Stripe has become the backbone of online payments for millions of businesses worldwide. But while its seamless integration and global reach make it a top choice, understanding Stripe fees structure can feel like decoding a puzzle—especially for new entrepreneurs. Whether you’re running an e-commerce store, a SaaS platform, or a nonprofit, hidden fees or unexpected charges can eat into your margins.
In this guide, we’ll demystify Stripe’s 2025 pricing model, breaking down domestic vs. international fees, card-type costs, recurring payment charges, and lesser-known expenses. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to calculate your payment processing costs—and how to save.
Pro Tip: Use our free Stripe Fee Calculator to instantly estimate your transaction fees.
Stripe operates on a “pay-as-you-go” model, charging a percentage of each transaction plus a fixed fee. Here’s the baseline for 2025:
| Transaction Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Domestic Cards (Online) | 2.9% + $0.30 |
| International Cards | 3.9% + $0.30 |
| ACH Direct Debit | 0.8% (capped at $5) |
| In-Person Payments | 2.7% + $0.05 |
Note: Fees may vary slightly by country (e.g., 1.5% + £0.20 in the UK, 1.75% + AU$0.30 in Australia).
But this is just the start. Let’s dive deeper.
1. Domestic vs. International Fees: Why Location Matters
Stripe fees depend heavily on where your customer’s card was issued.
Domestic Transactions
Rate: 2.9% + $0.30 per successful charge.
Best for: Businesses selling primarily within their home country (e.g., a US store serving US customers).
International Transactions
Rate: 3.9% + $0.30 per charge.
Why it’s costlier: Stripe adds a 1% “cross-border fee” for cards issued outside your business’s country.
Example: A 100 payment from a German customer to a US business costs 3.90 + 0.30 = 4.20.
2. Card Type Costs: Credit, Debit, and Digital Wallets
Not all payment methods cost the same.
Credit & Debit Cards
Most cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) fall under the standard 2.9% + $0.30 rate.
Amex Alert: American Express charges merchants slightly higher interchange fees, which Stripe passes on. Expect ~3.5% for Amex transactions.
Digital Wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
Same as standard card fees (2.9% + $0.30).
Bonus: Digital wallets often have higher conversion rates, offsetting processing costs.
ACH & Bank Transfers
Fee: 0.8% per transaction (capped at $5).
Ideal for: B2B invoices or high-ticket sales (e.g., a 10,000 ACH payment costs just5).
3. Recurring Payments: How Subscriptions Impact Fees
Businesses using Stripe for subscriptions get volume discounts—but only if they qualify.
Standard Recurring Fees
Same as one-time payments (2.9% + $0.30).
Added features: Stripe Billing supports prorations, metered billing, and dunning management.
Volume Discounts
Eligibility: $100,000+ in monthly processing.
Discounts: Custom rates (as low as 2.4% + $0.30).
Negotiation Tip: Contact Stripe’s sales team once you hit $50k/month in revenue.
4. Hidden Costs: What Many Businesses Miss
Stripe’s transparency is a selling point, but these fees often catch users off-guard:
Chargebacks
Fee: $15 per dispute (non-refundable, even if you win).
Avoidance Tip: Use Stripe Radar (0.05−0.07 per transaction) to block fraud.
Currency Conversion
Fee: 1-2% if your payout currency differs from the transaction currency.
Example: A €100 payment to a USD account incurs a €1-€2 conversion fee.
5. Refunds on Stripe: How Fees Work (Simplified)
When you issue a refund, Stripe does not return the original processing fees you paid for the transaction. This means you lose both the percentage-based fee (e.g., 2.9%) and the fixed fee (e.g., $0.30) from the initial charge.
Example Breakdown
Let’s say you process a $100 payment:
Original Transaction:
Customer pays: $100.
Stripe fee: 2.9% + 0.302.90 + 0.30 3.20.
You receive: 1003.20 = $96.80 in your Stripe account.
You refund the full $100:
The customer gets back $100.
Your Stripe account is debited: $100.
What happens to the original $3.20 fee?
Stripe does not refund this fee. You permanently lose the $
Your net loss:
You initially received 96.80, but you must return 100 to the customer.
Shortfall: 100 (refund) − 96.80 (what you received) = $3.20.
Total loss: Original fee (3.20) + shortfall ( = $6.40.
Why This Feels Like a “Double Loss”
Loss #1: The original $3.20 fee (Stripe keeps this).
Loss #2: You have to give $3.20 extra from your pocket to the customer to return him/her $100
This is why refunds can be costly—especially for small transactions.
Key Takeaways
You don’t get fees back: Stripe retains the original 2.9% + $0.30 (or other applicable fees).
Refunding costs you money: You lose the fees and may need to add funds to cover the refund.
Small transactions hurt most
6. Regional Variations: US, UK, EU, and Australia Fees
Stripe adjusts fees by country. Here’s a snapshot:
| Country | Domestic Card Fee | International Card Fee |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 2.9% + $0.30 | 3.9% + $0.30 |
| UK | 1.5% + £0.20 | 2.9% + £0.20 |
| EU | 1.5% + €0.25 | 2.5% + €0.25 |
| Australia | 1.75% + AU$0.30 | 2.9% + AU$0.30 |
Key Takeaway: EU businesses enjoy lower rates due to regulatory caps on interchange fees.
7. How to Reduce Stripe Fees in 2025
Optimizing costs isn’t just about negotiation. Try these hacks:
Use ACH for Large Transactions
A 10,000 payment costs 80 via ACH vs. 290+0.30 via credit card.
Pass Fees to Customers
Enable Stripe’s “Checkout” to add a 3% surcharge (where legal).
Avoid Microtransactions
A 1 sale costs 0.329 in fees (32.9%!). Bundle small purchases (e.g., 5 items for $5).
Case Study: How a US E-Commerce Store Saved $1,200/Year
Background: A Shopify store selling $20,000/month via Stripe.
Original Fees: 2.9% + 0.30613/month.
Optimizations:
Switched 30% of customers to ACH ($5k/month), cutting fees to 0.8%.
Negotiated a 2.6% rate after hitting $50k/month.
New Fees: 412/month→2,412 annual savings.
FAQs: Stripe Fees in 2025
Q: Do Stripe fees include VAT?
A: Yes, in the EU/UK. US businesses may see separate tax charges.
Q: Are there monthly fees?
A: No—unless you use advanced tools like Stripe Radar or Billing.
Q: Can I get a refund on Stripe fees?
A: No
Conclusion: Master Your Payment Costs
Stripe’s flexibility makes it a powerhouse, but Stripe fees can spiral without careful planning. By understanding card types, regional rates, and hidden costs, you can keep more revenue in your pocket.
Final Step: Don’t guess—calculate. Use our Stripe Fee Calculator to simulate transactions, test scenarios, and optimize your pricing strategy.
