Stripe vs Square: Which One Has Lower Fees in 2025?
Stripe vs Square: Which One Has Lower Fees in 2025?
Choosing between Stripe and Square? Understanding their fee structures can help you save money and pick the best payment processor for your business. This guide breaks down the latest fees, real-world scenarios, and how to use our calculators for the best deal.
Introduction: Why Payment Processor Fees Matter
- Fees can eat into your profits, especially for small businesses and freelancers
- The right choice depends on your sales volume, business model, and payment methods
Stripe Fees vs Square Fees: 2025 Comparison
| Processor | Standard Fee (US) | $100 Transaction | Fee Paid | |-----------|-------------------|------------------|----------| | Stripe | 2.9% + $0.30 | $100 | $3.20 | | Square | 2.6% + $0.10 | $100 | $2.70 |
Use our calculators for your actual transaction size and country.
In-Depth Fee Structure Breakdown
Stripe
- Online payments: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (US)
- In-person payments: 2.7% + $0.05 (US)
- International cards: +1%
- Currency conversion: +1%
- Refunds: Processing fee not returned
- Chargebacks: $15 per dispute
Square
- In-person payments: 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction (US)
- Online payments: 2.9% + $0.30 (US)
- Invoices: 3.3% + $0.30
- International cards: No extra fee (but only available in some countries)
- Refunds: Processing fee not returned
- Chargebacks: $0 (Square covers up to $250/month)
Real-World Scenarios: Which Is Cheaper?
- Small in-person sales: Square is usually cheaper due to lower fixed fee
- Online sales: Stripe and Square are similar, but Stripe may be better for high volume
- International sales: Stripe supports more currencies and countries, but adds extra fees
- Chargebacks: Square offers more protection for small businesses
Actionable Tips to Minimize Fees
- Use in-person payments when possible for lower rates
- Batch transactions to reduce per-transaction fees
- Monitor for chargebacks and respond quickly
- Use our calculators to compare real costs for your business
Step-by-Step: How to Compare Stripe and Square Fees
- Go to the Stripe Fee Calculator and Square Fee Calculator
- Enter your transaction amount, payment method, and country
- Review the total fee for each processor
- Repeat for different scenarios (in-person, online, international)
- Choose the processor with the lowest total cost for your needs
Internal Tools
Advanced FAQ
Which is cheaper for small businesses?
Square is often cheaper for small, in-person transactions. Stripe is better for online sales and international reach.
Can I use both Stripe and Square?
Yes, many businesses use both for different sales channels.
Does Square really have no chargeback fees?
Square covers up to $250/month in chargebacks for free. Above that, you may be responsible for costs.
Are there monthly or hidden fees?
Both Stripe and Square have no monthly fees for standard accounts, but always check for add-on services.
How do refunds work?
Both processors do not return the original processing fee on refunds.
References & Further Reading
- Stripe Pricing
- Square Pricing
- Cebofo Stripe Fee Calculator
- Cebofo Square Fee Calculator
- Cebofo PayPal Fee Calculator
Calculate your fees: Stripe Fee Calculator | Square Fee Calculator