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FastSpring vs Lago: Which is right for you? (1970)

TL;DR

  • Choose FastSpring if you want global taxes and compliance handled for you.
  • Choose Lago if keeping fees low matters most.
  • Both work for: saas.

FastSpring

5.9% + $0.95 per transaction (or custom rate)

Established MoR for software and SaaS companies. Strong in desktop software, games, and B2B. Higher fees than Paddle but deep feature set.

Lago

Self-hosted: free. Cloud: from $100/month

Open source Stripe Billing alternative with powerful metering and usage-based pricing. Self-hostable (free) or cloud. Built for AI apps and SaaS with complex pricing models.

Pricing comparison

Pricing model
percentage
open_source
Detail
5.9% + $0.95 per transaction (or custom rate)
Self-hosted: free. Cloud: from $100/month

Feature comparison

FastSpring
Lago
Merchant of record
Yes
No
Paywalls
No
No
A/B testing
No
No
Tax handled
Yes
No
No-code
No
No
Open source
No
Yes
Ease of setup
3/5
2/5
Fee competitiveness
2/5
5/5
Conversion tooling
2/5
1/5
Advanced billing
3/5
5/5

Best for

FastSpring is best for SaaS, software, global, B2B, license keys, web. Lago is best for SaaS, AI products, Usage-based pricing, open source, developers, self hosted.

FAQ

Is FastSpring better than Lago?

Neither is universally better. FastSpring is the right pick if you want global taxes and compliance handled for you; Lago wins if keeping fees low matters most.

Which is cheaper, FastSpring or Lago?

Lago ranks higher on fee competitiveness (5/5). FastSpring pricing: 5.9% + $0.95 per transaction (or custom rate). Lago pricing: Self-hosted: free. Cloud: from $100/month.

Can I switch from FastSpring to Lago?

Yes — most subscription and billing tools support migration via CSV import or API. Expect to reconfigure webhooks, paywalls, and entitlements. Check both vendors' migration docs before committing.

Does FastSpring handle sales tax?

Yes. FastSpring handles global sales tax and VAT for you.

All FastSpring alternatives →All Lago alternatives →

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