Lago Open-Source Billing Platform

What is Lago?

Lago is an open-source billing platform for usage-based and subscription billing. It serves as a self-hosted alternative to Stripe Billing, Chargebee, and Recurly, providing metered billing, invoicing, and payment integration.

Docker Installation

git clone https://github.com/getlago/lago.git /opt/lago
cd /opt/lago

# Configure environment
cp .env.example .env
# Edit .env with your settings:
# LAGO_API_URL=https://api.billing.example.com
# LAGO_FRONT_URL=https://billing.example.com
# DATABASE_URL, REDIS_URL, etc.

docker compose up -d

Configuration

# Access the UI at http://YOUR_IP:80
# Create your organization
# Set up billing models:
# - Subscription plans (fixed monthly/annual)
# - Usage-based pricing (per API call, per GB, etc.)
# - Hybrid models (base + usage)

# Connect payment provider:
# Settings > Integrations > Stripe
# Enter your Stripe API keys

Key Features

• Usage-based metering with real-time event ingestion
• Subscription management with plan changes and prorations
• Automated invoice generation
• Stripe and GoCardless payment integration
• Webhook notifications for billing events
• REST API for programmatic billing management
• Credit notes and refunds
• Multi-currency support

Sending Usage Events

curl -X POST https://api.billing.example.com/api/v1/events \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
        "transaction_id": "unique-id-123",
        "external_customer_id": "customer_001",
        "code": "api_calls",
        "timestamp": 1710500000,
        "properties": {
            "calls": 150
        }
    }'