Stripe vs Shopify: Which Platform Is Best for You?

Last Updated on June 1, 2023 by Ewen Finser

Suppose you’re thinking of starting an eCommerce business. In that case, you’ll need to find a payment processor like Stripe vs Shopify that works for you and your customers.  

No customer wants to jump through hoops to complete a purchase. So, choosing an online payment processor that presents minimal hassle to your customers is imperative. As they’re way more likely to complete their transaction and return for future purchases. 

However, there are tons of services to choose from, making finding the right one confusing and even a little stressful. In light of that, we’re making things easier for you by comparing two such providers: Stripe and Shopify Payments. More specifically, their services, charges, frequently asked questions, and the key differences and similarities between them. 

But before we dive in, we want to point out that it isn’t a straightforward comparison between the two. Shopify and Stripe are pretty different from one another, even on the surface.

To explain, Shopify is first and foremost an eCommerce platform. As such, its core purpose is to allow you to create, customize, and manage an online store. This does, of course, include payment processing. 

In comparison, Stripe is first and foremost an online payments platform. I.e., its sole focus is to process and facilitate online (and sometimes in-person) payments. 

Main Differences Between Stripe vs Shopify

The main differences between Stripe vs Shopify are:

• Stripe is an online payment platform that helps process payments, whereas Shopify is an e-commerce platform for starting up a business with full tools including process payment.
• Stripe is available in 36 countries, whereas Shopify is only available in 15 countries.
• Stripe accepts 135 international currencies, whereas Shopify accepts 85 different currencies.
• Stripe can be used by everyone, whereas Shopify requests subscription in order to access the Shopify Payments.

Stripe vs. Shopify: Their Key Similarities

• Both Stripe and Shopify Payments charge 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for online payments
• Neither Stripe nor Shopify requires you to have a dedicated merchant account
• Both offer 24/7 customer service
• Both accept all major credit and debit cards, wallet payments, and local and integral payments
• Both Stripe and Shopify offer users a mobile app

About

If you’ve done some homework on how to create an eCommerce store, you’ve probably come across Shopify and Stripe. Both companies are huge players in the eCommerce industry. So, to kick things off, let’s take a look at who these companies are…

Shopify’s Mission: “Making commerce better for everyone”

Shopify helps budding entrepreneurs start, run, and grow their businesses by making eCommerce and POS accessible to all. Since launching, their workforce has grown from five people to 5,000 globally, and to date, they power over 1,00,000 companies!

Adding to this, between 2016-2019, they contributed $319 billion in economic activity worldwide and are passionate about sustainability. This includes- being 100% carbon neutral, sourcing renewable energy to power their buildings, and looking for LED-certified buildings to help with energy efficiency. 

Shopify also provides award-winning, 24/7 customer support across various channels -community forums, online help center, live chat, email, etc. 

Shopify provides a fully-hosted service, meaning they maintain your business’s website, files, and data in the cloud. You won’t have to set up your own server, as they store your data for you. 

An important thing to know is that Shopify offers its own payment processing service- Shopify Payments. However, this service is actually powered by Stripe. Using Shopify Payments, you can accept and receive online payments through your eCommerce store or in-person payments via the Shopify POS app (Point of Sale).

Stripe’s mission: “to increase the GDP of the internet”

Stripe claims to be a technology company that builds economic infrastructures for the internet. They aim to help businesses of every size- from startups to public companies to accept payments and manage their businesses online. 

Stripe wants to remove the barriers online companies face when launching and growing their business. They achieve this by providing a simple-to-use payment processing system. They manage to reach these heights of user-friendliness by working with financial institutions, banks, payment networks, regulators, and consumer wallets to provide a seamless service. 

Stripe provides you and your business everything it needs to accept customer payments in whatever way works best for you. You can integrate Stripe with your preferred eCommerce software, customize their embeddable checkout, or create your own checkout using their API (Application Programming Interface). 

Like Shopify, Stripe also provides 24/7 customer support via phone, online chat, or email. Adding to this, Stripe works with millions of companies in over 120 countries and hires more than 1,200 employees. 

Like Shopify, Stripe is also passionate about sustainability and has pledged at least $1 million per year to combat climate change. 

Shopify: What it offers

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s delve into the nitty-gritty of what each platform offers, starting with Shopify. 

As an eCommerce solution, Shopify provides everything you need to start selling online. 

You can:

• Create and customize your online storefront
• List and manage your products
• Process and ship orders
• Market your business
• Accept customer payments
• Modify your digital shopping cart and checkout page
• Add buy buttons to existing websites
• Sell on other channels like Amazon, Facebook, and Instagram

…To name a few!

Shopify also works alongside over 100 third-party payment providers (this varies depending on your location), including top names like Paypal, WorldPay, Adyen, and Authorize.Net. 

On top of this, Shopify offers its own payment processor, Shopify Payments, which, as mentioned before, is powered by Stripe. This is immediately available for you to use as soon as you sign up for Shopify. 

