Paddle vs Lemon Squeezy vs Polar
The problem“Paddle, Lemon Squeezy and Polar all say 5% + 50 cents. Which one actually costs less, and which should I pick?”
All three start at 5% + $0.50 per sale; the extras decide it. Paddle adds nothing for international cards or subscriptions, so it is the cheapest of the three when most buyers are outside the US. Lemon Squeezy adds 1.5% on international cards and 0.5% on subscriptions. Polar adds 1.5% on international cards but drops its rate on paid plans from $20 a month. All three are merchants of record, so sales tax, VAT and invoices are handled.
Fees and extras, side by side
| Paddle | Lemon Squeezy | Polar | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per sale | 5% + $0.50 | 5% + $0.50 | 5% + $0.50 (Starter) |
| International cards | No extra fee | +1.5% | +1.5% |
| Subscriptions | No extra fee | +0.5% | None listed |
| Monthly fee | $0 | $0 | $0 (Pro from $20 for lower rates) |
| Payout | Free by SEPA or ACH, $15 SWIFT | Free in the US, 1% elsewhere | Stripe payout fees pass through |
| Legal seller (handles VAT) | Paddle | Lemon Squeezy | Polar |
| Best for | B2B and international SaaS | Creators and info products | Developer tools, open source |
Each provider’s published price: Paddle checked 6 October, Lemon Squeezy and Polar 14 October 2026. Sources: Paddle, Lemon Squeezy, Polar.
Which one should you pick?
- PaddleMost buyers abroad
No international card or subscription surcharge, so the 5% is the whole fee. Common choice for B2B SaaS.
- Lemon SqueezyCreators and courses
Simple storefront and digital delivery. Owned by Stripe. Watch the 1.5% international and 0.5% subscription extras.
- PolarDeveloper tools
Open source and developer-first. Lower rates only on paid plans; payouts via Stripe Connect Express, which does not cover every country.
Lower fees, or run by your AI agent
If the fee is what matters most, Creem (3.9% + $0.40) and Dodo Payments (4% + $0.40) have lower headline rates. AgentaOS is 4.5% + €0.50 with no monthly fee, or 4% + €0.40 on Pro; it is the merchant of record your AI agent can run over MCP, with Pricing Intelligence included, and it pays out in countries Stripe does not reach. AgentaOS wrote this page and is one of the providers it mentions.
Every provider with every extra fee and payout cost: Merchant of Record fees, side by side. By use case: best Merchant of Record for SaaS. More: Paddle alternatives · Lemon Squeezy alternatives · Polar alternatives · Creem.
Straight answers
Which is cheapest: Paddle, Lemon Squeezy or Polar?
At the entry price they cost the same: 5% + $0.50 per sale. Paddle adds nothing for international cards or subscriptions. Lemon Squeezy adds 1.5% on international cards and 0.5% on subscriptions. Polar adds 1.5% on international cards and offers lower rates on paid plans from $20 a month.
Are all three merchants of record?
Yes. Each is the legal seller, so each charges and files sales tax and VAT, issues invoices and handles chargebacks.
Which is best for a SaaS with international customers?
Paddle, if most buyers are outside the US, because it has no international card surcharge. Polar suits developer tools and open source. Lemon Squeezy suits creators and info products and is owned by Stripe.
What about payouts?
Paddle pays out free by SEPA or ACH and $15 by SWIFT. Lemon Squeezy is free in the US and 1% elsewhere. Polar passes Stripe payout fees through and pays out via Stripe Connect Express, which does not cover every country.
Is there an alternative with lower fees?
Creem (3.9% + $0.40) and Dodo Payments (4% + $0.40) have lower headline rates. AgentaOS is 4.5% + €0.50, or 4% + €0.40 on Pro, and is the one your AI agent can run over MCP. See every provider side by side on the Merchant of Record fees page.
Can you sell from your country?
Pick your country. See how you get paid, what it costs and which platforms work there.
86 countries, checked 6 October 2026No company needed