Payment Processing Fees:
Calculate & Compare Instantly
Enter your monthly volume and see exactly what Stripe, Square, PayPal, and Shopify charge. Stop guessing—know your true processing costs.
Fee Calculator
Adjust inputs to compare costs across 6 provider plans
| Provider | % Fees | Fixed Fees | Intl Surcharge | Total / mo | Eff. Rate |
|---|
Payment Processing Fee Rates (2026)
Standard online card-not-present rates for US merchants
| Provider | Domestic Rate | Fixed / Txn | International | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 2.9% | $0.30 | +1.5% | $0 |
| Square | 2.9% | $0.30 | +0.4% (3.3% total) | $0 |
| PayPal | 2.99% | $0.49 | +1.5% | $0 |
| Shopify Basic | 2.9% | $0.30 | +1.5% | $39 |
| Shopify Standard | 2.6% | $0.30 | +1.5% | $105 |
| Shopify Advanced | 2.4% | $0.30 | +1.5% | $399 |
How Payment Processing Fees Work
Three components that determine your total cost
Percentage Fee
A percentage of each transaction amount (typically 2.4%–2.99%). This is the largest component for most merchants. Higher-value transactions pay proportionally more. International cards and Amex usually add 0.4%–1.5% on top.
Fixed Per-Transaction Fee
A flat amount charged on every transaction ($0.10–$0.49). This fee hits hardest on small orders. A $5 transaction with a $0.30 fixed fee already loses 6% just to the fixed component. High-ticket businesses feel it less.
Volume Leverage
Higher monthly volume unlocks lower rates. Shopify Advanced (2.4%) requires $399/mo but saves 0.5% per transaction vs. Basic. At $50k/mo, that subscription pays for itself. Our calculator accounts for plan fees so you see the true cost.
Provider Comparison
Key differences beyond the headline rate
Stripe
- Developer-first API and documentation
- Billing, invoicing, and subscription tools
- Volume discounts available at $80k+/mo
- Radar fraud detection included
Square
- POS hardware and in-person payments
- Lower in-person rate: 2.6% + $0.10
- Free online store and invoicing
- No monthly fees or contracts
PayPal
- Buyer trust and familiarity
- PayPal wallet checkout option
- Pay Later / Buy Now Pay Later built in
- Higher fixed fee impacts small orders
Shopify Payments
- Integrated with Shopify checkout
- Rate drops with higher plan tiers
- No third-party transaction fees on Shopify
- Monthly subscription required ($39–$399)
Go Beyond Fee Estimates
Upload your transaction export (Stripe, Square, PayPal, or Shopify) and get a full payment analytics report—fee breakdowns by card type, refund impact, seasonal patterns, and optimization recommendations.
Payment Fee Calculator FAQ
Common questions about payment processing costs
How much does Stripe charge per transaction?
Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 per domestic card transaction. International cards incur an additional 1.5% surcharge, and currency conversion adds another 1%. For a $50 domestic transaction, the fee is $1.75.
Which payment processor has the lowest fees?
The cheapest processor depends on your transaction volume and average order value. For high-volume businesses ($50k+/month), Shopify Advanced (2.4% + $0.30) or negotiated Stripe rates are typically cheapest. For low-volume businesses, Square (2.6% + $0.10 in-person or 2.9% + $0.30 online) often wins because of its lower fixed fee per transaction.
How do I calculate my effective payment processing rate?
Divide your total monthly processing fees by your total monthly volume. For example, if you process $10,000 and pay $320 in fees, your effective rate is 3.2%. Our calculator computes this automatically for each provider based on your inputs.
Do international transactions cost more to process?
Yes. Most processors charge an additional 1% to 1.5% for international cards. Stripe adds 1.5% for international cards plus 1% for currency conversion. PayPal charges up to 1.5% for cross-border transactions. Square charges 3.3% + $0.30 for international cards.
Are Shopify Payments fees lower than Stripe?
Shopify Payments rates depend on your Shopify plan. Basic Shopify charges 2.9% + $0.30 (same as Stripe), Standard charges 2.6% + $0.30, and Advanced charges 2.4% + $0.30. However, Shopify also charges a monthly subscription ($39–$399), so the total cost depends on your volume.
What is the difference between percentage fees and fixed fees?
The percentage fee (e.g., 2.9%) is proportional to the transaction amount, while the fixed fee (e.g., $0.30) is charged per transaction regardless of size. For small transactions, the fixed fee has a larger impact on your effective rate. A $5 transaction with a $0.30 fixed fee already loses 6% to the fixed fee alone.
Can I reduce my payment processing fees?
Yes. Strategies include: increasing average order value (reduces impact of fixed per-transaction fees), negotiating volume discounts with your processor, choosing the right provider for your transaction profile, minimizing international transactions where possible, and using our calculator to compare providers based on your actual transaction mix.