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Choosing the cheapest payment processor for your business is simple once you see the numbers side by side. Enter your typical sale amount below and the comparison table updates instantly with exact fees and net payouts for Stripe, PayPal Standard, PayPal Checkout, and Shopify Payments on each of its three plans.
How the fee comparison works
Each processor's fee structure is hardcoded at its published US rates:
| Processor | Rate | Fixed fee |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 2.9% | + $0.30 |
| PayPal Standard | 2.99% | + $0.49 |
| PayPal Checkout | 3.49% | + $0.49 |
| Shopify Basic | 2.0% | + $0.25 |
| Shopify (Shopify plan) | 1.7% | + $0.25 |
| Shopify Advanced | 1.5% | + $0.25 |
When Shopify Payments is cheaper
Shopify Payments beats Stripe on domestic US Visa/Mastercard transactions above roughly $12. At $100, Shopify Basic saves $0.95 per transaction over Stripe. At $500/mo volume on the Basic plan ($39/mo), the math is roughly neutral — but at $50,000/mo the rate savings dwarf the plan fee.
When to stick with Stripe
Stripe wins for: subscription billing, SaaS APIs, international payments (135+ currencies), ACH Direct Debit, B2B invoicing, and businesses that are not on Shopify. Stripe's developer ecosystem is unmatched. Use this tool to quantify the fee difference, then weigh it against switching costs and feature needs.
Frequently asked questions
Which payment processor charges the lowest fees? Shopify Payments (Advanced plan) has the lowest rate at 1.5% + $0.25, but requires a Shopify store and a $399/mo subscription. For businesses not on Shopify, Stripe (2.9% + $0.30) beats PayPal Standard (2.99% + $0.49) on transactions above $15.
How much cheaper is Shopify Payments vs Stripe? On a $100 transaction: Shopify Basic = $2.25 fee, Stripe = $3.20 fee — Shopify is $0.95 cheaper. But Shopify Basic requires a $39/mo plan. You'd need $4,100+/mo in Stripe volume to break even on the plan cost when comparing to the Stripe savings.
Does PayPal charge more than Stripe? Yes. PayPal Standard charges 2.99% + $0.49 vs Stripe's 2.9% + $0.30. On a $100 transaction, PayPal Standard takes $3.48 vs Stripe's $3.20 — PayPal is $0.28 more expensive. PayPal Checkout (3.49% + $0.49) is significantly more expensive than both.
Can I use Stripe on Shopify without paying extra fees? Yes, but Shopify charges a third-party transaction fee (0.5%–2% depending on your plan) if you use any payment processor other than Shopify Payments. At $10,000/mo, that adds $50–$200 in Shopify surcharges. Shopify Payments (powered by Stripe's infrastructure) eliminates this fee.