Comparison
Stripe vs PayPal fees
Compare Stripe and PayPal fees on your own sale size and volume. US rates side by side, with the yearly difference worked out.
At 200 sales a month of $50.00:
| Processor | Rate | Fee per sale | Fees per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 2.9% + $0.30 | $1.75 | $350.00 |
| PayPal | 3.49% + $0.49 | $2.24 | $447.00 |
Stripe vs PayPal vs Square → · Stripe Fee Calculator → · PayPal Fee Calculator →
Which is cheaper, Stripe or PayPal?
At standard US rates Stripe is cheaper on every sale: 2.9% + $0.30 against PayPal Checkout’s 3.49% + $0.49. Both the percentage and the fixed fee are lower, so there is no sale size where PayPal comes out ahead.
PayPal still earns its place when buyers expect to pay with a PayPal balance. Many stores offer both and send card payments through the cheaper processor.
Worked example: 200 sales a month at $50
- Stripe fee per sale:
- $1.75
- PayPal fee per sale:
- $2.24
- Stripe per month:
- $350.00
- PayPal per month:
- $447.00
- Difference per year:
- $1,164.00
International buyers add 1.5% on both, so the gap stays about the same.
- The fixed fee matters most on small sales: on a $10 sale PayPal takes 8.4% and Stripe 5.9%.
- Neither returns its processing fee when you refund a sale.
Common questions
- Is Stripe cheaper than PayPal?
- Yes, at standard US rates. Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 and PayPal Checkout 3.49% + $0.49, so Stripe is cheaper at every sale amount. On 200 sales of $50 a month the difference is $1,164 a year.
- Should I offer PayPal as well as Stripe?
- Often yes. Some buyers only pay with PayPal, and losing a sale costs more than the higher fee. Send card payments through Stripe and keep PayPal for buyers who choose it.