Stripe vs GoCardless: the ultimate 2025 comparison guide for online payments

The right payment solution has major implications for how efficiently your business can scale, manage cash flow, and serve customers globally. Stripe and GoCardless are two popular platforms offering distinct approaches to online payments – Stripe focusing on card-based flexibility, GoCardless on direct debit simplicity.

This blog compares Stripe vs GoCardless across fees, features, integrations, and international capabilities. It also outlines why Airwallex may be a smarter alternative for global businesses in 2025.

What is Stripe?

Stripe is a payment processing platform designed with a wide range of features that suit most businesses, but offers the most flexibility for digital-first teams and those with developer resources. It supports online card payments, subscriptions, marketplaces, and global currencies. Stripe has become a favourite among startups and scaleups due to its powerful APIs and wide integrations.

Key features include:

• Support for 135+ currencies and global payment methods

• Customisable checkout experiences via Stripe Elements

• Powerful developer tools and APIs

• Fraud prevention tools like Stripe Radar

• Advanced billing, invoicing, and recurring payments

• Integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, NetSuite, and more

Stripe suits businesses wanting control and customisation over their payments infrastructure, especially those with in-house development resources.

What is GoCardless?

GoCardless is a payment platform specialising in bank debit (Direct Debit and BECS in Australia). It allows businesses to collect recurring and one-off payments directly from customers’ bank accounts. Launched in 2011, GoCardless is a preferred option for billing-heavy industries like accounting, SaaS, and utilities.

Key features include:

• Bank-to-bank payments via Direct Debit (AU BECS)

• Lower fees than card payments in many cases

• Ideal for subscriptions, invoices, and instalments

• Real-time payment tracking and retry logic

• Integrations with Xero, Salesforce, Chargebee, QuickBooks, and more

GoCardless is best for businesses that value simplicity, low transaction costs, and automated bank-based billing.

Stripe vs GoCardless: a head-to-head comparison

Use the following table to compare Stripe and GoCardless across key features such as payment types, currency support, developer tools, and setup time. This quick overview helps highlight major differences and identify the right solution for your business needs.

Data accurate as of July 2025

Security and compliance

Both Stripe and GoCardless are PCI-compliant and follow strong data security standards. Stripe includes fraud detection tools like Radar and supports authentication protocols such as 3D Secure 2. GoCardless complies with BECS and ISO 27001, with bank-grade encryption and secure mandates.

Airwallex is ISO 27001 and PCI DSS certified, with real-time fraud monitoring and advanced user controls.

Stripe fees explained

Stripe charges Australian businesses:

• Domestic Visa/Mastercard: 1.7% + A$0.30 per transaction

• International cards: 3.5% + A$0.30 per transaction (includes 1.5% currency conversion fee)

• Stripe Terminal (POS): 1.7% + A$0.10 per in-person transaction, 3.5% + A$0.10 for international cards

Additional charges apply for advanced tools like Stripe Billing, Connect, and fraud protection.

GoCardless fees explained

GoCardless operates with a simple pricing model in Australia:

• 1% + A$0.40 per domestic transaction (capped at A$4.00)

• 2% + A$0.40 per international transaction (capped at A$7.00)

These fees are based on the GoCardless Standard pricing plan. There are no setup fees, minimums, or hidden charges. The platform charges lower fees than Stripe for recurring or invoice-style payments.

Stripe vs GoCardless fees compared

Who is Stripe best for?

Stripe is best for:

• SaaS platforms with global users

• Online retailers with multi-currency checkout

• Businesses needing advanced integrations

• Companies scaling internationally

• Online businesses looking to offer a range of payment methods

• Businesses that also sell in person and want an integrated POS terminal

Its developer-first design and broad toolkit suit companies building tailored payment flows. Digital-first teams and those with developer support can unlock its full feature set, but there are also no-code options available for simpler use cases.

Who is GoCardless best for?

GoCardless is ideal for:

• Subscription-based businesses and accountants

• Businesses invoicing clients regularly

• SMEs needing easy direct debit options

• Australian service providers

Its direct debit model simplifies cash flow and suits recurring billing cycles.

Beyond the basics: Key differences between Stripe and GoCardless

While Stripe and GoCardless appear similar on the surface, there are deeper distinctions that can influence your choice:

Payment philosophy: Stripe is developer-first and API-driven, suited for customisation. GoCardless focuses on prebuilt flows and simplicity.

Checkout flexibility: Stripe allows branded checkout with multiple payment options. GoCardless sticks to direct debit only.

Global reach: Stripe supports far more currencies and markets out of the box. GoCardless is expanding, but not as wide-reaching.

Fee structure nuance: GoCardless fees are capped, offering more predictability for large invoice values.

