Recurly costs $35/mo.
These cost $0.
6 free alternatives to Recurly, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
The top-rated free, open-source replacement for Recurly is Lago (AGPL-3.0 Open Source). Across this category, 4 self-hostable tools are available (including Lago and Paymenter). Switching a 5-person team saves up to $2,100/year compared to Recurly's $35/mo subscription.
The catch: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Stripe Billing.
Recurly vs Free Alternatives
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $35/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lago | open source | AGPL-3.0 | Self-host | ★ 10.8k | Recurly vs Lago → |
| Autumn | open source | Open Source | Local | ★ 2.8k | Recurly vs Autumn → |
| Paymenter | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 2.8k | Recurly vs Paymenter → |
| OpenMeter | open source | Open Source | Local | ★ 2.4k | Recurly vs OpenMeter → |
| Meteroid | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 1.4k | Recurly vs Meteroid → |
| UniBee | open source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 235 | Recurly vs UniBee → |
The picks
6 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
Lago
open sourceAGPL-3.0Self-host10.8knov 2026Open-source billing system that handles metering, usage-based pricing, and invoicing at scale. Perfect for AI, cloud, and API companies needing flexible monetization.
The catch vs RecurlyRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Stripe Billing.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/getlago/lago or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 02
Autumn
open sourceOpen SourceLocal2.8knov 2026Simplify Stripe integration for AI startups with 3 functions, 0 webhooks. Build pricing plans in 30 minutes with usage tracking, credits, and feature controls.
The catch vs RecurlyCommunity-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopcross-platformone-click install
- install
- Clone https://github.com/useautumn/autumn or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- your data
- All application data lives locally on your own machine.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 03
Paymenter
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host2.8knov 2026Automate subscriptions and manage payments with a flexible, open-source billing system designed specifically for hosting providers.
The catch vs RecurlyRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Recurly.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/paymenter/paymenter or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 04
OpenMeter
open sourceOpen SourceLocal2.4knov 2026Open source billing platform that turns events into revenue with real-time metering, usage limits, and flexible pricing. Integrates with Stripe, CRMs, and payment providers.
The catch vs RecurlyCommunity-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopcross-platformone-click install
- install
- Clone https://github.com/openmeterio/openmeter or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- your data
- All application data lives locally on your own machine.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 05
Meteroid
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host1.4knov 2026Open-source pricing and billing platform that helps SaaS companies launch, test, and scale complex billing models with ease. Features metering, invoicing, and real-time data.
The catch vs RecurlyRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Recurly.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/meteroid-oss/meteroid or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 06
UniBee
open sourceOpen SourceSelf-host235nov 2026Replace expensive billing solutions with open-source software. Automate subscriptions, accept multiple payments including crypto, and gain real-time revenue insights.
The catch vs RecurlyRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Recurly.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/unibee-billing/unibee or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
Recurly Head-to-Head Comparisons (2027)
Side-by-side trade-off breakdowns · 6 free alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Recurly open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Recurly?+
The top free alternative to Recurly is Lago (open source, AGPL-3.0). Open-source billing system that handles metering, usage-based pricing, and invoicing at scale. Perfect for AI, cloud, and API companies needing flexible monetization. Other popular Recurly replacements include Autumn, Paymenter, OpenMeter.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Recurly?+
Yes. Of the 6 free alternatives to Recurly, 4 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Lago (AGPL-3.0), Paymenter (Open Source), Meteroid (Open Source), UniBee (Open Source).
How much does switching from Recurly to a free alternative save?+
Recurly starts at $35/month per seat ($420/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Lago saves $2,100 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Recurly clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Recurly is NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Recurly or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 6 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Lago.
What is the catch when switching from Recurly to Lago?+
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Stripe Billing.
