Stripe vs PayPal: Payment Gateways Compared (2026)
Stripe and PayPal are two widely compared payment gateways. Stripe is a payments platform with APIs for online payments, subscriptions (Billing), fraud prevention (Radar), tax, marketplaces (Connect) and more. PayPal provides online checkout with PayPal, Venmo and cards, used by merchants to offer a familiar, trusted payment option.
- Verified 10 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this page
- 2 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- No winner declaredFit depends on your criteria
- Not tested by Stack18Editorial summary of documented facts
Stripe vs PayPal: the short answer
Stripe is a payments platform with APIs for online payments, subscriptions (Billing), fraud prevention (Radar), tax, marketplaces (Connect) and more. PayPal provides online checkout with PayPal, Venmo and cards, used by merchants to offer a familiar, trusted payment option. Both are payment gateways, but they differ in pricing model, target team size and focus.
On pricing, Stripe is described as: per-transaction flat rates; no monthly fee; PayPal as: per-transaction fees. Neither documents a permanent free plan in the sources reviewed. Stripe is positioned for developers and online businesses building custom payment flows, and PayPal for ecommerce stores where buyer trust lifts conversion.
Everything below is drawn from the two sourced profiles and the 2 dated sources listed at the end. Where a source does not document something it is marked Unknown, and third-party estimates are labelled. No winner is declared: the better fit depends on your size, budget and requirements.
Stripe and PayPal at a glance.
One card per product, drawn from each full profile. Open a profile for features, pricing plans, limits and sources.
Stripe
Stripe · Payment Gateways
Stripe is a payments platform with APIs for online payments, subscriptions (Billing), fraud prevention (Radar), tax, marketplaces (Connect) and more.
- Pricing
- US online cards 2.9% + 30c; international +1.5%; EU standard cards 1.5% + EUR 0.25; chargebacks $15.
- Best for
- Developers and online businesses building custom payment flows
PayPal
PayPal · Payment Gateways
PayPal provides online checkout with PayPal, Venmo and cards, used by merchants to offer a familiar, trusted payment option.
- Pricing
- PayPal Checkout 3.49% + 49c; standard cards via PayPal ~2.99% + 49c (US).
- Best for
- Ecommerce stores where buyer trust lifts conversion
Stripe vs PayPal: feature-by-feature comparison.
Every row is drawn from the sources listed below. Rows that differ are marked, and you can filter the table to show only those.
- YesDocumented
- PartialAvailable with limits or on some plans
- NoDocumented as unavailable
- UnknownNot documented in the sources reviewed
| Dimension |  Stripe |  PayPal |
|---|---|---|
| Product | ||
| Product typeDiffers | YesDeveloper-first payment platform | YesConsumer-trusted checkout |
| VendorDiffers | YesStripe | YesPayPal |
| Best forDiffers | YesDevelopers and online businesses building custom payment flows | YesEcommerce stores where buyer trust lifts conversion |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing modelDiffers | YesPer-transaction flat rates; no monthly fee. | YesPer-transaction fees. |
| Pricing summaryDiffers | YesUS online cards 2.9% + 30c; international +1.5%; EU standard cards 1.5% + EUR 0.25; chargebacks $15. | PartialPayPal Checkout 3.49% + 49c; standard cards via PayPal ~2.99% + 49c (US). |
| Free plan | NoNo monthly fee | NoNo monthly fee |
| Free trial | NoNot applicable | NoNot applicable |
| Payment Gateways criteria | ||
| Pricing model | YesFlat rate | YesFlat rate |
| Card fee fromDiffers | Yes2.9% + 30c (US) | Partial~2.99% + 49c |
| Monthly fee | YesNone | YesNone |
| Merchant of record | YesNo | YesNo |
| Best forDiffers | YesDevelopers | YesBuyer trust |
| Fit and platform | ||
| Team size | YesSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises | YesSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises |
| Platforms | YesWeb, API | YesWeb, API |
| IntegrationsDiffers | YesShopify, WooCommerce, Salesforce, Xero | YesShopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, eBay |
| API | YesDeveloper APIs available; specifics not reviewed. | YesDeveloper APIs available; specifics not reviewed. |
Stripe vs PayPal pricing.
Plan names, prices and billing terms as reported in each profile's sources. Taxes, add-ons and discounts are excluded unless stated.
Stripe pricing
Per-transaction flat rates; no monthly fee.
- Standard (US online)2.9% + 30c per transaction · Pay as you go
- Standard (EEA cards)1.5% + EUR 0.25 · Pay as you go
Prices from independent sources; treat as reported. Dupple (June 2026) and ParityDeals (July 2026). Currency: USD. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All Stripe plans and sources
PayPal pricing
Per-transaction fees.
- PayPal Checkout3.49% + 49c per transaction · Pay as you go
- Card processing~2.99% + 49c per transaction · Pay as you go
Prices from independent sources; treat as reported. Dupple (June 2026). Currency: USD. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All PayPal plans and sourcesStripe vs PayPal: pricing model, ecosystem and fit.
