The verdict
Stripe takes it, 6–1 on rounds.
On the published figures and the independent review sites, Stripe takes 6 of 8 rounds. Treat that as a starting point and check the current figures on both pages, because prices and plans move.
Choose Stripe if…
- • You want Stripe's edge on what an online card sale costs and the fixed fee on every sale
Choose PayPal if…
- • You want PayPal's edge on what a tap or swipe in store costs
Round by round
- Round 1What an online card sale costsStripe wins
Stripe wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 2The fixed fee on every saleStripe wins
Stripe wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 3What customers say on TrustpilotStripe winsPayPal5/10
1.4 out of 5
TrustScore from 41,713 reviews on Trustpilot
- 1.4 out of 5, against 1.6 out of 5
Source: trustpilot.com ↗
Stripe wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 4What it costs just to have an accountTiePayPal7/10
No monthly fee
PayPal Checkout has no monthly fee; Payments Pro is 30 dollars a month
Source: paypal.com ↗
Nothing to separate them here.
- Round 5What a lost chargeback costsStripe winsStripe8/10
$15 per dispute (+$15 if contested)
Standard pay-as-you-go pricing (US)
Source: stripe.com ↗
PayPal5/10$20 chargeback fee
PayPal business account, standard credit and debit card payments (US)
- $20 chargeback fee, against $15 per dispute (+$15 if contested)
Source: paypal.com ↗
Stripe wins this round on what the published sources say.
- Round 6What a tap or swipe in store costsPayPal winsStripe5/10
2.7% + 5¢ (Terminal)
Standard pay-as-you-go pricing (US)
- 2.7% + 5¢ (Terminal), against 2.29% + 9¢ (PayPal POS)
Source: stripe.com ↗
PayPal8/102.29% + 9¢ (PayPal POS)
PayPal business account, standard credit and debit card payments (US)
Source: paypal.com ↗
PayPal wins this round on what the published sources say.
- Round 7What converting currency costsStripe winsPayPal5/10
3% conversion spread
PayPal business account, standard credit and debit card payments (US)
- 3% conversion spread, against +1% currency conversion
Source: paypal.com ↗
Stripe wins this round on what the published sources say.
- Round 8Taking bank (ACH) paymentsStripe winsPayPal5/10
1% capped at $10 (invoices)
PayPal business account, standard credit and debit card payments (US)
- 1% capped at $10 (invoices), against 0.8% ($5 cap)
Source: paypal.com ↗
Stripe wins this round on what the published sources say.
Side by side
- 2.7% + 5¢ (Terminal), against 2.29% + 9¢ (PayPal POS)
- 1.6 out of 5, against 3.7 out of 5
- $15 per dispute (+$15 if contested), against No chargeback fee
- 2.7% + 5¢ (Terminal), against 2.6% + 15¢ (Square Free)
- 3.49%, against 2.9%
- 49 cents, against 30 cents
- 1.4 out of 5, against 1.6 out of 5
- $20 chargeback fee, against $15 per dispute (+$15 if contested)