Stripe vs PayPal Fees: Rate Card, Features and Merchant Eligibility
Stripe comes out cheaper in most scenarios where both can serve 100% of the payment mix.
The card processing standard. Strict underwriting.
Consumer trust on checkout. Highest list rate in this set.
Stripe vs PayPal fee rate card by payment type
Published list rates per supported rail.
| Rail | Stripe | PayPal |
|---|---|---|
| Card payments | 2.90% + $0.30 | 3.49% + $0.49 |
| Crypto payments | Not supported | Not supported |
| Chargeback fee | $15.00 | $20.00 |
| Payout delay | T+2 | T+1 |
Monthly payment processing cost at $100,000 volume
What each provider would charge on $100,000/month, $75 average ticket, with fiat settlement enabled.
| Payment mix | Stripe | PayPal |
|---|---|---|
| All cards | $3,300.00 | $4,143.33 |
| 80% cards / 20% crypto | $2,640.00 (covers 80%) | $3,314.67 (covers 80%) |
| 50% cards / 50% crypto | $1,650.00 (covers 50%) | $2,071.67 (covers 50%) |
| All crypto | Doesn't serve this mix | Doesn't serve this mix |
Want different numbers? Run the full calculator →
Stripe vs PayPal: feature and eligibility comparison
| Feature | Stripe | PayPal |
|---|---|---|
| High-risk friendly | — | — |
| Accepts cards | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accepts crypto | — | — |
| Same-day payouts | — | ✓ |
| No chargeback fees | — | — |
| Global tax & compliance handled | — | — |
| No monthly minimum | ✓ | ✓ |
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Talk to a specialist →Frequently asked questions
Is Stripe cheaper than PayPal for merchants?
Stripe comes out cheaper in most scenarios where both can serve 100% of the payment mix.
Do Stripe and PayPal both accept card payments?
Stripe accepts card payments. PayPal accepts card payments. If your business runs primarily on cards, this is the first filter.
Are Stripe and PayPal available to high-risk merchants such as iGaming or adult businesses?
Stripe is not high-risk friendly — it won't onboard merchants in regulated or sensitive categories. PayPal is not high-risk friendly. Run the eligibility quiz on the calculator page for a tailored answer.
How do Stripe and PayPal payout speeds compare for merchants?
Stripe typically pays out at T+2. PayPal typically pays out at T+1 (same-day available). Faster payouts reduce your working-capital cost — quantify it with the Payout Timing tool.