# Stripe Alternatives 2026: Which One Fits Your Situation

> The main Stripe alternatives in 2026, by situation: merchants of record (Paddle, Lemon Squeezy, Polar, Creem, Dodo Payments, AgentaOS) and processors (Mollie, PayPal), with per-sale fees checked on each provider’s own page.

Source: https://agentaos.ai/stripe-alternative (canonical HTML page). Publisher: AgentaOS (Aristokrates OÜ, Estonia), one of the options listed.

**The best Stripe alternative depends on why you are leaving.** If Stripe does not work in your country, or you do not want to handle VAT and sales tax abroad, use a merchant of record: Paddle, Lemon Squeezy, Polar, Creem, Dodo Payments or AgentaOS. If you have a European company and want lower card fees, use a processor such as Mollie (1.8% + €0.25 on EEA cards). Stripe itself charges 1.5% + €0.25 on European cards and 2.9% + \$0.30 in the US.

## Stripe alternatives by situation

| Alternative | Type | Per-sale fee | Best when |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Mollie](https://www.mollie.com/pricing) | Payment processor | 1.8% + €0.25 (EEA cards), 3.25% + €0.25 (non-EEA cards) | You have a European business and will handle VAT yourself |
| [PayPal](https://www.paypal.com/us/business/paypal-business-fees) | Payment processor | 3.49% + \$0.49 (PayPal Checkout, US), +1.5% international | Your buyers want to pay with PayPal |
| [Paddle](https://www.paddle.com/pricing) | Merchant of record | 5% + 50¢ | A growing SaaS that wants tax, invoices and subscriptions handled |
| [Lemon Squeezy](https://www.lemonsqueezy.com/pricing) | Merchant of record | 5% + 50¢, +1.5% outside the US, +0.5% subscriptions | Digital products and small SaaS, owned by Stripe since 2024 |
| [Polar](https://polar.sh/resources/pricing) | Merchant of record | 5% + 50¢ on Starter, from 3.4% + 30¢ on paid plans, +1.5% non-US cards | Developer tools and open-source projects |
| [Creem](https://www.creem.io/pricing) | Merchant of record | 3.9% + 40¢, plus a payout fee | The lowest listed per-sale rate of the merchants of record here |
| [Dodo Payments](https://dodopayments.com/pricing) | Merchant of record | 4% + 40¢ (US cards), +1.5% international | Sellers outside the US, including India, where it has a domestic rate |
| [Gumroad](https://gumroad.com/pricing) | Marketplace and merchant of record | 10% + 50¢ | Selling a first ebook or course with no website |
| [AgentaOS](https://agentaos.ai/pricing) | Merchant of record | 4.5% + €0.50, or 4% + €0.40 on Pro (€49 a month) | Selling from a country Stripe does not serve, paid out to your local bank |

Fees checked on each provider's pricing page on 22 October 2026; payout, currency and dispute fees come on top.

## Processor or merchant of record?

A payment processor (Stripe, Mollie, PayPal) moves the money; you stay the seller and handle VAT, sales tax and invoices. A merchant of record is the legal seller and handles them for you, at a higher per-sale fee.

## Questions

### What is the best alternative to Stripe?

It depends on why you are leaving. If Stripe is not available in your country, or you do not want to register for VAT and sales tax abroad, use a merchant of record such as Paddle, Lemon Squeezy, Polar, Creem, Dodo Payments or AgentaOS. If you have a European company and only want lower card fees, a processor such as Mollie is closer to Stripe.

### Is there a European alternative to Stripe?

Yes. Mollie (Netherlands) is a European payment processor at 1.8% + €0.25 for EEA cards. Paddle (UK), Creem and AgentaOS (Estonia) are European merchants of record that also handle VAT for you.

### What can I use if Stripe is not available in my country?

A merchant of record. It is the seller on each sale, so you do not need your own Stripe account; you receive payouts to your bank. Which one pays out to your country varies; see which merchant of record pays out to your country.

### What is the difference between a payment processor and a merchant of record?

A processor (Stripe, Mollie, PayPal) moves the money, and you stay the seller: VAT, sales tax and invoices abroad are yours. A merchant of record is the legal seller, so it collects and pays those taxes and issues invoices. It costs more per sale and saves the tax work.

### Which Stripe alternative is cheapest?

Per sale, processors are cheaper: Mollie charges 1.8% + €0.25 on EEA cards. Among merchants of record, Creem lists the lowest rate at 3.9% + 40¢, before its payout fee. What reaches your bank also depends on payout and currency fees; the fee calculator compares them.