Stripe vs. Adyen comparison: Which payment platform is best for your business (2025)?

Key takeaways

• Stripe is built for digital platforms and developers. It offers powerful APIs, broad global coverage, and custom payment flows for online-first businesses.

• Adyen focuses on enterprise merchants. It combines acquiring, unified commerce, and in-person payments into a single platform.

• Airwallex gives global businesses a modern financial infrastructure. You get local payment acceptance, multi-currency wallets, interbank FX rates, fast global payouts, and embedded finance capabilities without having to stitch together multiple tools.

You want the freedom to build custom checkout flows and handle multiple payment methods. But you also need predictable fees, reliable support, and clean reconciliation. Beyond processing costs, consider the total value, including multi-currency settlement options, breadth of local payment methods (LPMs), strength of customer support, and adjacent money-movement tools such as FX, transfers, and spend management.

Stripe is known for developer-first tools and platform flexibility. Adyen appeals to enterprise teams with complex omnichannel needs and in-house payments expertise. Both offer financial infrastructure and broad global reach, but the right fit depends on how you sell and scale.

This guide breaks it down, covering features, fees, supported markets, service model, and who each provider suits best. Whether you’re building a SaaS platform or managing global retail operations, you’ll get a clear view of your options.

We’ll also show why more businesses are choosing Airwallex. With built-in multi-currency wallets and like-for-like settlement in 14+ currencies (no forced conversions), plus local currency accounts and low-cost FX, it gives you more control over how and where your money moves, without opening separate foreign-currency bank accounts.

What is Stripe?

Stripe is a US-based payments company that helps businesses accept and manage online payments. Founded in 2010 by brothers Patrick and John Collison, it has become a popular choice for SaaS platforms, digital marketplaces, and tech-first businesses looking to build custom payment experiences.

At its core, Stripe provides product and engineering teams with the tools to control how payments function within their ecosystem. From subscription billing to platform payouts, it offers a wide set of APIs and services that can be tailored to different use cases. While this makes it a strong fit for fast-growing businesses with development resources, it may be less suitable for teams looking for out-of-the-box simplicity.

What is Adyen?

Adyen is a Dutch payments company that helps businesses accept and manage payments across online, in-person, and mobile channels. Since its launch in 2006, it has evolved into a global platform designed for large and complex operations.

What sets Adyen apart is its unified infrastructure. It combines acquiring, payment processing, and reporting in one system, which can help reduce the need for multiple providers. It’s often a fit for enterprise teams that need control across markets and already have the internal resources to manage technical setup, compliance, and reconciliation.

Stripe vs. Adyen: a head-to-head comparison

Comparison table

Stripe vs. Adyen: pricing and fees comparison

*Additional payout fees may apply for embedded finance offerings. Additionally, while there are no FX conversion fees for like-for-like settlement, a 1% foreign currency settlement fee may apply in some instances.

Stripe fees explained

Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 for domestic card transactions. For international cards or currency conversions, an additional 1% fee applies. ACH direct debits are 0.8%, capped at $5. While there are no monthly fees for the standard plan, Stripe’s pricing is modular. You’ll pay extra for most features beyond basic payment acceptance. Billing starts at $620 per month. Invoicing is charged at 0.4% per paid invoice. Additionally, advanced fraud protection, reconciliation tools, and premium support incur extra costs. These fees can add up quickly, especially for high-volume or multi-region businesses.

Adyen fees explained

Adyen uses a different pricing model. You’ll pay a $0.13 processing fee plus Interchange++ markup for most card transactions. Some US businesses can choose a fixed processing fee instead, depending on their setup. The exact cost depends on your transaction volume, the currencies involved, and the payment methods used. While this provides larger enterprises with transparency at scale, it can be more challenging to predict and manage without a dedicated payments or finance team.

Stripe vs. Adyen: features and services comparisons

Stripe is designed for product and engineering teams that want to build flexible, custom payment flows. It supports over 100 payment methods globally, including cards, wallets, ACH, and buy-now, pay-later options. Its recurring billing engine includes subscription logic, metered billing, and smart retry tools. Stripe Checkout and Payment Links make it easier to get started, but most businesses need developer support to unlock the platform’s full capabilities.

Adyen focuses on delivering a unified commerce experience. It combines online, mobile, and in-person payments into one platform, with a single integration and consistent reporting. It also offers issuing and fund storage features through its banking license, although it lacks wallet-style functionality for managing currencies. While Stripe leans on its developer-first approach, Adyen often suits companies with in-house payments teams that can configure and monitor more complex setups across channels.

Both providers offer strong APIs, real-time reporting, and robust fraud prevention. Stripe’s onboarding is typically self-serve, while Adyen provides more tailored onboarding but requires more internal resources to manage. Support also varies: Stripe offers self-service and email, with account managers available on premium plans. Adyen prioritizes enterprise accounts, offering more dedicated assistance from the outset. Either way, both platforms are built with scale in mind and come with enterprise-grade compliance and security.

Stripe vs. Adyen: ideal use cases

Who is Stripe best for?

Stripe suits online-first businesses that want control over how payments work inside their product. It’s a strong fit for SaaS platforms, marketplaces, and startups with developer resources. If you’re focused on building your own checkout, automating subscriptions, or managing complex payout flows, Stripe offers the tools to do it. Just be prepared to invest time in setup and maintenance.

Who is Adyen best for?

