Updated April 14, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Stripe 2026: Benefits, Features & Pricing
Written by Sabrina Khoulalène
Content Analyst
Edited by Mehar Luthra
Team Lead, Content
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- Our Summary
- Pricing and Plans
- Features
- Integrations
- Key Sentiments
- User Reviews
- Frequently Asked Questions
Our Summary
Pros:
- Secure payment processing
- Seamless integration
Cons:
- High fees
- Funds withholding
Pricing
Pricing available upon request
What is Stripe:
Stripe is a financial payments and processing platform that allows businesses to accept payments online and in person. Businesses can accept payments via credit card, debit card, mobile wallet, and ACH transfers. It offers buy now pay later options, online invoicing, and recurring billing online.
Why we like Stripe:
Stripe is highly rated among payment processing tools, with reviewers particularly highlighting its fraud detection, transaction history, and credit card processing features. Stripe users also rate it highly for ease of use and functionality, with 4.5/5 stars in each area. Reviews frequently mentioned reliability, consistency, and a user-friendly interface.
Who should use Stripe:
Stripe is frequently used by small businesses, with 68% of its reviews coming from businesses with one to 10 employees. Users mention that Stripe is easy to use, making it easy for customers to pay for their goods and services.
Stripe Screenshots
Stripe Overview
Stripe is a financial infrastructure platform that helps businesses manage online and in-person payments. It offers a range of APIs for commerce solutions, suitable for businesses of all sizes and industries, including AI companies, SaaS providers, marketplaces, ecommerce retailers, and creator economy platforms.
The platform supports global payment processing with over 135 currencies and payment methods, featuring AI-powered fraud prevention. Stripe includes tools for subscription and billing management, revenue and finance automation for invoicing and tax compliance, and...
multi-party payment solutions for platforms and marketplaces. Its banking-as-a-service functionality allows businesses to incorporate financial services such as card issuance and financial accounts into their products. Stripe provides a developer-friendly experience with comprehensive documentation, libraries, and SDKs for various programming languages. It processes a high volume of API requests daily with a strong historical uptime. For businesses without development resources, Stripe offers no-code solutions such as Payment Links and pre-built checkout pages. The platform connects with numerous third-party applications through the Stripe App Marketplace, enabling integration with tools such as Salesforce and SAP.Stripe Pricing and Plans
Standard
Pricing available upon request
Plan includes:
- 3% for cards issued outside India
- Pay-as-You-Go Service
Custom
Pricing available upon request
Plan includes:
- Multi-product Discounts
- Country-specific Rates
Confused about pricing? We've got you covered.
Get a personalized pricing breakdown tailored to your specific needs—no guesswork, no generic estimates.
Our Analysis of Stripe's Pricing Plans
We've dug deep into Stripe's pricing landscape to help you navigate the various plans and find the best fit for your business. From the Standard Plan to Custom Pricing, we've broken down the key features, benefits, and potential drawbacks of each option. Stripe offers a range of pricing tiers tailored to businesses of different sizes and needs, and understanding the nuances of each plan is essential for making a smart choice that aligns with...
