Lemon Squeezy vs Stripe
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right payment processing solution for your project.
Quick Verdict
Stripe has a feature edge based on documented capabilities, but the best choice depends on your constraints. Lemon Squeezy is best for indie hackers, while Stripe excels at most saas products. See methodology for how we compare tools.
Lemon Squeezy
Payments for creators and indie hackers
Best for
Stripe
Feature edgeThe gold standard for payments
Best for
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Lemon Squeezy | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Card Payments | Yes | Yes |
| Subscriptions | Yes | Yes |
| Invoicing | Yes | Yes |
| Marketplace/Connect | No | Yes |
| No-code Options | Yes Built-in store | Yes Payment Links, Checkout |
| Mobile SDKs | No | Yes |
| Global Payments | Yes | Yes 135+ currencies |
Pricing Comparison
Lemon Squeezy
Stripe
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
Stripe Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Best-in-class documentation
- +Excellent developer experience
- +Comprehensive feature set
- +Strong ecosystem
Cons
- -Higher fees than some competitors
- -Account holds can be aggressive
- -Support can be slow
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.
Stripe Verdict
Stripe is the default choice for a reason. Unmatched DX and features. Only consider alternatives if fees are critical or you have specific regional needs.
More options in Payment Processing
Looking for different tradeoffs? Explore alternatives to each tool.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Lemon Squeezy vs Stripe
Is Lemon Squeezy or Stripe better?
It depends on your use case. Lemon Squeezy is best for indie hackers and digital product creators. Stripe is best for most saas products and marketplaces. 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 Stripe free?
No, Stripe does not have a free tier. Pricing starts at 2.9% + 30¢.
Can I migrate from Lemon Squeezy to Stripe?
Yes, you can migrate from Lemon Squeezy to Stripe, 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 Stripe?
Both Lemon Squeezy and Stripe are popular choices in their category. The best choice depends on your specific requirements, team expertise, and budget rather than popularity alone.