# Choose between subscription solutions (/subscriptions/choose-solution)

Compare PayPal Subscriptions in the dashboard and the Subscriptions API to choose the right option for your business.



PayPal Subscriptions supports two ways to create and manage subscriptions:

### [Subscriptions API](/subscriptions/integrate/)

Build subscriptions into your own checkout and customer experience.

### [Use your dashboard](/subscriptions/dashboard/use-dashboard)

Create and manage subscriptions without writing code.

The key difference between these options is how subscriptions are created and managed: either manually in the dashboard or programmatically in your application.

### PayPal Subscriptions (dashboard) [#paypal-subscriptions-dashboard]

PayPal Subscriptions (dashboard) lets you create, manage, and offer subscription plans directly from your PayPal business account without writing code.

Use this option if you prefer a no-code solution and mainly work in the PayPal dashboard.

### Subscriptions API [#subscriptions-api]

The Subscriptions REST API lets you create, update, and manage subscription products, plans, and billing programmatically from your backend systems.

Use this option if you need automation, higher subscription volume support, or tight integration with your own checkout and product experience.

All subscriptions are accessible in the PayPal dashboard for tracking and management. The primary difference between these options is how subscriptions are created and updated: manually in the dashboard or programmatically through your application.

## Comparison [#comparison]

| Category                          | PayPal Subscriptions (dashboard)                                                                                                                        | Subscriptions API                                                                                                                     |
| --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Who should use it                 | Businesses that want a no-code solution and manually create subscription plans from the PayPal dashboard. Ideal for low to moderate subscription volume | Businesses that need automated subscription management, higher volumes, or integration with their own checkout and product experience |
| How subscriptions are created     | Manually in the PayPal dashboard                                                                                                                        | Programmatically through REST API calls from your backend                                                                             |
| Technical requirements            | No development required                                                                                                                                 | Requires backend development and REST API integration and OAuth 2.0 authentication                                                    |
| Automation                        | Limited to dashboard-based workflows                                                                                                                    | Full automation of product, plan, and subscription creation, billing, and reconciliation                                              |
| Subscription lifecycle management | Manage subscriptions in the PayPal dashboard, including tracking statuses, canceling subscriptions, and pausing billing                                 | Manage subscriptions through API and webhooks                                                                                         |
| Checkout experience               | PayPal-managed checkout button, added to your website                                                                                                   | Add the PayPal JavaScript SDK button to your own checkout for a fully custom experience                                               |