[ [0x30] Features ] Polar.sh

Polar.sh

> Payment processing optimized for digital products and indie hackers.

Overview

[ [0x30] STATUS ]

Polar.sh is a modern payment platform designed specifically for digital products, open-source creators, and indie hackers. It offers simple integration, built-in discount codes, and lower fees than traditional processors. Perfect for selling boilerplates, courses, and digital downloads.

Features

[ [0x01] SIMPLE_PRICI ]

STATUS: READY

DESC: Competitive fees with transparent pricing, no hidden charges.

[ [0x02] QUICK_INTEGR ]

STATUS: READY

DESC: Get up and running in minutes with the SDK.

[ [0x03] BUILT_IN_DIS ]

STATUS: READY

DESC: Create discount codes with usage limits directly in dashboard.

[ [0x04] SECURE_CHECK ]

STATUS: READY

DESC: PCI-compliant hosted checkout pages.

[ [0x05] MULTIPLE_MET ]

STATUS: READY

DESC: Cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay supported.

[ [0x06] CUSTOMER_POR ]

STATUS: READY

DESC: Self-serve license management for customers.

Setup

[ [0x01] CREATE POLAR ACCOUNT ]

DESC: Go to polar.sh and create an account. Set up your organization and complete onboarding.

[ [0x02] GET API KEYS ]

DESC: Go to Settings → Developer Settings and create an access token with full permissions.

[ [0x03] CREATE PRODUCT ]

DESC: Go to Products and create your digital product. Copy the Product ID from the product details page.

[ [0x04] ADD KEYS TO APP ]

DESC: Add these to your .env.local file

1$# Polar.sh API Keys
2$POLAR_ACCESS_TOKEN="your_access_token_here"
3$NEXT_PUBLIC_POLAR_PRODUCT_ID="your_product_id"
4
5$# Optional: Webhook secret for order notifications
6$POLAR_WEBHOOK_SECRET="your_webhook_secret"

[ [0x05] CREATE DISCOUNT CODE (OPTIONAL) ]

DESC: In Marketing → Discounts, create a discount code with usage limits.

1$# The discount ID is found in the discount details
2$# You can set auto-expiring discounts (e.g., first 100 customers)
3$FABRK_DISCOUNT_ID="1161689c-dbc2-4e53-8c18-43f4af7aaa3f"

Tip: Use usage-limited discounts for launch promotions!

Usage

[ [0xF7] CHECKOUT BUTTON COMPONENT ]

Pre-built component that handles checkout flow

1"use client";
2
3import { useState } from "react";
4import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
5import { Loader2 } from "lucide-react";
6import { toast } from "sonner";
7
8export function PolarCheckoutButton({
9  customerEmail,
10  discountId,
11  children = "Get Started - $199",
12}) {
13  const [isLoading, setIsLoading] = useState(false);
14
15  const handleCheckout = async () => {
16    setIsLoading(true);
17
18    try {
19      const response = await fetch("/api/polar/checkout", {
20        method: "POST",
21        headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
22        body: JSON.stringify({
23          customerEmail,
24          discountId,
25          metadata: { timestamp: new Date().toISOString() },
26        }),
27      });
28
29      const data = await response.json();
30
31      if (!response.ok) {
32        throw new Error(data.details || "Failed to create checkout");
33      }
34
35      // Redirect to Polar.sh checkout
36      window.location.href = data.checkoutUrl;
37    } catch (error) {
38      toast.error(error.message || "Failed to start checkout");
39      setIsLoading(false);
40    }
41  };
42
43  return (
44    <Button onClick={handleCheckout} disabled={isLoading}>
45      {isLoading ? (
46        <>
47          <Loader2 className="mr-2 h-4 w-4 animate-spin" />
48          Loading...
49        </>
50      ) : (
51        children
52      )}
53    </Button>
54  );
55}

[ [0x1F] API ROUTE: CREATE CHECKOUT ]

