Lemon Squeezy Fee Calculator (5% + $0.50 Merchant of Record)
Calculate exact fees for selling SaaS, digital downloads, and subscriptions with Lemon Squeezy Merchant of Record (MoR).
Base customer charge
5.00% + $0.50 fixed
Actual received funds
Total % lost to gateway
Competitor Fee Comparisonat $200.00
Exact net payout differences across major merchant networks. Click any card to switch.
Lemon Squeezy Fee Breakdown: 5% + $0.50 SaaS & MoR Rates (2026)
A full guide to Lemon Squeezy's 5% + $0.50 Merchant of Record pricing, global sales tax handling, EU VAT compliance, PayPal surcharges, and subscription billing.
Lemon Squeezy charges a standard all-inclusive fee of 5% plus $0.50 per successful transaction. Unlike raw Stripe (2.9% + $0.30), this 5% rate includes full Merchant of Record (MoR) status: Lemon Squeezy becomes the legal reseller of your software or digital assets, automatically calculating, collecting, and remitting sales taxes across all 50 US states, Canada, and EU VAT without exposing your company to international audit liabilities.
Payment Method Surcharges: Credit Cards vs. PayPal vs. International
While domestic credit card transactions in your primary currency process at the flat 5% + $0.50 rate, secondary payment methods incur standardized surcharges:
- Standard Domestic Cards: 5.0% + $0.50 (no additional fees).
- PayPal Surcharge (+1.5%): If the customer chooses PayPal at checkout, Lemon Squeezy applies an additional 1.5% fee (total 6.5% + $0.50).
- International / Cross-Border (+1.5%): Transactions made with cards issued outside your primary operating region incur a 1.5% cross-border fee.
Data Table: SaaS Subscription Net Payouts on Lemon Squeezy
| Subscription Plan | Card Fee (5% + $0.50) | Net Founder Payout | Effective Rate | PayPal Fee (6.5% + $0.50) | PayPal Net Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9.00 / mo | $0.95 | $8.05 | 10.56% | $1.09 | $7.91 |
| $29.00 / mo | $1.95 | $27.05 | 6.72% | $2.39 | $26.61 |
| $49.00 / mo | $2.95 | $46.05 | 6.02% | $3.69 | $45.31 |
| $99.00 / mo | $5.45 | $93.55 | 5.51% | $6.94 | $92.06 |
| $299.00 / yr | $15.45 | $283.55 | 5.17% | $19.94 | $279.06 |
How MoR Shielding Protects SaaS Founders
When an EU customer in Germany buys software with 19% VAT, Lemon Squeezy generates the VAT invoice, collects the tax, and remits it directly to the German Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt). You receive clean net software royalties, completely sidestepping European tax registrations, accountant filings, and state economic nexus audits.
Technical Breakdown & Formula Specifications
Transparent mathematical reference and standardized volume benchmarks
Mathematical Formula & Calculation Logic
Lemon Squeezy charges 5% + $0.50 per transaction as an MoR, fully absorbing global sales tax liability, EU VAT compliance, chargebacks, and invoicing.
Standard Transaction Volume Tiers
Compare expected deductions across typical commercial ticket sizes
| Gross Transaction | Deductions | Net Received | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $29.00 | -$1.95 | $27.05 | 6.72% |
| $99.00 | -$5.45 | $93.55 | 5.51% |
| $299.00 | -$15.45 | $283.55 | 5.17% |
| $1,000.00 | -$50.50 | $949.50 | 5.05% |
Lemon Squeezy Fee — Frequently Asked Questions
Authoritative answers to common questions, regulatory rules, and compliance guidance.