Lago vs Orb: Subscription Billing Software Compared (2026)
Lago and Orb are two widely compared billing platforms. Lago is an open-source metering and billing platform for usage-based, subscription, prepaid-credit and hybrid pricing, self-hosted or managed. Orb is a usage-based billing platform that ingests high volumes of events, defines billable metrics in SQL and generates invoices, with finance and data warehouse integrations.
- Verified 10 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this page
- 2 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- No winner declaredFit depends on your criteria
- Not tested by Stack18Editorial summary of documented facts
Lago vs Orb: the short answer
Lago is an open-source metering and billing platform for usage-based, subscription, prepaid-credit and hybrid pricing, self-hosted or managed. Orb is a usage-based billing platform that ingests high volumes of events, defines billable metrics in SQL and generates invoices, with finance and data warehouse integrations. Both are billing platforms, but they differ in pricing model, target team size and focus.
On pricing, Lago is described as: free open source; paid by custom quote; Orb as: custom: billings and event volume plus platform fee. Lago lists a free option: self-hosted. Orb does not document a permanent free plan. Lago is positioned for engineering teams wanting open-source usage billing, and Orb for high-volume usage-based companies such as AI and infrastructure.
Everything below is drawn from the two sourced profiles and the 2 dated sources listed at the end. Where a source does not document something it is marked Unknown, and third-party estimates are labelled. No winner is declared: the better fit depends on your size, budget and requirements.
Lago and Orb at a glance.
One card per product, drawn from each full profile. Open a profile for features, pricing plans, limits and sources.
Lago
Lago · Subscription Billing Software
Lago is an open-source metering and billing platform for usage-based, subscription, prepaid-credit and hybrid pricing, self-hosted or managed.
- Pricing
- Open source $0 (AGPLv3, self-hosted); paid cloud and enterprise by custom quote.
- Best for
- Engineering teams wanting open-source usage billing
Orb
Orb · Subscription Billing Software
Orb is a usage-based billing platform that ingests high volumes of events, defines billable metrics in SQL and generates invoices, with finance and data warehouse integrations.
- Pricing
- Core, Advanced, Enterprise all custom; priced on billings and event volume; platform fee on Advanced and Enterprise.
- Best for
- High-volume usage-based companies such as AI and infrastructure
Lago vs Orb: feature-by-feature comparison.
Every row is drawn from the sources listed below. Rows that differ are marked, and you can filter the table to show only those.
- YesDocumented
- PartialAvailable with limits or on some plans
- NoDocumented as unavailable
- UnknownNot documented in the sources reviewed
| Dimension |  Lago |  Orb |
|---|---|---|
| Product | ||
| Product typeDiffers | YesOpen-source usage-based billing | YesUsage-based billing infrastructure |
| VendorDiffers | YesLago | YesOrb |
| Best forDiffers | YesEngineering teams wanting open-source usage billing | YesHigh-volume usage-based companies such as AI and infrastructure |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing modelDiffers | PartialFree open source; paid by custom quote. | YesCustom: billings and event volume plus platform fee. |
| Pricing summaryDiffers | PartialOpen source $0 (AGPLv3, self-hosted); paid cloud and enterprise by custom quote. | YesCore, Advanced, Enterprise all custom; priced on billings and event volume; platform fee on Advanced and Enterprise. |
| Free planDiffers | YesYes (self-hosted) | NoNo |
| Free trial | NoNot documented | NoNot documented |
| Subscription Billing Software criteria | ||
| Pricing modelDiffers | PartialOpen source / quote | YesCustom |
| Starting priceDiffers | YesFree (self-hosted) | PartialQuote |
| Free tierDiffers | YesYes | NoNo |
| Usage billing | YesYes | YesYes |
| Best forDiffers | YesUsage-based | YesHigh-volume usage |
| Fit and platform | ||
| Team sizeDiffers | YesSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises | YesMid-size teams, Large enterprises |
| PlatformsDiffers | YesWeb, API, Self-hosted | YesWeb, API |
| IntegrationsDiffers | YesStripe, Adyen, Salesforce, NetSuite | YesSnowflake, Salesforce, NetSuite, Stripe |
| API | UnknownNot reviewed for this profile. | UnknownNot reviewed for this profile. |
Lago vs Orb pricing.
Plan names, prices and billing terms as reported in each profile's sources. Taxes, add-ons and discounts are excluded unless stated.
Lago pricing
Free open source; paid by custom quote.
- Open source$0 · Free
- PaidCustom · Annual
Prices from independent sources; treat as reported. Orb (2026, competitor). Currency: USD. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All Lago plans and sources
Orb pricing
Custom: billings and event volume plus platform fee.
- CoreCustom · Annual
- AdvancedCustom + platform fee · Annual
- EnterpriseCustom + platform fee · Annual
Prices from independent sources; treat as reported. Stigg (4 September 2026, competitor). Currency: USD. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All Orb plans and sourcesLago vs Orb: pricing model, ecosystem and fit.
