June 2026 · Payment processor pricing

Stripe vs Paddle Fee Calculator

Compare Stripe, Paddle, Lemon Squeezy, and PayPal fees side by side. Enter your monthly revenue → see exact fees, effective rate, and net revenue.

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💳 Payment Fee Calculator

Enter revenue and transaction count · Compare processors instantly

Fee comparison

Stripe vs Paddle vs Lemon Squeezy Fees

True cost comparison — raw fees only, excluding tax handling.

ProcessorRateFixed feeTax handlingMoR$10K MRR fee
StripeLOWEST RATE2.9%$0.30You handle (Stripe Tax extra)No~$350
PayPal3.49%$0.49You handleNo~$447
Paddle5%$0.50Handled (global VAT)Yes~$600
Lemon Squeezy5%$0.50Handled (global VAT)Yes~$600
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ℹ What is a Merchant of Record?

A Merchant of Record (MoR) is the legal entity that processes payment and handles all tax obligations globally. Paddle and Lemon Squeezy collect VAT/sales tax in 100+ countries automatically. Stripe requires you to use Stripe Tax ($0.50 per transaction) or handle tax yourself.

💡 Break-even point

Paddle's 5% beats Stripe at MRR above ~$15K when adding Stripe Tax ($0.50/tx) and accounting for international card fees (1.5% extra). Below $15K MRR: Stripe is cheaper. Above $15K MRR with global customers: Paddle or Lemon Squeezy saves tax headaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Stripe cheaper than Paddle for SaaS?+

At raw fee level yes (2.9% vs 5%). But adding Stripe Tax ($0.50/tx for VAT), international card fees (1.5%), and chargeback costs puts the break-even at $12–18K MRR. Below that Stripe is cheaper; above that Paddle is often cheaper total.

What is a Merchant of Record?+

A Merchant of Record (MoR) is the legal entity that processes payment and handles all tax obligations. Paddle and Lemon Squeezy are MoRs — they collect VAT/sales tax globally. Stripe is not a MoR; you are responsible for tax compliance.

Does Stripe work in Turkey?+

Yes, Stripe supports Turkey. You can accept TRY payments and international cards. Note: Stripe Tax applies for VAT in EU countries. Turkish customers paying in TRY may incur FX conversion fees.

What is Lemon Squeezy vs Paddle?+

Both are Merchant of Record platforms at 5% + $0.50. Lemon Squeezy is newer with a simpler UI and stronger developer experience. Paddle has been around longer with more enterprise features. Both handle global VAT automatically.

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