Chargebee vs Stripe Billing

Subscription billing that doesn't make you want to pull your hair out when you need to handle a prorated refund meets the billing api that actually makes you want to charge customers, not dread it. Here's our take.

Chargebee

Nice Pick

Subscription billing that doesn't make you want to pull your hair out when you need to handle a prorated refund.

Pros

• Handles complex subscription logic like upgrades, downgrades, and prorations automatically
• Integrates with over 30 payment gateways and accounting tools out of the box
• Provides detailed revenue analytics and dunning management to reduce churn
• Supports global tax compliance (VAT, GST, etc.) without custom code

Cons

• Pricing tiers can get expensive as you scale, especially with add-ons
• Customization beyond their UI sometimes requires webhook hacking

Stripe Billing

The billing API that actually makes you want to charge customers, not dread it.

Pros

• Handles complex subscription logic (metered billing, trials, prorations) with minimal code
• Seamless integration with Stripe Payments and other Stripe products
• Built-in invoicing, dunning management, and revenue recognition automation
• Developer-friendly API with clear documentation and predictable webhooks

Cons

• Pricing adds up quickly with transaction fees on top of Stripe Payments fees
• Lock-in effect: migrating away is painful once you're deep in Stripe's ecosystem

The Verdict

Use Chargebee if: You want handles complex subscription logic like upgrades, downgrades, and prorations automatically and can live with pricing tiers can get expensive as you scale, especially with add-ons.

Use Stripe Billing if: You prioritize handles complex subscription logic (metered billing, trials, prorations) with minimal code over what Chargebee offers.

The Bottom Line

Chargebee wins

Subscription billing that doesn't make you want to pull your hair out when you need to handle a prorated refund.