Shopify Payments vs Stripe for a US store
On Shopify, using Shopify Payments avoids the 0.6% to 2% extra fee Shopify charges for third-party gateways like Stripe. Off Shopify, Stripe is the default. The payout account is a separate choice.
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"Shopify payments vs stripe" is one of the top completions after "Shopify payments". On Shopify, the answer is mostly about one fee.
The extra fee
Shopify charges a transaction fee when you use a third-party payment provider instead of Shopify Payments. From Shopify's pricing page on 4 November 2026:
| Plan | Monthly (billed monthly) | Third-party gateway fee |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $27 | 2% |
| Grow | $72 | 1% |
| Advanced | $399 | 0.6% |
On $50,000 of monthly sales on Basic, that is $1,000 extra with Stripe.
Stripe's own fees
Stripe's US standard pricing is 2.9% plus 30 cents, plus 1.5% for international cards and 1% for conversion. See Stripe fees on international cards.
When Stripe still makes sense
- Your store is not on Shopify.
- You sell subscriptions or run a platform that needs Stripe Billing or Connect.
- You already run Stripe for other products.
The payout side
Both processors pay out to a bank account. If you sell to Europe in euros and pay suppliers in euros, a payout into a euro balance avoids converting twice.
Paying into the United States: the local rail
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Local rail | ACH for batch payments; RTP and FedNow for instant transfers |
| Run by | Nacha for ACH; The Clearing House for RTP; the Federal Reserve for FedNow |
| Settlement | Same-day ACH within the business day, standard ACH the next; RTP and FedNow in seconds, 24/7, where both banks take part |
Source: Nacha: Same Day ACH. Checked when this guide was last updated; the scheme's own page has the current figures.
Where Rivet fits
Rivet gives registered companies USD details on Starter and EUR and GBP details on Growth, so processor payouts and supplier payments can stay in the same currency. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds. See business accounts with Stripe or Shopify Payments.
Questions people ask
Is Shopify Payments cheaper than Stripe?
On a Shopify store, usually yes, because Shopify adds 0.6% to 2% to orders paid through a third-party gateway such as Stripe.
When is Stripe better?
Off Shopify, for custom checkouts, subscriptions and platforms. Some merchants also need Stripe-specific features.
Can Shopify Payments pay out in other currencies?
Shopify supports selling in multiple currencies and payouts in some currencies depending on your country. Check Shopify's current terms.
What about international buyers?
Both charge more for international cards and currency conversion. Settling foreign sales into matching currency balances avoids part of it.
Sources
Alexia compares the accounts, cards and payment tools companies weigh before they switch, and writes Rivet's market guides for founders in a specific country. Prices in Alexia's comparisons come from each provider's own pricing page on the date given in the article, rules come from the regulator or tax authority that sets them, and every source is listed at the end.
More from Alexia M. →This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change; check the sources above and the provider’s current terms before you act on them.
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