Head-to-head · Invoicing Software
Lago vs Orb
Lago leads on 1 check, Orb on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreLago · 6.7/10
- Free planonly Lago
Lago scores higher on our rubric for invoicing software: 6.7 against 4.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #27 and #47.
Lago offers free plan; Orb doesn't.
Lago is the better fit for developers building usage-based billing systems. Orb is the better fit for usage-based companies needing custom billing metrics.
- Lago fits best
Developers building usage-based billing systems
- Orb fits best
Usage-based companies needing custom billing metrics
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Side by side
| Feature | Lago 6.7/10 Visit ↗ | Orb 4.7/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 6.7 | 4.7 |
| Ranking | #27 in Invoicing Software | #47 in Invoicing Software |
| Best for | Developers building usage-based billing systems | Usage-based companies needing custom billing metrics |
| Pricing model | Free | Paid |
| Starting price | Free | — |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Integrations | 7 integrations | 11 integrations |
| Features Lago 5/5 · Orb 5/5 | ||
| Recurring invoices | ✓ | ✓ |
| Online payments | ✓ | ✓ |
| Payment reminders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-currency invoicing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Client portal | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Included team users | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Lago is an open-source billing platform for companies with usage-based, subscription, prepaid, or hybrid pricing. It captures product usage, applies pricing rules, generates invoices, supports payment-provider integrations, and provides… Read the review → |
Orb is a billing and revenue platform for software companies using usage-based, hybrid, or seat-based pricing. It ingests real-time usage events, applies custom SQL billable metrics, generates recurring and usage-based invoices, and… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Lago — where it wins
- Self-hosted open-source option with AGPLv3 licensing
- Supports metering, hybrid pricing, invoices, credits, and analytics
- REST API, SDKs, webhooks, tax integrations, and payment providers
Where it doesn't
- Payment processing is handled through connected providers
- Premium pricing is provided only after contacting Lago
- Automatic dunning is available with Lago Premium
Orb — where it wins
- Custom SQL billable metrics support complex usage-based pricing.
- Automates invoices, payment collection, reminders, and dunning workflows.
- Connects billing with tax, accounting, CRM, and payment systems.
Where it doesn't
- Pricing requires contacting sales rather than choosing a public plan price.
- There is no free plan for smaller teams to start with.
- Advanced integrations and premium support require higher-tier plans.
- Lago6.7/10 · Free plan
A programmable billing platform for teams building usage-based, subscription, or hybrid pricing.
Visit LagoFull verdict → - Orb4.7/10 · Pricing on request
A strong fit for usage-based billing, with contact-sales pricing and a technical setup.
Visit OrbFull verdict →
All invoicing software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update