Lemon Squeezy vs Stripe: Which One Fits Your Solo Dev Stack?
Free tier limits, real costs for 1-10 users, and honest "not for" warnings. The Solo Dev decision guide for Lemon Squeezy vs Stripe.
⚡ Quick Verdict
Stripe edges ahead with a 4.9/5 rating. However, the best choice depends on your team size, budget, and workflow needs. Read on for the full breakdown.
💰 Cost by Team Size
| Team Size | Lemon Squeezy | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Solo (1 user) | $0/mo | $0/mo |
| Small (5 users) | $0/mo | $0/mo |
| Growing (10 users) | $0/mo | $0/mo |
| Free Tier | ✅ No monthly fee. 5% + 50¢ per transaction. Tax collection and remittance included. | ✅ No monthly fee. Pay per transaction: 2.9% + 30¢ per card charge. No setup fees. |
Pricing Plans
| Plan | Lemon Squeezy | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Standard | $0/mo | $0/mo |
| Growth | $14/mo | Custom |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Lemon Squeezy | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Payment Processing | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Developer API | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
Pros & Cons
Lemon Squeezy
✅ Pros
- Handles global sales tax automatically (huge for solo devs)
- Merchant of Record — they handle tax compliance, not you
- Built-in license key management for desktop/mobile apps
- No monthly fee — only pay per transaction
- Affiliate program management included
❌ Cons
- Higher per-transaction fee (5% + 50¢) vs Stripe (2.9% + 30¢)
- Fewer payment methods than Stripe
- Dashboard and DX not as polished as Stripe
- Limited customization for checkout flow
- Newer platform — smaller community and fewer integrations
Stripe
✅ Pros
- Best-in-class developer experience and API documentation
- No monthly fee — only pay when you get paid
- Built-in subscription billing (Stripe Billing)
- Stripe Checkout for hosted payment pages (no frontend needed)
- Supports 135+ currencies and global payment methods
❌ Cons
- 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction adds up at volume
- Account holds/freezes can happen without warning
- Complex pricing for advanced features (Connect, billing metering)
- No phone support on standard plan
- Chargebacks cost $15 each regardless of outcome
Who Should Use What?
✅ Choose Lemon Squeezy if...
- You are a solo devs selling digital products who don't want to deal with taxes
- You are a saas founders who want merchant of record (no tax headaches)
- You are a indie hackers selling desktop apps with license keys
🚫 Skip if...
- High-volume SaaS (5% fee eats into margins)
- Businesses needing full payment customization (use Stripe)
- Physical product sellers
✅ Choose Stripe if...
- You are a every saas startup — it's the default
- You are a solo devs who want to monetize with minimal code
- You are a subscription-based businesses
🚫 Skip if...
- High-volume businesses where 2.9% is too expensive
- Businesses in restricted categories (CBD, crypto)
🏆 Our Verdict
Both Lemon Squeezy (4.5/5) and Stripe (4.9/5) are excellent tools in their category. Stripe takes a slight edge overall, but the best choice ultimately depends on your team's specific needs, budget, and existing tool ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lemon Squeezy better than Stripe?
It depends on your needs. Lemon Squeezy excels in some areas while Stripe has its own strengths. Read our full comparison above to see which tool fits your specific requirements.
How does Lemon Squeezy pricing compare to Stripe?
Lemon Squeezy starts at Free / $0/mo, while Stripe starts at Free / $0/mo. Both offer different value propositions — check our pricing comparison section for a detailed breakdown.
Can I migrate from Lemon Squeezy to Stripe?
Yes, most B2B tools offer data import/export features. Stripe typically provides migration guides and sometimes even dedicated support for switching from Lemon Squeezy.
Which is easier to use, Lemon Squeezy or Stripe?
Ease of use depends on your team's experience and workflow preferences. We evaluated both tools on usability — see our feature comparison scores above for details.
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