Stripe & PayPal Fee Calculator
Compare payment processing fees, net take-home pay, and required gross billing across currencies.
Stripe vs PayPal Payment Processing Fee Calculator
Compare exact transaction fees, net take-home revenue, and required gross invoices across Stripe and PayPal.
Stripe
2.9% + $0.30PayPal
2.99% + $0.49About this tool
How to use it
- Choose whether you are charging an upfront price or targeting a specific net take-home payout.
- Input your transaction sum and choose your regional currency (USD, GBP, EUR, CAD, AUD).
- Select your PayPal pricing tier (Standard Checkout, Invoicing, or Micropayments).
- Toggle international cards or currency conversion spreads to inspect edge-case deductions.
Why it matters
Payment processing fees erode profit margins quickly when selling goods or freelancing. Comparing Stripe and PayPal side-by-side helps merchants choose the optimal payment gateway and price services correctly.
When to use it
Use this tool before invoicing clients, launching an e-commerce store, or negotiating software contract payment methods.
Common questions
What is the standard US transaction fee for Stripe vs PayPal?
Stripe standard card processing in the US is 2.9% + $0.30 per successful charge. PayPal standard commercial transactions are 2.99% + $0.49, while PayPal Invoicing is 3.49% + $0.49.
How does reverse fee calculation work?
To net a specific target amount (e.g. $100), the calculation accounts for percentage fees on the increased gross invoice amount: Gross = (Net + Fixed Fee) / (1 - Percentage Rate).
Do Stripe and PayPal charge additional fees for international cards?
Yes. Stripe adds +1.0% for international credit cards (and +1.0% if currency conversion is required). PayPal adds a 1.5% cross-border fee and up to 3.0%-4.0% for currency conversion.
Which gateway is cheaper for micropayments?
For small transactions under $10, PayPal Micropayments (4.99% + $0.09) often beats standard fixed fee pricing ($0.30 or $0.49 fixed fee), while Stripe offers custom volume pricing.