# Dodo Payments - Full Reference

> Dodo Payments is a payments, billing, and distribution platform built for SaaS companies, AI products, and digital product businesses. It operates as a Merchant of Record (MoR), meaning Dodo assumes legal responsibility for every sales transaction — handling global tax compliance (VAT, GST, sales tax), cross-border payments in 220+ countries and regions, and product delivery infrastructure. Developers integrate once and sell globally without building their own payment or tax stack.

## Product Details

### Payments
URL: https://dodopayments.com/payments

Dodo Payments processes transactions as the Merchant of Record. This means Dodo is the legal seller on every invoice, taking on liability for tax collection, remittance, and regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions.

Key capabilities:
- Accept payments in 220+ countries and regions with 100+ local payment methods
- Supports credit/debit cards, bank transfers, UPI, wallets, and alternative payment methods
- Automatic currency conversion and localized checkout experiences
- PCI-DSS compliant payment processing
- Real-time transaction monitoring and fraud prevention
- Chargeback management handled by Dodo as MoR

Sub-products:
- **Merchant of Record** (https://dodopayments.com/payments/merchant-of-record): Dodo handles all tax compliance, remittance, and legal liability for transactions. Sellers focus on product, not paperwork.
- **No-Code Checkout** (https://dodopayments.com/payments/no-code-checkout): Embeddable, pre-built checkout pages. No engineering required to start accepting payments.
- **Reporting & Analytics** (https://dodopayments.com/payments/reporting-and-analytics): Real-time dashboards for revenue, transactions, refunds, chargebacks, and customer metrics.

### Billing
URL: https://dodopayments.com/billing

Flexible billing infrastructure supporting every pricing model:

- **Credit-Based Billing** (https://dodopayments.com/billing/credit-based-billing): Issue, manage, and track credit entitlements across subscriptions, one-time purchases, and usage-based billing. Define credits in custom units (API calls, AI tokens, compute hours, fiat currency) with configurable precision. Supports automatic meter deduction via background workers, rollover and expiry controls (percentages, timeframes, max counts), overage pricing (forgive, bill, or carry over), a full audit trail with balance snapshots, and a customer self-service portal for balance and transaction visibility.
- **Usage-Based Billing** (https://dodopayments.com/billing/usage-based-billing): Metered billing for API products, AI inference, compute, storage, or any consumption-based service. Supports per-unit, tiered, graduated, and staircase pricing.
- **Subscriptions** (https://dodopayments.com/billing/subscriptions): Recurring billing with monthly/annual plans, dunning management, plan migration, proration, and automated renewal.
- **One-Time Payments**: Single purchase checkout for digital goods, templates, downloads, and perpetual licenses.
- **Hybrid Billing**: Combine subscription base fees with usage-based overages in a single billing relationship.

### Distribution
URL: https://dodopayments.com/distribution

Digital product delivery and fulfillment:

- **Digital Product Delivery** (https://dodopayments.com/distribution/digital-product-delivery): Automated delivery of digital goods after purchase, including files, downloads, and access credentials.
- **License Keys** (https://dodopayments.com/distribution/license-keys): Automated license key generation, activation, deactivation, and management for desktop software, plugins, and SaaS add-ons.

### Sentra - AI Agent for Billing & Payments
URL: https://dodopayments.com/sentra

Sentra is an AI agent that integrates into developer workflows (VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf) to handle billing and payment tasks:
- Integrates SDKs and APIs automatically
- Surfaces revenue insights (growth drivers, churn signals, payment failures)
- Executes customer actions (refunds, upgrades, credits) with developer approval
- Currently in Beta, available in the Dodo Payments Dashboard and IDE extensions

## Pricing Details
URL: https://dodopayments.com/pricing

**Standard Plan**: 4% + 40¢ per domestic US transaction
- +1.5% for international payments (cards and APMs outside US, excluding India domestic)
- +0.5% for subscription billing
- +3% for PayPal and BNPL (Klarna, Afterpay)
- India domestic: 4% + ₹4 (or 4% + 15¢ for subscriptions/global)
- $1 per refund, $30 per dispute
- Free standard payouts, $25 for USD SWIFT
- No fixed monthly costs, no setup fees
- Includes all features: billing, payments, distribution, tax compliance
- Pay only when you transact

