Best Stripe Alternatives for Online Businesses

Best Stripe Alternatives for Online Businesses

The best Stripe alternatives for online businesses include Adyen, Checkout.com, Dodo Payments, Paddle, Creem, and Polar. Each serves different payment needs, from enterprise payment processing to Merchant of Record services for software businesses. Choose Adyen if you need online and in-person payments at high volume. Choose Dodo Payments if you need global payments and billing for SaaS or AI products. Choose Polar if you prefer open-source billing infrastructure.

Best options at a glance

  1. #1

    Adyen

    Choose Adyen for global online and in-person payments, local payment methods, and marketplace payouts. It is designed for businesses operating at enterprise or high-volume scale.

  2. #2

    Checkout.com

    Choose Checkout.com for established businesses handling international payments, transaction analytics, and fraud prevention. Its pricing is customized based on business profile and risk category.

  3. #3

    Dodo Payments

    Choose Dodo Payments for SaaS, AI products, and digital businesses needing Merchant of Record services. It supports subscription billing, usage-based billing, and global tax compliance.

  4. #4

    Paddle

    Choose Paddle for international software sales with Merchant of Record services. It combines subscription billing, tax compliance, invoicing, fraud protection, and payment recovery.

  5. #5

    Creem

    Choose Creem for software businesses needing Merchant of Record services, subscription management, usage-based billing, and revenue splitting. It supports credit packs and seat-based pricing.

  6. #6

    Polar

    Choose Polar for open-source billing infrastructure and Merchant of Record services. It supports subscriptions, usage-based billing, credits, and multiple pricing models.

Compare the best options

Compare the best options
FeatureAdyenCheckout.comDodo PaymentsPaddleCreemPolar
Business FitEnterprise and high-volume businessesEstablished businesses and enterprise merchantsSaaS, AI, and digital product businessesSoftware, SaaS, AI, and digital businessesSoftware, SaaS, AI, and digital businessesDevelopers, startups, and digital product businesses
Starting PricingStarts from $0.13 per transaction + payment method feeCustom QuoteStarts from 4% + $0.40 per transactionStarts from 5% + $0.50 per transactionStarts from 3.9% + $0.40 per transactionStarts from 5% + $0.50 per transaction
Billing FeaturesRecurring paymentsSubscription billingSubscriptions and usage-based billingSubscriptions and recurring billingSubscriptions and usage-based billingSubscriptions and usage-based billing
Tax ComplianceNot listedNot listedGlobal tax calculation, filing, and reportingGlobal sales tax and VAT complianceVAT, GST, and sales tax collection and remittanceGlobal tax compliance
Payment CoverageOnline, in-person, and mobile payments150+ currencies and local payment methods80+ currencies and 30+ payment methodsGlobal payment processingGlobal paymentsGlobal payment processing
Open SourceNoNoNot listedNot listedNot listedYes

Best apps for different needs

Adyen

Payment ProviderPayment Processing
Pay as you goStarts from $0.13 per transaction + payment method fee

Financial technology platform for end-to-end payments.

Adyen screenshot

What is Adyen?

Adyen is a global payment platform for businesses that need to accept online, in-person, and mobile payments. It combines payment processing, local payment methods, risk management, payouts, and other financial products through a single platform.

When should you choose Adyen?

  • Choose Adyen when your business needs online and in-person payments through one platform.
  • It supports local payment methods and marketplace payouts.
  • Its APIs cover payments, terminals, and payouts.
  • Adyen is better suited to enterprise or high-volume businesses than low-volume operations.

Checkout.com

Payment ProviderPayment Processing
Starts from Custom Quote

Global payment processor for businesses

Checkout.com screenshot

What is Checkout.com?

Checkout.com is a global payment processing platform combining payment gateway, acquiring and fraud prevention services. It helps enterprise businesses accept payments, optimize transactions and expand into international markets.

When should you choose Checkout.com?

  • Choose Checkout.com when you operate an established business across international markets.
  • It supports processing in 150+ currencies and direct acquiring across major markets.
  • Its tools include transaction analytics, fraud prevention, and automated payouts for marketplaces.
  • Pricing is customized, so standard rates are not publicly listed.
  • Its recommended for enterprise businesses rather than small indie businesses.

Dodo Payments

Payment ProviderMerchant of Record
Pay as you goStarts from 4% + $0.40 per transaction

Payments and billing platform for SaaS, AI, and digital products.

Dodo Payments screenshot

What is Dodo Payments?

Dodo Payments is a Merchant of Record and payments platform for SaaS, AI, and digital product businesses. It handles global payments, subscriptions, usage-based billing, tax compliance, fraud protection, invoicing, and digital product distribution.

