Braintree
Braintree's cheapest published rate is 2.89% + 29c (standard). Pricing model: flat-rate. Monthly fee: $0. Dispute fee: $15.00 per chargeback. Cross-border: +1% for cards issued outside the US. FX: +1% for transactions in a currency other than USD.
Tier table (vendor-published)
| Tier | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cards and third-party digital wallets (standard) | 2.89% + 29c | - |
| Venmo | 3.49% + 49c | - |
| Cards (verified 501(c)(3) charity) | 2.19% + 29c | - |
| ACH (standard) | 0.75% (capped $5) | - |
| ACH (same-day) | 1.5% + 10c | - |
Source: https://www.paypal.com/us/enterprise/paypal-braintree-fees (verified 2026-09-23).
What Braintree is best for
- Established ecommerce merchants who want a Stripe-like API but with PayPal-network access built in.
- Marketplaces using Braintree Marketplace for split-payment workflows.
- Merchants negotiating custom rates above the 2.89% + 29c published standard.
Hidden costs and gotchas
Owned by PayPal. The two 1 percent surcharges are separate and stack: one applies to cards issued outside the US, the other to transactions settled in a currency other than USD, so a non-USD transaction on a foreign card carries both. Verified 501(c)(3) charities get a reduced card rate of 2.19% + 29c. PayPal-branded transactions bill under the merchant's own PayPal account terms rather than the Braintree card rate. Custom flat rates and interchange-plus are available for established businesses by volume.
- $15.00 per chargeback, per Braintree's published schedule.
- Two separate 1% surcharges that stack: one for cards issued outside the US, one for transactions in a currency other than USD. A non-USD charge on a foreign card carries both, taking 2.89% to 4.89%.
- Venmo is 3.49% + 49c, well above the 2.89% + 29c card rate. Offering it as a checkout option is a 60-basis-point decision, not a free one.
- Same-day ACH is 1.5% + 10c; standard ACH 0.75% capped at $5. Verified 501(c)(3) charities get 2.19% + 29c on cards.
When this vendor wins, when it loses
FAQ
Is Braintree cheaper than Stripe?
Yes on the headline number, 2.89% + 29c vs Stripe 2.9% + 30c. The 1c difference per transaction is meaningful at scale but the API parity is what most teams actually compare.
When does Braintree go quote-only?
Custom flat rates and interchange-plus offers open up by volume, typically above $80K/mo of card volume.
Does Braintree support PayPal at checkout?
Yes, that is the headline integration advantage. PayPal-branded checkout is a one-line add inside the Braintree SDK.
See the full vendor index, run the cross-vendor cost calculator, or read how we verify every rate.