Server-side checkout session creation with rate limiting

1// src/app/api/polar/checkout/route.ts
2import { NextRequest, NextResponse } from "next/server";
3import { createCheckoutSession, isPolarConfigured } from "@/lib/polar";
4import { checkRateLimitAuto, getClientIdentifier, RateLimiters } from "@/lib/security/rate-limit";
5import { env } from "@/lib/env";
6
7export async function POST(request: NextRequest) {
8  // Rate limit: 10 requests/minute
9  const identifier = getClientIdentifier(request);
10  const rateLimit = await checkRateLimitAuto(identifier, RateLimiters.strict);
11
12  if (!rateLimit.success) {
13    return NextResponse.json(
14      { error: "Too many attempts. Please try again later." },
15      { status: 429 }
16    );
17  }
18
19  // Mock checkout for development
20  if (!isPolarConfigured()) {
21    const baseUrl = env.client.NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_URL || "http://localhost:3000";
22    return NextResponse.json({
23      checkoutUrl: `${baseUrl}/purchase/success?mock=true`,
24      _mock: true,
25    });
26  }
27
28  try {
29    const { customerEmail, discountId, metadata } = await request.json();
30    const baseUrl = env.client.NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_URL || "http://localhost:3000";
31
32    const checkout = await createCheckoutSession({
33      customerEmail,
34      successUrl: `${baseUrl}/purchase/success`,
35      discountId,
36      metadata: { source: "website", ...metadata },
37    });
38
39    return NextResponse.json({
40      checkoutUrl: checkout.url,
41      checkoutId: checkout.id,
42    });
43  } catch (error) {
44    return NextResponse.json(
45      { error: "Failed to create checkout" },
46      { status: 500 }
47    );
48  }
49}

[ [0x73] POLAR SDK FUNCTIONS ]

Core functions for interacting with Polar API

1// src/lib/polar.ts
2import { Polar } from "@polar-sh/sdk";
3import { env } from "@/lib/env";
4
5export const isPolarConfigured = () => !!env.server.POLAR_ACCESS_TOKEN;
6
7export const polar = new Polar({
8  accessToken: env.server.POLAR_ACCESS_TOKEN || "not-configured",
9});
10
11export const PRODUCT_ID = env.client.NEXT_PUBLIC_POLAR_PRODUCT_ID;
12
13export async function createCheckoutSession(params: {
14  customerEmail?: string;
15  successUrl: string;
16  discountId?: string;
17  metadata?: Record<string, string>;
18}) {
19  if (!PRODUCT_ID) {
20    throw new Error("Polar product ID not configured");
21  }
22
23  const checkout = await polar.checkouts.create({
24    products: [PRODUCT_ID],
25    discountId: params.discountId,
26    customerEmail: params.customerEmail,
27    successUrl: params.successUrl,
28    metadata: params.metadata,
29  });
30
31  return checkout;
32}
33
34export async function getProduct() {
35  if (!PRODUCT_ID) throw new Error("Product ID not configured");
36  return polar.products.get({ id: PRODUCT_ID });
37}

Prerequisites

[ [0x80] BEFORE YOU START ]

├─ Completed Getting Started guide
├─ Database configured and running
├─ Environment variables set up (.env.local)
└─ Polar.sh account with access token

Payment Provider Comparison

[ [0xF7] COMPARISON ]

Polar.sh

• Built for digital products
• Simple SDK, quick setup
• Built-in discount codes
• Great for indie hackers
• ~5% + processing fees

Stripe

• Industry standard
• Most payment methods
• Complex subscriptions
• You handle taxes
• 2.9% + $0.30

Lemon Squeezy

• Merchant of record
• Handles ALL taxes
• Zero tax compliance
• Global focus
• 5% + $0.50

[ [0x00] INFO ]

When to use Polar

Choose Polar for selling digital products like boilerplates, templates, courses, or one-time purchases. It's optimized for indie hackers and has the simplest integration.

Development Mode

[ [0xE4] MOCK CHECKOUT ]

When POLAR_ACCESS_TOKEN is not set, the checkout API returns a mock response that redirects to your success page. This lets you test the full purchase flow without real payments.

// Mock response when Polar isn't configured
{
  "checkoutUrl": "http://localhost:3000/purchase/success?mock=true",
  "_mock": true
}

Discount Strategies

[ [0x05] LAUNCH DISCOUNTS ]

Usage-Limited Discounts

Create discounts that auto-expire after N uses. Perfect for "First 100 customers get 25% off" promotions.

Time-Limited Discounts

Set expiration dates for launch week or holiday promotions.

Exit Intent Discounts

Pass a special discount ID when user tries to leave. See exit-intent-popup.tsx.