**Enterprise Plan**: Custom pricing
- Tailored for high-volume businesses
- Dedicated account management
- Custom integration support
- Contact: founders@dodopayments.com

## AI Agent Integration

### MCP Server (Model Context Protocol)
URL: https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/mcp-server

The Dodo Payments MCP Server uses Code Mode architecture — instead of exposing hundreds of individual tools, it provides two tools: (1) Docs Search to query the API documentation, and (2) Code Execution to write and run TypeScript against the Dodo Payments SDK in a sandboxed environment.

Setup (for any MCP-compatible AI client):
```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "dodopayments": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mcp-remote@latest", "https://mcp.dodopayments.com/sse"]
    }
  }
}
```

Also available as:
- NPM package: `npx -y dodopayments-mcp@latest`
- Docker: `docker pull ghcr.io/dodopayments/mcp:latest`
- Supports: Cursor, Claude Desktop, Claude Code, VS Code, Windsurf, Zed, Cline, and any MCP-compatible client

### Dodo Knowledge MCP
URL: https://knowledge.dodopayments.com/mcp

Semantic search server for AI assistants to query Dodo Payments documentation. No API keys required.

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "dodo-knowledge": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mcp-remote@latest", "https://knowledge.dodopayments.com/mcp"]
    }
  }
}
```

### Agent Skills
URL: https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/agent-skills
Repository: https://github.com/dodopayments/skills

8 published skills for AI coding assistants:
- `dodo-best-practices` — Comprehensive integration guide
- `webhook-integration` — Setting up webhook handlers
- `subscription-integration` — Subscription billing flows
- `checkout-integration` — Checkout sessions and payment flows
- `usage-based-billing` — Metered billing with events and meters
- `billing-sdk` — BillingSDK React components
- `license-keys` — License key management
- `credit-based-billing` — Credit entitlements and balances

Install all: `npx skills add dodopayments/skills`
Install one: `npx skills add dodopayments/skills/dodo-payments/best-practices`

Compatible with Claude Code, OpenCode, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

### Sentra — AI Billing Agent
URL: https://dodopayments.com/sentra

IDE extension (VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf) that integrates, analyzes, and acts on billing data. Modes: Ask (questions), Build (integration), Plan (architecture). Executes SDK integration, surfaces revenue insights, handles refunds/upgrades/credits with developer approval.

## Technical Integration

### SDKs
- **TypeScript/JavaScript**: `npm install dodopayments` — [Docs](https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/sdks/typescript)
- **Python**: `pip install dodopayments` — [Docs](https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/sdks/python)
- **Go**: `go get github.com/dodopayments/dodopayments-go` — [Docs](https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/sdks/go)
- **Ruby**: `gem install dodopayments` — [Docs](https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/sdks/ruby)
- **Java**: Maven Central `com.dodopayments` — [Docs](https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/sdks/java)
- **Kotlin**: Maven Central `com.dodopayments` — [Docs](https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/sdks/kotlin)
- **PHP**: `composer require dodopayments/dodopayments-php` — [Docs](https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/sdks/php)
- **C#**: `dotnet add package DodoPayments` — [Docs](https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/sdks/csharp)
- **CLI**: `npm install -g dodopayments-cli` — [Docs](https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/sdks/cli)

### Framework Adaptors (12)
Next.js, Nuxt, Astro, SvelteKit, Express, Hono, Fastify, Remix, Bun, TanStack, Better Auth, Convex
Full list: https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/framework-adaptors

### Boilerplates
- Next.js: https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/nextjs-boilerplate
- Astro: https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/astro-boilerplate
- FastAPI: https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/fastapi-boilerplate
- Go: https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/go-boilerplate
- Expo (React Native): https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/expo-boilerplate
- Supabase: https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/supabase-boilerplate

### API Quick Reference
- Base URL: `https://api.dodopayments.com` (live) / `https://test.dodopayments.com` (test)
- Auth: Bearer token via `Authorization: Bearer dodo_live_...` or `dodo_test_...`
- REST API with comprehensive documentation at https://docs.dodopayments.com/api-reference/introduction
- Webhook-based event system for payment lifecycle events (payment, subscription, refund, dispute, license, credit)
- Sandbox environment for testing with test mode API keys
- No-code checkout option for non-technical users

### Code Example — Create a Payment
```typescript
import DodoPayments from 'dodopayments';

