Head-to-head · Payment Gateways
Stripe Payments vs PayPal Payments
Stripe Payments leads on 0 checks, PayPal Payments on 1, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreStripe Payments · 9.3/10
- Free planonly PayPal Payments
Stripe Payments scores higher on our rubric for payment gateways: 9.3 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.
PayPal Payments offers free plan; Stripe Payments doesn't. On api and sdk coverage, Stripe Payments gives you Api_sdk_plugins where PayPal Payments offers Api_and_sdk.
Stripe Payments is the better fit for businesses needing broad payment coverage. PayPal Payments is the better fit for businesses wanting PayPal and global reach.
- Stripe Payments fits best
Businesses needing broad payment coverage
- PayPal Payments fits best
Businesses wanting PayPal and global reach
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Side by side
| Feature | Stripe Payments 9.3/10 Visit ↗ | PayPal Payments 8.9/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.3 | 8.9 |
| Ranking | #1 in Payment Gateways | #5 in Payment Gateways |
| Best for | Businesses needing broad payment coverage | Businesses wanting PayPal and global reach |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | — | Free plan |
| Free plan | — | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Features Stripe Payments 2/2 · PayPal Payments 2/2 | ||
| Recurring payments | ✓ | ✓ |
| Marketplace payments | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Payment methods | Cards, wallets, bank debits, bank transfers, buy now pay later, local payment methods, and stablecoins | PayPal, Venmo, credit and debit cards, digital wallets, bank transfers, vouchers, buy now pay later, cryptocurrency |
| Supported currencies | 135 | Not checked yet |
| Payout countries | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| API and SDK coverage | Api_sdk_plugins | Api_and_sdk |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Stripe Payments is a payment-processing platform for startups, online businesses, platforms, marketplaces, and enterprises. It handles online and in-person payments, with prebuilt or customizable checkout interfaces and payment links for… Read the review → |
PayPal Payments gives businesses several ways to accept online and in-person payments, from PayPal and Venmo in the United States to cards, digital wallets, bank transfers, vouchers, and buy-now-pay-later options. It suits merchants that… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Stripe Payments — where it wins
- Accepts 125+ payment methods across 135 currencies
- Supports recurring billing, multi-currency settlement, and in-person payments
- Connect adds marketplace payment routing, onboarding, split payments, and payouts
Where it doesn't
- No free plan is offered
- Pricing varies by country, payment method, card origin, and currency conversion
- Custom pricing tiers and discounts may require a tailored quote
PayPal Payments — where it wins
- Accepts PayPal, Venmo, cards, wallets, bank transfers, and vouchers
- Supports recurring payments, payment links, hosted checkout, and buttons
- Offers marketplace tools, REST APIs, SDKs, and acceptance across 200+ markets
Where it doesn't
- Transaction pricing varies by payment method, currency, geography, and integration
- Payment methods and availability vary by geography and integration method
- Marketplace and API options may require more integration work than payment links
- Stripe Payments9.3/10 · Paid
Broad payment coverage for businesses selling online, in person, or through marketplaces.
Visit StripeFull verdict → - PayPal Payments8.9/10 · Free plan
Broad payment acceptance with checkout tools, recurring billing, and marketplace support.
Visit PayPalFull verdict →
More comparisons
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- Stripe Payments vs PayPal for Business
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- Stripe Payments vs Braintree
- Stripe Payments vs Mollie
- Stripe Payments vs NMI
- Adyen vs PayPal Payments
- PayPal for Business vs PayPal Payments
All payment gateways comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update