Stripe is the default payment processor for SaaS, digital products, and online businesses — but it only works in about 50 countries. If you're building from India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Kenya, or dozens of other countries, you're locked out.
Here are the actual options that work in 2026, ranked by how quickly you can start accepting payments.
Option 1: Use a Merchant of Record (fastest, no company needed)
A Merchant of Record (MoR) sells your product on your behalf, handles tax compliance globally, and pays you out — no US company or bank account required. You can start in minutes.
Lemon Squeezy
The most popular choice for indie developers and small SaaS. Acquired by Stripe in 2024, so it's well-integrated with the Stripe ecosystem while still being available worldwide.
- Fees: 5% + $0.50 per transaction (+1.5% for international cards)
- Best for: Digital products, SaaS subscriptions, one-time sales
- Standout: Built-in affiliate program tools, checkout overlays, license key management
- Payout: Bank transfer or Payoneer
Paddle
The go-to MoR for established SaaS companies. Handles VAT/sales tax collection in 200+ countries, subscription management, and dunning.
- Fees: 5% + $0.50 per transaction (effective 7-8% with currency conversion)
- Best for: SaaS with recurring billing, B2B software
- Standout: Revenue recovery (dunning), subscription analytics, ProfitWell integration
- Payout: Bank transfer, Payoneer, or wire
Dodo Payments
A newer MoR with the lowest fees in the category. Supports 150+ countries including many that Paddle and Lemon Squeezy don't.
- Fees: 4% + $0.40 per transaction
- Best for: Sellers in countries not covered by other MoRs (India, Pakistan, etc.)
- Standout: Cheapest MoR fees, widest country coverage
- Payout: Bank transfer
FastSpring
Enterprise-oriented MoR for software companies. More expensive but handles complex scenarios like multi-product catalogs and B2B invoicing.
- Fees: ~5.9% + $0.95 per transaction
- Best for: Established software companies with enterprise customers
- Standout: B2B invoicing, popup storefronts, extensive tax compliance
- Payout: Bank transfer or wire
Gumroad
The simplest option — but the most expensive. Good for creators selling digital downloads, not ideal for SaaS.
- Fees: 10% + $0.50 per transaction
- Best for: Ebooks, courses, digital art, one-time downloads
- Standout: Dead simple setup, built-in audience tools
- Payout: Bank transfer, PayPal, or Payoneer
Option 2: Form a US LLC and use Stripe directly
If you want actual Stripe access (not a MoR wrapper), you need a US business entity with a US bank account.
Stripe Atlas
Stripe's own service for forming a US company. You get a Delaware LLC, EIN, a bank account with Mercury or another partner bank, and a Stripe account — all in one package.
- Cost: $500 one-time + ~$400/year ongoing (registered agent + Delaware franchise tax)
- Timeline: 1-2 weeks
- Includes: LLC formation, EIN, bank account, Stripe account, legal templates
- Catch: Creates US tax filing obligations — you'll need a CPA ($500-1,500/year)
DIY: US LLC + Wise Business
The budget version of Stripe Atlas. Form a Wyoming or Delaware LLC yourself (~$50-150 filing fee), get an EIN from the IRS (free), open a Wise Business account ($31 one-time) for US banking details, and connect to Stripe.
- Total cost: ~$100-200 upfront + ~$100/year (registered agent)
- Timeline: 2-4 weeks
- Wise fees: 0.3-0.6% on currency conversion when withdrawing
- Catch: More work, you handle everything yourself
This is the cheapest path to real Stripe access, but you need to be comfortable with US business compliance.
Quick comparison
| Fees | Setup time | US entity needed? | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemon Squeezy | 5% + $0.50 | Minutes | No | Indie SaaS, digital products |
| Paddle | 5% + $0.50 | Days | No | Established SaaS |
| Dodo Payments | 4% + $0.40 | Minutes | No | Widest country support |
| FastSpring | ~5.9% + $0.95 | Days | No | Enterprise software |
| Gumroad | 10% + $0.50 | Minutes | No | Digital downloads |
| Stripe Atlas | 2.9% + $0.30 | 1-2 weeks | Yes (included) | Full Stripe access |
| DIY LLC + Wise | 2.9% + $0.30 | 2-4 weeks | Yes (you form it) | Budget Stripe access |
Bottom line
Just want to sell something now? Use Lemon Squeezy or Dodo Payments. No company formation, no tax headaches, start in minutes. The higher per-transaction fees are worth it until you're doing serious volume.
Doing $5,000+/month? The math starts favoring Stripe Atlas or a DIY LLC + Wise setup. At $10,000/month, the difference between 5% MoR fees and 2.9% Stripe fees is $250/month — more than enough to justify the setup costs.
Selling to enterprises? Paddle or FastSpring handle the invoicing, tax compliance, and procurement workflows that enterprise buyers expect.
Don't overthink this. Start with a MoR, validate your product, and switch to direct Stripe later if the volume justifies it.