Lemon Squeezy vs Paddle: 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 Paddle.
⚡ Quick Verdict
Lemon Squeezy edges ahead with a 4.5/5 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 | Paddle |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Pricing Plans
| Plan | Lemon Squeezy | Paddle |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Standard | $0/mo | $0/mo |
| Growth | $14/mo | Custom |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Lemon Squeezy | Paddle |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Compliance | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
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
Paddle
✅ Pros
- Merchant of Record — handles all global tax/VAT compliance
- Built-in subscription management, dunning, and invoicing
- 150+ countries and currencies supported
- No need for separate tax tools like Avalara
❌ Cons
- 5% + $0.50 fee is higher than Stripe's 2.9%
- Less customizable checkout vs Stripe
- Slower payout cycle (1-2 weeks)
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 Paddle if...
- You are a saas businesses selling globally
- You are a devs who hate tax paperwork
🚫 Skip if...
- Marketplace platforms needing split payments
- Physical product sellers
🏆 Our Verdict
Both Lemon Squeezy (4.5/5) and Paddle (4.3/5) are excellent tools in their category. Lemon Squeezy 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 Paddle?
It depends on your needs. Lemon Squeezy excels in some areas while Paddle has its own strengths. Read our full comparison above to see which tool fits your specific requirements.
How does Lemon Squeezy pricing compare to Paddle?
Lemon Squeezy starts at Free / $0/mo, while Paddle starts at $0/mo. Both offer different value propositions — check our pricing comparison section for a detailed breakdown.
Can I migrate from Lemon Squeezy to Paddle?
Yes, most B2B tools offer data import/export features. Paddle typically provides migration guides and sometimes even dedicated support for switching from Lemon Squeezy.
Which is easier to use, Lemon Squeezy or Paddle?
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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