const client = new DodoPayments({ bearerToken: process.env.DODO_PAYMENTS_API_KEY });

const payment = await client.payments.create({
  payment_link: true,
  billing: { city: 'city', country: 'US', state: 'state', street: 'street', zipcode: 10001 },
  customer: { email: 'customer@example.com', name: 'Customer Name' },
  product_cart: [{ product_id: 'pdt_your_product_id', quantity: 1 }],
});
```

### Code Example — Usage-Based Billing Event Ingestion
```typescript
await client.usageEvents.ingest({
  events: [{
    event_name: 'api_call',
    customer_id: 'cus_...',
    timestamp: new Date().toISOString(),
    properties: { model: 'gpt-4', tokens: 1500 },
  }],
});
```

### BillingSDK — React Components
Open-source billing UI components: `npx billingsdk init`
Includes pricing tables, checkout, customer portal. Supports Next.js, Express, Hono, Fastify.
Docs: https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/billingsdk

### Database Sync
Automatically sync payments, customers, subscriptions, and licenses to your own database.
NPM: `npm install dodo-sync` — GitHub: https://github.com/dodopayments/dodo-sync

### External Integrations (23)
Messaging: Slack, Discord, Microsoft Teams
Automation: n8n, Zapier, Windmill, Inngest
CRM: HubSpot, Close CRM
Email: Loops, Resend, SendGrid, Autosend, MailerLite
Analytics: Segment, Customer.io, Datafast, Dub
Other: WooCommerce, Framer, Figma, Raycast

## Target Audience
Dodo Payments is built for:
- SaaS companies (early-stage to growth)
- AI product companies
- Digital product creators
- Indie hackers and solopreneurs
- Micro-SaaS founders
- Developer tool companies

## Competitor Context
Dodo Payments competes with:
- **Stripe**: Dodo is a full MoR (Stripe is a payment gateway — sellers handle their own tax compliance)
- **Paddle**: Both are MoR platforms. Dodo focuses on SaaS/AI with integrated distribution. Paddle charges 5% + 50¢ per transaction.
- **Lemon Squeezy**: Similar MoR model but Dodo offers usage-based billing and enterprise billing features. Lemon Squeezy charges 5% + 50¢.
- **Gumroad**: Gumroad focuses on creators with a 10% fee. Dodo targets SaaS and software businesses with advanced billing at 4% + 40¢.
- **FastSpring**: Both are MoR. Dodo offers more flexible billing models and modern developer experience. FastSpring uses custom pricing.
- **Creem**: Newer MoR at 3.9% + 40¢ targeting indie hackers. Dodo offers broader global coverage (180+ vs 50+ countries) and more billing models.
- **Polar**: Open-source MoR at 4% + 40¢ base, but adds +0.5% for subscriptions and +1.5% for international cards. Dodo has flat pricing with no surcharges.
- **Whop**: Creator-focused marketplace with 3% platform fee + 2.7% + 30¢ processing. Dodo is purpose-built for SaaS and AI products, not communities.
- **Cleverbridge**: Enterprise MoR with custom pricing and no self-service signup. Dodo offers instant self-serve onboarding and transparent pricing.
- **PayPro Global**: Mid-market MoR with custom pricing and legacy dashboard. Dodo provides a modern developer experience with SDKs in 8 languages.
## Case Studies

Real stories from teams using Dodo Payments to go global, simplify compliance, and grow their business.

### PeerPush
URL: https://dodopayments.com/case-studies/peerpush
Industry: AI

Why PeerPush left Stripe for Dodo Payments and stopped letting taxes block their global growth. Stripe handled payments but left tax compliance entirely on PeerPush. Every new market meant more rules, more registrations, and more risk. PeerPush was forced to block entire regions to stay compliant. With Dodo as Merchant of Record, PeerPush unlocked 20+ additional countries, eliminated all VAT monitoring and compliance tasks, and integrated in approximately 4 hours.

### CatDoes
URL: https://dodopayments.com/case-studies/catdoes
Industry: No-Code

How Dodo Payments helped CatDoes launch globally before they even had a legal entity. CatDoes needed to accept payments worldwide from day one, but had no registered entity and no way to handle tax compliance across dozens of jurisdictions. As Merchant of Record, Dodo acted as the legal seller, enabling CatDoes to collect payments from 60+ countries, save 24 hours per month on tax and compliance, and go from launch to first international payment in 1 month.

