COMPARISON 2025
Stripe vs PayPal: Complete Comparison (2025)
Last Updated: December 2025
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Stripe | PayPal |
|---|---|---|
| International | 135+ currencies | 200+ markets |
| Payout Speed | 2 days | Instant to PayPal |
| Price | 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction | 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction |
| Setup | Developer-focused | Non-technical friendly |
| Subscriptions | Excellent | Good |
⚡
Stripe Overview
Stripe is a developer-first payment platform with powerful APIs, extensive documentation, and support for complex payment flows.
✓ Pros
- • Best API/docs
- • Developer-friendly
- • Subscription support
- • Global payments
- • Stripe Atlas
✗ Cons
- • Account freezes
- • Complex for non-devs
- • Rolling reserves
- • No buyer protection
🎯
PayPal Overview
PayPal is the most recognized online payment platform with buyer protection, easy setup, and massive user base.
✓ Pros
- • Brand recognition
- • Buyer protection
- • Easy setup
- • PayPal checkout trust
- • Venmo integration
✗ Cons
- • Higher fees sometimes
- • Account holds
- • Poor customer service
- • Less developer-friendly
🏆Our Recommendation
Choose Stripe for developer-focused projects with complex payment needs. Choose PayPal for brand trust and non-technical setup.
Conclusion
Stripe is the developer's choice with superior APIs. PayPal offers unmatched brand recognition and buyer trust.