Last Reviewed
October 9, 2026
This review covered US merchant fee inputs only. Other markets and consumer fees have separate review dates and scopes; see the public rate update log.
US official page updated: October 1, 2026
Reference scenarios, not processor quotes
Stripe vs PayPal Fees
Compare modeled Stripe and Wise reference rates with the tracked PayPal US checkout rate. Use the results for directional research, not official competitor pricing.
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Evidence Layer
How To Read This Processor Comparison
This page mixes one tracked PayPal official rate with clearly labeled comparison assumptions for Stripe and Wise so you can understand relative fee direction without confusing it with an official processor pricing sheet.
Evidence Mode
Mixed Official + Comparison Assumptions
PayPal uses the tracked official US checkout rate on this page. Stripe and Wise are modeled reference rates, not claimed copies of their full current pricing documents.
Coverage
PayPal US Checkout + Reference Competitors
Use this page for directional comparison only. Use the PayPal-only calculators when you need an exact PayPal fee rather than a competitor benchmark.
Official Source Pages
The US APM row covers only the all-other-APMs tier, not named payment methods or payment links and buttons. Check the official schedule for those products.
This comparison page is intentionally separated from the main PayPal fee calculator so modeled competitor assumptions do not dilute the direct PayPal rate pages.
Open the methodology page if you want to check exactly where the official PayPal side ends and the comparison modeling begins.
Processor Fee Comparison
Tracked US PayPal Checkout
PayPal
Fee$3.98
Net$96.02
Based on the tracked US PayPal business checkout rate used elsewhere in this project.
Official rule: PayPal Checkout (paypal-US-paypal_checkout-USD, v1) | Verified 2026-10-09
Domestic transaction in the listed receiving currency; currency conversion excluded.
Modeled card-processing reference
Stripe
Fee$3.20
Net$96.80
Assumed comparison model using a 2.9% + $0.30 fee structure.
Modeled rule: comparison-stripe (comparison-stripe, v1)
Site comparison assumption, not current provider pricing.
Modeled transfer reference, not checkout
Wise
Fee$1.06
Net$98.94
Assumed comparison model using a 0.65% + $0.41 fee structure.
Modeled rule: comparison-wise (comparison-wise, v1)
Site comparison assumption, not current provider pricing.
Lowest Fee Under These Assumptions
Wise
The Wise reference produces the lowest fee in this model. These are not equivalent products: the Wise transfer reference is not a checkout alternative, and competitor prices are not independently verified here.
Modeled Difference From PayPal Checkout
Stripe$0.78 cheaper
Wise$2.92 cheaper
Stripe vs PayPal Merchant Fee Comparison Table
| Comparison Point | Stripe | PayPal |
|---|---|---|
| Rate Used In This Model | 2.9% + $0.30 assumption on this page | Tracked official US PayPal Checkout rate on this page |
| Payment Path | Card-processing assumption; not a complete product quote | PayPal Checkout, not every PayPal card-processing product |
| Recurring Billing | Subscription and billing add-ons are not modeled | Subscription and billing add-ons are not modeled |
| Refunds And Disputes | Review refund and dispute handling alongside headline fees | Review refund and dispute handling alongside headline fees |
| International Fit | International card, currency conversion and payout costs are excluded | US domestic Checkout only; cross-border and conversion costs are excluded |
| Decision Limit | Confirm current pricing and product eligibility independently | Confirm the actual checkout product and account terms |
What Each Reference Represents
PayPal Checkout
The PayPal side uses the tracked US Checkout rate. It does not stand in for Goods & Services, Standard Card, invoice ACH or a negotiated merchant contract. Compare those paths on the PayPal payment-method page.
Stripe Card Assumption
For a $100.00 payment, the modeled Stripe fee is $0.78 lower than PayPal. This difference follows the assumed rate, not a verified quote for your Stripe account.
When Wise Is a Better Benchmark
The modeled Wise fee is $2.92 lower than PayPal in this comparison. Wise is most useful as a benchmark for transfer-heavy and cross-border workflows rather than wallet checkout.
Stripe Vs PayPal Merchant Fees Explained
Stripe vs PayPal merchant fees need a matched comparison: same market, currency, payment method and included services. Here, only the PayPal US Checkout side uses a tracked official rate. Stripe and Wise are reference assumptions.
These results do not measure checkout conversion, customer preference or total ownership cost. Confirm current processor terms before choosing a provider. A transfer reference and a checkout payment are not interchangeable services.
Stripe vs PayPal: Other Costs and Features
Payout Speed
Payout timing and withdrawal charges are not included. Check the settlement schedule and eligible bank or card destination for each product.
Refunds and Disputes
Merchant fee decisions often depend on refund behavior and dispute handling, not just the first transaction fee. A processor that looks cheaper on paper may become more expensive if refunds or chargebacks are common.
Subscriptions and Billing
Recurring-billing features, extra product fees and integration work are not priced here. Include those costs when comparing a subscription workflow.
International Payments
The Wise reference illustrates a different transfer workflow. It does not establish the cost or availability of a particular currency corridor, and it is not included as evidence that one checkout processor is cheaper.
Related Payment Fee Pages
Processor comparisons often lead to deeper questions about PayPal checkout, international fees, invoice pricing, and source methodology. These related pages help you follow the next pricing question instead of leaving the site.
PayPal Fee Calculator
Go back to the main calculator when you want to see the PayPal fee itself before comparing it with Stripe on the same payment amount.
Does PayPal Charge International Fees?
Use the international page when the comparison shifts from domestic checkout pricing to cross-border fees and currency-related cost.
PayPal Invoice Fee Calculator
Open the invoice calculator if you want to turn the comparison into a real billable total that still lands on your target net amount.
PayPal Fee Sources And Methodology
Review the methodology page if you want to separate tracked PayPal official rates from the comparison assumptions used for Stripe and Wise.
People Also Ask
Stripe vs PayPal merchant fees: which is cheaper?
The result depends on the payment path and the rates entered in the comparison. The Stripe rate here is a modeling assumption, not a verified current quote. Compare equivalent products, markets and currencies before making a pricing decision.