3 Stripe Alternatives for Blocked Countries in 2025
Discover 3 reliable Stripe alternatives when your country is blocked: Lemon Squeezy, Polar, and Dodo Payments. Accept payments globally without restrictions.
3 Reliable Stripe Alternatives When Your Country Is Blocked
If you've ever tried to set up online payments only to discover that Stripe doesn't support your country, you know how frustrating it can be. While Stripe dominates the payment processing landscape, geographical restrictions leave many entrepreneurs and businesses searching for alternatives.
The good news? You have options. In this guide, we'll explore three powerful payment platforms that work in countries where Stripe isn't available: Lemon Squeezy, Polar, and Dodo Payments.
Why Stripe Might Block Your Country
Stripe currently operates in only around 50 countries, leaving most of the world without access. This limitation stems from regulatory requirements, banking infrastructure differences, and compliance complexities. If you're in Africa, Asia, Latin America, or parts of Europe, you've likely encountered this roadblock.
But limited access to Stripe doesn't mean you can't accept online payments. Let's look at three viable alternatives.
1. Lemon Squeezy: The Merchant of Record Solution
What makes it special: Lemon Squeezy acts as your merchant of record, handling all tax compliance, VAT, and sales tax globally.
Key Features
Lemon Squeezy simplifies the entire payment process by becoming the seller of record for your products. This means they handle:
- Global tax compliance across 135+ countries
- Fraud prevention and payment security
- Subscription management and recurring billing
- Digital product delivery
- Multi-currency support
Who Should Use Lemon Squeezy
This platform works exceptionally well for:
- Digital product creators selling ebooks, courses, or software
- SaaS businesses needing subscription management
- Content creators monetizing their expertise
- Developers in countries without Stripe access
Pricing Structure
Lemon Squeezy charges 5% + $0.50 per transaction, which is higher than Stripe but includes all tax handling and compliance. For many businesses, this premium is worthwhile considering the headaches it eliminates.
The Catch
Since Lemon Squeezy is the merchant of record, customers see their name on credit card statements, not yours. Some businesses prefer direct branding, but for most creators, this trade-off is acceptable.
2. Polar: Built for Digital Creators and Developers
What makes it special: Polar is specifically designed for developers, open-source maintainers, and digital creators with global reach.
Key Features
Polar takes a creator-first approach with features including:
- Support for one-time payments and subscriptions
- Built-in support for GitHub sponsorships
- Flexible pricing models including pay-what-you-want
- No monthly fees or platform charges beyond transaction fees
- Direct payouts to your bank account
Who Should Use Polar
Polar excels for:
- Open-source developers accepting sponsorships
- Technical content creators selling courses or tutorials
- Independent software developers monetizing projects
- Newsletter creators offering paid subscriptions
Pricing Structure
Polar operates on a transparent fee structure with competitive transaction rates. They focus on empowering creators rather than extracting maximum platform fees.
Geographic Availability
While Polar works globally, you'll want to verify that they support payouts in your specific country. They're continually expanding their geographic coverage to serve underserved markets.
3. Dodo Payments: Emerging Alternative for Global Commerce
What makes it special: Dodo Payments focuses on providing payment infrastructure to emerging markets often overlooked by major processors.
Key Features
Dodo Payments offers:
- Multi-currency payment acceptance
- Local payment method integration
- Simplified international transfers
- Developer-friendly API
- Support for countries typically excluded by major platforms
Who Should Use Dodo Payments
This platform serves:
- E-commerce businesses in developing markets
- B2B companies needing international payment capabilities
- Freelancers and agencies working with global clients
- Startups in regions with limited payment infrastructure
Pricing and Integration
Dodo Payments typically offers competitive rates tailored to regional markets. Their API documentation makes integration straightforward for developers familiar with payment gateway implementation.
Considerations
As a newer platform, Dodo Payments may have fewer third-party integrations compared to established players. Verify that they support your essential tools and workflows before committing.
Choosing the Right Alternative for Your Business
When selecting a Stripe alternative, consider these factors:
Business Model: Are you selling physical goods, digital products, or services? Lemon Squeezy excels with digital products, while Dodo Payments handles diverse commerce needs.
Technical Expertise: Polar appeals to developers comfortable with API integration, while Lemon Squeezy offers a more turnkey solution.
Geographic Requirements: Verify that your chosen platform supports both your location and your customers' preferred payment methods.
Fee Structure: Calculate total costs including transaction fees, currency conversion, and any monthly charges. Sometimes a higher per-transaction fee is worth it for included services like tax compliance.
Branding Control: Decide whether being the merchant of record matters for your customer relationships and brand identity.
Making the Transition
Switching from Stripe or starting with an alternative doesn't have to be complicated:
- Compare Features: List your must-have features and compare how each platform meets them
- Test the Integration: Most platforms offer sandbox environments for testing before going live
- Consider Hybrid Approaches: Some businesses use multiple payment processors to maximize global coverage
- Review Legal Requirements: Ensure your chosen solution complies with regulations in your jurisdiction
- Plan Customer Communication: If switching platforms, inform existing subscribers about payment processor changes
The Bottom Line
Being blocked by Stripe is frustrating, but it doesn't have to stop your business. Lemon Squeezy, Polar, and Dodo Payments each offer distinct advantages for different types of businesses.
Lemon Squeezy provides the most comprehensive solution for digital creators who want tax compliance handled automatically. Polar serves the developer and open-source community with a creator-focused approach. Dodo Payments opens doors in emerging markets with localized payment support.
The key is matching your specific needs with the right platform's strengths. Take time to test options, read documentation, and choose the solution that best supports your business model and customer base.
Remember, the global payments landscape continues evolving. What matters most is finding a reliable partner that lets you focus on growing your business rather than wrestling with payment infrastructure.