your goals and budget. **Standard Pricing Plan** Stripe's Standard Pricing Plan offers a pay-as-you-go model designed for businesses of all sizes. There is a simple fee structure of 2.9% + $0.30 per successful charge for domestic cards without additional costs or monthly commitments. **Pros:** - **All-inclusive platform:** Access the full suite of payment processing tools and features for a fixed, pay-as-you-go rate. - **Predictable costs:** With integrated per-transaction pricing, you only pay for what you use. - **Global reach:** Expand your business internationally with the ability to accept payments from customers worldwide. **Cons:** - **Higher rates for international cards:** Transactions involving international cards incur an additional 1.5% fee, which can add up for businesses with a significant global customer base. - **Currency conversion fees:** If currency conversion is required, a 1% fee applies, potentially impacting profit margins for international transactions. - **No discounts for volume:** The Standard Plan does not offer volume-based discounts, which may be less cost-effective for businesses processing a high volume of transactions. **Custom Pricing Plan** For businesses with large payment volumes or unique requirements, Stripe offers a Custom Pricing Plan. This tailored approach provides volume discounts, multi-product discounts, and country-specific rates to optimize costs for high-volume merchants. **Pros:** - **Tailored to your needs:** Custom pricing is designed to align with your business model, ensuring you get the best value for your specific requirements. - **Volume discounts:** As your transaction volume grows, you can benefit from lower rates, making it more cost-effective for larger businesses. - **Multi-product savings:** If you use multiple Stripe products, you may be eligible for additional discounts, further optimizing your costs. **Cons:** - **Requires negotiation:** Custom pricing is not readily available and requires direct negotiation with Stripe. - **Lack of transparency:** As custom rates are not publicly disclosed, it can be difficult to compare pricing with other providers or assess the fairness of the offered rates. - **Higher minimum volume:** Discount pricing for volume may require users to sustain a high volume of transactions. **Additional fees and services** In addition to the core pricing plans, Stripe charges fees for specific services and transaction types. These include fees for ACH Direct Debit, 3D Secure authentication, Instant Payouts, and more. Stripe also offers a range of add-on products, such as Billing, Invoicing, Tax, and Radar, each with its own pricing structure. **Consider the following when looking at add-ons** - **Evaluate your needs:** Review the additional fees and services to determine which ones are relevant to your business and factor them into your cost analysis. - **Bundled savings:** Some add-on products, like Radar for Fraud Teams, offer discounted rates when bundled with other Stripe services, potentially providing savings for businesses that require multiple features. - **Scalable pricing:** Many add-on products, such as Billing and Tax, offer both pay-as-you-go and monthly pricing options, allowing you to choose the model that best aligns with your transaction volume and growth plans. **Conclusion** After analyzing Stripe's pricing structure, it's evident that it offers a range of options designed to cater to businesses of various sizes and transaction volumes. **For small businesses or startups:** The Standard Pricing Plan is likely the most suitable choice, with no setup fees, monthly fees, or hidden costs. The per-transaction pricing model ensures that costs scale with the business's growth, making it an attractive option for those just starting out. **For larger enterprises or high-volume businesses:** Stripe's Custom Pricing Plan unlocks additional possibilities. With volume discounts, multi-product discounts, and country-specific rates, this plan can be tailored to meet the unique needs of larger organizations. The flexibility and potential cost savings make it an appealing choice for businesses processing substantial payment volumes. Ultimately, the decision lies in carefully evaluating your business's current scale, projected growth, and specific requirements. By aligning these factors with Stripe's pricing options, you can select a plan that optimizes your payment processing efficiency and aligns with your financial goals.Stripe Features
Drawn from insights across 3273 verified reviews, we've outlined Stripe's best and worst rated features and how they stack up against the average rating.
Stripe's Best Rated Features
Reporting & Statistics
4.06 category average
Transaction History
4.44 category average
API
3.68 category average
Stripe's Worst Rated Features
Cryptocurrency Processing
2.37 category average
Third-Party Integrations
3.82 category average
Accounting Integration
3.65 category average
- Popular features found in Payment ProcessingACH Payment ProcessingBilling & InvoicingDebit/Credit Card ProcessingIn-Person PaymentsMobile PaymentsMulti-CurrencyMultiple Payment OptionsPayment Fraud PreventionPayment Gateway IntegrationPCI ComplianceRecurring/Subscription BillingReporting/Analytics
- More features of StripeAccounting IntegrationActivity DashboardAPICompliance ManagementCredit Card ManagementCredit Card ProcessingCRMCryptocurrency ProcessingDashboardData SecurityElectronic PaymentsFinancial ReportingFraud DetectionInvoice ManagementMobile AccessOnline PaymentsPartial PaymentsPayment LinksPayment ProcessingPoint of Sale (POS)Receipt ManagementRemindersReporting & StatisticsSales ReportsSelf Service PortalThird-Party IntegrationsTransaction HistoryTransaction ManagementTransaction Monitoring
Stripe Integrations
Based on 3273 verified reviews, we've identified products most frequently integrated with Stripe.
