Stripe Fees Calculator
Calculate your exact Stripe transaction fees and net revenue for UK and international payments
What This Means for Your Business
How Stripe Fees Work in the UK
Stripe operates on a straightforward pay-as-you-go pricing model with no setup fees, monthly charges, or hidden costs. You only pay when you successfully process a transaction. Each payment incurs a percentage-based fee plus a fixed amount, which varies depending on the card type and payment method.
Standard Online Payment Fees
| Card Type | Fee Structure | Example on £100 |
|---|---|---|
| UK Standard Cards | 1.5% + £0.20 | £1.70 |
| UK Premium Cards | 1.9% + £0.20 | £2.10 |
| EEA Cards | 2.5% + £0.20 | £2.70 |
| International Cards | 3.25% + £0.20 | £3.45 |
| Stripe Link | 1.2% + £0.20 | £1.40 |
In-Person Payment Fees
For businesses accepting face-to-face payments through Stripe Terminal, the fee structure differs slightly from online transactions. European card payments are charged at 1.4% + £0.10, whilst non-European cards incur a higher rate of 2.9% + £0.10 per transaction.
Additional Charges to Consider
- Currency Conversion: If you accept payments in a currency different from your settlement currency, Stripe adds a 2% conversion fee on top of the base transaction fee.
- Chargebacks: When a customer disputes a transaction, you’ll be charged £15 per dispute, regardless of the outcome.
- Instant Payouts: Need faster access to your funds? Instant payouts cost 1% of the payout amount with a minimum charge of £0.50.
- Recurring Billing: Subscription and recurring payment services through Stripe Billing add an extra 0.5% to 0.8% on top of standard processing fees.
Maximising Value from Stripe
Take Advantage of Stripe Link
Stripe Link offers the lowest transaction fee at just 1.2% + £0.20. This feature allows returning customers to complete purchases without re-entering payment details, reducing friction whilst simultaneously lowering your costs. The savings add up significantly for businesses with repeat customers.
Monitor Your Card Mix
Different card types carry different fees. UK standard cards are notably cheaper than premium, EEA, or international cards. Whilst you cannot control which cards customers use, tracking your card mix helps forecast costs more accurately. Businesses with primarily domestic UK customers will naturally incur lower fees than those serving international markets.
Reduce Chargebacks
At £15 per dispute, chargebacks quickly erode profit margins. Clear product descriptions, responsive customer service, and transparent billing practices significantly reduce dispute rates. Stripe Radar, their fraud detection tool, can help identify suspicious transactions before they result in chargebacks.
Choose the Right Payout Schedule
Standard payouts to your bank account are free and typically arrive within 2 working days. Whilst instant payouts offer immediate access to funds, the 1% fee can be substantial. Reserve instant payouts for genuine emergencies rather than routine cash flow management.
Consider Custom Pricing
High-volume businesses processing over £80,000 monthly may qualify for custom pricing with lower rates. Contact Stripe’s sales team to discuss volume discounts, interchange-plus pricing, or tailored solutions for your specific business model.
Comparing Stripe to Other Payment Processors
Stripe vs PayPal
PayPal charges 2.9% + £0.30 for standard UK transactions, making Stripe considerably more cost-effective at 1.5% + £0.20 for the same transaction. On a £100 sale, you’d pay £3.20 to PayPal versus £1.70 to Stripe—a difference of £1.50 per transaction. For a business processing 1,000 transactions monthly, that’s £1,500 in additional costs annually with PayPal.
Stripe vs Square
Square charges a flat 1.75% for in-person transactions and 2.5% for online payments. Whilst their in-person rate is competitive, their online rate exceeds Stripe’s, particularly when factoring in the fixed £0.20 charge that Square lacks. Square works well for retail-focused businesses, whilst Stripe excels for online commerce.
Stripe vs Traditional Merchant Accounts
Traditional merchant accounts often advertise lower percentage rates but charge monthly fees, gateway fees, PCI compliance fees, and statement fees that quickly accumulate. Stripe’s transparent, all-inclusive pricing eliminates these hidden charges. For businesses processing under £50,000 monthly, Stripe typically proves more economical than traditional providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Stripe Makes Financial Sense
Stripe excels for businesses that value simplicity, transparency, and developer-friendly integration. The lack of monthly fees makes it ideal for startups and seasonal businesses where transaction volume fluctuates. Ecommerce businesses, SaaS companies, subscription services, and digital marketplaces particularly benefit from Stripe’s robust API and extensive feature set.
For businesses processing primarily UK domestic transactions, Stripe’s 1.5% + £0.20 rate is highly competitive. The platform becomes even more attractive when you factor in included features that competitors charge extra for: fraud detection, detailed reporting, recurring billing infrastructure, and global currency support.
However, retail businesses with high in-person transaction volumes might find better value with Square’s simpler 1.75% in-person rate. Similarly, businesses processing over £100,000 monthly should explore custom pricing options or traditional merchant accounts with negotiated rates.
The key consideration is total cost of ownership. Stripe’s transparent pricing, comprehensive features, and zero monthly fees often result in lower overall costs compared to providers with advertised “lower rates” but numerous additional charges.