Top 5 Stripe alternatives: compare fees, features, and benefits

Key takeaways

• The top 5 Stripe alternatives for UK businesses are Airwallex, Braintree, PayPal, Shopify, and Square, each offering distinct advantages for different business models and international payment needs.

• Fee structures vary significantly: Stripe charges 1.5% + 20p for UK cards and a 2% fee for currency conversions, while Airwallex offers 1.3% + 20p for UK cards with FX fees of just 0.5-1% above the interbank rate.

• Airwallex offers an all-in-one global financial platform that grows with your business, combining payment acceptance, multi-currency Global Accounts, Corporate Cards, and spend management to simplify international operations and reduce costs compared to using multiple providers.

If you run a growing business, you'll need a payment platform that will allow you to open local accounts in several currencies, seamlessly accept payments from international customers, and send money across borders without excessive fees.

Whilst Stripe may be one of your options, you may like to consider its alternatives to see which one suits your needs best.

Stripe alternatives at a glance

For UK businesses seeking Stripe alternatives, the top five platforms are Airwallex, Braintree, PayPal, Shopify, and Square. Airwallex stands out as an all-in-one global financial platform offering payment acceptance, multi-currency Global Accounts, FX at interbank rates, and unified spend management—making it ideal for businesses with international operations. The other alternatives serve different niches: Braintree for flexible payment options, PayPal for simple setup, Shopify for eCommerce store owners, and Square for brick-and-mortar retailers.

Below, we explore each alternative's features, fees, and ideal use cases in detail.

What is Stripe?

Stripe is a technology company that sells financial software to help businesses accept and process payments from customers.

Used by businesses of all sizes—from enterprises like Amazon and Lyft to growing eCommerce stores and brick-and-mortar retailers—Stripe is valued for its simplicity, flexibility, and integration capabilities. The platform supports various payment methods including credit and debit cards, mobile payments, and "buy now, pay later" options.

For businesses in the UK, Stripe offers a standard account and custom packages for enterprises with large payment volumes or unique business models. It charges per transaction, starting at 1.5% + 20p for standard UK card transactions^1.

Why businesses look for Stripe alternatives

While Stripe is a powerful tool for payment processing, businesses with global ambitions often encounter limitations as they scale. Understanding these helps clarify why an alternative might be a better fit.

What Stripe does well:

• Developer-first APIs: Stripe is known for its robust, well-documented APIs that are easy for developers to work with.

• Reliable processing: It offers a secure and dependable infrastructure for accepting online payments.

• Broad payment method support: It supports a wide range of cards, digital wallets, and local payment methods.

Why businesses seek alternatives:

• High FX costs: A 2% currency conversion fee is applied to any transaction requiring currency exchange, significantly impacting margins for international businesses.

• Limited cross-border financial tools: Stripe is primarily a payment processor and doesn't offer integrated multi-currency Global Accounts with local bank details, global payout infrastructure, or treasury management in one platform.

• Forced currency conversions: Businesses often cannot settle payments in the same currency customers use, creating unnecessary conversion costs on both revenue and payouts.

• No unified spend management: Companies need separate providers for corporate cards, expense management, and bill payments, adding operational complexity and cost.

For UK businesses operating domestically, these limitations may not matter. However, once you start accepting payments from EU customers, paying suppliers in Asia, or managing multi-currency cash flow, these gaps become operationally expensive and complex.

Top 5 Stripe alternatives

Here are the top alternatives to Stripe.

• Airwallex – A global financial platform offering payment acceptance, international transfers, multi-currency Global Accounts, and Corporate Cards. Best for growing businesses with international operations looking to consolidate financial services.

• Braintree – A payment platform that accepts, processes, and splits payments in multiple currencies with support for cards, PayPal, and digital wallets. Best for eCommerce businesses prioritising payment method flexibility.

• PayPal – A widely recognised payment gateway supporting cards, bank transfers, and 10+ local payment methods from 200+ countries. Best for SMEs seeking simple setup and global brand recognition.

• Shopify – An integrated eCommerce platform with native payment processing for major cards, mobile wallets, and local payment methods. Best for entrepreneurs running Shopify stores.

• Square – A POS-focused payment system with online capabilities, supporting cards, mobile wallets, and ACH transfers. Best for brick-and-mortar businesses expanding online.

Compare fees and features: Stripe alternatives

Here's how the top Stripe alternatives compare across payment methods, pricing, and ideal use cases:

Detailed breakdown: Features and pricing

Airwallex, Braintree, PayPal, Shopify, and Square are all alternatives to Stripe, but each have their strengths. Our platform, Airwallex stands out from the rest with our end-to-end financial operations and global reach. It's a strong option for businesses that are looking to scale their financial and payment operations domestically or internationally.

Below, we summarise the key features and fees of each Stripe alternative. For full product and fee information, including other charges, please visit each provider's official website.

Airwallex

Airwallex is a global payment solution designed for growing international companies, enabling businesses to accept payments through over 160 payment methods across more than 180 countries.

Key capabilities:

• Payment acceptance: 160+ payment methods in 180+ countries

• Currency conversion: Interbank rate + 0.5% − 1% (vs. Stripe's 2%)

• Financial operations: Multi-currency Global Accounts, international transfers, Corporate Cards, and spend management in one platform

Airwallex fees:

• Pricing varies by transaction type.

• UK card transactions: 1.3% + 20p

• Currency conversions: Interbank rate + 0.5% − 1%

Pros

• Extensive global payment acceptance.

• Competitive interbank currency conversion rates.

• Comprehensive financial operations platform.

Cons

• Pricing can vary and be complex.

• No physical branches.

• Does not serve sole traders.

