Lemon Squeezy vs Paddle
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right payment processing solution for your project.
Quick Verdict
Paddle has a feature edge based on documented capabilities, but the best choice depends on your constraints. Lemon Squeezy is best for indie hackers, while Paddle excels at saas products selling globally. See methodology for how we compare tools.
Lemon Squeezy
Payments for creators and indie hackers
Best for
Paddle
Feature edgeMerchant of record for SaaS
Best for
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Lemon Squeezy | Paddle |
|---|---|---|
| Card Payments | Yes | Yes |
| Subscriptions | Yes | Yes |
| Invoicing | Yes | Yes |
| Marketplace/Connect | No | No |
| No-code Options | Yes Built-in store | Yes |
| Mobile SDKs | No | Yes |
| Global Payments | Yes | Yes As MoR |
Pricing Comparison
Lemon Squeezy
Paddle
Lemon Squeezy Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Beautiful checkout experience
- +License key management built-in
- +Great for digital products
- +Indie-hacker friendly
Cons
- -Newer platform
- -Less mature API
- -Higher fees than Stripe
Paddle Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Handles all tax compliance
- +Merchant of record (you're not liable)
- +Simple global selling
- +Good for digital products
Cons
- -Higher fees than Stripe
- -Less control over billing
- -Not suitable for physical goods
Lemon Squeezy Verdict
Lemon Squeezy is the friendliest option for indie hackers selling digital products. The built-in store and license management are big time savers.
Paddle Verdict
Paddle is perfect if you want to sell globally without worrying about VAT, sales tax, or entity setup. Worth the higher fees for the peace of mind.
More options in Payment Processing
Looking for different tradeoffs? Explore alternatives to each tool.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Lemon Squeezy vs Paddle
Is Lemon Squeezy or Paddle better?
It depends on your use case. Lemon Squeezy is best for indie hackers and digital product creators. Paddle is best for saas products selling globally and solo founders avoiding tax complexity. Lemon Squeezy is the friendliest option for indie hackers selling digital products. The built-in store and license management are big time savers.
Is Lemon Squeezy free?
No, Lemon Squeezy does not have a free tier. Pricing starts at 5% + 50¢.
Is Paddle free?
No, Paddle does not have a free tier. Pricing starts at 5% + 50¢.
Can I migrate from Lemon Squeezy to Paddle?
Yes, you can migrate from Lemon Squeezy to Paddle, though the complexity depends on how deeply integrated your current solution is. Most developers recommend evaluating both tools in a test environment before committing to a migration.
Which is more popular, Lemon Squeezy or Paddle?
Both Lemon Squeezy and Paddle are popular choices in their category. The best choice depends on your specific requirements, team expertise, and budget rather than popularity alone.