PayPal vs Stripe vs Square: who takes the least?
Enter one sale and see every processor's cut side by side, cheapest first.
Fees on common sale amounts (online)
| Sale | Stripe (online card) | Square Online, Free plan | PayPal Goods & Services | PayPal Checkout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $0.59 | $0.63 | $0.79 | $0.84 |
| $25.00 | $1.03 | $1.13 | $1.24 | $1.36 |
| $50.00 | $1.75 | $1.95 | $1.99 | $2.24 |
| $100.00 | $3.20 | $3.60 | $3.48 | $3.98 |
| $250.00 | $7.55 | $8.55 | $7.97 | $9.22 |
| $500.00 | $14.80 | $16.80 | $15.44 | $17.94 |
| $1,000.00 | $29.30 | $33.30 | $30.39 | $35.39 |
| $5,000.00 | $145.30 | $165.30 | $149.99 | $174.99 |
How the fees work
All three processors charge a percentage of the sale plus a fixed fee per transaction. The percentage dominates on big sales, while the fixed fee hurts most on small ones. PayPal's $0.49 fixed fee is why it costs noticeably more on a $10 sale than Stripe or Square at $0.30.
In-person sales are cheaper everywhere because a card that is physically present carries less fraud risk. Cards from outside the US add 1.5% on all three.
Common questions
Which is cheapest: PayPal, Stripe or Square?
For online card sales, Stripe at 2.9% + $0.30 is cheapest on standard pricing, tied with Square on its paid Plus plan. Square's Free plan online rate is 3.3% + $0.30 and PayPal Checkout is 3.49% + $0.49. In person, PayPal's QR code rate of 2.29% + $0.09 is the lowest.
How much should I charge to receive exactly $100?
Switch the calculator to “I want to receive”. To keep $100 you would charge $103.30 on Stripe, $103.73 on Square Free, or $104.13 through PayPal Checkout.
Do these processors refund fees when I refund a sale?
Generally no. PayPal, Stripe and Square all keep at least part of the original processing fee when you refund a payment.
More fee calculators
Rates are each processor's standard published US pricing, checked October 2026. Your rate can differ if you have negotiated or custom pricing, so confirm against your own statement. FeeSlip is independent and not affiliated with PayPal, Stripe or Square.