Published for 2027 by the PromoteLabs team. US fees as of late 2026; check each provider before you sign up.
For most US sellers of digital products, Stripe is cheaper per sale: 2.9% + 30¢ for online cards with no monthly fee, versus PayPal’s 2.99% + 49¢ for card payments and 3.49% + 49¢ for its PayPal checkout button. PayPal’s advantage is trust and convenience for buyers who already have a PayPal account. Many sellers use Stripe as the main card processor and add PayPal as a second option.
Stripe vs PayPal at a glance
| Stripe | PayPal | |
|---|---|---|
| US online card fee | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.99% + 49¢ |
| Branded checkout button | Not applicable | 3.49% + 49¢ (PayPal, Venmo, guest checkout) |
| International cards | About +1.5%, plus about 1% for currency conversion | About +1.5%, plus a currency conversion spread |
| Monthly fee | None on standard pricing | None on standard accounts ($30/month for Payments Pro) |
| Fee on a $100 sale | $3.20 | $3.48 by card, $3.98 by PayPal checkout |
| Fee on a $10 sale | $0.59 | $0.79 by card, $0.84 by PayPal checkout |
| Best for | Lowest fees, subscriptions, wide integrations | Buyer trust and one-click checkout for PayPal users |
When to choose Stripe
- You sell many low-priced items, where PayPal’s 49¢ fixed fee hurts most.
- You want subscriptions, coupons and upsells through your cart or funnel tool.
- Your checkout platform connects to Stripe, which most do.
When to add PayPal
- Your buyers ask to pay with PayPal or Venmo.
- You sell internationally to buyers who prefer not to enter card details.
- You want an extra payment option that can lift checkout conversions.
Should you use both?
Often, yes. Offering Stripe for cards and PayPal as an alternative covers almost every buyer. Just remember that sales paid through the PayPal button cost more, so price your products with that in mind.
Read our full Stripe review, PayPal Payments Pro review and payment gateway comparison.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stripe cheaper than PayPal?
For US online card payments, usually yes: Stripe charges 2.9% + 30 cents while PayPal charges 2.99% + 49 cents for cards and 3.49% + 49 cents through its checkout button.
Can I use Stripe and PayPal together?
Yes. Many sellers use Stripe for card payments and offer PayPal as a second option at checkout.
Which is better for small digital products?
Stripe, because its lower 30-cent fixed fee takes a smaller share of low-priced sales.
Do Stripe or PayPal charge monthly fees?
Not on their standard plans. PayPal Payments Pro costs $30 a month if you need it.
