By Hridoy Ahmed | Last updated: October 2026 | 7 min read
Short answer: Stripe has the lowest headline fee at 2.9% + $0.30 per US online card payment, but it does not handle tax for you. Merchant of Record (MoR) platforms like Paddle, Polar, Dodo Payments and Creem charge about 3.9% to 5% plus a fixed fee, and they handle sales tax and VAT. Gumroad charges the most at 10% + $0.50 on direct sales. Fees change often, so check each official pricing page before you choose.
In this guide
- Merchant of Record vs payment processor
- The 8 platforms and their fees
- What a $50 sale costs
- Notes on each platform
- How to choose
- FAQ
Merchant of Record vs payment processor
This is the main reason fees differ.
- Payment processor (Stripe): You are the seller. You are responsible for sales tax, VAT and compliance in the places you sell.
- Merchant of Record (Paddle, Polar, Dodo Payments, Creem, Lemon Squeezy, Gumroad, FastSpring): The platform is the legal seller. It collects and pays the tax, and it handles many disputes. You pay a higher fee for that work.
So a lower fee does not always mean you keep more. If you sell worldwide, the tax work can cost time or money too.
The 8 platforms and their fees
These are headline fees for US card payments, checked on October 24, 2026. Extra charges can apply, such as international cards, subscriptions, payouts and disputes.
| Platform | Headline fee | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 2.9% + $0.30 | Payment processor |
| Creem | 3.9% + $0.40 | Merchant of Record |
| Dodo Payments | 4% + $0.40 | Merchant of Record |
| Polar | 5% + $0.50 for new accounts (4% + $0.40 for accounts created before May 27, 2026) | Merchant of Record |
| Paddle | 5% + $0.50 | Merchant of Record |
| Lemon Squeezy | 5% + $0.50 | Merchant of Record |
| FastSpring | Not published, custom quote | Merchant of Record |
| Gumroad | 10% + $0.50 on direct sales | Merchant of Record |
What a $50 sale costs
Here is my own simple math using the headline fees above. It covers one US card sale and leaves out extra charges.
| Platform | Fee on a $50 sale |
|---|---|
| Stripe | $1.75 |
| Creem | $2.35 |
| Dodo Payments | $2.40 |
| Polar (new account) | $3.00 |
| Paddle | $3.00 |
| Lemon Squeezy | $3.00 |
| Gumroad | $5.50 |
Gumroad costs more than three times what Stripe does here. Remember that Stripe does not handle your tax. Also, a fixed fee hurts small sales more. On a $5 product, $0.50 is 10% on its own.
Notes on each platform
1. Stripe
Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 for online card payments in the US. International cards and currency conversion cost extra. It suits businesses that want full control over payments and are ready to manage tax themselves. See Stripe pricing.
2. Creem
Creem lists 3.9% + $0.40 per successful transaction as a Merchant of Record for software, SaaS and digital products. Read its docs for chargeback and payout fees before you decide.
3. Dodo Payments
Dodo lists 4% + $0.40 for domestic US transactions, with extra charges for some cases such as international payments and subscriptions. It is a Merchant of Record for SaaS and digital products, and it handles sales tax for you.
4. Polar
Polar is popular with developers and software makers. Its older accounts pay 4% + $0.40, plus 0.5% on subscriptions. New accounts created on or after May 27, 2026 pay 5% + $0.50. Polar also offers paid plans with lower fees, such as Pro at $20 a month and 3.8% + $0.40.
5. Paddle
Paddle charges 5% + $0.50 per transaction as a Merchant of Record for SaaS. Small sales under $10 can be priced differently, so check its pricing page.
6. Lemon Squeezy
Lemon Squeezy charges 5% + $0.50 and is a Merchant of Record for software and digital products. Stripe bought it in 2024, and Stripe now also has its own Merchant of Record product called Managed Payments. Check the latest plans before you sign up. Extra surcharges, such as for international cards, may apply.
7. FastSpring
FastSpring does not publish its rates. You ask for a quote. Third-party sites report a rate near 5.9% + $0.95, but I could not confirm it from FastSpring itself. Get your own price in writing.
8. Gumroad
Gumroad is easy for beginners and creators. It charges 10% + $0.50 on direct sales and a higher 30% on sales that come through its Discover marketplace. It does not refund its fees when you refund a customer.
How to choose
- Do you sell worldwide? If yes, a Merchant of Record can save you tax work.
- What is your average sale? Small sales feel fixed fees more.
- Do you need subscriptions? Check subscription surcharges.
- Do you need local payment methods? Not every platform supports every country.
- Check disputes and payouts. Fees for refunds, chargebacks and payouts are easy to miss.
Selling a product online also means people must find it. If you are planning how to bring in customers, read my guide on marketing channels, and use my technical SEO service page if you want help getting found in search.
FAQ
Which payment platform has the lowest fees?
Stripe has the lowest headline fee, at 2.9% + $0.30. It is not a Merchant of Record, so you handle tax yourself. Among Merchant of Record platforms, Creem lists 3.9% + $0.40.
What does Merchant of Record mean?
The platform becomes the legal seller of your product. It collects and pays sales tax and VAT, and it handles many disputes.
Why is Gumroad so expensive?
Gumroad charges 10% + $0.50 on direct sales. It focuses on making selling easy for creators, so it charges more than developer-focused platforms.
Do these fees change?
Yes. Polar changed its fees for new accounts in 2026, for example. Always check the official pricing page.
Is a lower fee always better?
No. A lower fee can leave you with tax, fraud and compliance work. Count your full cost, not only the headline rate.
Want your product to be found?
A payment link does not bring buyers by itself. If you would rather have your site’s SEO set up properly, see my SEO and technical SEO service. I work manually and white-hat, with no shortcuts and no ranking promises.