PayPal Business vs Stripe: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of PayPal Business and Stripe — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: it's a tie on our scorecard — pick on fit, not score.
| Scored on | PayPal Business | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 8 | 8 |
| Ease of use | 9 | 9 |
| Fees & pricing | 7 | 7 |
| Customer support | 5 | 5 |
| Features | 9 | 9 |
| Monthly fee | $0 | — |
| Online transaction fee | 2.99% + fixed fee | — |
| In-person (QR) fee | 2.29% + $0.09 | — |
| Instant transfer fee | 1.5% (capped) | — |
| Online Transaction Fee | — | 2.9% + $0.30 |
| Monthly Account Fee | — | $0 |
| In-person Transaction Fee | — | 2.7% + $0.05 |
| Stripe Tax (per transaction) | — | 0.5% (optional) |
PayPal Business in one paragraph
PayPal Business is the ultimate 'day one' tool for solopreneurs to get paid, though its automated fraud filters can be a headache for rapidly scaling firms.
Skip it if: You should not pick this if you process over $50,000 monthly and need a dedicated account representative to handle disputes.
Stripe in one paragraph
The most powerful payment tool for digital businesses, provided you can handle the automated support and modular costs.
Skip it if: You run a high-risk business like tobacco, gambling, or adult entertainment, as Stripe will likely freeze your funds.
Frequently asked questions
Who should skip PayPal Business?
You should not pick this if you process over $50,000 monthly and need a dedicated account representative to handle disputes.
Who should skip Stripe?
You run a high-risk business like tobacco, gambling, or adult entertainment, as Stripe will likely freeze your funds.