Adyen is built for large enterprises that operate across channels and markets. It’s a good match for businesses with high volumes, in-house payments teams, or a need for advanced acquiring, POS, and reporting features in one system. If you’re running global retail, hospitality, or transportation operations and want one platform for online and in-person payments, Adyen gives you the infrastructure to do it.

Beyond the basics: key differences between Stripe and Adyen

Stripe and Adyen solve similar problems, but they approach them in very different ways. Stripe is API-first. It provides product and engineering teams with the tools to integrate payments into the product experience itself. You can control the checkout flow, manage complex billing setups, and plug into Stripe Connect to handle marketplace payouts. Adyen, by contrast, is built around the idea of unification. It brings online, mobile, and in-person payments into one system, allowing you to manage them consistently from a single place.

This philosophical divide shapes how each provider fits into a business. Stripe is modular. You pick what you need and integrate each component. That’s powerful if your team wants full control over every layer of the stack, but it also means you’ll need developer support to make the most of it. Adyen leans more toward operations and finance teams. It provides the infrastructure upfront, but configuring and managing that infrastructure can be resource-intensive. Some businesses find Adyen’s onboarding process more involved and its pricing harder to predict.

There are also practical differences. Stripe has a stronger reputation among SaaS and platform businesses. Adyen’s strengths lie in omnichannel retail, logistics, and marketplaces that require consistent performance across online and in-person channels. Stripe users often report friction around onboarding⁸, account holds, and chargeback handling.⁹ Adyen, on the other hand, tends to draw complaints about slow deposit times, hidden fees, and poor customer service. Its onboarding process can also feel rigid, with minimum volume requirements and a technical setup that may overwhelm smaller or less-experienced teams.¹⁰

Why Airwallex is a powerful alternative (and how we compare)

Stripe puts developers in the driver’s seat. Adyen is built for enterprise payments teams. However, if you’re trying to grow across borders without adding tools, workarounds, or unexpected fees, Airwallex provides a more integrated path forward.

You can collect payments in over 130 currencies and accept more than 160 local payment methods, including Klarna in Europe and FPX in Malaysia. There are no forced conversions. You can settle like-for-like in 14 major currencies, which means fewer FX charges and more control over how funds land in your account. Support fast, cost-effective local collections in 60+ countries and regions, including via Direct Debit, and local payouts in 120+ countries and regions.

With Airwallex, payments are just the start. You can issue cards in over 40 markets, manage expenses by team or region, and pay global vendors with interbank FX rates. Payouts arrive quickly, with more than 90% of them landing on the same day. The platform connects with the tools you already use, including NetSuite, Xero, and your eCommerce stack. You don't need a payments engineer just to get started. Our team helps you onboard, configure approvals, and go live with the setup that fits your business.

Consider Airwallex if:

• You collect revenue in multiple currencies and want to reduce FX costs

• You operate across multiple countries and need to settle locally

• You need same-day payouts and fewer delays from SWIFT

• You’re managing payments, cards, expenses, and reconciliation across teams

• You want a global solution that works without added complexity

Final verdict: choosing the right solution for your business

Stripe offers flexibility and control, but it requires technical resources and comes with modular pricing that can add up quickly. Adyen offers robust infrastructure for large enterprises, particularly those that handle both in-person and online payments, but setup is complex and not always transparent.

If you’re deciding between them, think about your current stage and future needs. Do you need full control over subscriptions, checkout, and payouts? Stripe can deliver. Are you running a global retail operation with a dedicated payments team? Adyen might suit you better.

Airwallex gives you another option. It brings payments, currency exchange, and financial operations into one platform, allowing you to manage revenue, expenses, and FX without needing to stitch tools together. You can accept local payment methods in over 180 countries, settle like-for-like in 14 major currencies, and pay global vendors with interbank foreign exchange rates. That keeps costs low and operations smooth.

You’ll also get local support without extra fees. Whether you’re expanding into Asia or streamlining payouts in Europe, a regional expert is on hand to help. If you want a platform that supports global ambition without the complexity or cost, Airwallex is built to grow with your business.

FAQs

What’s the main difference between Stripe and Adyen?

Stripe is built for online businesses that want full control over how payments work within their product. Adyen is better suited to larger enterprises that need to manage in-person, online, and mobile payments through a single system.

Which platform is easier to set up – Stripe or Adyen?

Stripe offers faster self-serve onboarding, but you’ll likely need developer input to get the most out of it. Adyen offers a more tailored onboarding process, though it often requires technical support and may have higher entry requirements.

How do Stripe and Adyen compare on global coverage?

Stripe supports over 100 payments in more than 195 countries. Adyen supports over 100 countries and offers direct acquiring in key markets; however, it may provide less flexibility for newer or smaller businesses.

Why do businesses choose Airwallex over Stripe or Adyen?

Airwallex combines global payment acceptance with local settlement, built-in FX, cards, and multi-currency wallets. It’s often a better fit for businesses that want to simplify financial operations across borders without patching together multiple tools.

Sources

1. https://docs.stripe.com/payouts/multicurrency-settlement 

2. https://docs.adyen.com/account/supported-currencies/

3. https://docs.stripe.com/global-payouts 

4. https://docs.stripe.com/issuing 

5. https://help.adyen.com/en_US/knowledge/account/access-your-customer-area/how-do-i-reach-adyen-support

6. https://stripe.com/pricing

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

8. https://www.capterra.com/p/123889/Stripe/reviews/

9. https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/south-san-francisco/profile/payment-processing-services/stripe-inc-1116-437157/complaints

10. https://www.merchantmaverick.com/reviews/adyen-review/#ratings_user_reviews