Stephen Britton
Technology Consultant
Used for more than 2 years
Reviewed August 2022
"“WooCommerce also works well with Stripe”"
Muhammad Junaid
IT Manager
Used for more than 2 years
Reviewed March 2022
"Excellent payment system easy to integrate with WordPress"
Nate Enns
Web Admin
Used for more than 2 years
Reviewed November 2021
"Stripe allows us to receive payments on our Shopify store."
See all 203 integrations
Stripe Key Sentiments
We analyzed 3273 verified reviews for Stripe to find out what actual users really think.
Most Positive Sentiments
Integration ease
Reviewers find Stripe's integration with third-party tools and platforms straightforward and efficient. They praise the comprehensive API and documentation, which facilitate quick and easy integration, and they value the wide compatibility of Stripe with various software.
Payment processing
Users appreciate Stripe for its secure and efficient payment processing system, which simplifies managing electronic payments. They find the platform convenient for both businesses and customers, enhancing the overall payment experience. Additionally, reviewers value Stripe's ability to accept global payments, making it a reliable choice for international transactions.
Customer service
Users reviewing Stripe appreciate the helpfulness of its customer service, specifically mentioning the responsiveness and reliability of the support team. However, some reviewers report issues with slow response times and limited customer support, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction.
Least Positive Sentiments
Transaction fees
Reviewers find Stripe's detailed reporting and reliability helpful for managing transaction fees. However, they express concerns about the high processing fees and the complexity of the fee structure. Users also mention that the fees add up quickly, making Stripe less cost-effective compared to other payment methods.
Account management
While users appreciate the convenience of Stripe's account management features, such as real-time transaction tracking, they also report issues with slow fund transfers and a complex verification process. Additionally, some reviewers find the account setup and reconciliation processes challenging and time-consuming.
Stripe User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
Ratings Breakdown
5
74%
4
19%
3
3%
2
1%
1
3%
Secondary Ratings
Ease of Use
4.5
Value for money
4.4
Customer support
4.2
Functionality
4.5
Muhammad W.
Verified reviewer
Computer Software
51-200 employees
Used daily for more than 2 years
Review sourceReviewed January 2026
Great Payment method for e-Commerce website/solution
5
My experience is superb with Stripe as i have integrated it with many APPs and its always pleasure to integrate the SDK as ita easy to do and design.
Ratings Breakdown
Read More
Meg J.
Verified reviewer
Education Management
Self-Employed
Used weekly for less than 12 months
Review sourceReviewed January 2026
Overall, a great program that is easy to use.
5
Overall, I enjoy using Stripe. It is easy to use for clients. I have not received any complaints about the program from customers.
Ratings Breakdown
Reasons for choosing Stripe
I did not want to attach anything to my phone. I also know others who use it and often complain that it is not working. With Stripe I can just have clients scan a QR code if they are in person.
Read More
Russ H.
Verified reviewer
Computer Software
2-10 employees
Used weekly for less than 2 years
Review sourceReviewed December 2025
Yes, Stripe is decent.
4
Stripe works really well.for us. The online payments are easy to to manage at every point in the process.
Ratings Breakdown
Reasons for choosing Stripe
Stripe appeared to be a little better to process online payments.
Read More
Bill L.
Verified reviewer
Information Technology and Services
2-10 employees
Used weekly for more than 2 years
Review sourceReviewed January 2026
Stripe for online payments for business
4
We have been using stripe fir over 9 years and never had any major issues. We only uad a snall issue and the team at stripe helped and cleared it right away. Other than the cost we are happy with it.
