Stripe vs Adyen: Key fees and features compared side by side

Key takeaways:

• Stripe and Adyen are widely known and used payments platforms, each offering a range of benefits to accept customer payments

• Stripe is recognised for its easy-to-use POS and customisable checkouts, while Adyen is used by large enterprises for global payment acceptance

• An alternative, Airwallex brings the benefits of Stripe and Adyen together, with customisable checkouts, global payment offerings, and the added benefit of an all-in-one financial platform

Stripe and Adyen are two widely recognised names in payments, each with strong enterprise capabilities, broad international coverage, and powerful developer tools. However, their pricing models, onboarding processes, and technical infrastructure differ in ways that can directly affect your growth and profitability.

In this detailed comparison for 2026, we’ll break down Stripe vs Adyen across key areas such as features, transaction fees, scalability, and ideal business use cases. We’ll also introduce Airwallex as a modern alternative designed specifically for high-growth businesses with cross-border ambitions.

How does Stripe work?

Stripe is a global payments platform used by millions of businesses, including startups and large enterprises, to accept and payments, and manage their businesses online. Known for its sleek API and robust ecosystem, Stripe has become a solution for many developers and teams.

Key features:

• Wide support for card and local payment methods

• Customisable checkout experiences

• Powerful APIs for seamless integration

• Stripe Terminal for in-person payments

• Reporting, billing, and invoicing tools

Founded in 2010, Stripe is based in San Francisco and is available in over 45 countries.

How does Adyen work?

Adyen is a Netherlands-based payments company used by global enterprises like Uber, Spotify, and Microsoft. Its platform connects directly to local payment methods and card networks, removing the need for third-party payment processors.

Key features:

• Unified commerce solution (online, in-app, and in-store)

• Direct acquiring in 40+ markets

• Advanced risk management tools

• Support for 200+ payment methods

• Strong reporting and reconciliation tools

Founded in 2006, Adyen is geared toward large businesses with high transaction volumes and global footprints.

Stripe vs Adyen: a head-to-head comparison

Stripe vs Adyen: Fees compared

Both Stripe and Adyen use “pay as you go” pricing, which means neither charges setup or monthly fees. For both platforms, you are charged a transaction fee plus a payment method fee. Where Adyen’s pricing structure differs is there is a set payment method fee for each location and region. 

Here is how Stripe and Adyen compare for pricing in Australia.

Stripe fees explained

For Stripe, fees are charged per transaction, with additional costs for optional services like billing tools, fraud protection, and platform integrations.

Stripe’s modular approach allows businesses to tailor their set-up to specific needs. However, monthly costs can vary depending on the features selected. Compared to Adyen, Stripe generally suits online-first and internationally focused businesses that value flexibility.

Adyen fees explained

Adyen charges a fixed processing fee per transaction plus a variable fee which is determined by the payment method chosen and the region. It also uses interchange ++ pricing, set by the card network, varying by country and card type. Adyen passes this fee directly to you. For FX, fees are 0.6%–1.2% above the market rate depending on the currency pair. 

Unlike Stripe, Adyen does not offer publicly listed pricing for add-ons, which means enterprises must request a custom quote. 

Quick fee comparison: Stripe vs Adyen

Beyond the basics: Key differences between Stripe and Adyen

While both Stripe and Adyen support global payments, the differences lie in infrastructure, control, and scalability. Below, we break down the nuanced distinctions that can influence your long-term success.

• Direct acquiring vs aggregator model: Adyen connects directly with card networks such as Visa and Mastercard, offering merchants greater control, faster settlements, and deeper transaction data. Stripe acts as an aggregator, meaning it processes payments on behalf of its users through its own acquiring licence. While this speeds up onboarding, it can limit flexibility and transparency for larger merchants.

• Pricing transparency: Stripe promotes simple, pay-as-you-go pricing, but foreign exchange markups and advanced feature costs are less visible. Adyen uses specific pricing for different payment methods and Interchange++ pricing, which can offer better value at scale but requires a deeper understanding of fee structures. When comparing Stripe vs Adyen for pricing, you can often see this trade-off between simplicity and flexibility highlighted.

• Onboarding and contracts: Stripe offers instant onboarding for most businesses with minimal documentation. Adyen requires formal underwriting and contracts, typically suited for businesses processing over A$250,000 per month. This makes Stripe ideal for fast-moving startups and Adyen more suitable for high-volume enterprises.

• Checkout and UI localisation: Stripe Checkout is customisable, developer-friendly, and easy to integrate. Adyen provides highly localised checkout flows, including support for over 200 local payment methods worldwide. For businesses prioritising localisation, Adyen often has the edge.

