Payment Processor Fee Comparison
Enter a payment amount and see your net payout side-by-side across Stripe, PayPal, Square, Wise, and Payoneer — normalized into one comparable "what you actually keep" figure.
Set your amount and transaction type, then click Compare Processors.
| Processor | Domestic rate | Intl card surcharge | FX spread | Intl bank transfer | Monthly fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stripe stripe.com/pricing |
2.9% + $0.30 | +1.5% | +1.0% | ACH: 0.8% (cap $5) | $0 |
PayPal paypal.com/us/fees |
3.49% + $0.49 | +1.5% | ~3–4% spread | 4.99% + $0.49 | $0 |
Square squareup.com/us/fees |
2.9% + $0.30 (online) | Not available | Not available | N/A (US only) | $0 |
Wise wise.com/pricing |
N/A (intl only) | — | None (mid-market) | ~0.5–1.5% + small fixed | $0 |
Payoneer payoneer.com/fees |
3% (card) / 1% (bank) | Included | ~2% spread | 1% (bank transfer) | $0 (if ≥$2k/yr) |
How payment processor fees compare — and what the headline rates don't tell you
Payment processor fees are not directly comparable from their headline rates alone. Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30; PayPal charges 3.49% + $0.49; Wise charges roughly 0.83% + $0.60. But PayPal and Payoneer also embed a 2–4% exchange-rate spread in international transactions that does not appear in their stated fee — meaning a "4.99%" PayPal international payment can cost closer to 8% in total. Wise, by contrast, uses the mid-market exchange rate with no markup, making its low stated fee the actual total cost. This tool normalizes all five processors to a single "net USD received" figure so you can make a fair comparison for your specific payment scenario.
Normalizing to one number: Each processor uses a different fee structure. Stripe's 2.9% + $0.30 is simple; Wise charges a small fixed fee plus a variable percentage that changes by corridor; PayPal embeds an FX markup into the exchange rate rather than showing it as a fee. This tool converts all of them to a single "net received in USD" figure so you can compare apples to apples.
Why Wise looks so good internationally: Wise charges a transparent, low percentage — but its real advantage is using the mid-market exchange rate with no markup. PayPal and Payoneer both charge a 2–4% FX spread on top of their transaction fees, which is invisible in their headline rates. For a £2,000 invoice, that spread can cost more than the stated fee.
Why Square shows N/A for international: Square does not support international (cross-border) payments as of 2025. It is US-only and does not process foreign-issued cards for US merchants in the same way Stripe does.
Wise's domestic limitation: Wise is designed for cross-border transfers. US freelancers receiving USD from US clients cannot use Wise — it requires a currency exchange. For domestic USD invoicing, Stripe or Square are more appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Which payment processor has the lowest fees for US freelancers in 2025?
For domestic USD payments, Stripe and Square are tied at 2.9% + $0.30 — the lowest standard rate among major processors. For large invoices ($625+), Stripe's ACH Direct Debit at 0.8% (capped at $5.00) is dramatically cheaper. For international payments where a foreign client pays, Wise typically produces the highest net payout because it charges a small transparent fee and uses the mid-market exchange rate with zero markup.
Why does Wise show much lower fees for international payments?
Wise charges a small, disclosed percentage (typically 0.5–1.5% depending on currency corridor) plus a fixed fee, and crucially uses the mid-market exchange rate with no markup. PayPal and Payoneer charge their stated transaction fee AND embed a 2–4% spread in the exchange rate — this hidden FX cost often exceeds the stated fee but doesn't appear as a separate line item in your transaction history. For a £2,000 invoice, PayPal's FX spread alone can cost $50–$80 more than Wise.
Can I use Square for international client payments?
No. Square does not support cross-border payments for US merchant accounts as of 2025 — it is US-only. Attempting to collect payment from foreign clients via Square is not possible through their standard invoicing or payments product. Stripe, PayPal, Wise, or Payoneer are appropriate for international invoicing.
Does Payoneer have an annual fee?
Payoneer charges a $29.95 annual fee, which is waived when you receive $2,000 or more through the platform per year — a threshold most active freelancers meet. Below that threshold, the fee effectively adds to your total cost and should be factored in when comparing processors for lower-volume work.