pricing
Unlike Stunning's MRR-scaled model, Churnkey is flat rate. If you're growing fast and want price predictability, Churnkey doesn't penalize your growth the way Stunning's pricing does.
The verdict
Depends on what kind of churn you're fighting
If your problem is failed payments (involuntary churn)
SubRevival is the strongest option. Same core dunning capability as Stunning at $19/mo flat vs ~$99/mo MRR-scaled. Simpler setup than either. Also includes trial and renewal reminders neither Stunning nor Churnkey offer.
If your problem is also voluntary cancellations
Churnkey is the only tool here with a real cancel flow. Use SubRevival for payment recovery alongside Churnkey for cancel-flow deflection, or go all-in on Churnkey if you want a single platform.
Stunning vs Churnkey head-to-head
Stunning is better for teams that want straightforward dunning without SDK complexity, at a lower starting price. Churnkey is better for teams that need cancel-flow deflection and are willing to invest developer time in the SDK integration. For pure payment recovery, neither beats SubRevival on cost.
Skip the $99 and $199 price tags.
SubRevival recovers failed Stripe payments from $19/mo — no code, no MRR-scaled pricing, 5-minute setup.
Common questions
Stunning vs Churnkey — FAQ
How do Stunning and Churnkey differ from each other?
The core difference is scope. Stunning is focused on failed payment recovery — it sends dunning emails and provides a card update page when payments fail. Churnkey covers payment recovery but also adds cancel flows (intercepting customers who try to cancel) and A/B testing for retention offers. That extra scope is why Churnkey costs $199/mo and requires a JavaScript SDK, while Stunning works via webhook configuration only.
Which is cheaper: Stunning or Churnkey?
Stunning is cheaper at entry — starting around $99/mo vs Churnkey's $199/mo. However, Stunning's pricing scales with your MRR, so as you grow, the cost increases. Churnkey is a flat rate but starts twice as high. For most businesses under $100K MRR, Stunning is the cheaper option of the two. SubRevival is cheaper than both at $19/mo.
Does Churnkey require a developer to set up?
Yes. Churnkey's cancel flow requires a JavaScript SDK embedded in your application. This means developer time to install, configure, test, and deploy — typically at least half a day. Stunning uses webhook configuration, which is simpler but still requires some technical setup. SubRevival uses Stripe OAuth only — no developer, no code.
Which tool should I choose if I only need payment recovery?
For payment recovery only, SubRevival is the most cost-effective choice at $19/mo with a 5-minute setup. Between Stunning and Churnkey, Stunning is the more focused option for payment recovery since Churnkey's price includes cancel-flow features you wouldn't use. Either way, both are significantly more expensive than SubRevival for the same core capability.
What if I need both cancel flows and payment recovery?
Churnkey is the obvious choice if you need both in a single tool. Alternatively, many teams use SubRevival for payment recovery ($19/mo, no code) and Churnkey specifically for cancel-flow deflection — using each tool for what it does best.
Is there a tool better than both Stunning and Churnkey?
For pure payment recovery, SubRevival offers the same core capability as both tools at $19/mo with a 5-minute no-code setup. It also includes features neither Stunning nor Churnkey offer on standard plans: trial ending reminders and annual renewal reminders. If your primary goal is recovering failed payments, SubRevival is worth evaluating before committing to either Stunning or Churnkey.
Related comparisons
The third option both Stunning and Churnkey don't want you to find.
SubRevival does payment recovery from $19/mo flat — no MRR scaling, no SDK, no $199 entry price.