Stripe vs PayPal vs Square Fees Compared
Short answer: Published pricing is often a percentage plus a fixed cents fee — but plan tiers, international cards, and product mix change the effective rate. Compare estimated net for one transaction amount in the processor comparison tool, then confirm live pricing on each processor’s site for your account.
What freelancers usually need to know
- Percentage + fixed fee on card or online checkout
- Payout timing and holds (not modeled as a dollar fee here)
- Dispute / chargeback tooling and support quality
HustleNumbers models verified published fee rows for Stripe, PayPal, and Square. Specialty or negotiated rates are out of scope.
How to compare
- Open the Payment Processor Comparison.
- Enter a typical invoice or checkout amount.
- Compare estimated fees and net across processors.
- Check the verification stamp and official pricing links on the page.
FAQ
Which processor is cheapest?
It depends on ticket size and which published row applies. Run your real average order through the calculator instead of picking a winner from a stale blog table.
Does this include friends-and-family transfers?
No. Use commercial / seller pricing assumptions. Friends-and-family is not a business billing method.
Related tools
Estimates only — not financial advice. Disclaimer.