# Stripe vs Paddle

Title: Stripe vs Paddle: fees

Description: Stripe vs Paddle: Stripe is 2.9% + $0.30. Paddle is 5% + $0.50. Disputes: Stripe $15, Paddle Not listed on the pricing page we read. Read November 9, 2026.

Stripe vs Paddle compares published lines. Stripe's US domestic cards are 2.9% + $0.30, read November 9, 2026. Paddle is listed at 5% + $0.50. Dispute fees that day: Stripe $15 received, and Paddle Not listed on the pricing page we read.

# Stripe vs Paddle

A processor, where you are the merchant, compared with a merchant of record for software.

[Paddle](https://www.paddle.com/?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stripealternatives.com)

Paddle at 5% + $0.50 is not a cheaper Stripe. It is a different purchase: Paddle becomes the seller, and sales tax and VAT are Paddle's problem. Use it when that work costs you more than the extra two points. Use Stripe when you need to be the merchant on the invoice.

| Feature | Stripe | Paddle |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Card rate | 2.9% + $0.30 | 5% + $0.50 |
| Dispute fee | $15 received | Not listed on the pricing page we read |
| Pricing | Flat rate | Merchant of record |
| Payout | Standard schedule free. Instant 1.5%, minimum $0.50. | See Paddle's payout terms. The pricing page does not add a separate US card surcharge. |
| Region | Global. Rates here are the US list prices. | Global software sales. Paddle is the seller, so coverage is Paddle's, not yours. |
| Underwriting | Instant signup. Stripe can review, restrict, or close the account later. | Paddle reviews the product because Paddle is the merchant. A business Stripe closed can still be declined. |
| Merchant of record | No | Yes |
| In the fee calculator | Yes | Yes |

## Pricing

- Stripe: 2.9% + $0.30
- Paddle: 5% + $0.50

## With Stripe

You can handle tax, or tax is simple because you sell in one country, and enterprise buyers need your company on the invoice.

## With Paddle

You sell software globally, you do not want to register for VAT, and you have checked that Paddle will accept the product.

## On the pricing page

- **Pay as you go.** 5% + $0.50 per checkout transaction. No monthly fee on that plan.
- **High volume or products under $10.** Custom. No public figure on the pricing page.

## Questions

### Is Paddle lower than Stripe on the published line?

At $10,000 a month and a $50 ticket, Paddle pay as you go is $600.00 and Stripe is $350.00, using rates read on November 9, 2026. Merchant-of-record price, not a card-processing price. Tax compliance is the reason the rate is higher. High-volume and sub-$10 products are custom.

### What is Paddle's dispute fee versus Stripe's?

Paddle lists Not listed on the pricing page we read. Stripe lists $15 when a dispute is received. Both lines were read on November 9, 2026.

### How does Paddle underwrite compared with Stripe?

Paddle reviews the product because Paddle is the merchant. A business Stripe closed can still be declined. Stripe signs businesses up quickly and can review them later. A listing on this page is not an approval.

### When should you keep Stripe instead of Paddle?

You can handle tax, or tax is simple because you sell in one country, and enterprise buyers need your company on the invoice.

### When should you choose Paddle?

You sell software globally, you do not want to register for VAT, and you have checked that Paddle will accept the product.

### Can Stripe card tokens move to Paddle?

This page does not claim that Paddle imports Stripe tokens. Ask in writing. Stripe's data export page, read on November 10, 2026, says Stripe transfers card data only to a PCI DSS Level 1 processor.

## Sources

Last verified November 9, 2026.

- Stripe: https://stripe.com/?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stripealternatives.com
- Stripe pricing: https://stripe.com/pricing?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stripealternatives.com
- Paddle: https://www.paddle.com/?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stripealternatives.com
- Paddle pricing: https://www.paddle.com/pricing?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stripealternatives.com
- Stripe: payment data export: https://docs.stripe.com/get-started/data-migrations/pan-export?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stripealternatives.com

## Related

- [Stripe pricing profile](/alternatives/stripe.md)
- [Paddle profile](/alternatives/paddle.md)
- [How to switch from Stripe](/guides/switching-from-stripe.md)
- [How Stripe's US fees add up](/guides/stripe-fees-explained.md)
- [Fee calculator](/tools/fee-calculator.md)
- [Merchant of record alternatives](/best/merchant-of-record.md)
- [All Stripe comparisons](/compare.md)
- [Stripe vs Lemon Squeezy](/compare/stripe-vs-lemon-squeezy.md)
- [Stripe vs Whop](/compare/stripe-vs-whop.md)
- [Stripe vs Commas](/compare/stripe-vs-commas.md)