It allows you to accept all primary payment methods: debit and credit cards, local currencies, mobile wallets- within your Shopify store, without needing to integrate with a third-party platform. 

However, it’s worth considering that Shopify Payments is only currently available in 15 countries, including the US and Canada. 

More on Shopify Payments

There’s quite a lot to Shopify Payments, so let’s go into this feature in more depth. As we’ve already hinted at, to start using Shopify Payments, you’ll need to pay for one of Shopify’s subscription plans. With this subscription, you get access to all the Shopify features included in your chosen program, as well as Shopify Payments.

Suppose you do choose to use Shopify Payments. In that case, you’ll also be able to accept payments in-person via the Shopify POS app. Just download the app to your smartphone or tablet and use a compatible card reader to:

• Accept credit cards
• Split payments
• Customize fees and discounts
• Create custom payment options
• Take partial payments 

…and much more besides!

Furthermore, Shopify Payments also benefit from security features like: 3D secure checkout, payment data encryption, PCI-compliant servers, and the ability to track payments and orders through your Shopify account. 

That’s not all. On top of these features, Shopify Payments also provides: 

• Automatic integration with Paypal
• Payment-specific analytics and reports
• The ability to customize your tax settings
• Customers can pay using their local currency, automatically converting and rounding. 
• Payout notifications and adjustable settings
• Accelerated checkout with saved customer and payment information
• The option of setting up and accepting manual payment methods
• The opportunity to enable AVS (Address Verification Service) and CVV (Card Verification Value- or Card security code) fraud filters

To summarize, Shopify Payments provides all the tools you need to accept and process payments both online and in-person from the convenience of your Shopify account. Shopify Payments makes it easy to monitor your transactions, receive payouts, and view analytics from one centralized place.

Stripe- What it offers

Signing up and creating an online account with Stripe is quick and easy and allows you to start accepting payments almost straight away. As Stripe is solely a payment service provider, it combines all its customers’ funds into a single merchant account. From there, it distributes them to their respective business bank accounts. 

What does this mean? 

Well, essentially, it saves you the hassle of applying for a dedicated merchant account, which means avoiding the extended underwriting process. 

Handy, right? Plus, with Stripe, you can:

• Accept and process ACH direct debit, credit, or wire transfers.
• Accept payments from major debit and credit card providers and online wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay. 
• Accept international payments (over 135 currencies accepted) and local payment methods. 
• Send and manage your online invoicing through Stripe Billing. 
• Process physical checks sent directly from customers.
• Access a custom UI toolkit to build your own payment forms
• Access an embeddable checkout for desktop, mobile, or tablet
• Use ‘Stripe Terminal’ to accept in-person payments. *Please note, physical terminals must be bought separately. 

Additionally, Stripe integrates with over 450 platforms and extensions, including Squarespace, FreshBooks, WooCommerce, Xero, BigCommerce, Wave Accounting, and more.

Additional features, on top of Stripe’s payment-specific tools, include: 

• Android and iOS dashboard apps
• Data security and encryption 
• A business dashboard from which you can manage Stripe-related operations and data, including permissions, collaboration notes, and user roles
• Fraud protection
• PCI-compliance 
• Unified and real-time reporting
• Unified payouts with the option of instant payouts (this incurs additional fees) 

In addition to all the above features, Stripe also offers more advanced tools and options at additional cost, including a custom version of Stripe Connect, chargeback protection, advanced fraud protection via Stripe Radar, Stripe Atlas- for starting a business, Stripe Sigma for SQL-based data, and Stripe Premium Support. 

To summarize, Stripe offers a customizable, flexible, and sturdy payment platform suitable for various eCommerce businesses. The size of your enterprise doesn’t matter – whether you’re just starting out or a well-established brand, Stripe could be of use to you. 

Shopify vs. Stripe – Functionality: The Winner: It Depends

This is a difficult one, but the answer really depends on what you’re looking for. 

If you want an eCommerce store builder, POS app, and online payment processor, Shopify’s your winner. However, suppose you’re looking for just a payment service provider that integrates with lots of international third-parties. In that case, Stripe could well be your winner.

In essence, you need to consider your business’s needs first before deciding which platform’s functionality best serves you.  

Shopify vs. Stripe: Pricing

As well as their features, it’s just as important to understand how much Shopify and Stripe will set you back:

Shopify

With Shopify, there are two pricing components to consider: 

1) Your Shopify subscription 

2) The credit card processing fees

In regards to subscription plans, Shopify offers three standard programs as well as Shopify Lite. Shopify Lite only permits you to sell on an existing website or social media. Unsurprisingly, the number and sophistication of features unlocked depend on the plan you choose. 

Shopify’s monthly subscription fees are as follows: 

1. Shopify Lite: $9 per month 
2. Basic Shopify: $29 per month
3. Shopify: $79 per month 
4. Advanced Shopify: $299 per month 
5. Shopify Plus: The pricing for this plan is a quote-based. So, you’ll need to contact Shopify directly to get a customized plan drawn up for your business. 

