Pick / avoid summary (fast)
Skim these triggers to pick a default, then validate with the quick checks and constraints below.
- ✓ You want native PayPal and Venmo integration
- ✓ You have existing American Express merchant account (pass-through saves fees)
- ✓ You are a verified 501(c)(3) charity (2.19% rate)
- ✓ You need best-in-class developer experience and APIs
- ✓ You require subscription billing automation (Stripe Billing)
- ✓ You are building a marketplace or platform (Stripe Connect)
- × International cards add 1% surcharge (same pain as Stripe)
- × Non-USD currency adds another 1% on top
- × International cards add 1.5% surcharge making global scaling expensive
- × Currency conversion adds another 1% on top of base rates
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CheckBase rates are nearly identical (2.89% vs 2.9%)—total costs diverge with international cards, currency conversion, and add-on features
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The trade-offPayPal ecosystem integration vs developer experience and feature breadth—not pricing
At-a-glance comparison
Braintree
Braintree is PayPal's end-to-end payment platform designed for growth, offering card processing, PayPal/Venmo integration, ACH payments, and fraud tools. Uniquely positioned to leverage PayPal's ecosystem while offering standalone payment processing.
- ✓ Slightly lower standard rate (2.89% + 29¢) compared to Stripe (2.9% + 30¢)
- ✓ Native PayPal and Venmo integration without separate contracts
- ✓ Discounted charity pricing (2.19% + 29¢) for verified 501(c)(3) organizations
Stripe
Stripe is a developer-first payments platform offering comprehensive payment processing, billing automation, fraud prevention, and financial tools. Known for best-in-class developer experience with extensive APIs and documentation.
- ✓ Industry-leading developer experience with extensive APIs and SDKs
- ✓ Transparent, pay-as-you-go pricing with no setup or monthly fees
- ✓ Comprehensive fraud prevention with machine learning (Radar)
What breaks first (decision checks)
These checks reflect the common constraints that decide between Braintree and Stripe in this category.
If you only read one section, read this — these are the checks that force redesigns or budget surprises.
- Real trade-off: PayPal/Venmo native integration vs best-in-class developer experience and feature breadth
- Developer Experience vs Simplicity: Assess internal technical capabilities and API integration requirements
- Transparent Pricing vs Cost Variability: Analyze transaction mix (card types, international %, currency conversions)
Implementation gotchas
These are the practical downsides teams tend to discover during setup, rollout, or scaling.
Where Braintree surprises teams
- International cards add 1% surcharge (same pain as Stripe)
- Non-USD currency adds another 1% on top
- Chargebacks cost $15 each with no refund on transaction fees
Where Stripe surprises teams
- International cards add 1.5% surcharge making global scaling expensive
- Currency conversion adds another 1% on top of base rates
- Manually keyed transactions penalized with extra 0.5%
Where each product pulls ahead
These are the distinctive advantages that matter most in this comparison.
Braintree advantages
- ✓ Native PayPal and Venmo without separate contracts
- ✓ Charity pricing (2.19%) for verified 501(c)(3) organizations
- ✓ ACH capped at $5 (better for large transactions)
Stripe advantages
- ✓ Industry-leading developer experience and documentation
- ✓ Rich ecosystem (Billing, Connect, Terminal, Issuing)
- ✓ Comprehensive machine learning fraud prevention (Radar)
Pros and cons
Braintree
Pros
- + You want native PayPal and Venmo integration
- + You have existing American Express merchant account (pass-through saves fees)
- + You are a verified 501(c)(3) charity (2.19% rate)
- + You process large ACH transactions (benefits from cap)
- + You prefer PayPal brand recognition and ecosystem
Cons
- − International cards add 1% surcharge (same pain as Stripe)
- − Non-USD currency adds another 1% on top
- − Chargebacks cost $15 each with no refund on transaction fees
- − ACH returns and disputes add $5 per occurrence
- − Chargeback Protection Tools add 0.4%-0.6% per transaction
- − Venmo limited to US market only
- − Charity pricing requires verification and pre-approval
- − Custom pricing only for 'established businesses' - startups pay full rate
Stripe
Pros
- + You need best-in-class developer experience and APIs
- + You require subscription billing automation (Stripe Billing)
- + You are building a marketplace or platform (Stripe Connect)
- + You want comprehensive fraud prevention (Radar)
- + You value extensive documentation and developer community
Cons
- − International cards add 1.5% surcharge making global scaling expensive
- − Currency conversion adds another 1% on top of base rates
- − Manually keyed transactions penalized with extra 0.5%
- − Buy Now Pay Later options jump dramatically to 5.99% + 30¢
- − Add-on products (Radar for Fraud Teams, custom domains) increase costs
- − Chargeback and dispute fees ($15-$29) can accumulate for high-risk businesses
- − Enterprise pricing (IC+) requires significant volume commitment
Keep exploring this category
If you’re close to a decision, the fastest next step is to read 1–2 more head-to-head briefs, then confirm pricing limits in the product detail pages.
FAQ
How do you choose between Braintree and Stripe?
Both are excellent choices for similar use cases. Braintree edges ahead for PayPal ecosystem integration and charity pricing. Stripe wins on developer experience, feature depth, and ecosystem breadth. Most businesses choose based on technical team preferences and specific feature needs rather than pricing alone.
When should you pick Braintree?
Pick Braintree when: You want native PayPal and Venmo integration; You have existing American Express merchant account (pass-through saves fees); You are a verified 501(c)(3) charity (2.19% rate); You process large ACH transactions (benefits from cap).
When should you pick Stripe?
Pick Stripe when: You need best-in-class developer experience and APIs; You require subscription billing automation (Stripe Billing); You are building a marketplace or platform (Stripe Connect); You want comprehensive fraud prevention (Radar).
What’s the real trade-off between Braintree and Stripe?
PayPal/Venmo native integration vs best-in-class developer experience and feature breadth
What’s the most common mistake buyers make in this comparison?
Choosing based on 1¢ rate difference while ignoring PayPal ecosystem value or Stripe feature depth
What’s the fastest elimination rule?
Pick Braintree if: You need native PayPal/Venmo integration, run a 501(c)(3) charity, or have existing AmEx merchant account
What breaks first with Braintree?
International expansion hits dual 1% + 1% surcharge wall. Chargeback costs spiral for subscription or high-risk verticals. PayPal fee structure confusion from split governance.
What are the hidden constraints of Braintree?
PayPal transaction fees governed by SEPARATE PayPal merchant agreement. AmEx pass-through requires your own American Express merchant account. Transaction fees NOT refunded for refunded transactions.
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Sources & verification
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