Ratings Breakdown
Reasons for choosing Stripe
The setup seemed easier for our team. The reporting also seemed better.
Read More
Non-Profit Organization Management
2-10 employees
Used monthly for more than 2 years
Review sourceReviewed December 2025
Set It And Forget It Payment System
5
Almost never have we run into a bug, and more often than not, a message from Stripe is straight forward, with solid support, and works without any intervention after setup.
Ratings Breakdown
Reasons for choosing Stripe
The integrations were not nearly as robust on Square, which would have required us setting up multiple payment systems to handle different channels for our organziation.
Read More
jaclyn f.
Verified reviewer
Mental Health Care
Self-Employed
Used weekly for more than 2 years
Review sourceReviewed January 2026
Stripe works for me
5
Stipe is linked with my EHR. Setting this up was very easy and I have had no issues with receiving timely payments.
Ratings Breakdown
Reasons for switching to Stripe
I continue using Square when taking private payments, but use Stripe with my integrated EHR system.
Read More
Real Estate
11-50 employees
Used daily for less than 12 months
Review sourceReviewed January 2026
Solid option with tap to pay
3
Stripe provides a decent amount of features and ways to accept payments for your business. The eye catching feature for me was the ability to use a nfc capable smartphone to take payments with tap to pay instead of having to use a stripe terminal.
Ratings Breakdown
Reasons for choosing Stripe
Colleague recommended Stripe over Square
Read More
Roger A.
Verified reviewer
Marketing and Advertising
2-10 employees
Used monthly for more than 2 years
Review sourceReviewed January 2026
Professional payment solution for businesses and ecommerces
5
My experience is very positive so far. It is a strong payment platform for businesses and online services.
Ratings Breakdown
Reasons for choosing Stripe
Because offers better fees for my clients
Read More
Suresh K.
Verified reviewer
Staffing and Recruiting
10000+ employees
Used weekly for less than 2 years
Review sourceReviewed December 2025
Seamless for E-commerce payments
3
overall a very smooth and friction free product, you can issue refunds to customers cards easily as well but yes quite expensive for small business.
Ratings Breakdown
Read More
Royce C.
Verified reviewer
Information Technology and Services
Self-Employed
Used monthly for less than 12 months
Review sourceReviewed January 2026
Stripe Away
4
It's okay. I have it because it's available on most platforms or the only one that's available on some others
Ratings Breakdown
Read More
Stripe FAQs
- Does Stripe report to the IRS?
Yes, if a business's total earnings from Stripe sales exceed $5,000 or more in a calendar year, Stripe will report this to the IRS and send the business Form 1099-K to use when filing taxes. This form is sent both to the account holder and the IRS, as well as some U.S. states.
- Is Stripe trustworthy?
Yes, Stripe offers multiple layers of security for both consumers and businesses. Stripe is PCI DSS Level 1 certified and uses AES-256 encryption and tokenization to replace sensitive payment information with non-sensitive data.
- What is Stripe best for?
Stripe is best for businesses looking to accept payments online and in person globally. It has a variety of use cases, including e-commerce sales, in-person payment collection for goods and services, invoicing, recurring billing for subscriptions, and end-to-end checkout processes.
- Does Stripe need your SSN?
Yes, for businesses using Stripe, the platform asks for either an individual Social Security Number (SSN) or an Employer Identification Number (EIN). It also requires a legal entity name and type as well as a business address and documentation such as a passport, ID, or driver's license.
- Is there a cheaper alternative to Stripe?
Stripe offers a variety of pricing structures for businesses, but the standard is 2.9% plus $.30 per successful charge for domestic cards with no set-up fees and pay-as-you-go pricing. Software Advice reviewers who have rated Stripe rate its value for money at 4.4/5 stars, indicating the features offered justify the cost in the eyes of many. However, you can explore alternatives to Stripe on Software Advice to compare tools, or visit our online payment processing software directory to browse and filter by pricing options.
Stripe Popular Comparisons
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