Pricing model and cost drivers
Stripe: per-transaction flat rates; no monthly fee. Dupple (June 2026) and ParityDeals (July 2026). PayPal: per-transaction fees. Dupple (June 2026). Model costs at your real seat count, usage and contract term before comparing headline prices.
What sets each apart
The Stripe profile highlights: API-first; large product suite; not merchant of record. The PayPal profile highlights: consumer trust; higher wallet fee; venmo support.
Integrations and ecosystem
Stripe integrations named in its sources: Shopify, WooCommerce, Salesforce and Xero. PayPal: Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce and eBay. Check that the connectors you rely on exist on the plan you would buy.
Deployment and team fit
Stripe runs on Web and API and is documented for small teams, mid-size teams and large enterprises. PayPal runs on Web and API and is documented for small teams, mid-size teams and large enterprises. We did not test setup or migration.
Stripe and PayPal: each option, in balance.
Each point is linked to a dated source on the product's profile.
Stripe
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- Excellent developer tools.
- No monthly fees.
- Broad product suite.
- Not a merchant of record.
- Reported freezes of high-risk accounts.
- Flat fees costly at high volume.
PayPal
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- Trusted by shoppers.
- Can lift conversion.
- Venmo support.
- Higher fees than card-only processors.
- Account holds and freezes.
- Dispute process favours buyers.
Stripe or PayPal: which fits which situation?
No overall winner is declared. The better choice depends on the criteria that matter most to you, so test both against your own requirements.
Choose Stripe if you are…
- Developers and online businesses building custom payment flows
- SaaS subscriptions
- Marketplaces
Less suited to: businesses wanting tax handled for them; high-risk merchants.
See the Stripe profile
Choose PayPal if you are…
- Ecommerce stores where buyer trust lifts conversion
- Small online sellers
- International buyers
Less suited to: businesses needing low fees; complex platforms.
See the PayPal profileSwitching between Stripe and PayPal.
Moving off Stripe or PayPal means migrating saved cards and subscriptions (often via a secure token transfer), updating checkout integrations, webhooks and reconciliation, re-registering for local methods and planning for payout timing changes. Run both gateways in parallel and route new customers first. Route a share of real traffic through each shortlisted gateway and compare authorisation rate, effective fees and payout timing.
- Export a sample of your data and test an import into the other product.
- List the automations, integrations and permissions you would need to rebuild.
- Compare total cost at your real volume, including add-ons and services.
- Pilot with one team before a full cut-over.
- Check contract terms and notice periods with both vendors.
General guidance, not specific to either vendor. Confirm migration options with the vendors.
Stripe vs PayPal: questions and answers
What is the difference between Stripe and PayPal?
Stripe is a payments platform with APIs for online payments, subscriptions (Billing), fraud prevention (Radar), tax, marketplaces (Connect) and more. PayPal provides online checkout with PayPal, Venmo and cards, used by merchants to offer a familiar, trusted payment option. Both are payment gateways, but they differ in pricing model, target team size and focus. Stripe is positioned for developers and online businesses building custom payment flows; PayPal for ecommerce stores where buyer trust lifts conversion.
Is Stripe cheaper than PayPal?
It depends on your volume and plan. Stripe: US online cards 2.9% + 30c; international +1.5%; EU standard cards 1.5% + EUR 0.25; chargebacks $15. PayPal: PayPal Checkout 3.49% + 49c; standard cards via PayPal ~2.99% + 49c (US). Compare both at your real seat count, usage and contract term.
Do Stripe or PayPal have a free plan?
Neither documents a permanent free plan in the sources reviewed. Stripe free trial: Not applicable. PayPal free trial: Not applicable.
Stripe or PayPal: which is better for small teams?
Stripe and PayPal are both documented for small teams. Stripe suits developers and online businesses building custom payment flows; PayPal suits ecommerce stores where buyer trust lifts conversion. Neither is best for everyone.
What are the main limitations of Stripe and PayPal?
Stripe: Not a merchant of record. PayPal: Higher fees than card-only processors.
How much does Stripe charge?
2.9% + 30 cents for US online cards, per a June 2026 guide; EEA standard cards are 1.5% + EUR 0.25.
How much does PayPal charge merchants?
PayPal Checkout is 3.49% + 49 cents in the US, per a June 2026 guide.
What are the alternatives to Stripe and PayPal?
Stack18 has alternatives guides for both: Stripe alternatives and PayPal alternatives, each comparing at least four other payment gateways on pricing, free plan, features and fit. The Payment Gateways category lists every profile.
Where this comparison comes from.
- The 8 Best Payment Gateways in 2026 (16 June 2026) Dupple Third-party Accessed 11 Nov 2026
- Best European Payment Processors in 2026 (9 July 2026) ParityDeals Third-party Accessed 11 Nov 2026
This comparison summarises the Stripe and PayPal profiles and their sources. Third-party figures are labelled; confirm current pricing and terms with each vendor. Stack18 has not tested these products.
Ready to test Stripe and PayPal?
Check each vendor's current pricing and terms, run both against a real scenario from your business, or talk to Stack18 if off-the-shelf software is not the answer.
Logos provided by Logo.dev. Product names and logos are trademarks of their respective owners and appear for identification only; they do not imply endorsement.