The verdict
For a small team that sells software or online and has a developer, I'd pick Stripe. It is the safest first choice because most tools in your stack already integrate with it, and you pay per transaction with no plan fee.
If you run subscriptions with usage, credits, several plans or custom enterprise terms, and you want finance to change pricing without a developer, pick Chargebee. If you have only a handful of flat plans, Chargebee is more than you need.
For most readers of this site, Stripe wins. You can add Chargebee later if billing logic outgrows it.
Side by side
| 8 points compared | ||
|---|---|---|
| Starts at | $99/mo | |
| Free plan | Yes | |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| MCP server | Yes | Yes |
| Dunning & churn recovery | Yes | Yes |
| Hosted self-serve checkout | Yes | Yes |
| Merchant of record | No | Yes |
| Usage-based metering | Yes | Yes |
| Links |
Plans and pricing
Chargebee
- Flow (Billing)$99/mo
- CPQ LiteFree
- Growth StarterFree
Stripe
Pricing not in our catalogue yet.
Who each is for
Choose Chargebee if…
Pick Chargebee when pricing is part of your strategy. Think tiered, volume, stairstep or usage-based models, credits, quotes for larger customers and revenue recognition under ASC 606 and IFRS 15.
It makes sense when you want to keep your own payment gateways, or run several, and have a finance or revenue team that wants a product catalogue it can change itself. It also adds smart retries for failed payments. The cost is shape. It is split into modules with separate pricing, and some plans carry a fee that scales with invoiced volume. Model that before you sign.
Choose Stripe if…
Pick Stripe when you build software or sell online and have a developer, or access to one. One account covers payments, invoicing, subscriptions through Billing, tax and reporting, with a well-documented API, webhooks and an official MCP server.
It is also where Dutch businesses can take iDEAL next to cards. Watch two things. The per-transaction cut grows with volume, and once billing, tax and reporting all sit in Stripe, leaving is slow. A non-technical founder will need help beyond payment links. If subscriptions are the whole business, compare Chargebee seriously.
Other options worth a look
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