Introduction
If you sell internationally, your “payment gateway choice” isn’t just a checkout decision — it affects profit margins, approval rates, fraud risk, refund / chargeback costs, customer trust, and how fast you get paid.
In 2026, international commerce is even more nuanced because:
– Buyers expect local payment methods, not just cards.
– Cross-border payments often include hidden FX costs that can dwarf headline processing fees.
– Many businesses run multi-entity setups (multiple countries, brands, or platforms), so you need multi-currency settlement, reconciliation, and reporting that won’t break your finance team.
This guide compares Stripe vs Adyen vs PayPal — with a practical focus on fees, how pricing really works, and which provider fits different international business models.
What you'll find in this article
What “International Payments” Really Means?
Before comparing gateways, align on the 4 places fees usually show up:
1. Processing Fee
A percentage + a fixed fee per transaction.
Example: Stripe’s US online card rate is stated as 2.9% + 30¢ for successful card charges.
2. Cross-Border / International Surcharge
Common with PayPal:
international commercial transactions add an additional percentage-based fee (PayPal lists 1.50% for “international commercial transactions”).
3. Currency Conversion (FX) Fee / Spread
If your customer pays in a different currency than you settle in, there’s usually a conversion cost.
Stripe notes an additional fee “if currency conversion is required” on its pricing page (example shown: +2% in that pricing context).
PayPal’s published fee tables and guidance show currency conversion fees/spreads that are often ~3% above base exchange rate in some contexts, and can be higher in others.
4. Disputes, Chargebacks & Refunds
Not always obvious on day one, but these can materially impact net margins — especially for cross-border.
Rule of Thumb:
if you’re comparing gateways only on headline card rates, you’re probably missing the biggest cost driver: **FX and cross-border**.
Stripe vs Adyen vs PayPal: High-Level Difference
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Stripe
Best For
Modern SaaS + developer-first businesses
Overview
Stripe is known for fast setup, strong APIs, broad product suite (Billing, Tax, Radar, etc.), and quick iteration. Pricing is typically transparent and self-serve in many markets. Stripe also provides clear “starts at” pricing statements on product pages (e.g., “starts at 2.9% + 30¢”).
Adyen
Best For
High-volume, multi-country, enterprise-grade commerce
Overview
Adyen is built for global scale: enterprise merchants, marketplaces, and complex payment operations.
Pricing often follows Interchange++ style models (more transparent in components, but not always “one public rate”).
Adyen explains Interchange++ fee components and notes acquirer fees can start at 0.60% per transaction depending on volume.
PayPal
Best For
Fast trust + PayPal wallet-heavy audiences
Overview
PayPal is widely recognized and can increase conversion where customers prefer wallets. For many businesses it’s the fastest “add payments globally” option. But PayPal’s merchant fee structure can be higher — especially once you add international transaction fees (+1.50% for international commercial) and FX spreads.
Ready to Simplify Global Payments & Scale Internationally?
Compare trusted payment platforms and financial tools inside KonexusHub — built to help international businesses accept payments, reduce fees, and grow across borders.
Fees Comparison
1. Stripe Fees
Baseline Processing:
Stripe states that for US-based customers, the rate is 2.9% + 30¢ per successful card charge.
Currency Conversion:
Stripe’s pricing materials show that when currency conversion is required, an additional fee may apply (example shown on Stripe pricing: +2% if currency conversion is required in that context).
For platforms using Stripe Connect pricing information, Stripe also notes FX add-ons such as 1% for US accounts and 2% for non-US accounts when currency conversion is required (Connect context).
What This Means for International Businesses:
– Stripe can be very cost-effective if you sell and settle in the same currency (or can avoid conversion).
– FX is the typical margin-killer: if a meaningful share of customers pay in other currencies and you settle in one, those conversion fees stack up.
2. Adyen Fees
Adyen commonly uses Interchange++, which breaks fees into components rather than a single fixed rate.
Adyen describes the fee components, including:
– Interchange (paid to issuer)
– Scheme fee (paid to card network)
– Adyen’s markup / commission (Adyen’s portion under different pricing models)
Adyen also notes acquirer fees are set by Adyen and can start at 0.60% per transaction (depending on monthly card volume).
What This Means for International Businesses:
– Adyen can be very competitive at scale because large merchants negotiate better economics and benefit from deep optimization / reconciliation.
– It’s harder to “estimate” Adyen fees without your transaction mix (regions, card types, authentication, MCC, volume), because interchange and scheme fees vary by transaction.
3. PayPal Fees
PayPal publishes merchant fees by payment type.
For example, PayPal US lists:
– PayPal Checkout: 3.49% + fixed fee
– Standard credit/debit card payments: 2.99% + fixed fee
For international commercial transactions, PayPal adds an additional 1.50% in its fee schedule.
