Stripe vs PayPal Fees
The headline rate is identical. The fine print is not. Here's where the two diverge — and which one to default to for your situation.
Bottom lineFor US-only card payments, the cost is essentially identical (2.9% + $0.30). PayPal gets pricier on PayPal-balance payments and currency conversion; Stripe wins on developer experience and predictable payouts.
Side by side
| Scenario | Stripe | PayPal |
|---|---|---|
| US card payment | 2.9% + $0.30 | 2.9% + $0.30 |
| PayPal balance / Venmo | n/a | 3.49% + $0.49 |
| International card | +1.5% | +1.5% |
| Currency conversion | +1.0% | +3.0–4.0% |
| Payout speed | 2-day rolling | Instant to balance, 1–3d to bank |
| Chargeback fee | $15 | $20 |
| Subscription / SaaS | Built-in (Billing) | Add-on (Recurring) |
Where Stripe pulls ahead
- International: 1% currency conversion vs PayPal's 3–4%. On a €100 sale that's $3 in your pocket.
- Subscriptions: Stripe Billing handles dunning, proration, and trials natively.
- Developer tooling: Best-in-class API docs and Webhook reliability.
Where PayPal pulls ahead
- Buyer trust: A "Pay with PayPal" button still converts measurably better with older buyers and on certain marketplaces.
- No-code setup: Embed a checkout button in 5 minutes; no developer needed.
- Buyer protection: Familiar to international shoppers — reduces cart abandonment in EU.
The hidden cost: chargebacks
Both charge if you lose — but PayPal's seller protection is famously stricter for digital goods. If you sell ebooks, courses, or downloadable templates, Stripe is the safer default.
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Last updated: 2026-05-15 · Browse all calculators