Stripe vs Braintree: Which platform is better in 2026?

Key takeaways

• Stripe is the stronger choice for developer-led teams that need flexible APIs and global currency support, while Braintree works well for businesses already using PayPal.

• Braintree refunds processing fees on returns and offers interchange-plus pricing at volume; Stripe's flat-rate model is simpler but doesn't refund fees.

• For businesses selling across borders, Airwallex offers interbank FX rates, like-for-like settlement, and multi-currency accounts that can cut FX costs by up to 80% compared to traditional banks.

If you're choosing between Braintree and Stripe, the decision goes beyond features. It affects what you pay per transaction, how your customers check out, and how quickly you can launch in new markets.

Both platforms may be being considered by fast-growing businesses, but there are real differences in how they handle fees, global payments, and integration flexibility. We'll compare both platforms head-to-head and show where Airwallex offers a different approach, especially for businesses selling across borders.

What is Stripe?

Stripe is a payment platform built for developers. It operates in 46+ countries and supports more than 135 currencies, so businesses can accept online payments, automate billing, and manage money as they grow.

Key features:

• API-first architecture: Full customisation for developers building complex payment flows

• No-code checkout options: Stripe Checkout and Elements for optimised UX without heavy development

• Stripe Radar: AI-driven fraud detection built into the platform

• Billing and invoicing: Purpose-built tools for recurring revenue models

• Integration ecosystem: Connects with hundreds of tools and platforms⁴

Stripe launched in 2010 and has become a platform for SaaS companies, marketplaces, and digital businesses that need flexibility, scalability, and global reach.

What is Braintree?

Braintree is a full-stack payments platform owned by PayPal. It's available in 45+ countries and supports 130+ currencies. The main draw is its native integration with PayPal and Venmo, which means customers who prefer those payment methods get a smooth checkout experience.

Because it's part of PayPal, Braintree also shares PayPal's risk infrastructure and compliance framework. For businesses already using PayPal in other parts of their stack, that can simplify operations. But it also means PayPal controls the flow of funds, which some businesses find limiting.

Key features:

• PayPal and Venmo support: Native integration for US-based Venmo and global PayPal acceptance

• Marketplace payout tools: Built-in support for splitting payments across sellers

• Recurring billing: Subscription management and fraud tools included

• Interchange-plus pricing: Available for merchants processing over A$100,000/month²

Braintree requires a merchant account and underwriting process, so onboarding takes longer, but high-volume sellers may get better rates.

Stripe vs Braintree: Head-to-head comparison

Pricing and fees

The table gives you the numbers. Here's what they mean in practice.

Stripe's flat-rate pricing is simple and predictable, which makes costs easier to forecast. But that simplicity comes with a trade-off. If a customer asks for a refund, you don't get your processing fees back. For businesses with high return rates, that adds up quickly. Braintree takes a different approach. It refunds processing fees on returns, except the fixed transaction fee, which can be more cost-effective if returns are part of your business model.

Where the real differences show up is in cross-border transactions. In Australia, Stripe charges 3.5% + A$0.30 for international cards, with an additional 2% fee if currency conversion is required. Braintree charges 3.9% + A$0.30 (incl. GST) for international card transactions; PayPal's own FX margin applies separately on PayPal-funded transactions.

If you process A$50,000/month in international transactions, those FX fees alone could cost you revenue with Stripe or Braintree. With Airwallex's interbank rates, you'd keep significantly more of that margin.

Refund policy matters: Stripe doesn't refund processing fees on returns (for standard pricing). Braintree does. If your business has a high return rate, this can make a real difference to your margins.

Payment methods

Stripe supports 125+ payment methods globally: cards, digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal, bank debits, buy now, pay later options (Klarna, Afterpay), and local payment options including Alipay and WeChat Pay. That makes it particularly strong in Asian markets where these methods are popular.

Braintree's strength is PayPal and Venmo (in the US). If your customers prefer paying through PayPal, Braintree's native integration gives them a smoother checkout experience. But its support for local payment methods in Australia is more limited compared to other platforms.