File Reference

[ [0x70] PROJECT FILES ]

src/lib/polar.tsSDK client and helpers

src/app/api/polar/checkout/route.tsCheckout API endpoint

src/components/polar/checkout-button.tsxCheckout button component

src/components/polar/discount-counter.tsxUsage counter display

Next Steps

[ [0x37] LEMON SQUEEZY ]

Lemon Squeezy

Alternative with merchant of record for global tax handling.

[ [0xA0] STRIPE PAYMENTS ]

Stripe Setup

Industry-standard payment processing with subscriptions.

Overview

[ [0x30] STATUS ]

Features

[ [0x01] SIMPLE_PRICI ]

STATUS: READY

DESC: Competitive fees with transparent pricing, no hidden charges.

[ [0x02] QUICK_INTEGR ]

STATUS: READY

DESC: Get up and running in minutes with the SDK.

[ [0x03] BUILT_IN_DIS ]

STATUS: READY

DESC: Create discount codes with usage limits directly in dashboard.

[ [0x04] SECURE_CHECK ]

STATUS: READY

DESC: PCI-compliant hosted checkout pages.

[ [0x05] MULTIPLE_MET ]

STATUS: READY

DESC: Cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay supported.

[ [0x06] CUSTOMER_POR ]

STATUS: READY

DESC: Self-serve license management for customers.

Setup

[ [0x01] CREATE POLAR ACCOUNT ]

DESC: Go to polar.sh and create an account. Set up your organization and complete onboarding.

[ [0x02] GET API KEYS ]

DESC: Go to Settings → Developer Settings and create an access token with full permissions.

[ [0x03] CREATE PRODUCT ]

DESC: Go to Products and create your digital product. Copy the Product ID from the product details page.

[ [0x04] ADD KEYS TO APP ]

DESC: Add these to your .env.local file

1$# Polar.sh API Keys
2$POLAR_ACCESS_TOKEN="your_access_token_here"
3$NEXT_PUBLIC_POLAR_PRODUCT_ID="your_product_id"
4
5$# Optional: Webhook secret for order notifications
6$POLAR_WEBHOOK_SECRET="your_webhook_secret"

[ [0x05] CREATE DISCOUNT CODE (OPTIONAL) ]

DESC: In Marketing → Discounts, create a discount code with usage limits.

1$# The discount ID is found in the discount details
2$# You can set auto-expiring discounts (e.g., first 100 customers)
3$FABRK_DISCOUNT_ID="1161689c-dbc2-4e53-8c18-43f4af7aaa3f"

Tip: Use usage-limited discounts for launch promotions!

Usage

[ [0xF7] CHECKOUT BUTTON COMPONENT ]

Pre-built component that handles checkout flow

1"use client";
2
3import { useState } from "react";
4import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
5import { Loader2 } from "lucide-react";
6import { toast } from "sonner";
7
8export function PolarCheckoutButton({
9  customerEmail,
10  discountId,
11  children = "Get Started - $199",
12}) {
13  const [isLoading, setIsLoading] = useState(false);
14
15  const handleCheckout = async () => {
16    setIsLoading(true);
17
18    try {
19      const response = await fetch("/api/polar/checkout", {
20        method: "POST",
21        headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
22        body: JSON.stringify({
23          customerEmail,
24          discountId,
25          metadata: { timestamp: new Date().toISOString() },
26        }),
27      });
28
29      const data = await response.json();
30
31      if (!response.ok) {
32        throw new Error(data.details || "Failed to create checkout");
33      }
34
35      // Redirect to Polar.sh checkout
36      window.location.href = data.checkoutUrl;
37    } catch (error) {
38      toast.error(error.message || "Failed to start checkout");
39      setIsLoading(false);
40    }
41  };
42
43  return (
44    <Button onClick={handleCheckout} disabled={isLoading}>
45      {isLoading ? (
46        <>
47          <Loader2 className="mr-2 h-4 w-4 animate-spin" />
48          Loading...
49        </>
50      ) : (
51        children
52      )}
53    </Button>
54  );
55}

[ [0x1F] API ROUTE: CREATE CHECKOUT ]