Braintree

Braintree is tailored for eCommerce businesses seeking flexible payment options. It supports a wide array of payment methods, including PayPal, Venmo (US), major credit and debit cards, and various local payment methods.

Braintree fees:

• Basic transaction fee: 1.9% + 20p per transaction.

• Currency conversion fee: 2%

Pros

• Flexible payment options.

• Support for popular wallets and local payment methods.

Cons

• Fee structure can become complicated.

PayPal

PayPal is a popular choice for SMEs prioritising a simple payment process and seamless integrations. It supports card payments, PayPal transactions, and numerous local payment methods from over 200 countries.

PayPal fees:

• Commercial transaction within the UK: 2.9% + 30p

• Currency conversion: 3% above the base exchange rate.

• Fees vary by transaction type.

Pros

• Simple payment process.

• Wide global reach.

Cons

• Complicated and variable fee structure.

• Higher currency conversion fee.

Shopify

Shopify is designed for entrepreneurs with Shopify stores, offering integration with major credit cards, mobile wallets, and various local payment methods.

Shopify fees:

• Subscription fee: Starts at £19.

• UK online credit card transactions (Basic plan): 2% + 25p

• Card rates depend on the plan.

Pros

• Seamless integration with Shopify stores.

• Support for various payment methods.

Cons

• Subscription fees apply.

• Card rates vary based on plan.

Square

Square is ideal for brick-and-mortar businesses requiring integrated payment systems. It supports most credit and debit cards, major mobile wallets, and ACH bank transfers.

Square fees:

• Online UK card transactions: 1.4% + 25p

• Online international card transactions: 2.5% + 25p

• In-person transactions have different fees.

Pros

• Integrated payment systems.

• Support for mobile wallets.

Cons

• Pricing varies by transaction type.

• Higher fees for international transactions.

Why choose Airwallex over Stripe?

How to choose the right Stripe alternative

With so many payment platforms on the market, it can be tricky to find the one that's best for your business.

Although Stripe is reliable and loved by many, it might not be right for you. Some business owners look elsewhere because of its high transaction fees and POS hardware capabilities.

To help you figure out which payment platform is worth your investment, we've compiled the top 10 questions you should ask any supplier before signing a contract.

1. What types of payments can you process?

2. What are the transaction fees and how do they vary by payment method/transaction type?

3. Can your platform handle multiple currencies? What are the currency conversion charges?

4. What is the process for chargebacks?

5. How do you manage fraud protection?

6. Do you offer POS solutions and how do they integrate with online payments?

7. Are there any long-term contracts or early termination fees?

8. Are there any setup or ongoing monthly fees?

9. What kind of customer support do you offer?

10. How do I integrate your payment gateway into my website? Do you offer technical support?

Airwallex provides transparent answers to all these questions with no hidden fees, no monthly charges, and comprehensive integration support for major eCommerce platforms.

Choose the right alternative for your business

If you're looking for cost-effective global money management, Airwallex is hard to beat.

Over 150,000 companies use our platform to simplify global payments and financial operations. Our payment gateway integrates seamlessly with major eCommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento, accepting payments from 180+ countries. Unlike Stripe, with an Airwallex Global Account you can settle in multiple currencies like-for-like, avoiding unnecessary conversion fees.

And if you do want to convert currencies, with Airwallex you'll benefit from interbank rates + 0.5-1%, compared with Stripe's 2% currency conversion fee.

Ready to see how Airwallex compares to Stripe? Explore the platform and see how we can support your business growth with transparent pricing, no monthly fees, and infrastructure built specifically for cross-border operations.

Frequently asked questions about Stripe alternatives

What is the best alternative to Stripe?

The best alternative depends on your business needs. For UK businesses expanding internationally, Airwallex offers competitive advantages with lower FX fees (0.5-1% vs Stripe's 2%), multi-currency Global Accounts, and unified payment and financial operations. For simple domestic UK payments, other providers may suffice. Consider your growth trajectory and international ambitions when evaluating.

Can I use Airwallex alongside Stripe?

Yes. Many businesses use Airwallex for cross-border treasury, FX, and Global Accounts while keeping Stripe for specific integrations or domestic markets. Our platform complements Stripe by handling multi-currency operations, international payouts, and spend management that Stripe doesn't address.

How much can I save by switching from Stripe to Airwallex?

Savings depend on your transaction volume and international activity. On £100,000 in monthly FX volume, Airwallex's lower conversion fees (0.5-1% vs Stripe's 2%) can save approximately £18,000 annually, with customers reporting total savings of £40,000-£180,000+ across FX, transfers, and operational efficiencies.

How difficult is it to migrate from Stripe?

Integration complexity varies. Airwallex offers payment plugins for major eCommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce for quick setup, plus comprehensive APIs for custom integrations. Many businesses run Airwallex in parallel with existing providers initially, gradually shifting volume. A typical implementation can take 2-4 weeks depending on complexity.

Sources and references

For more information on Airwallex, visit Airwallex Business Account and Airwallex pricing.

• https://stripe.com/gb/pricing

• https://www.braintreepayments.com/au/features/payment-methods

• https://www.braintreepayments.com/gb/braintree-pricing

• https://wise.com/gb/blog/braintree-vs-stripe-uk

• https://www.paypal.com/uk/enterprise/payment-methods

• https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/merchant-fees

• https://www.shopify.com/uk/payments

• https://www.shopify.com/uk/pricing

• https://squareup.com/au/en/payments

• https://squareup.com/gb/en/pricing

• https://stripe.com/gb/pricing

• https://stripe.com/en-bg/issuing

Disclaimer: We updated this article in Q3 2025. The information was based on our own online research and we were 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. If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [email protected].