Airwallex supports 160+ local payment methods, which gives you broader coverage across APAC, Europe, and the Americas without needing to stitch together multiple providers.

Developer experience and integrations

Stripe's API-first design and extensive documentation have made it the default choice for developer-led teams. If your team wants to build a fully custom checkout flow with granular control over every step, Stripe gives you that flexibility. Its 350+ integrations⁴ mean you can connect it to almost any tool in your stack.

Braintree's SDK and drop-in UI are simpler to deploy, especially if you just need PayPal on your checkout page. But it's less flexible for teams building highly customised payment experiences.

Airwallex takes an API-first approach too, with sandbox environments that let you test global payment flows before going live. The focus is on cross-border use cases like multi-currency accounts, FX, and payouts, rather than just checkout.

Global reach and currency support

Stripe operates in 46+ countries and supports 135+ currencies³. It's particularly strong in markets where local payment methods like Alipay and WeChat Pay matter, which gives it an edge in Asia.

Braintree is available in 45+ countries but relies on PayPal's infrastructure for global reach. However, neither Stripe of Braintree offer the local banking infrastructure of Airwallex, which includes FX, multi-currency cards, and local banking details on the same platform.

Airwallex lets you open local currency accounts in minutes and get local bank details in 20+ countries. That means you can collect payments like a local business in major international markets, then hold and pay out in the same currency, avoiding forced conversions and hidden FX markups.

Fraud prevention and security

Stripe uses Radar, its machine-learning-based fraud prevention system, to analyse transactions and block suspicious activity. It's built into the platform and learns from patterns across Stripe's entire network.

Braintree includes basic fraud protection tools and access to PayPal's buyer protection. One thing worth noting: PayPal's buyer protection is designed to protect consumers, not merchants, which can work against you in disputes.

Both platforms are PCI DSS Level 1 compliant. Airwallex also offers AI-driven fraud prevention and maintains PCI DSS certification, SOC 1, and SOC 2 compliance.

Recurring billing and subscriptions

Stripe Billing is purpose-built for subscription businesses. It supports free trials, proration, usage-based billing, and automatic retries for failed payments. If you're running a SaaS company or any business with recurring revenue, Stripe's billing tools are among the most flexible available.

Braintree offers built-in recurring billing that handles the basics: scheduled charges, subscription management, and payment retries. It's simpler than Stripe Billing but less configurable for complex pricing models.

Airwallex offers a Subscriptions product for businesses that need recurring billing alongside multi-currency accounts and global payouts.

Customer support

Stripe offers 24/7 email, chat, and phone support, backed by documentation that's widely regarded as industry-leading. Developers often find answers in the docs before they need to contact support.

Braintree provides email support and documentation, with limited phone support available. Being part of PayPal means you're working within PayPal's support infrastructure.

Airwallex offers local support in key markets, which can be valuable when you're dealing with cross-border payment issues that require regional expertise.

Ease of setup and onboarding

Stripe's setup is more like signing up for a SaaS tool. It works as a payment aggregator, so there's no merchant account application or underwriting process. You can start accepting payments within minutes of creating an account.

Braintree's setup is more like applying for a business credit card. It requires a dedicated merchant account and underwriting, which takes longer but gives you more control over your rates and account terms.

Airwallex offers fast onboarding too. You can set up global accounts in minutes and start collecting in 20+ currencies without the lengthy application process of traditional merchant accounts.

Reporting and analytics

Stripe includes advanced reporting and analytics in its dashboard, letting you track revenue, analyse payment trends, and export data for deeper analysis. The reporting tools are comprehensive enough that many businesses don't need external BI tools.

Braintree's reporting is more basic. For in-depth insights, you'll often need to export data to external tools or rely on PayPal's broader reporting infrastructure.

Airwallex provides real-time reporting across payments, FX, and accounts in one view, which is useful when you're managing multiple currencies and need visibility across your entire financial operation.

