Stripe vs PayPal vs Square: Fee Comparison
Stripe, PayPal, and Square are the most common payment processors for online and in-person businesses in the US. They all handle card payments, but their fee structures differ in ways that matter.
Standard online rates (US)
| Processor | Percentage | Fixed fee |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 2.9% | $0.30 |
| PayPal | 3.49% | $0.49 |
| Square | 2.9% | $0.30 |
Stripe and Square charge identical online rates. PayPal's standard rate is notably higher — about 0.6% more on a $100 transaction.
What you actually pay on $100
- Stripe: $3.20 → you keep $96.80
- PayPal: $3.98 → you keep $96.02
- Square: $3.20 → you keep $96.80
On a $10 transaction, the difference narrows because the fixed fee dominates: Stripe/Square take $0.59, PayPal takes $0.84.
In-person rates
If you sell face-to-face, the math changes:
- Stripe Terminal: 2.7% + $0.05 — cheapest in-person option from the big three
- Square in-person: 2.6% + $0.15 — slightly higher fixed, slightly lower percentage
- PayPal Here: 2.29% + $0.09 — best card-present rate if you're already in the PayPal ecosystem
Beyond the headline rate
The percentage fee is only part of the story. Consider:
- International cards: Stripe adds 1.5% for international cards; PayPal adds 1.5% for currency conversion
- Disputes: Stripe charges $15 per chargeback; PayPal charges $20; Square charges none (they absorb the loss)
- Payout speed: Standard payouts are free on all three; instant payouts cost extra (0.5%–1.75%)
- Monthly fees: None of the three charge monthly fees for standard accounts
Run your own numbers
The right processor depends on your specific mix of transaction sizes, card types, and countries. Use our calculators to compare with your actual numbers:
For international transfers, also check Wise — their currency conversion rates often beat all three.