Payments
Stripe vs PayPal Fee Calculator
See exactly what each processor keeps on a transaction — and flip the calculation around to find out what to charge so you receive an exact amount.
Stripe (online card, US)
$1,456.20
- You charge
- $1,500.00
- Processor keeps
- $43.80
- You receive
- $1,456.20
Cheapest option for this amount
2.9% + $0.30 per successful card charge
Square (online card, US)
$1,456.20
- You charge
- $1,500.00
- Processor keeps
- $43.80
- You receive
- $1,456.20
2.9% + $0.30 per online transaction
PayPal (Goods & Services, US)
$1,447.16
- You charge
- $1,500.00
- Processor keeps
- $52.84
- You receive
- $1,447.16
3.49% + $0.49 per transaction
Rates shown are standard published US online-card rates and are estimates — your actual rate may differ based on account type, card origin and negotiated pricing. Verify with your processor before pricing a contract.
How this calculation works
Standard fee formula
Each processor charges a percentage of the transaction plus a small fixed fee: fee = amount × percentage + fixed fee.
Reverse calculation
To receive an exact net amount, we solve for the charge: charge = (net + fixed fee) ÷ (1 − percentage). This is the calculation most fee calculators skip.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Stripe charge per transaction?+
Stripe's standard US online-card rate is 2.9% plus $0.30 per successful charge. International cards and currency conversion can add extra fees — always confirm your exact rate in your Stripe dashboard, since negotiated or country-specific pricing can differ.
How much does PayPal charge per transaction?+
PayPal's standard US rate for Goods & Services payments is 3.49% plus $0.49 per transaction. Other payment types (invoicing, PayPal Pay Later, international) use different rates.
What does 'I want to receive exactly this amount' calculate?+
It reverse-calculates the amount you need to charge a client so that, after the processor's percentage and fixed fee are deducted, the amount that lands in your account matches the net figure you entered.
Is Stripe always cheaper than PayPal?+
For most standard US online card payments, yes — Stripe's combination of percentage and fixed fee tends to be lower. The gap narrows for very small transactions and can reverse for certain PayPal payment types or negotiated volume pricing, so it's worth comparing per transaction size rather than assuming.
Once you know your real hourly rate, use the Project Quote Calculator to turn it into a full project price, then the Invoice Calculator to bill it.