How Airwallex compares to Stripe and Braintree

Stripe and Braintree each do certain things well. Stripe excels at developer flexibility and global currency support. Braintree makes sense if PayPal is central to your checkout experience.

Airwallex brings together global accounts, FX, cards, and payments in one platform, so you don't need to stitch together separate tools for each. Here's how it stands out:

• Like-for-like settlement in 20+ currencies: Accept payments and hold funds in the same currency, with no forced conversions or hidden FX markups.

• Open global accounts fast: Set up local currency accounts in minutes for 20+ countries and collect funds from 70+ countries.

• Get local bank details in 20+ countries: Receive payments like a local business in major international markets.

• Access live FX rates: Trade in 90+ currencies at interbank rates, with pricing visible in real time.

• Cut FX costs by up to 80%: Compared to traditional providers.

• Faster global payouts: Send to 200+ countries, with 90% of transfers using local payment rails and over half arriving instantly.

• Unified financial platform: Manage global accounts, FX, cards, and expenses through one system, with full visibility and control.

Airwallex is ideal if:

• You want to receive, hold, and spend in multiple currencies without conversion loss

• You need fast and affordable cross-border payments

• You're growing internationally and want local bank details in key markets

• You prefer a single platform to manage payments, FX, and financial operations

Why business choose Airwallex

If you're operating across borders, managing multiple currencies, or tired of juggling fragmented providers, Airwallex offers a simpler way forward. It brings together global collections, FX, payouts, and virtual cards in one platform, so you can simplify workflows and scale faster.

Unlike platforms that stack hidden fees on top of every transaction, Airwallex gives you access to interbank FX rates and transparent pricing from day one. Its API-first approach gives developers deep flexibility, while finance teams benefit from an intuitive interface and real-time reporting.

Add fast onboarding, local support in key markets, and enterprise-grade compliance, and it's easy to see why more businesses are switching. Whether you're expanding into new regions or optimising your existing payments stack, Airwallex is built to help you grow.

Frequently asked questions

Is Braintree or Stripe better?

It depends on your priorities. Stripe is great for developer-led teams. Braintree offers strong PayPal support. Airwallex is ideal for transparent, global growth.

What are the disadvantages of Stripe?

It doesn’t refund processing fees, adds international surcharges, and can become expensive as you scale globally.

Is Stripe or Braintree better for international payments?

Stripe supports 135+ currencies and more local payment methods globally, but it adds surcharges for international cards and currency conversion. Braintree handles international cards too, but FX margins can add up. Businesses with high cross-border volumes often find Airwallex's interbank FX rates and local account support more cost-effective.

Does Braintree support PayPal and Venmo payments?

Yes. Braintree is owned by PayPal and offers native support for both PayPal and Venmo (in the US).

Does Stripe support PayPal?

Yes. Stripe now supports PayPal as a payment method through its Payment Element and Express Checkout Element. But Braintree offers deeper native PayPal and Venmo integration given its ownership by PayPal.

Which platform is easier to set up, Stripe or Braintree?

Stripe is faster to set up because it works as a payment aggregator, there's no merchant account application. Braintree requires a merchant account and underwriting, which takes longer but gives you more control over rates. Airwallex also offers fast onboarding, with global accounts ready in minutes.

Can I negotiate better fees with Stripe or Braintree?

Both offer volume-based discounts, but Braintree is generally more flexible with interchange-plus pricing for merchants processing over A$100,000/month. Stripe's custom pricing is available but less commonly negotiated. Airwallex offers transparent pricing from day one without layered surcharges on FX and payouts.

Sources 

1. https://stripe.com/au/pricing 

2. https://www.paypal.com/au/enterprise/paypal-braintree-fees 

3. https://stripe.com/global 

4. https://stripe.com/partners

The information in this article is based on our own online research. Airwallex was not able to manually test each tool or provider. The information is provided for educational purposes only and a reader should consider the specific requirements of their business when evaluating providers. This research is reviewed annually. If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [[email protected]]. This information doesn’t take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. If you are a customer of Airwallex Pty Ltd (AFSL No. 487221) read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the Direct Services available here.