Stripe vs PayPal, side by side.

How it is calculated

Fee per sale = sale × percentage fee + fixed fee, plus averaged extras: sale × share needing conversion × conversion fee; (sale − fees) × instant-payout share × payout fee; and dispute rate × dispute fee. Net per sale = sale − fee per sale. Monthly cost = fee per sale × sales + monthly plan fee.

Break-even volume between plans A and B = (monthly fee B − monthly fee A) ÷ (fee per sale A − fee per sale B), shown only when positive.

Worked example: a $50 sale at 2.9% + $0.30 costs $1.75, so you keep $48.25. At 200 sales a month that is $350.00 in fees before any extras. A plan at 2.5% + $0.10 with a $25 monthly fee costs $1.35 per sale: break-even is (25 − 0) ÷ (1.75 − 1.35) = 62.5, so it is cheaper above 63 sales a month. (Hypothetical rates for illustration.)

Sources and as-of date (2026-10-03)

• Stripe Canada: 2.9% + CA$0.30 online card, +2% currency conversion, CA$15.00 per dispute, 1% instant payouts (CA$0.60 minimum not modelled) — stripe.com/pricing
• PayPal Canada: 2.90% + CA$0.30 checkout, 4.00% minimum currency conversion, CA$20.00 chargeback — paypal.com merchant fees
• Square Canada: 2.8% + 30¢ online, 2.5% in person, and 1.5% instant transfers; no dispute fee figure shown, so that field remains blank — Square Canada payment fees

Providers change prices and offer custom rates. Confirm on the provider's page before deciding. This is an estimate, not financial advice, and does not include taxes on fees.

FAQ

Are the prefilled rates guaranteed?

No. They are the Canadian rates shown on each provider's pricing page on 2026-10-03. Rates change by country, volume and negotiated deals, so edit every field to match your own account.

Why is there sometimes no break-even?

If one plan has both the lower per-sale cost and the lower monthly fee, it is cheaper at every volume, so the cost lines never cross.

Does this include sales tax or minimum fees?

No. Taxes on fees, instant-payout minimums and tiered volume discounts are not modelled.