Stripe vs Paddle fees for international sales?

Stripe cheaper headline (2.9%), but intl fees + taxes push 5%. Paddle 5% all-in, no hassle.

What is a Merchant of Record?

MoR sells for you, handles all taxes/VAT. You're off the hook for jurisdictions.

Best payment processor for global SaaS?

Paddle or Lemon Squeezy if abroad. Stripe only if US-focused and tiny.

Stripe's Low Fees: A Trap for Cross-Border Founders in 2026

Indie devs love Stripe's low fees. But when EU VAT hits, that savings vanishes in accountant bills. Paddle or Lemon Squeezy might actually save your sanity.

theAIcatchup Apr 08, 2026 3 min read

Fee comparison chart: Stripe, Paddle, and Lemon Squeezy for 2026 SaaS revenue

⚡ Key Takeaways

Stripe's low fees ignore massive tax compliance costs for global sales. 𝕏
Paddle and Lemon Squeezy's MoR model saves time and legal headaches at 5%. 𝕏
By 2026, expect MoR dominance as regulations tighten. 𝕏

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Originally reported by dev.to

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