Now, for Shopify’s card processing fees. These vary depending on whether you use Shopify Payments or one of Shopify’s compatible third-party payment processors. 

If you opt for Shopify Payments, your transaction rate will vary depending on your chosen subscription:

1. Shopify Lite: 2.9% + $0.30 per online payment, or, 2.7% per in-person transaction. 
2. Basic Shopify: The same rates as Shopify Lite (both online and in-person)
3. Shopify: 2.6% + $0.30 per transaction fo online payments, or, 2.5% per in-person transaction
4. Advanced Shopify: 2.4% + $0.30 per transaction for online transactions, or, 2.4% for in-person payments
5. Shopify Plus: Quote-based pricing, which is customized for your business 

As you can see, the more expensive the Shopify account, the lower your Shopify Payments transaction fees. It’s also important to note that a further 1% fee is charged to process international cards.  

Alternatively, if you don’t use Shopify Payments and instead opt for a third-party provider, like Authorize.Net or Adyen, Shopify also charges additional fees. That’s on top of the transaction fees you pay to that provider. 

Again, these charges vary according to your Shopify subscription plan:

• Shopify Lite: 2%
• Basic Shopify: 2%
• Shopify: 1%
• Advanced Shopify: 0.5% 
• Shopify Plus: Quote-based

Ultimately it’s more affordable to use Shopify Payments to process customer payments than opting for any other provider. 

A couple more things to consider are that Shopify charges $15 for chargebacks. Also, if you want to accept in-person payments, you’ll need to buy a compatible credit card terminal. If you purchase these terminals directly from Shopify, they start at $29. However, the Shopify POS app is included with all standard Shopify plans, as are cancellations, setup, and PCI-compliance fees. 

Stripe

Unlike Shopify, Stripe doesn’t charge a monthly or annual fee to sign up for a Stripe account. However, like Shopify, they charge $15 for chargebacks. Still, they don’t charge for setup, PCI-compliance, cancellation of your account, or other similar hidden fees common with payment processors.   

With Stripe, the only fees you pay for are transactions fees, and these are as follows: 

• Online debit and credit card payments: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
• International card payments: The above + an additional 1% fee, plus another 1% if the currency conversion is required. 
• In-person debit and credit payments: 2.7% + $0.05 per transaction; the same international card policy applies
• Local payment methods: This starts at 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, but this may vary based on the specific type of payment
• ACH direct debit payments: 0.8% per transaction with a maximum fee of $5 
• ACH credit: $1 per payment 
• Online invoicing: 0.5% per recurring transaction after your first $1 million in regular payments 

Like Shopify, if you plan to accept in-person payments, you’ll need to purchase a compatible credit card reader at either $59 or $299. Furthermore, if you use any of Stripe’s advanced tools, and you’ll have to pay the additional associated costs.

Another thing to note is that Stripe offers customized pricing for businesses with larger payment volumes and unique business models. To find out how much a personalized package will cost your business, you’ll need to contact Stripe’s sales team directly for a quote.

Shopify vs. Stripe: Pricing – Winner: Stripe

Stripe wins this round. It’s hands down the more affordable payment processor. Plus, its pricing is also pretty transparent and easy to understand. 

Who’s Stripe Better for?

To summarize, opt for Stripe if:

• You want to customize your payment solutions and checkout forms. 
• Shopify Payments isn’t available in your country, or you want to sell to a country whose currency isn’t covered by Shopify Payments.  
• You don’t need a platform to create and start your business.
• You want to accept ACH (Automated Clearing House) payments. 
• You plan to bill customers and accept online payments via invoices. 

Who’s Shopify Better for? 

Alternatively, Shopify Payments is the better choice if:

• You’re currently using or planning to use Shopify as an eCommerce platform.
• You need to start up and create an online storefront.
• You want to offer PayPal as a payment option to your customers. In that case, you can do so with Shopify Payments, and you won’t need to pay extra transaction fees. Though it’s possible to integrate Paypal with Stripe, it’s not easy to do so (as the two are direct competitors)
• Regardless of what Shopify plan you choose, in-person payments are cheaper using Shopify Payments than Stripe. 
• Shopify offers a fully functional POS app as part of their subscription plan, something Stripe does not provide. 

FAQs

Shopify vs. Stripe: Our Final Verdict

If you’re looking for an all-in-one eCommerce platform with integrated payment processing, Shopify is the overall winner. However, if you’re running an online business using a different website host, and you’re looking for just an online payment solution (not an eCommerce platform), Stripe might be the more appropriate choice. 

As you can see, before deciding what service suits you, make sure you understand what it is you need first. Only then will you choose the winning platform for your business. 

So, which will you opt for? Or, have you got experience using either Shopify or Stripe? Either way, let us know in the comments box below. We’d love to hear from you!

Further read:

• Stripe vs PayPal: Which is Best for You?
• Stripe vs Authorize.net: Which is the Better Payment Solution?
• Stripe vs Square: Battle of the Payment Processors
• Braintree vs Stripe – Which Payment Processor is Better?
• The 5 Best BigCommerce Payment Gateways