Want your own numbers? The Stripe calculator shows every fee and your profit as you type.
Open the Stripe US fee calculatorMost online stores offer both Stripe and PayPal at checkout. They cost different amounts per payment, and the gap is worth knowing when you decide which to promote. Compare with the Stripe fee calculator and the PayPal fee calculator.
Headline rates
- Stripe cards: 2.9% + $0.30.
- PayPal checkout: 3.49% + $0.49.
- PayPal standard card processing: 2.99% + $0.49.
Side by side
| Price | Stripe card | PayPal checkout | PayPal card processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $0.59 | $0.84 | $0.79 |
| $25.00 | $1.03 | $1.36 | $1.24 |
| $50.00 | $1.75 | $2.24 | $1.99 |
| $100.00 | $3.20 | $3.98 | $3.48 |
| $250.00 | $7.55 | $9.22 | $7.97 |
| $1,000.00 | $29.30 | $35.39 | $30.39 |
Stripe is cheaper at every amount. On $100, Stripe costs $3.20 and PayPal checkout costs $3.98.
Why offer PayPal anyway?
Many shoppers trust PayPal and prefer not to enter card details on a site they do not know. Adding PayPal can raise conversion enough to outweigh its higher fee. Test it with your own customers.
International
Both add 1.5% for international payments. Stripe charges 1% for currency conversion; PayPal’s conversion markup is usually higher. See Stripe international fees and PayPal international fees.
Refunds and disputes
Stripe keeps its full fee on refunds and charges $15 per dispute. PayPal returns the percentage part of its fee on refunds but keeps the fixed fee, and has its own dispute fees for some sellers.
The practical answer
Use Stripe as your main card processor, offer PayPal as an alternative, and check which method your customers actually choose. For in-person sales, compare Square vs Stripe.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stripe cheaper than PayPal?
Yes, for standard US card payments. Stripe charges 2.9% plus $0.30 versus PayPal checkout at 3.49% plus $0.49.
Should I offer both Stripe and PayPal?
Often yes. PayPal can increase conversion among shoppers who prefer it, which may outweigh the higher fee.
Run your next sale through the calculator before you commit.
Open the Stripe US fee calculatorRelated guides
- StripeStripe Fees Explained: Standard US Pricing Guide
Stripe’s US fees explained: 2.9% + $0.30 cards, in-person, ACH, international and conversion add-ons, disputes and optional products.
- StripeStripe International Card & Currency Fees (US)
How Stripe charges US businesses for international cards and currency conversion, with examples and ways to reduce cross-border costs.
- StripeStripe ACH vs Card Fees: Save on Large Payments
Compare Stripe ACH Direct Debit and card fees for US businesses. See how the $5 cap saves money on invoices and subscriptions.
- StripeStripe Refund and Dispute Fees: What You Lose
What happens to Stripe fees when you refund a payment or face a chargeback, the $15 dispute fee and how to reduce disputes.
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- DepopDepop Boosted Listings: Is the 8% Fee Worth It?
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