PayPal vs Stripe
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right payment processing solution for your project.
Quick Verdict
Both tools are excellent choices with similar feature sets. Your decision should be based on pricing, ecosystem fit, and specific use case requirements.
PayPal
The household name in payments
Best for
Stripe
The gold standard for payments
Best for
Feature Comparison
| Feature | PayPal | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Card Payments | Yes | Yes |
| Subscriptions | Yes | Yes |
| Invoicing | Yes | Yes |
| Marketplace/Connect | Yes | Yes |
| No-code Options | Yes | Yes Payment Links, Checkout |
| Mobile SDKs | Yes | Yes |
| Global Payments | Yes | Yes 135+ currencies |
Pricing Comparison
PayPal
Stripe
PayPal Pros & Cons
Pros
- +High consumer trust
- +PayPal wallet users
- +Good for B2C
- +Venmo integration
Cons
- -Dated developer experience
- -Complex account management
- -Aggressive holds
Stripe Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Best-in-class documentation
- +Excellent developer experience
- +Comprehensive feature set
- +Strong ecosystem
Cons
- -Higher fees than some competitors
- -Account holds can be aggressive
- -Support can be slow
PayPal Verdict
PayPal makes sense when your customers expect it. The DX lags behind Stripe, but the consumer trust is real.
Stripe Verdict
Stripe is the default choice for a reason. Unmatched DX and features. Only consider alternatives if fees are critical or you have specific regional needs.
More options in Payment Processing
Looking for different tradeoffs? Explore alternatives to each tool.
Related guides
Frequently Asked Questions: PayPal vs Stripe
Is PayPal or Stripe better?
It depends on your use case. PayPal is best for b2c products and audiences expecting paypal. Stripe is best for most saas products and marketplaces. PayPal makes sense when your customers expect it. The DX lags behind Stripe, but the consumer trust is real.
Is PayPal free?
No, PayPal does not have a free tier. Pricing starts at 2.99% + 49¢.
Is Stripe free?
No, Stripe does not have a free tier. Pricing starts at 2.9% + 30¢.
Can I migrate from PayPal to Stripe?
Yes, you can migrate from PayPal to Stripe, though the complexity depends on how deeply integrated your current solution is. Most developers recommend evaluating both tools in a test environment before committing to a migration.
Which is more popular, PayPal or Stripe?
Both PayPal and Stripe are popular choices in their category. The best choice depends on your specific requirements, team expertise, and budget rather than popularity alone.