Pricing model and cost drivers
Lago: free open source; paid by custom quote. Orb (2026, competitor). Orb: custom: billings and event volume plus platform fee. Stigg (4 September 2026, competitor). Model costs at your real seat count, usage and contract term before comparing headline prices.
What sets each apart
The Lago profile highlights: open source (AGPLv3); self-host option; custom paid tiers. The Orb profile highlights: SQL billable metrics; custom pricing; warehouse sync on Advanced.
Integrations and ecosystem
Lago integrations named in its sources: Stripe, Adyen, Salesforce and NetSuite. Orb: Snowflake, Salesforce, NetSuite and Stripe. Check that the connectors you rely on exist on the plan you would buy.
Deployment and team fit
Lago runs on Web, API and Self-hosted and is documented for small teams, mid-size teams and large enterprises. Orb runs on Web and API and is documented for mid-size teams and large enterprises. We did not test setup or migration.
Lago and Orb: each option, in balance.
Each point is linked to a dated source on the product's profile.
Lago
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- Free to self-host.
- Flexible pricing models.
- Broad integrations.
- Self-hosting operational burden.
- Paid pricing undisclosed.
- Some integrations are add-ons.
Orb
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- Handles very high event volumes.
- SQL-based metrics.
- Strong integrations.
- No published pricing.
- Platform fee on higher tiers.
- Core lacks warehouse sync.
Lago or Orb: which fits which situation?
No overall winner is declared. The better choice depends on the criteria that matter most to you, so test both against your own requirements.
Choose Lago if you are…
- Engineering teams wanting open-source usage billing
- AI and API companies
- Companies needing data control
Less suited to: non-technical finance teams; simple flat subscriptions.
See the Lago profile
Choose Orb if you are…
- High-volume usage-based companies such as AI and infrastructure
- API businesses
- Companies with complex usage pricing
Less suited to: simple flat subscriptions; small budgets.
See the Orb profileSwitching between Lago and Orb.
Moving off Lago or Orb means migrating customers, plans, active subscriptions and payment tokens, re-creating pricing, coupons and dunning rules, reconnecting payment gateways, CRM, accounting and tax tools, and reconciling revenue reports. Migrate in batches and run parallel invoices for one cycle. Recreate your price book and a month of real invoices in each shortlisted platform, including upgrades and failed payments.
- Export a sample of your data and test an import into the other product.
- List the automations, integrations and permissions you would need to rebuild.
- Compare total cost at your real volume, including add-ons and services.
- Pilot with one team before a full cut-over.
- Check contract terms and notice periods with both vendors.
General guidance, not specific to either vendor. Confirm migration options with the vendors.
Lago vs Orb: questions and answers
What is the difference between Lago and Orb?
Lago is an open-source metering and billing platform for usage-based, subscription, prepaid-credit and hybrid pricing, self-hosted or managed. Orb is a usage-based billing platform that ingests high volumes of events, defines billable metrics in SQL and generates invoices, with finance and data warehouse integrations. Both are billing platforms, but they differ in pricing model, target team size and focus. Lago is positioned for engineering teams wanting open-source usage billing; Orb for high-volume usage-based companies such as AI and infrastructure.
Is Lago cheaper than Orb?
It depends on your volume and plan. Lago: Open source $0 (AGPLv3, self-hosted); paid cloud and enterprise by custom quote. Orb: Core, Advanced, Enterprise all custom; priced on billings and event volume; platform fee on Advanced and Enterprise. Compare both at your real seat count, usage and contract term.
Do Lago or Orb have a free plan?
Lago lists a free option: self-hosted. Orb does not document a permanent free plan. Lago free trial: Not documented. Orb free trial: Not documented.
Lago or Orb: which is better for small teams?
Lago is documented for small teams. Lago suits engineering teams wanting open-source usage billing; Orb suits high-volume usage-based companies such as AI and infrastructure. Neither is best for everyone.
What are the main limitations of Lago and Orb?
Lago: Self-hosting operational burden. Orb: No published pricing.
Is Lago free?
The open-source edition is free to self-host under AGPLv3.
How much does Orb cost?
All tiers are custom-priced on billings and event volume, per a 2026 guide.
What are the alternatives to Lago and Orb?
Stack18 has alternatives guides for both: Lago alternatives and Orb alternatives, each comparing at least four other billing platforms on pricing, free plan, features and fit. The Subscription Billing Software category lists every profile.
Where this comparison comes from.
- Lago pricing (2026) Orb (competing vendor) Third-party Accessed 11 Nov 2026
- Orb pricing (updated 4 September 2026) Stigg (competing vendor) Third-party Accessed 11 Nov 2026
This comparison summarises the Lago and Orb profiles and their sources. Third-party figures are labelled; confirm current pricing and terms with each vendor. Stack18 has not tested these products.
Ready to test Lago and Orb?
Check each vendor's current pricing and terms, run both against a real scenario from your business, or talk to Stack18 if off-the-shelf software is not the answer.
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