Both publish full rate cards. The headline percentage difference is 1 basis point on the cheapest published US tier, but the fixed fee, chargeback fee, and dispute economics diverge enough to move the answer at most volumes.
2.9% + $0.30 standard online card.
0.8% ACH capped at $5. International card +1.5%, FX +1%.
Disputes: $15 receipt fee non-refundable + $15 counter fee refunded on win.
Radar fraud screening $0.05 per screened transaction.
2.89% + $0.49 Advanced Card. Standard Checkout is 3.49% + $0.49.
Micropayments under $10: 4.99% + $0.09.
Disputes: $20 chargeback fee, refunded if won outside Seller Protection.
PayPal wallet acceptance bundled in.
Illustrative example, not a real company. $100,000 monthly volume, $85 average ticket, 1,176 transactions, 0.5% dispute rate, 5% international card share.
On this profile, Stripe is roughly $240/month cheaper than PayPal Advanced Card. The variable percentage is essentially identical, but the $0.19 fixed-fee gap times 1,176 transactions dominates the comparison.
| Feature | Stripe | PayPal |
|---|---|---|
| Published rate card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal wallet acceptance | No | Yes |
| Native ACH Direct Debit | Yes | Partial |
| Radar fraud tool | Yes | No |
| Custom interchange-plus available | Yes | Yes |
| Two-tier dispute fee structure | Yes | No |
| Refundable chargeback fee on win | Partial | Yes |
| Micropayments tier (under $10) | No | Yes |