Stripe vs Lemon Squeezy
Detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool in 2026
π Quick Verdict
It's a tie! Both are great options.
Stripe is the more powerful and flexible option for any business. Lemon Squeezy is ideal for indie developers and small SaaS companies who want tax compliance handled automatically.
π Explore More
π Visual Comparison
Overall Score Comparison
Category Breakdown
Stripe Highlights
- β Best developer experience
- β Comprehensive APIs
- π° 2.9% + 30Β’ per transaction
Lemon Squeezy Highlights
- β Handles global taxes
- β Merchant of record
- π° 5% + 50Β’ per transaction
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Stripe | Lemon Squeezy |
|---|---|---|
| Payment Processing | Full suite | Digital products & SaaS |
| Merchant of Record | β | β |
| Sales Tax Handling | Stripe Tax (add-on) | Automatic (included) |
| Subscription Billing | Stripe Billing | β |
| Checkout | Hosted + embedded | Hosted overlay |
| Global Payments | 135+ currencies | Major currencies |
| Fraud Prevention | Stripe Radar | Built-in |
| Invoicing | β | β |
| Developer API | Industry-leading | Good |
| No-code Options | Payment Links | Full no-code store |
What is Stripe?
Stripe is a technology company that builds economic infrastructure for the internet. It provides payment processing, subscriptions, invoicing, and financial tools for businesses of all sizes.
β Pros
- β’Best developer experience
- β’Comprehensive APIs
- β’Global payments
- β’Subscription billing
- β’Fraud protection
βCons
- β’Transaction fees
- β’Account holds possible
- β’Complex for simple needs
- β’Payout delays
What is Lemon Squeezy?
Lemon Squeezy is a merchant of record platform for selling digital products and subscriptions. It handles global tax compliance and payments for SaaS businesses.
β Pros
- β’Handles global taxes
- β’Merchant of record
- β’Clean dashboard
- β’Built for SaaS
- β’Good documentation
βCons
- β’Higher fees than Stripe
- β’Smaller ecosystem
- β’Limited customization
- β’Payout delays
Pricing Comparison
πIn-Depth Analysis: Stripe vs Lemon Squeezy
Choosing between Stripe and Lemon Squeezy can be challenging, as both tools offer compelling features for modern workflows. In this comprehensive comparison, we'll analyze every aspectβfrom features and pricing to real-world use casesβto help you make an informed decision.
Stripe
Stripe is a technology company that builds economic infrastructure for the internet. It provides payment processing, subscriptions, invoicing, and financial tools for businesses of all sizes.
Lemon Squeezy
Lemon Squeezy is a merchant of record platform for selling digital products and subscriptions. It handles global tax compliance and payments for SaaS businesses.
π―Best Use Cases
When to Choose Stripe
- βFor Teams:
Best developer experience
- βFor Small Business:
Comprehensive APIs
- βFor Enterprise:
Global payments
When to Choose Lemon Squeezy
- βFor Individuals:
Handles global taxes
- βFor Small Business:
Merchant of record
- βFor Teams:
Clean dashboard
πFeature Deep Dive
Payment Processing
Merchant of Record
Sales Tax Handling
Subscription Billing
Checkout
Global Payments
π°Pricing Analysis
Stripe
Transaction-based
Lemon Squeezy
Transaction-based
π‘ Pro Tip
Both tools offer free trials or tiers. We recommend testing both with your actual workflow before committing to a paid plan.
πOur Recommendation
After extensive analysis and testing, here's our take: Both Stripe and Lemon Squeezy are excellent tools that can significantly improve your productivity. The best choice depends on your specific needs, workflow, and priorities.
Choose Stripe if:
You need maximum flexibility, support for physical goods, complex billing scenarios, or are building a large-scale payment system.
Choose Lemon Squeezy if:
You're selling digital products or SaaS, want automatic tax/VAT handling, and prefer simplicity over flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Merchant of Record (MoR) is the entity legally responsible for the sale. Lemon Squeezy acts as the MoR, handling sales tax, VAT, and compliance. With Stripe, your business is the MoR.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
β¨ Choose Stripe if
You need maximum flexibility, support for physical goods, complex billing scenarios, or are building a large-scale payment system.
β¨ Choose Lemon Squeezy if
You're selling digital products or SaaS, want automatic tax/VAT handling, and prefer simplicity over flexibility.