Stripe Billing costs $60/mo.
These cost $0.
2 free alternatives to Stripe Billing, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
Stripe Billing vs Free Alternatives Matrix
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $60/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BoxBilling | open source | cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7 | Self-host | ★ 832 | Stripe Billing vs BoxBilling → |
| Lago | open source | cm0zftngg00pz94snxajamc81 | Self-host | ★ 10.8k | Stripe Billing vs Lago → |
The picks
2 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
BoxBilling
open sourcecm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7Self-host832nov 2023BoxBilling: Free hosting automation and billing software.
The catch vs Stripe BillingRequires 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/boxbilling/boxbilling 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
- 2026-11-04
- 02
Lago
open sourcecm0zftngg00pz94snxajamc81Self-host10.8knov 2026Open source metering and usage-based billing API.
The catch vs Stripe BillingRequires 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
- 2026-11-04
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Stripe Billing open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Stripe Billing?+
The top free alternative to Stripe Billing is BoxBilling (open source, cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7). BoxBilling: Free hosting automation and billing software. Other popular Stripe Billing replacements include Lago.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Stripe Billing?+
Yes. Of the 2 free alternatives to Stripe Billing, 2 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: BoxBilling (cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7), Lago (cm0zftngg00pz94snxajamc81).
How much does switching from Stripe Billing to a free alternative save?+
Stripe Billing starts at $60/month per seat ($720/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like BoxBilling saves $3,600 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Stripe Billing clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Stripe Billing is KINDA (the core, yes. the polish, no). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Stripe Billing or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 2 battle-tested open-source alternatives like BoxBilling or Lago.
What is the catch when switching from Stripe Billing to BoxBilling?+
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Stripe Billing.