Server-side checkout session creation with rate limiting

1// src/app/api/polar/checkout/route.ts
2import { NextRequest, NextResponse } from "next/server";
3import { createCheckoutSession, isPolarConfigured } from "@/lib/polar";
4import { checkRateLimitAuto, getClientIdentifier, RateLimiters } from "@/lib/security/rate-limit";
5import { env } from "@/lib/env";
6
7export async function POST(request: NextRequest) {
8  // Rate limit: 10 requests/minute
9  const identifier = getClientIdentifier(request);
10  const rateLimit = await checkRateLimitAuto(identifier, RateLimiters.strict);
11
12  if (!rateLimit.success) {
13    return NextResponse.json(
14      { error: "Too many attempts. Please try again later." },
15      { status: 429 }
16    );
17  }
18
19  // Mock checkout for development
20  if (!isPolarConfigured()) {
21    const baseUrl = env.client.NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_URL || "http://localhost:3000";
22    return NextResponse.json({
23      checkoutUrl: `${baseUrl}/purchase/success?mock=true`,
24      _mock: true,
25    });
26  }
27
28  try {
29    const { customerEmail, discountId, metadata } = await request.json();
30    const baseUrl = env.client.NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_URL || "http://localhost:3000";
31
32    const checkout = await createCheckoutSession({
33      customerEmail,
34      successUrl: `${baseUrl}/purchase/success`,
35      discountId,
36      metadata: { source: "website", ...metadata },
37    });
38
39    return NextResponse.json({
40      checkoutUrl: checkout.url,
41      checkoutId: checkout.id,
42    });
43  } catch (error) {
44    return NextResponse.json(
45      { error: "Failed to create checkout" },
46      { status: 500 }
47    );
48  }
49}

[ [0x73] POLAR SDK FUNCTIONS ]

Core functions for interacting with Polar API

1// src/lib/polar.ts
2import { Polar } from "@polar-sh/sdk";
3import { env } from "@/lib/env";
4
5export const isPolarConfigured = () => !!env.server.POLAR_ACCESS_TOKEN;
6
7export const polar = new Polar({
8  accessToken: env.server.POLAR_ACCESS_TOKEN || "not-configured",
9});
10
11export const PRODUCT_ID = env.client.NEXT_PUBLIC_POLAR_PRODUCT_ID;
12
13export async function createCheckoutSession(params: {
14  customerEmail?: string;
15  successUrl: string;
16  discountId?: string;
17  metadata?: Record<string, string>;
18}) {
19  if (!PRODUCT_ID) {
20    throw new Error("Polar product ID not configured");
21  }
22
23  const checkout = await polar.checkouts.create({
24    products: [PRODUCT_ID],
25    discountId: params.discountId,
26    customerEmail: params.customerEmail,
27    successUrl: params.successUrl,
28    metadata: params.metadata,
29  });
30
31  return checkout;
32}
33
34export async function getProduct() {
35  if (!PRODUCT_ID) throw new Error("Product ID not configured");
36  return polar.products.get({ id: PRODUCT_ID });
37}

Payment Provider Comparison

[ [0xF7] COMPARISON ]

Polar.sh

• Built for digital products
• Simple SDK, quick setup
• Built-in discount codes
• Great for indie hackers
• ~5% + processing fees

Stripe

• Industry standard
• Most payment methods
• Complex subscriptions
• You handle taxes
• 2.9% + $0.30

Lemon Squeezy

• Merchant of record
• Handles ALL taxes
• Zero tax compliance
• Global focus
• 5% + $0.50

[ [0x00] INFO ]

When to use Polar

Choose Polar for selling digital products like boilerplates, templates, courses, or one-time purchases. It's optimized for indie hackers and has the simplest integration.

Development Mode

[ [0xE4] MOCK CHECKOUT ]

When POLAR_ACCESS_TOKEN is not set, the checkout API returns a mock response that redirects to your success page. This lets you test the full purchase flow without real payments.

// Mock response when Polar isn't configured
{
  "checkoutUrl": "http://localhost:3000/purchase/success?mock=true",
  "_mock": true
}

Discount Strategies

[ [0x05] LAUNCH DISCOUNTS ]

Usage-Limited Discounts

Create discounts that auto-expire after N uses. Perfect for "First 100 customers get 25% off" promotions.

Time-Limited Discounts

Set expiration dates for launch week or holiday promotions.

Exit Intent Discounts

Pass a special discount ID when user tries to leave. See exit-intent-popup.tsx.