Multi-Processor Comparison Engine
Side-by-side fee comparison of Stripe, PayPal, Square, and more.
Different payment processors charge different rates. Stripe: 2.9%+$0.30. PayPal: 3.49%+$0.49 domestic. Square: 2.6%+$0.10 in-person, 2.9%+$0.30 online. This calculator compares net proceeds and monthly fees across processors so you can choose the best fit for your transaction size and volume.
Inputs
Comparison
Stripe: — fee, — net
PayPal: — fee, — net
Square (online): — fee, — net
Insights
Formula
Stripe: 2.9% + $0.30 PayPal: 3.49% + $0.49 Square: 2.9% + $0.30 (online)
Input Definitions
What does each input mean?
- Transaction amount
- Average sale or order value. Used to compare per-transaction fees across processors.
- Monthly volume
- Total monthly sales processed. Higher volume may qualify for negotiated rates with some processors.
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Finding the Cheapest Way to Accept Payments
No single payment processor is cheapest for every business. Stripe beats PayPal for software subscriptions. Square wins at in-person retail. PayPal still dominates for consumer-to-business digital goods. The right answer depends on your order values, transaction volume, card mix, and sales channels — and the wrong answer costs you real money every month. This calculator lets you run an honest side-by-side comparison.
It’s designed for business owners who are setting up payment infrastructure for the first time, reconsidering their current setup after seeing fee statements, or building a multi-channel operation where different processors might make sense in different contexts. Stop guessing which is cheapest — model it with your own numbers.