Lago

Self-Hosted

Open-source subscription and usage-based billing system

Overview

Lago is an open-source billing platform for subscription and usage-based models. It supports recurring plans, metered billing, customizable invoices, coupons, tax calculations, and multi-currency. Deployable via Docker/Kubernetes for self-hosting or as a managed cloud service. Integrates with Stripe/PayPal and offers APIs/webhooks for product integration, ideal for SaaS businesses avoiding vendor lock-in.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  lago:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: lago
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Subscription & usage-based billing models
Customizable invoices and tax management
Payment gateway integrations (Stripe, PayPal)
Self-hostable via Docker/Kubernetes
API-first design for seamless product integration

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Lago hard to install?

Lago is easy to install with Docker Compose (for small deployments) or Kubernetes (for scaling). Official docs provide step-by-step guides, and non-technical users can opt for the managed cloud service to skip setup entirely.

? Is it a good alternative to Stripe Billing?

Yes—Lago offers similar billing logic but is open-source, letting you control your data. It integrates with Stripe for payments, so you can use Stripe's infrastructure while avoiding lock-in with Lago's flexible rules.

? Is it completely free?

The self-hosted version is free (MIT license). The managed cloud service has paid tiers, but the core open-source features are always available at no cost.

Top Alternatives

Stripe Billing Search Google

Chargebee Search Google

Recurly Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Money, Budgeting & Management

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Open-source (MIT license) with full data control
⊕ No vendor lock-in
⊕ Supports multi-currency and global tax rules
⊕ Flexible to adapt to unique billing needs

Cons

⊖ Requires basic DevOps skills for self-hosted setup
⊖ Cloud plan has paid tiers for managed services
⊖ Fewer pre-built integrations than proprietary tools like Chargebee