For currency conversion, PayPal discloses conversion fees / spreads that can be around 3% above base exchange rate in some contexts and can be higher in others depending on transaction type and market.
What This Means for International Businesses:
– PayPal can win on conversion due to brand trust and wallet usage.
– But if you frequently do international + currency conversion, PayPal can become one of the more expensive options (especially at scale).
A Practical Cost Model
When comparing providers, estimate your blended cost like this:
Blended Cost ≈ Processing + International surcharge + FX conversion + Disputes – (any volume discounts)
Example: international sale with conversion
– If you use PayPal Checkout and the transaction qualifies as international commercial, you’re looking at the Checkout rate plus +1.50% international add-on (and potentially conversion spread if PayPal converts).
– With Stripe, your baseline rate depends on your country pricing, plus an extra fee if conversion is required (Stripe shows conversion add-ons such as +2% in one pricing context; and for Connect FX add-ons such as 1% US / 2% non-US in that Connect context).
– With Adyen, you’ll pay interchange + scheme + Adyen’s fees; Adyen notes acquirer fees can start at 0.60% depending on volume.
Takeaway:
The “best” gateway depends less on the headline rate, and more on:
– your currency strategy (settlement + conversions),
– your countries,
– your average order value (AOV),
– and your payment method mix.
Beyond Fees: What matters for International Businesses
1. Local Payment Methods & Coverage
International growth often requires supporting local methods (bank transfers, wallets, buy now pay later, etc.).
Stripe emphasizes broad payment method support alongside its pricing model.
Best fit:
– Stripe: strong catalog of methods in many regions + fast implementation.
– Adyen: excellent global orchestration for large merchants.
– PayPal: strong where PayPal wallet is preferred; not always the best “local methods” platform alone.
2. Approval Rates & Routing
For international scale, optimizing authorization rates can yield more revenue than shaving 0.2% in fees. Adyen is built around enterprise-grade acquiring and optimization, while Stripe offers strong tooling and network effects — both can be great, depending on your model.
3) Reconciliation & Reporting
If you’re doing multi-country, finance operations matters:
– Adyen is often chosen for deep enterprise reconciliation and global merchant operations.
– Stripe’s reporting is strong and improving, especially for startups that need speed and clean exports.
– PayPal reporting can be sufficient, but may be less flexible for complex multi-entity setups.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Stripe if…
– You’re a B2B SaaS or digital-first business that values fast shipping and integrations.
– You want transparent, productized pricing (in many markets) and a strong API ecosystem.
– You can manage FX intelligently (e.g., settle in major currencies where possible).
Stripe’s US baseline online card pricing is clearly stated as 2.9% + 30¢ (US context).
Choose Adyen if…
– You’re processing at high volume, operating in many markets, or need enterprise-grade setup.
– You want Interchange++ economics and can negotiate.
– You need robust global acquiring and finance operations workflows.
Adyen’s Interchange++ structure and fee components are described in its documentation and help materials.
Choose PayPal if…
– Your customers trust PayPal and it improves conversion (especially SMB audiences).
– You need a quick global option and are okay with higher blended fees in exchange for trust and convenience.
PayPal publishes merchant pricing such as 3.49% + fixed fee for PayPal Checkout and notes +1.50% additional fee for international commercial transactions.
How to Reduce Payment Costs?
1. Minimize FX Conversions
– Settle in the currencies you sell in (when possible).
– If you must convert, track how often conversions happen and what they cost.
Stripe explicitly charges additional fees when currency conversion is required (varies by context / product).
2. Offer Local Payment Methods in High-Volume Regions
Local methods can reduce card costs and increase acceptance.
3. Use Smart Routing for High-Volume Operations
At scale, approval rate optimization and retries can raise revenue more than fee shaving.
4. Track Blended Cost Weekly
Build a simple dashboard:
– total processed
– total fees
– FX costs
– disputes
– net revenue
Ready to Simplify Global Payments & Scale Internationally?
Compare trusted payment platforms and financial tools inside KonexusHub — built to help international businesses accept payments, reduce fees, and grow across borders.
Conclusion
There’s no universal “best” payment gateway for international businesses — but there is a best fit based on your size, geography, and how you handle FX.
– Stripe is typically the best all-around option for B2B startups and modern internet businesses — fast to launch, strong tooling, and clear baseline pricing in many regions (e.g., US 2.9% + 30¢).
– Adyen shines for high-volume international merchants who want enterprise-grade capabilities and Interchange++ transparency (with components like interchange, scheme fees, and Adyen fees).
– PayPal can boost trust and conversion, but international and FX costs can raise the blended rate, especially with the +1.50% international commercial fee.
👉 Visit the Accounting & Finance Marketplace to discover payment gateways and financial tools that help you collect globally, optimize costs, and scale your business with confidence.