Recurring billing integration: Stripe Billing is an optional add-on. GoCardless includes automated debits and retries by default.

Development effort: Stripe products like Elements and Connect require more technical effort to implement, though no-code tools are also available. GoCardless offers a range of plug-and-play tools designed for easy setup and minimal technical input. While it works well for businesses without in-house developers, it still provides flexibility for teams that want to build more customised flows through its API.

Refund and chargeback flows: Stripe allows card refunds instantly. GoCardless refunds are slower due to bank processes.

Retry logic for failed payments: GoCardless includes smart retry features that help businesses recover failed debits without manual intervention. Stripe requires custom setup or Stripe Billing add-ons to implement similar behaviour.

Support hours and response times: Stripe provides tiered support, with faster response times for paid plans. GoCardless offers standard email and chat support, but lacks guaranteed service levels. Airwallex provides dedicated local support tailored for Australian businesses.

Setup complexity: Stripe is powerful but needs a developer-led setup for most use cases. GoCardless and Airwallex offer faster onboarding through prebuilt tools, web flows, or guided setup experiences.

Understanding these nuanced differences helps businesses move beyond basic feature comparisons and choose the platform that best matches their growth and operational needs.

Why Airwallex is a smarter global payments alternative

Airwallex is built for businesses that operate across borders. Unlike Stripe or GoCardless, which focus on specific parts of the payments process, Airwallex combines everything – multi-currency accounts, FX, payments, cards, and global payouts, into one streamlined platform.

Key benefits of using Airwallex:

• Like-for-like settlement in 14+ currencies, so you can receive and hold funds in the same currency your customers pay in, without forced conversions.

• Open foreign and local currency accounts in minutes, and start accepting payments in over 60 currencies.

• Access local bank details in more than 70 countries, so you can act like a local business without managing multiple banking relationships.

• Trade in 90+ currencies at interbank rates, with 100+ priced live on the spot market.

• Save up to 80% on FX fees compared to traditional banks and other platforms.

• Payouts to 200+ countries, with over 90% of transactions using local rails for faster delivery. Around 95% arrive within hours or the same day, and 52% are instant.

• Use one platform to manage payments, FX, expense cards, and team budgets securely.

What sets us apart:

Airwallex includes billing tools at no extra cost. It supports a wide range of payment methods including mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. You can get started with no-code options like Payment Links, or explore advanced integrations using its developer APIs.

If your business has global plans and wants to simplify finance across borders, Airwallex gives you everything you need in one place.

Final verdict: Stripe vs GoCardless

Stripe offers unmatched flexibility for developers and international eCommerce. GoCardless simplifies recurring payments with low fees and bank-level trust. Each platform serves different business models, but both fall short when it comes to end-to-end global financial operations.

Airwallex bridges this gap, delivering a smarter, more scalable solution for growing Australian businesses.

Choosing the right platform: a quick guide

• Use Stripe if: You need advanced integrations, custom checkout flows, or a developer-first API for scaling a global SaaS or eCommerce platform.

• Use GoCardless if: You want a simple way to collect recurring payments via direct debit, especially for service-based or subscription models.

• Use Airwallex if: You want a comprehensive, all-in-one financial stack with multi-currency accounts, real-time FX, and the ability to pay and get paid globally.

Stripe vs GoCardless: frequently asked questions

Which is better, Stripe or GoCardless?

It depends on your business model. Stripe is better for card-based eCommerce and global checkout flows. GoCardless is better for recurring bank debit payments and invoicing. When comparing GoCardless vs Stripe or reviewing Stripe vs GoCardless fees, GoCardless tends to be cheaper for subscription billing.

What are the advantages of GoCardless?

GoCardless offers lower fees, automatic direct debit collection, and simple integration with accounting tools like Xero. It's highly reliable for recurring billing and suits SMEs that want predictable cash flow. If you're comparing GoCardless vs Stripe, GoCardless wins on simplicity and cost – particularly when evaluating GoCardless vs Stripe fees for domestic direct debits.

Is GoCardless trustworthy?

Yes, GoCardless is BECS-compliant in Australia and ISO 27001 certified. It uses secure mandates, bank-grade encryption, and works with over 75,000 businesses globally. It's a reliable choice for collecting payments directly from customer bank accounts.

Which payment gateway is better than Stripe?

Stripe is excellent for card payments, but not always ideal for global operations or FX-heavy businesses. Platforms like Airwallex offer integrated multi-currency accounts, low FX rates, and modern global payment tools, making them a stronger alternative for scaling internationally.

Sources:

https://stripe.com/au/pricing

https://gocardless.com/en-au/pricing/

https://www.airwallex.com/au/business-account/global-accounts