How to Use the Payment Fee Calculator

Compare processing fees across Stripe, PayPal, Square, Wise, and Shopify Payments. See exactly how much you keep after fees with our free calculator.

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What is the Payment Fee Calculator?

The Payment Fee Calculator is a free tool that helps freelancers, small business owners, and e-commerce sellers compare payment processing fees across the most popular payment processors. Instead of manually calculating fees for each provider, you can instantly see exactly how much you will receive after fees for any transaction amount.

Payment processing fees can vary significantly between providers and depend on factors like transaction type (online vs. in-person), location (domestic vs. international), and the amount being processed. Even small differences in fee rates can add up to hundreds or thousands of dollars over the course of a year.

With this calculator, you can make informed decisions about which payment processor offers the best value for your specific business needs.

Compare fees across Stripe, PayPal, Square, Wise, and Shopify Payments
See the exact fee amount and what you receive for any transaction size
Toggle between online and in-person transaction rates
Compare domestic and international processing fees
Visual bar chart for easy side-by-side comparison

Step-by-Step Guide

Enter your transaction amount

Type the dollar amount of your transaction into the amount field at the top of the calculator. You can enter any amount from a few dollars to thousands. This lets you see how fees scale with different transaction sizes, which is especially useful for understanding how flat fees impact smaller transactions more than larger ones.

Screenshot showing the transaction amount input field in the Payment Fee Calculator

Select payment processors to compare

Choose the transaction type (online or in-person) and location (domestic or international) using the toggle buttons. Each processor has different fee structures depending on these factors, so selecting the right combination ensures you see accurate rates for your situation.

Screenshot showing transaction type and location toggle buttons

Review fee breakdown for each processor

Click on any processor tab to see a detailed breakdown including the total processing fee, the net amount you will receive, and the effective fee rate as a percentage. This helps you understand exactly how much each transaction costs with your preferred payment provider.

Screenshot showing the fee breakdown with processing fee, net amount, and effective rate

Choose the best option for your business

Scroll down to the comparison table to see all processors side-by-side. The table highlights the processor with the lowest fees, and the visual bar chart makes it easy to see relative differences at a glance. Use this information to choose the payment processor that saves you the most money.

Screenshot showing the comparison table and bar chart with all processors

Tips & Best Practices

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Consider total cost, not just percentages. A lower percentage rate does not always mean lower total fees. Some processors have higher flat fees that make them more expensive for small transactions. Always compare the actual dollar amount of fees for your typical transaction sizes.

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Factor in international fees. If you work with international clients, make sure to toggle the location to "International" when comparing. The additional 1% or more can significantly impact your bottom line on cross-border payments.

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Watch for monthly minimums. Some processors charge monthly minimum fees or require minimum transaction volumes. These are not reflected in per-transaction calculations, so factor them into your overall cost analysis.

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Compare across multiple transaction sizes. Run the calculator with your smallest, average, and largest typical transaction amounts. A processor that is cheapest for $50 transactions may not be the best choice for $5,000 invoices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which payment processor has the lowest fees?

It depends on your transaction type and volume. For online domestic transactions, Wise often has the lowest percentage fee at 1.5% with no flat fee. However, Stripe, Square, and Shopify Payments are competitive at 2.9% + $0.30 for online payments. Use the calculator to compare based on your specific transaction amounts.

Do payment processing fees change based on volume?

Yes, many processors offer volume discounts for businesses processing large amounts. Stripe, PayPal, and others have custom enterprise pricing for high-volume merchants. The rates shown in our calculator reflect standard pricing available to most businesses.

Are international transaction fees higher?

Yes, most payment processors charge an additional 1% or more for international transactions. For example, Stripe charges 3.9% + $0.30 for international online payments compared to 2.9% + $0.30 for domestic. Always factor in international fees if you work with overseas clients.

Can I pass processing fees to my clients?

In many jurisdictions, you can add a surcharge to cover processing fees, but rules vary by state and country. Some states prohibit credit card surcharges. Check your local regulations and your processor's terms of service before passing fees to clients.

How are percentage fees calculated?

Processing fees are calculated as a percentage of the transaction amount plus a flat fee. For example, at Stripe's rate of 2.9% + $0.30, a $100 transaction would incur a fee of ($100 x 0.029) + $0.30 = $3.20. The effective fee rate decreases as transaction amounts increase because the flat fee becomes a smaller proportion.