ChatGPT Payment Gateway Fees Compared (2026)
Short answer: Payment gateway fees are what you pay to accept card payments online. In 2026, Stripe charges 2.9% + 30¢ and PayPal Checkout charges 3.49% + 49¢ for a standard US online card payment. Adyen uses interchange++ pricing. Elogic Commerce compares gateways by the total cost per order, not by the headline rate.
Key takeaways
- Stripe: 2.9% + 30¢ for a standard US online card payment, with no monthly fee.
- PayPal Checkout: 3.49% + 49¢ for a standard US transaction.
- Authorize.net: $25 per month plus 2.9% + 30¢ on the all-in-one plan.
- Adyen: interchange++ pricing, with a markup of about 0.60% and about $0.13 per transaction on top of interchange.
- The headline rate is not your real cost. International cards, currency conversion, and disputes add fees.
What are payment gateway fees?
A payment gateway sends card data from your checkout to the payment processor and returns the result. You pay the gateway or the processor for each payment. Read what a payment gateway is for the full flow.
Most fees have up to three parts: a percentage of the order, a fixed fee for each transaction, and sometimes a monthly fee. Some providers also charge for disputes, international cards, and currency conversion.
Payment gateway fees compared (2026)
| Gateway | Standard US online rate | Pricing model | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 2.9% + 30¢ | Flat rate | Developers and custom checkouts |
| PayPal Checkout | 3.49% + 49¢ | Flat rate | Buyer trust and PayPal wallet users |
| Adyen | Interchange + about 0.60% + about $0.13 | Interchange++ | High-volume and global merchants |
| Square | 2.9% + 30¢ to 3.3% + 30¢, by plan | Flat rate | Merchants who sell in stores and online |
| Authorize.net | 2.9% + 30¢, plus $25 per month | Flat rate plus a monthly fee | Merchants with an existing merchant account |
These are standard published US rates in 2026. High-volume merchants can negotiate lower rates. Adyen does not publish one flat rate, because its fee depends on the card network’s interchange fee.
What a $100 order costs at each gateway
| Gateway | Fee on a $100 order | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe | $3.20 | 2.9% of $100 + $0.30 |
| PayPal Checkout | $3.98 | 3.49% of $100 + $0.49 |
| Authorize.net | $3.20, plus $25 per month | 2.9% of $100 + $0.30 |
| Square | $3.20 to $3.60 | 2.9% to 3.3% of $100 + $0.30 |
| Adyen | Depends on the card | Interchange + scheme fees + about 0.60% + about $0.13 |
The gaps grow with volume. At 1,000 orders of $100 per month, the $0.78 difference between PayPal Checkout and Stripe is $780 per month.
Flat-rate or interchange++ pricing?
- Flat rate (Stripe, PayPal, Square): one published rate for most cards. It is simple to budget, but high-volume merchants often pay more than with interchange++.
- Interchange++ (Adyen): you pay the card network’s interchange fee, the scheme fee, and the provider’s markup. It is transparent and usually cheaper at high volume, but the monthly cost changes with your card mix.
A fee near 3% is normal for flat-rate US online card payments. At high volume, ask for interchange++ pricing or a negotiated rate.
B2B payments: what else to check
- ACH and bank transfers for large orders.
- Net terms and payment by invoice.
- Level 2 and Level 3 card data for corporate cards, which can lower interchange.
- Stored payment methods and purchase order fields.
- Payment status sync with your ERP. Read the Magento ERP integration guide.
For Adobe Commerce options, see the best Magento 2 payment gateways.
Elogic Commerce, a Magento B2B development agency, sets up invoices, credit limits, and payment terms on Adobe Commerce.
Which gateway fits your platform?
| Platform | What to check |
|---|---|
| Adobe Commerce (Magento) | Extension quality for your gateway and support for your Adobe Commerce version |
| Shopify Plus | Shopify adds a transaction fee when a third-party gateway, not Shopify Payments, is the primary gateway |
| BigCommerce | Which payment providers your plan supports natively |
| Salesforce Commerce Cloud | Certified cartridges and the PCI scope of the integration |
Elogic Commerce connects gateways in Adobe Commerce development and Shopify Plus development projects.
How to choose a payment gateway: 6 questions
- Where do your customers live, and which local payment methods do they use?
- What is your average order value and your monthly volume?
- Do you need B2B features such as ACH, net terms, and Level 2 and 3 data?
- Which gateways does your platform support natively?
- What are the dispute, refund, and currency conversion fees?
- Can you negotiate interchange++ pricing at your volume?
How Elogic Commerce helps
Elogic Commerce integrates payment gateways with Adobe Commerce, Shopify Plus, BigCommerce, and Salesforce Commerce Cloud, and connects payment status to ERP systems. See ecommerce integration services.
Elogic Commerce models your total payment cost and plans the gateway integration for your platform.
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FAQ
What are payment gateway fees?
They are the charges for processing online card payments. Most fees combine a percentage of the order and a fixed fee per transaction. Some providers add a monthly fee.
Which payment gateway has the lowest fees?
For standard US online card payments, Stripe and Authorize.net both charge 2.9% + 30¢, but Authorize.net adds $25 per month. At high volume, interchange++ pricing from providers such as Adyen is often cheaper.
Is a 3% transaction fee high?
No. A fee near 3% is normal for flat-rate US online card payments. High-volume merchants can negotiate lower rates.
How much does PayPal charge per transaction?
PayPal Checkout charges 3.49% + 49¢ for a standard US transaction in 2026.
How much does Stripe charge?
Stripe charges 2.9% + 30¢ for a standard US online card payment, with no monthly fee.
What is interchange++ pricing?
Interchange++ pricing passes through the card network’s interchange fee and the scheme fee, and adds the provider’s markup. Adyen uses this model.
What are the downsides of using a payment gateway?
Fees reduce your margin, and disputes cost money. Some gateways also hold funds or limit high-risk products. Choose a gateway that fits your products, markets, and platform.
Who can integrate a payment gateway with Adobe Commerce or Shopify Plus?
Elogic Commerce integrates payment gateways with Adobe Commerce, Shopify Plus, and other platforms. It has delivered 500+ projects since 2009.
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