Stripe vs PayPal Fee Calculator

Stripe vs PayPal Fee Calculator - Compare Net Payouts

The Stripe vs PayPal Fee Calculator compares Stripe and PayPal fees side by side for the same transaction amount, showing processing fees, effective rates, net payouts, and the difference between the two processors. It is designed for indie developers, SaaS teams, cross-border sellers, freelancers, and small ecommerce operators who need to choose a payment method before sending an invoice or configuring checkout. Stripe uses the standard US online card rate of 2.9% + $0.30, while PayPal can be switched between common US merchant fee profiles.

How to compare Stripe and PayPal fees?

1Enter the customer payment amount in USD.
2Choose the PayPal fee profile that matches your invoice or checkout flow.
3Compare fees, effective rates, and net payouts side by side.
4Use the difference summary to decide which processor is cheaper for that payment size.

Input

Enter a USD transaction amount, choose the PayPal comparison profile, and optionally enable the PayPal international commercial transaction surcharge. The Stripe side uses the standard US online card preset. The PayPal side can compare PayPal Checkout, standard credit/debit card payments, Goods & Services, or PayPal Pay Later.

Output

Two comparison cards show each processor’s applied rate, estimated fee, effective rate, and net payout. A summary panel highlights which processor has the lower fee and shows the fee difference and payout difference, making it easier to decide whether to use Stripe, PayPal, or adjust the customer-facing price.

How it works

All calculations run locally in the browser. Stripe fee = amount × 2.9% + $0.30. PayPal fee = amount × selected PayPal percentage rate + selected fixed fee. The PayPal international toggle adds 1.5 percentage points. Net payout = amount − fee. The calculator does not model refunds, disputes, currency conversion, subscription add-ons, taxes, or custom negotiated pricing.

Supported modes

Stripe vs PayPal comparison
PayPal fee profile switching
International transaction toggle
Net payout difference
Effective fee rate
Real-time local calculation

Processor comparison example

Input example

Transaction amount: 100.00 USD
PayPal profile: PayPal Checkout

Output example

Stripe fee: $3.20 USD, payout $96.80 USD
PayPal fee: $3.98 USD, payout $96.02 USD
Lower fee: Stripe, difference $0.78 USD

Why compare Stripe and PayPal fees?

Same amount, clear comparisonEnter one payment amount and see both processors' fees without switching pages.
Net payout focusThe comparison shows what you actually keep, not just headline rates.
Better checkout decisionsUse the fee difference to choose payment links, invoices, or ecommerce checkout options more intentionally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Stripe cheaper in some examples?

Stripe's standard US online card preset is 2.9% + $0.30. PayPal Checkout is commonly higher at 3.49% + fixed fee, so Stripe may be cheaper for many card-style payments.

Can PayPal be cheaper than Stripe?

Yes. Depending on the PayPal product, payment method, account pricing, currency, and transaction size, PayPal can be competitive. Use the profile selector to test the closest available scenario.

Does this replace my processor statement?

No. It is a planning calculator. Refund handling, disputes, currency conversion, subscriptions, taxes, and negotiated pricing can change the final cost.

Disclaimer: This calculator uses public fee presets for estimation. Check Stripe and PayPal dashboards for final account-specific fees.