When should you choose Dodo Payments?

  • Choose Dodo Payments when you sell SaaS, AI products, or digital products globally.
  • Its Merchant of Record service handles tax and compliance responsibilities for eligible digital products.
  • You have built a SaaS and want recurring subscriptions, one-time payments or metered billing.
  • It is also suitable for Indian and Asian indie hackers integrating payments into applications.

Paddle

Payment ProviderMerchant of Record
Pay as you goStarts from 5% + $0.50 per transaction

Payments, billing, and tax compliance for software businesses.

Paddle screenshot

What is Paddle?

Paddle is a Merchant of Record platform for SaaS, software, AI, and digital product businesses. It combines payments, subscription billing, tax compliance, fraud protection, invoicing, customer support, and revenue recovery in one platform.

When should you choose Paddle?

  • Choose Paddle when you sell software, SaaS, AI products, or digital products internationally.
  • Its Merchant of Record service handles sales tax and VAT compliance.
  • It supports subscription billing, trials, upgrades, and payment recovery.
  • Its standard transaction pricing starts from 5% + $0.50.

Creem

Payment ProviderMerchant of Record
Pay as you goStarts from 3.9% + $0.40 per transaction

The complete payment platform for software companies.

Creem screenshot

What is Creem?

Creem is a Merchant of Record and payments platform for software companies, SaaS businesses, AI products, and digital products. It handles payments, taxes, compliance, subscriptions, revenue splits, fraud protection, invoicing, and payouts.

When should you choose Creem?

  • Choose Creem when you run a software business or sell digital products.
  • It acts as a Merchant of Record and handles applicable tax responsibilities and has the lowest transaction fees.
  • Its billing supports subscriptions, usage-based pricing, credit packs, and seat-based plans.
  • Revenue splitting is available for co-founders, affiliates, partners, and contractors.

Polar

Payment ProviderMerchant of Record
FreemiumStarts from 5% + $0.50 per transaction

The billing stack for the intelligence era.

Polar screenshot

What is Polar?

Polar is an open-source billing and Merchant of Record platform for developers, startups, and digital product businesses. It handles payments, subscriptions, usage-based billing, tax compliance, customer management, checkout, and automated product access.

When should you choose Polar?

  • Choose Polar when you want open-source billing infrastructure for digital products and agentic billing.
  • It provides Merchant of Record services for international tax compliance.
  • You can offer subscriptions, usage-based pricing, credits, seats, or one-time purchases.
  • Its public codebase is licensed under Apache 2.0.

Which one should you use?

  • Choose Adyen if you operate at enterprise or high-volume scale. It combines online, in-person, and marketplace payments.
  • Choose Checkout.com if you need international acquiring and transaction analytics. It supports 150+ currencies and fraud prevention.
  • Choose Dodo Payments if you need MoR services for SaaS or AI products. It combines billing, tax compliance, and global payments.
  • Choose Paddle if you want subscription payment recovery alongside tax compliance. It provides automated recovery and churn prevention.
  • Choose Creem if you need revenue splitting or credit packs. It supports revenue splits and usage-based billing.
  • Choose Polar if you prefer open-source billing infrastructure. Its public codebase uses the Apache 2.0 license.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best Stripe alternatives for online businesses?

Adyen, Checkout.com, Dodo Payments, Paddle, Creem, and Polar are options for different business models. Adyen and Checkout.com focus on payment processing, while Dodo Payments, Paddle, Creem, and Polar provide Merchant of Record services.

Which Stripe alternative is suitable for SaaS businesses?

Dodo Payments, Paddle, Creem, and Polar support SaaS businesses with subscription billing. They also provide Merchant of Record services for global tax compliance.

Which Stripe alternative supports global tax compliance?

Dodo Payments, Paddle, Creem, and Polar provide Merchant of Record services with tax compliance. Their listed capabilities include tax calculation, collection, filing, or remittance.

Which Stripe alternative is open source?

Polar is an open-source billing and Merchant of Record platform. Its public codebase is licensed under Apache 2.0.

Which Stripe alternative supports usage-based billing?

Dodo Payments, Creem, and Polar support usage-based billing. Paddle supports flexible billing models, although specific usage-based capabilities depend on implementation and product setup.

How much do Stripe alternatives cost?

Adyen starts from $0.13 per transaction plus payment method fees. Dodo Payments starts from 4% + $0.40, Paddle and Polar from 5% + $0.50, and Creem from 3.9% + $0.40 per transaction. Checkout.com uses custom quotes.

Get Discovered by Founders Ready to Buy

List your app in front of builders and founders actively searching for tools like yours. 100% free to submit, live in 24 hours.