Compare Payment Processing Fees
Enter an amount to see a side-by-side fee comparison across processors. Toggle reverse mode to find what you should charge.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Stripe US
PayPal US
Wise US
Stripe UK
PayPal UK
Wise UK
Fee Comparison at a Glance
Pre-calculated using each processor's default card rate (Domestic Card vs Standard Card vs USD → EUR vs UK Domestic Card vs Standard Domestic vs GBP → EUR).
| Amount | Stripe US Fee | Stripe US Net | PayPal US Fee | PayPal US Net | Wise US Fee | Wise US Net | Stripe UK Fee | Stripe UK Net | PayPal UK Fee | PayPal UK Net | Wise UK Fee | Wise UK Net | Cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25.00 | $1.03 | $23.97 | $1.24 | $23.76 | $1.84 | $23.16 † | £0.57 | £24.43 | £1.03 | £23.97 | £0.32 | £24.68 † | Stripe US / Wise UK |
| 50.00 | $1.75 | $48.25 | $1.99 | $48.01 | $1.99 | $48.01 † | £0.95 | £49.05 | £1.75 | £48.25 | £0.43 | £49.57 † | Stripe US / Wise UK |
| 100.00 | $3.20 | $96.80 | $3.48 | $96.52 | $2.27 | $97.73 † | £1.70 | £98.30 | £3.20 | £96.80 | £0.64 | £99.36 † | Wise US / Wise UK |
| 500.00 | $14.80 | $485.20 | $15.44 | $484.56 | $4.55 | $495.45 † | £7.70 | £492.30 | £14.80 | £485.20 | £2.36 | £497.64 † | Wise US / Wise UK |
| 1,000.00 | $29.30 | $970.70 | $30.39 | $969.61 | $7.40 | $992.60 † | £15.20 | £984.80 | £29.30 | £970.70 | £4.51 | £995.49 † | Wise US / Wise UK |
| 5,000.00 | $145.30 | $4,854.70 | $149.99 | $4,850.01 | $30.20 | $4,969.80 † | £75.20 | £4,924.80 | £145.30 | £4,854.70 | £21.71 | £4,978.29 † | Wise US / Wise UK |
How to Compare Payment Processor Fees
Choosing the right payment processor can save your business hundreds — or thousands — of dollars each year. Every processor charges a percentage of the transaction plus a fixed per-transaction fee, but the exact numbers vary. A small difference in rates adds up quickly when you process dozens or hundreds of payments a month.
Use the comparison calculator above to enter your typical transaction amount and instantly see the fee, net payout, and effective rate for each processor. Switch between forward mode ("I'm charging $X — how much do I keep?") and reverse mode ("I want to receive $X — how much should I charge?") to cover both invoicing scenarios.
Keep in mind that fees aren't the only factor. Consider payout speed (Stripe pays out in 2 business days, PayPal offers instant transfer for a fee), buyer trust (PayPal's brand recognition can boost checkout conversion), integration effort, and dispute-handling policies before committing.
Stripe and PayPal rates shown on this page are sourced directly from each processor's official pricing page and verified quarterly. Wise uses a dynamic pricing model — rates shown are reference estimates based on typical bank transfer amounts; always confirm with Wise's calculator before sending. You can click through to the source link on each processor's dedicated calculator page to double-check.
Related Comparisons
- Stripe vs PayPal Fee Comparison — See which is cheaper for $100 to $5,000 transactions
Frequently Asked Questions
Which payment processor has the lowest fees?
It depends on your transaction size and type. For standard US domestic card payments, Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 while PayPal charges 2.99% + $0.49 — making Stripe cheaper in most cases. However, for very large transactions, PayPal's QR Code rate (2.29% + $0.09) can be lower than Stripe's standard card rate. Use the calculator above with your typical amounts to find the best fit.
How much do Stripe and PayPal charge on a $100 transaction?
On a $100 domestic card payment: Stripe charges $3.20 in fees (you keep $96.80) while PayPal charges $3.48 (you keep $96.52). Stripe saves you $0.28 per transaction at this amount.
Should I choose a payment processor based only on fees?
No. While fees matter, also consider payout timing, buyer trust and checkout conversion, integration complexity, international coverage, and dispute resolution. A processor with slightly higher fees but faster payouts or higher conversion rates may net you more overall.
What is the cheapest way to accept payments in the US?
For card-not-present transactions, Stripe's standard rate (2.9% + $0.30) is typically the cheapest among major processors. For large transactions, Stripe's ACH Direct Debit (0.8%, capped at $5.00) offers the lowest per-transaction cost. For in-person QR code payments, PayPal (2.29% + $0.09) is very competitive.
Do these processors charge monthly fees?
Neither Stripe nor PayPal charges monthly fees on their standard plans. You only pay per-transaction fees. Both offer premium tiers with additional features and different pricing, but the rates shown here reflect the standard, no-monthly-fee plans.
Can I use multiple payment processors at the same time?
Yes, many businesses use multiple processors. For example, you might use Stripe for online card payments and PayPal as an alternative checkout option for buyers who prefer it. Offering multiple payment methods can increase conversion rates.
Compare with Other Processors
Stripe US
2.9% + $0.30 to 5.4% + $0.30
Calculate →PayPal US
2.29% + $0.09 to 3.49% + $0.49
Calculate →Wise US
0.41% + $1.70 to 0.66% + $1.70
Calculate →Stripe UK
1.5% + £0.20 to 3.25% + £0.20
Calculate →PayPal UK
1.5% + £0.10 to 4.89% + £0.30
Calculate →Wise UK
0.33% + £0.21 to 0.56% + £1.50
Calculate →Related Tools
Visit the homepage to calculate fees for other processors.