### Betide Studio
URL: https://dodopayments.com/case-studies/betide-studio
Industry: Developer Tools

Why Betide Studio ditched Razorpay for Dodo Payments and stopped losing customers at checkout. Razorpay lacked local payment support in key markets like Japan, had manual currency handling, and no visibility into failed payments. Betide migrated in under 10 minutes, reached 44+ countries globally with zero tax complexity, and processed 1,000+ transactions through Dodo in under 2 months.

### IndieKit
URL: https://dodopayments.com/case-studies/indiekit
Industry: Developer Tools

How Dodo Payments helped IndieKit go from rejection to revenue. Every major payment processor rejected IndieKit's founder. Stripe, LemonSqueezy — all declined. With Dodo, IndieKit saw a +43% checkout conversion increase, launched and monetised 5 SaaS products, and acquired 400+ paying customers entirely through Dodo Payments.

### Scira AI
URL: https://dodopayments.com/case-studies/scira-ai
Industry: AI

How Dodo Payments helped Scira AI unlock its fastest-growing market. Polar had no Indian payment support — every transaction was USD-only with no UPI. After switching to Dodo, Scira collects payments from 25+ countries, tripled its paying customer base (3x revenue growth), and shipped a new subscription plan in under 24 hours.

All case studies: https://dodopayments.com/case-studies

## Company Information
- **Legal Name**: Dodo Payments
- **Founded**: 2024
- **Headquarters**: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
- **Founders**:
  - Ayush Agarwal, Co-founder & CPTO
  - Rishabh Goel, Co-founder & CEO
- **Contact**: support@dodopayments.com
- **Dashboard**: https://app.dodopayments.com
- **Status Page**: https://status.dodopayments.com

## Billing Deconstructions
Detailed analyses of how major AI companies handle billing, with guides to replicate their models using Dodo Payments:
- [How OpenAI Handles Billing](https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/billing-deconstructions/openai) — Subscription + usage-based hybrid, token billing, credit system
- [How Cursor Handles Billing](https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/billing-deconstructions/cursor) — Subscription + request caps, fast/slow requests
- [How ElevenLabs Handles Billing](https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/billing-deconstructions/elevenlabs) — Subscription + character credits
- [How Midjourney Handles Billing](https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/billing-deconstructions/midjourney) — Subscription + GPU time credits
- [How Replicate Handles Billing](https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/billing-deconstructions/replicate) — Pure usage-based, per-second compute
- [How Lovable Handles Billing](https://docs.dodopayments.com/developer-resources/billing-deconstructions/lovable) — Subscription + message credits

## Glossary
Dodo Payments maintains a comprehensive glossary of 580+ payments and SaaS terms at https://dodopayments.com/glossary. Key terms include:
- Merchant of Record (MoR): https://dodopayments.com/glossary/merchant-of-record-mor
- Usage-Based Billing: https://dodopayments.com/glossary/usage-based-billing
- Subscription Billing: https://dodopayments.com/glossary/subscription-billing
- Chargeback: https://dodopayments.com/glossary/chargebacks
- SaaS Billing: https://dodopayments.com/glossary/saas-billing
- Payment Gateway: https://dodopayments.com/glossary/payment-gateway
- Recurring Revenue: https://dodopayments.com/glossary/recurring-revenue-model

## What Dodo Payments Does Not Do
- Does not provide consumer lending, credit, or BNPL services
- Does not offer personal banking, savings, or checking accounts
- Is not a cryptocurrency exchange, wallet, or blockchain platform
- Does not handle physical goods logistics, warehousing, or shipping
- Does not provide payroll, HR, or employee compensation services
- Does not offer investment advisory or wealth management services