Stripe (classic)
Role: direct processor · Tax: you remit · Fee: ~2.9% + 30¢ (varies by country/card).
You own the checkout, the data and the customer relationship — and the VAT/sales‑tax obligations. Stripe Tax can calculate and monitor thresholds, but you file and remit.
Stripe Managed Payments
Role: merchant of record · Tax: Stripe remits · Fee: 5% + 50¢.
Announced in 2026 (public preview), this is Stripe's answer to Paddle/Lemon Squeezy: Stripe becomes the seller of record and handles global tax, disputes and compliance. Stripe acquired Lemon Squeezy in 2024.
Pros & cons
Strengths
Lowest headline fees; best‑in‑class APIs and docs; huge ecosystem; now offers both direct and merchant‑of‑record models under one account.
Watch‑outs
With classic Stripe, you are responsible for cross‑border VAT/sales tax. Choosing "which Stripe product" is itself a decision — direct for control and low fees, Managed Payments to offload tax.
Best for
Domestic‑heavy businesses that want the lowest fees and full control (classic Stripe), or Stripe users who want a merchant of record without adopting a second vendor (Stripe Managed Payments).
Interested in the referral/partner side? See Stripe's partner program.