• Support options: Stripe provides robust self-service documentation, chat, and email support. Priority support is available for a fee. Adyen assigns dedicated account managers for qualifying clients, offering a more tailored and hands-on experience.

• Chargeback and dispute management: Stripe uses its Radar tool to help prevent fraud, but merchants often rely on third-party tools for chargeback resolution. Adyen offers native dispute management, real-time insights, and advanced fraud control tools, which are especially valuable for large-scale operations.

• Setup complexity: Stripe is plug-and-play, with extensive resources for developers. Adyen may require technical integration support, especially for merchants taking advantage of its full acquiring capabilities. While Stripe is easier out of the box, Adyen offers deeper control with more setup.

• Risk and compliance tools: Stripe supports 3D Secure, SCA, and PCI-DSS compliance. Adyen includes real-time risk scoring, configurable fraud rules, and full PCI-DSS coverage. Businesses in regulated industries or high-risk sectors may find Adyen's compliance infrastructure more appealing.

• Recurring payments and billing flexibility: Stripe offers billing and invoicing tools with subscription management. Adyen supports recurring billing but leans more heavily on its custom enterprise integrations. Stripe is stronger in self-serve, whereas Adyen excels in bespoke implementations.

• Reporting and analytics: Stripe’s dashboard provides detailed insights with export options and integration into platforms like QuickBooks and NetSuite. Adyen’s reporting tools are built for enterprise-level reconciliation, offering transaction-level data across regions and payment types.

For businesses comparing Stripe vs Adyen fees, capabilities, and infrastructure, these deeper differences are crucial when choosing a provider that aligns with your growth goals and technical requirements.

Why Airwallex is a powerful alternative to Stripe and Adyen

Airwallex is built for modern businesses with global growth in mind. While Stripe and Adyen cater to specific use cases, Airwallex brings together payments, FX, multi-currency accounts, virtual cards, and expense management in one simple platform.

Key Airwallex advantages include:

• Like-for-like settlement in 14+ currencies: Accept payments in your customer’s currency and keep them that way. There’s no forced conversion or hidden FX margin. Funds land straight in your multi-currency wallet, unlike Stripe or Adyen where you may need separate accounts or cop conversion fees.

• Global accounts set up in minutes: Launch domestic and foreign currency accounts fast and start accepting payments in 70+ currencies.

• Local banking details in 21 countries: Operate like a local business with access to local account numbers across key global markets.

• Live FX rates: Trade in 90+ currencies with real-time interbank pricing. Over 100 currencies are available live on the spot market.

• Significant FX savings: Cut FX costs by as much as 80% compared to traditional banks and platforms like Stripe and Adyen.

• Fast, reliable payouts: Send funds to 200+ countries. Over 90% of payments move via local rails, with about 95% arriving same day and 52% landing instantly.

• A single financial hub: Everything from payments and FX to card issuing and expense tracking lives in one place – secure, streamlined, and designed to scale.

Stripe vs Adyen: Frequently asked questions

Is Stripe or Adyen better?

It depends on your business needs. Stripe is known for its developer-friendly tools, strong support for startups, and broad global reach. Adyen, on the other hand, is popular with large enterprises thanks to its unified platform, advanced risk tools, and direct acquiring licences across multiple regions. When comparing Stripe vs Adyen, Stripe may suit agile, fast-growing businesses, while high-volume or multinational merchants often prefer Adyen.

Who is Stripe's biggest competitor?

Adyen and Airwallex are two of the strongest alternatives to Stripe, particularly for businesses operating internationally. All three offer powerful APIs, global reach, and support for a wide range of payment methods. Adyen is known for its direct acquiring capabilities and unified commerce solutions, while Airwallex stands out with its multi-currency accounts, low FX fees, and fast cross-border payouts. Depending on your business model, either may be a better fit than Stripe.

Who is Adyen's biggest competitor?

Stripe and Airwallex are two of Adyen’s most significant global competitors. Stripe is well-known for its developer-first approach and popularity among digital-native businesses, while Airwallex offers an all-in-one financial platform with standout multi-currency support and fast, low-cost cross-border payments.

What is the best payment gateway?

The best payment gateway depends on your location, transaction volume, integration needs, and business model. Stripe is often recommended for developers and digital-first businesses. Adyen appeals to large, global merchants with complex requirements. For businesses seeking an alternative that combines powerful multi-currency tools, low FX fees, and scalable infrastructure, Airwallex is a compelling choice.

Sources:

1. https://stripe.com/pricing

2. https://www.adyen.com/pricing

3. https://docs.stripe.com/currencies

4. https://docs.adyen.com/point-of-sale/what-we-support/payment-methods

5. https://docs.stripe.com/payments/payment-methods/overview