Processor Comparison Tool
Enter one transaction amount and compare estimated fees, net payout, and effective rates across Stripe, PayPal, and Square.
Calculator
Same amount compared across common US baseline schedules.
Results
| Processor | Schedule | Fee | Net | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SquareLowest fee | US in-person: 2.6% + $0.10 | $2.70 | $97.30 | 2.70% |
| Stripe | US online card: 2.9% + $0.30 | $3.20 | $96.80 | 3.20% |
| Square | US online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $3.20 | $96.80 | 3.20% |
| PayPal | US commercial online baseline: 3.49% + $0.49 | $3.98 | $96.02 | 3.98% |
What this means
Square (in-person) shows the lowest fee on this amount among the options compared. Re-check rates for your country and payment mix.
Copy Summary to paste the write-up. Copy Link for the same numbers every time. No login, no setup—just copy and go.
Processor Comparison Summary
Payment processors charge different percent + fixed combinations. This tool runs the same amount through common US Stripe, PayPal, and Square schedules so you can see which baseline leaves you with more net.
Explanation
Each row applies that processor’s baseline schedule to your amount and shows fee, net, and effective rate.
The row with the lowest fee is highlighted. Rankings can flip as invoice size changes because fixed fees matter more on small amounts.
Business implication: pick a processor for more than fees alone—but knowing the fee gap helps you price and negotiate.
Step-by-step example
For a $100.00 online payment under common US baselines:
- Stripe / Square online: fee about $3.20, net about $96.80
- PayPal commercial online: fee about $3.98, net about $96.02
- Square in-person: fee about $2.70, net about $97.30
Formula
For each processor:
Fee = (Amount × Percent) + Fixed
Net = Amount − Fee
Effective rate = Fee ÷ Amount
Helpful tips
- Re-run the comparison at your typical invoice size—not just $100.
- If customers pay in person often, Square’s card-present rate can win even when online rates look similar.
- After you pick a processor, use Fee Pass-Through to set prices that protect your margin.
FAQ
Which processor is cheapest?
It depends on amount and channel. On many US online baselines Stripe and Square online look similar (2.9% + $0.30), while PayPal’s higher fixed fee often costs more on small tickets. In-person Square is often cheaper than online schedules.
Why show Square online and in-person separately?
Card-present rates are usually lower than online or keyed rates. Comparing only one Square number would hide that difference.
Should I switch processors based only on this table?
No. Also weigh payout speed, chargebacks, customer preference, software fit, and volume pricing. Use this tool for fee math, then validate with each provider’s official pricing.
How accurate are these comparisons?
They use commonly published US baselines for Stripe, PayPal, and Square. Cross-border fees, ACH, or custom contracts can change rankings. Treat results as estimates.
Related tools
Key terms
Processing fee
Definition. The amount a payment processor charges to accept a card or digital payment.
In simple terms. Most online processors charge a percentage of the payment plus a fixed per-transaction amount. The fee is how the processor gets paid for authorization, settlement, fraud tools, and payouts.
Fee ≈ (rate × transaction amount) + fixed fee
Example. On a $100 charge at 2.9% + $0.30, the fee is about $3.20 and you keep about $96.80 (before refunds or chargebacks).
Common mistake. Comparing only the percentage rate and ignoring the fixed fee—or assuming every payment method uses the same rate.
Related calculators. Stripe Fee Calculator, PayPal Fee Calculator, Square Fee Calculator, Processor Comparison Tool
Related terms. Net payout, Effective rate, Fee pass-through
Effective rate
Definition. Total processing cost as a percentage of the payment amount.
In simple terms. Because of fixed per-transaction fees, small payments often have a higher effective rate than large ones—even at the same posted rate.
Effective rate = processing fee ÷ payment amount
Example. A $3.20 fee on $100 is a 3.2% effective rate. The same structure on a $20 charge is a much higher effective rate.
Common mistake. Using the advertised percentage alone when comparing processors or pricing low-ticket items.
Related calculators. Stripe Fee Calculator, Processor Comparison Tool
Related terms. Processing fee, Net payout
Net payout
Definition. What you actually receive after processing fees are deducted from a payment.
In simple terms. Customers pay the invoice amount; the processor keeps its fee; the remainder is your net. Pricing and cash-flow decisions should use net, not the sticker invoice total.
Net payout = invoice amount − processing fee
Example. Invoice $250, fee $7.55 → net payout ≈ $242.45.
Common mistake. Planning expenses from the full invoice amount and discovering shortfalls after fees clear.
Related calculators. Stripe Fee Calculator, Fee Pass-Through Calculator
Related terms. Processing fee, Effective rate, Fee pass-through
Notes & Assumptions
Baselines match our Stripe (2.9% + $0.30), PayPal (3.49% + $0.49), and Square online / in-person calculators. Confirm official pricing with each provider before switching.
Last reviewed: July 2026