Fees, WordPress integration, and where each one wins — side by side for Stripe and PayPal.
Across 10 criteria, Stripe 3 PayPal 1
Pay-as-you-go processor · Universal consumer wallet
Pay-as-you-go processor
Stripe is the de facto standard for developer-friendly payments. Its API-first approach and extensive feature set make it the top choice for startups and scaling businesses. However, merchants handle their own tax compliance and chargeback disputes — significant overhead for digital product sellers.
Best for
Engineering teams who want maximum flexibility.
Universal consumer wallet
PayPal remains a fixture of consumer e-commerce due to its brand recognition and existing user base. For merchants selling digital products globally, the 4% currency conversion fee and lack of merchant-of-record services make it a costly choice compared to alternatives like Paddle.
Best for
Stores with consumer buyers who already use PayPal.
Highlighted cells mark the side that's more favorable for a merchant on each row.
Stripe 
PayPal There's no universal answer — the right call depends on your model, technical capacity, and growth plan. Here's a quick decision framework.
Choose if…
Choose if…
Side-by-side breakdowns of Stripe, PayPal, and the alternatives WordPress merchants weigh.
WP Smart Pay is part of Convers Labs. Your order and payment are handled on our own billing platform — not a third-party reseller.
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