Lago vs Orb: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Lago and Orb? Both are popular usage-based billing & metering tools. Below we compare them on pricing, free tiers, features, and pros & cons so you can pick the right fit for your stack.
Quick verdict
Lago is the safer pick if budget matters — it has a free tier, while Orb does not. Choose Orb when its specific features justify the cost.
Lago vs Orb — Side by Side
| Lago | Orb | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Usage-Based Billing & Metering | Usage-Based Billing & Metering |
| Pricing | Free · paid from $599/mo | Usage-based |
| Starting price | Free tier available | Pay-as-you-go |
| Free tier | — | |
| Rating | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Best for | Usage-Based Billing & Metering — billing, usage-based | Usage-Based Billing & Metering — billing, usage-based |
Pros & Cons
- Open source and self-hostable
- Handles hybrid subscription + usage pricing
- Works with several payment providers, not just Stripe
- Self-hosting billing means you own its uptime
- Advanced features (RBAC, SSO) are paid add-ons
- Cloud pricing beyond Starter is mostly quote-based
- SQL-defined metrics are flexible and auditable
- Simulate pricing changes on historical usage
- Strong finance and warehouse integrations
- No self-serve plan or public prices
- Overkill for simple subscription billing
- Now owned by a payments company (Adyen)
Key Features Compared
Lago
- Hosted by Lago
- Usage ingestion and invoicing
Orb
- Real-time event ingestion
- Usage and hybrid billing
- Invoicing and tax integrations
Choose Lago if…
- You want to start free — Lago has a free tier and Orb does not.
- Open source and self-hostable
- Handles hybrid subscription + usage pricing
- Works with several payment providers, not just Stripe
Choose Orb if…
- SQL-defined metrics are flexible and auditable
- Simulate pricing changes on historical usage
- Strong finance and warehouse integrations
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lago better than Orb?⌄
Lago is the safer pick if budget matters — it has a free tier, while Orb does not. Choose Orb when its specific features justify the cost.
What is the difference between Lago and Orb?⌄
Lago — Open-source usage-based billing: meter events, price them with any model, and generate invoices. Self-host free or use Lago Cloud. Orb — Usage-based billing and revenue platform for high-volume SaaS and AI companies, with real-time metering and SQL-defined metrics. Sales-led pricing. Both are usage-based billing & metering tools; the comparison table above breaks down pricing, free tiers, and what each is best for.
Lago vs Orb: which is cheaper?⌄
Lago pricing: Free · paid from $599/mo. Orb pricing: Usage-based. Confirm current pricing on each tool's official site, as plans change.
Which is rated higher, Lago or Orb?⌄
In our catalog, Lago rates 4.6 out of 5 and Orb rates 4.6 out of 5 — they are evenly matched.
See more options in our guide to the best usage-based billing & metering tools for startups.
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