When Lucid Software first set out to “help teams see and build the future,” their ambition was clear. Fast forward, and they’ve made it possible for over 100 million users in 180+ countries to collaborate visually and innovate faster than ever before. Today, Lucid is synonymous with cutting-edge visual solutions, serving 99% of the Fortune 500. 

But what does it take to turn a free product into a go-to solution for a global audience? For Lucid Software, the answer lies in smart strategy, bold vision, and a unified subscription management system powered by Recurly.

Here’s a sneak peek at how Recurly and Lucid have grown together through a 14-year partnership.

A unified platform to empower growth

Venturing into subscription services, Lucid needed more than just a billing tool. They needed an all-in-one platform capable of handling everything from payment processing to renewals, all while remaining PCI compliant. But piecing together multiple vendors wasn’t an option; Lucid wanted simplicity, scalability, and efficiency — that’s where Recurly stepped in.

Recurly provided a unified solution that combined all aspects of subscription management into one streamlined platform. From securely collecting payment methods and handling renewals to automating invoices and managing global payment gateways, Recurly gave Lucid the tools to scale with confidence.

But the magic didn’t stop there. Recurly’s customizable API enabled Lucid to embed subscription functions directly into their product. Their customers could manage billing details and subscription plans seamlessly through Lucid’s portal, creating a polished user experience. The result? Lucid could keep their focus on delivering innovation, while Recurly handled the complex, back-end subscription operations that make it all possible.

Scaling globally without breaking a sweat

Lucid’s vision was always global, but scaling to over 180 countries in just a few years doesn’t come without its challenges. Taxes, regulations, currency differences, and regional pricing requirements can easily derail expansion plans — but not for Lucid. With Recurly as their partner, they navigated every hurdle with ease.

Recurly’s integration with Avalara, a tax compliance leader, meant Lucid could manage intricate international regulations without skipping a beat. Whether it was calculating region-specific tax rates or staying compliant with laws requiring full-price display, Recurly had them covered.

Relying on a consistent partnership 

Ask Steve Wellman, Senior Director of Business Systems at Lucid, what makes a partnership work, and you’ll hear one word loud and clear: consistency. Recurly didn’t just provide tools; it offered a solid foundation that scaled alongside Lucid’s ambitions. From international compliance to tax management and everything in between, Recurly adapted, adjusted, and supported Lucid as they expanded to over 180 countries.

“Recurly is stable — it’s consistent. That's incredibly beneficial for us,” Wellman explained. “The product is consistently there and does what we need it to do.”

Want the full story?

Lucid’s story is proof that the right tools can make all the difference. And every step of the way, their partnership with Recurly has been the quiet engine powering their success, from streamlined subscription management to international expansion.

Want more behind-the-scenes details on how Lucid turned their vision into reality with Recurly’s subscription platform? Read the full case study here.