The Best Chargebee Alternative for Startups
Why pay $249/month before you have revenue? Paylio gives you subscription billing with built-in entitlements starting at $0.
Start Free — No Credit CardWhy Startups Switch from Chargebee
Chargebee Pain Points
- Starts at $249/month — prohibitive for startups and indie developers
- Weeks-long onboarding with complex configuration
- Enterprise-grade complexity for features most startups don’t need
- Key features like entitlements gated behind higher-priced add-ons
Paylio Advantages
- Free tier with up to 100 subscribers — $0 to start
- 5-minute setup with guided onboarding
- Built-in entitlements included on every plan at no extra cost
- Flat, transparent pricing: $0 / $19 / $99 per month
- Developer-first SDK designed for fast integration
Feature Comparison
Compare the Code
Paylio — Simple SDK
// Get subscription + features
const sub = await paylio
.getSubscription(userId);
// Entitlements built in
if (sub.features.canExport) {
allowExport();
}Chargebee — Enterprise SDK
// Initialize Chargebee
chargebee.configure({
site: "your-site",
api_key: "your-key",
});
// Get subscription
const result = await chargebee
.subscription.list({
"customer_id[is]": custId,
});
// No entitlements API
// Build your own logic
// Handle webhooks for changesFrequently Asked Questions
Is Paylio enterprise-ready?
Paylio is optimized for startups, indie developers, and small-to-mid SaaS teams. It handles subscription management, entitlements, and multi-gateway payments reliably. For complex enterprise requirements like ASC 606 revenue recognition or advanced dunning workflows, Chargebee may be a better fit.
How does Paylio compare to Chargebee on price?
Chargebee starts at $249/month with no free tier. Paylio starts at $0 with up to 100 subscribers free, then scales to $19/mo or $99/mo with flat pricing. There are no per-transaction markups from Paylio and no hidden add-on fees for entitlements.
How do I migrate from Chargebee to Paylio?
Set up your plans in Paylio’s visual builder, connect your Stripe or Razorpay account, and point new subscriptions to Paylio’s SDK. Existing Chargebee subscriptions can continue until they naturally migrate. Paylio’s team can assist with migration planning.
What about advanced features like revenue recognition?
Paylio focuses on subscription management, entitlements, and developer experience. Advanced enterprise features like ASC 606 revenue recognition are not included. If those are critical requirements, consider keeping Chargebee for accounting while using Paylio for subscription logic.
Is there a free trial or free tier?
Paylio offers a permanent free tier with up to 100 subscribers — not a trial. You can build and launch your subscription product without paying anything. When you outgrow 100 subscribers, paid plans start at $19/month.
Stop Paying $249/mo for Features You Don't Need
Start with 100 free subscribers. Built-in entitlements. 5-minute setup.
Get Started Free