PayPal / Stripe
Category: payment
Online payment processors enabling cross-border card and wallet payments for e-commerce sellers.
PayPal and Stripe are the two most widely used online payment platforms for cross-border e-commerce. PayPal offers buyer/seller protection, supports 200+ markets, and is commonly used on marketplaces like eBay and Etsy. Stripe provides developer-friendly payment APIs for custom stores (Shopify, WooCommerce), supporting 135+ currencies. Both charge transaction fees (typically 2.9%-4.4% + fixed fee for international transactions).
Examples
- • A seller on eBay receives payments through PayPal, which charges 3.49% + $0.49 per international transaction plus currency conversion fees.
- • Stripe on a Shopify store charges 2.9% + $0.30 per domestic transaction, with additional 1% for international cards and 1% for currency conversion.
- • Both PayPal and Stripe hold seller funds temporarily for new accounts or high-risk transactions, which can affect cash flow.