See exactly how much PayPal, Stripe, Wise & Payoneer take from your money. No hidden fees. No signup.
| Gateway | Fee % | Fixed | Total Fee | You Receive |
|---|
Every payment gateway charges a fee for processing your transactions. The fee typically consists of two parts: a percentage-based fee (e.g., 2.9% for Stripe) and a fixed transaction fee (e.g., $0.30 for Stripe). Understanding these fees is crucial for freelancers and businesses who want to maximize their earnings.
PayPal charges 3.49% + $0.49 for US domestic transactions. For international payments, the fee increases to 4.4% + $0.49. Additionally, PayPal adds a 3.9% currency conversion markup when converting between currencies — this is the hidden fee most people don't know about.
Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 for US domestic card payments. International cards add 1%, and currency conversion costs an additional 1%. This makes Stripe generally cheaper than PayPal for most transactions.
Wise charges a transparent 0.41% fee with no fixed charges. For currency conversion, Wise uses the real mid-market rate with a small 0.43% margin — significantly cheaper than PayPal's 3.9% markup.
Payoneer charges a 1.2% receiving fee for domestic payments and 2.0% for cross-border payments. Currency conversion adds a 0.5% spread. Payoneer is popular among freelancers who work with international clients.
When you receive payments in a different currency (e.g., a freelancer in India receiving USD), payment gateways convert the money for you. But they don't use the real exchange rate — they add a hidden markup. PayPal's 3.9% FX markup means you lose $39 on every $1,000 converted, on top of the processing fee. This is money you never see, and most people don't even know it exists.
The cheapest way to receive international payments depends on your situation. For same-currency payments, Stripe (2.9% + $0.30) is usually cheapest. For cross-border payments, Wise (0.41% + 0.43% FX) saves the most. Use our calculator above to compare exact costs for your specific transaction.
For a US domestic payment of $100, PayPal charges $3.98 (3.49% + $0.49), leaving you with $96.02. For international payments, the fee is $4.89 (4.4% + $0.49), leaving you with $95.11. Use our calculator above to see exact fees for any amount.
You can avoid PayPal's 3.9% FX markup by asking clients to pay in your local currency, using Wise for multi-currency transactions, or using Payoneer. Our calculator shows the true cost including hidden FX markups so you can compare options.
Wise is typically the cheapest option for cross-border payments at 0.41% + 0.43% FX margin, compared to PayPal's 4.4% + 3.9% FX markup. On a $1,000 international payment, Wise saves you approximately $78 compared to PayPal. Stripe and Payoneer fall in between.
When you receive payments in a different currency, gateways add a hidden markup to the exchange rate. PayPal charges 3.9%, Stripe charges 1%, and Wise charges only 0.43%. This markup is on top of the processing fee and is rarely disclosed upfront.
Use the "Reverse" mode above. Enter the amount you want to receive, and the calculator will tell you exactly what to invoice so the fees are covered. For example, to receive $100 via PayPal, you need to invoice $104.66.
Yes, for most international transactions. Wise charges 0.41% with a 0.43% FX margin, while PayPal charges 4.4% + 3.9% FX markup for cross-border payments. On a $1,000 payment, you save about $78 using Wise instead of PayPal.
For US domestic payments, Stripe (2.9% + $0.30) is $0.78 cheaper per $100 than PayPal (3.49% + $0.49). For international payments, the gap widens significantly due to PayPal's higher cross-border fee and FX markup.
PayPal charges freelancers 3.49% + $0.49 for US domestic payments and 4.4% + $0.49 for international payments. The hidden 3.9% FX markup on currency conversion is often the biggest cost. Use our calculator to see your actual fees after FX conversion.
Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 for US domestic card payments. International cards add 1%, and currency conversion costs an additional 1%. On a $100 transaction, Stripe charges $3.20 total — $0.78 less than PayPal's $3.98.
For international payments, Wise is typically cheapest (0.41% + 0.43% FX), followed by Payoneer (2.0% + 0.5% FX). PayPal is convenient but expensive at 4.4% + 3.9% FX. Stripe offers a middle ground at 3.9% + 1% FX. Use our comparison tool above to see exact costs.