How Much Does Stripe Charge Per Transaction?
How Much Does Stripe Charge Per Transaction?
If you're accepting payments online, understanding Stripe's fee structure is crucial for pricing your products correctly and forecasting revenue. Stripe's fees are straightforward on the surface—2.9% + $0.30 per transaction in the US—but international payments, currency conversion, and specific payment types can significantly increase your costs.
In this guide, you'll learn exactly what Stripe charges for different transaction types, how to calculate your actual take-home revenue, and strategies to minimize payment processing costs. Use our free calculator to see the exact fees for any transaction amount.
Use Our Free Stripe Fees Calculator
Enter any transaction amount to instantly see Stripe's fees and your net revenue. Compare domestic vs. international transactions and understand your true costs.
How It Works: Stripe's Fee Structure
Stripe uses a tiered fee structure based on the payment type and location:
Standard US Transactions:
The calculation formula:
Net Revenue = Transaction Amount - (Amount × Rate%) - Fixed Fee - International Fee - Currency Fee
For a $100 US domestic transaction:
The fixed $0.30 fee makes small transactions proportionally more expensive. A $10 transaction has a 6.2% effective rate versus 3.2% for $100.
Step-by-Step Example: Real Transaction Breakdown
Scenario: TechShop sells a $150 software license to customers worldwide. Let's calculate net revenue for different scenarios.
Domestic US Customer (Visa/Mastercard):
International Customer (UK card, no conversion):
International Customer (UK card, with currency conversion):
Key Factors to Consider
1. Small Transactions Have Higher Effective Rates
The fixed $0.30 per transaction hurts micro-transactions. A $5 purchase loses $0.30 + ($5 × 2.9%) = $0.445, which is 8.9% of the transaction. Consider minimum order amounts or bundling for low-priced products.
2. International Sales Cost 1.5-2.5% More
If you sell globally, expect 4.4-5.4% effective rates on international transactions versus 3.1-3.3% domestic. Factor this into your international pricing strategy or consider using Stripe's local acquiring where available.
3. Alternative Payment Methods Have Different Fees
ACH bank transfers: 0.8% (capped at $5) — great for large B2B payments
SEPA (Europe): €0.35 flat fee — much cheaper for EU transactions
Link (formerly Stripe Link): Same as card rates but higher conversion
4. Volume Discounts May Be Available
If you process over $1 million annually, contact Stripe for custom pricing. Enterprise accounts often negotiate rates of 2.2-2.5% + $0.10-0.20, significantly reducing costs at scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage does Stripe take per transaction?
Stripe takes 2.9% plus $0.30 for US domestic transactions. International cards add 1.5%, and currency conversion adds another 1%. Effective rates range from 3.1% for large domestic transactions to 5.6% or more for small international payments.
Is Stripe cheaper than PayPal?
Both charge similar rates: Stripe is 2.9% + $0.30, PayPal is 2.99% + $0.49 for standard transactions. Stripe is slightly cheaper, especially for international transactions. PayPal charges 4.99% + fixed fee for international payments.
Does Stripe charge monthly fees?
No, Stripe has no monthly fees, setup fees, or minimum volume requirements. You only pay per transaction. This makes Stripe ideal for businesses of all sizes, including startups with low volume.
How do I reduce Stripe fees?
Encourage ACH payments for large transactions (0.8% vs 2.9%), set minimum order amounts to avoid small transaction penalties, use Stripe's local acquiring in key markets, and negotiate volume discounts if processing over $1M annually.
When does Stripe deposit money to my bank?
Stripe deposits funds on a 2-business-day rolling basis by default. You can enable instant payouts (1% fee) or change your payout schedule to weekly/monthly in your dashboard settings.