Stripe powers 446,031 ecommerce stores worldwide, showing a 10.1% drop from last year. Store owners often ask which platform – Stripe or Shopify – will give them better value in 2025. This question matters even more since online sales will make up almost a quarter of all retail sales by 2026, reaching a massive $8 trillion market.
Our team took a deep look at both platforms to help you pick the right one for your business. A Stripe store comes with several payment options like credit cards and digital wallets that can help reduce abandoned carts. On top of that, it helps streamline your payment process and saves money over time. Stripe’s presence in the U.S. includes 127,612 stores, with Big Cartel’s platform holding 45.7% and WooCommerce having 21.1% of the share.
This comparison breaks down the main differences between these platforms and shows which one offers better value for your business in 2025. You’ll get a clear view of everything from setup experience to features and long-term savings that lines up with your store’s goals.
Setup and Integration Experience
Your payment system setup impacts your store’s operations and sales readiness. Stripe and Shopify’s integration processes are substantially different in their complexity and flexibility.
Shopify Payments integrates automatically with all Shopify subscriptions. Merchants can start accepting payments right after signup. The account activation takes minutes, and checkout page customization needs no technical knowledge [1]. Stripe takes a different approach with its API-first system that needs more development work but offers better customization options [2]. Integration specialists note that Stripe’s payment setup can take anywhere from one week to three months based on business needs [1].
Shopify Payments gives merchants a straightforward solution. The system works instantly without extra setup [1]. The platform lets users manage orders, payments, payout schedules, and fraud filters from a single dashboard [1].
Stripe’s multiple integration options can benefit specific businesses:
Pre-built or custom payment forms
Payment pages via shared links
Point-of-sale systems for in-person transactions
Customized invoicing solutions
Integration with platforms like
reetail.store
Stripe actually powers Shopify Payments [3], yet Shopify discourages Stripe’s direct use. Shopify charges extra transaction fees (0.5-2% depending on your plan) for using third-party providers like Stripe in countries where Shopify Payments operates [4].
Both platforms transfer funds to your bank account within two business days after transactions [1]. Stripe offers more flexibility with adjustable payout schedules that can be daily, weekly, monthly, or manual [1].
Some merchants try connecting Shopify with Stripe through automation tools like Zapier [3]. These workarounds cost extra and often fail at scale. The native solution makes more sense unless you need Stripe’s advanced customization or work in regions without Shopify Payments.
Feature Comparison for Ecommerce Operations
The everyday operational features determine how well your online store performs after the original setup. Let’s get into what makes these platforms stand out when you run your business.
Both platforms support major payment methods like credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets that include Apple Pay and Google Pay. Stripe processes payments in over 135 currencies across more than 30 countries [1]. Shopify Payments handles over 130 currencies but you can use it in only 22 countries [1].
Stripe excels at customization with its developer-focused approach. Online store owners can create a storefront with Stripe by utilizing reetail.store or WooCommerce.
Shopify Payments gives you simple customization through the admin panel but depends more on the platform’s predefined checkout flow. The options are limited to simple esthetic elements like colors and fonts unless you have Shopify Plus [3].
Stripe uses machine learning through its Stripe Radar system to identify suspicious transactions [2]. Businesses can set custom fraud detection rules based on their specific needs [6]. Shopify has simple fraud prevention like fraud analysis, CVV checks, and an Address Verification System [2]. The system flags potentially risky orders with risk assessment scores [3].
Stripe’s universal compatibility with many eCommerce platforms makes it perfect for businesses that need flexibility [7]. You can adapt it to virtually any online platform thanks to its API-first approach [8].
Shopify’s integrated approach works well for unified operations. Your store’s payments, inventory, and checkout combine smoothly together. This can help reduce cart abandonment rates [7].
Try Reetail Free for 14 Days to test how different payment options affect your conversion rates in a real-life setting.
Both platforms give you great mobile solutions. You can access Shopify through its mobile-friendly app [7]. Stripe provides Android and iOS dashboard apps to monitor transactions on the go [9].
Cost Breakdown and Long-Term Savings
Your choice of payment processor can affect your bottom line in ways that go beyond simple transaction fees. Let’s look at how Stripe storefront and Shopify stack up against each other to get a full picture of both immediate and long-term costs.
The main difference between Stripe and Shopify lies in their simple pricing structures. Stripe doesn’t charge monthly fees and works purely on a per-transaction basis [10]. Shopify, on the other hand, requires monthly subscription fees between $29 and $299 (with annual billing), based on your plan tier [1].
Stripe keeps online transaction fees steady at 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction [10]. Shopify’s rates change with your subscription level:
Basic Plan: 2.9% + $0.30
Regular Shopify: 2.7% + $0.30
Advanced: 2.4% + $0.30 [1]
These transaction fees apply only with Shopify Payments. Using another payment processor with Shopify adds extra transaction fees of 0.5%-2% depending on your plan [1].
Card-present sales cost 2.7% + $0.05 per transaction with Stripe, while Shopify charges between 2.4% to 2.6% + $0.10 [10]. Both companies charge $15 for chargebacks and add 1% for international transactions [11].
Businesses with lower sales volumes often find Stripe more economical since it doesn’t require monthly payments. As your sales grow, Shopify’s higher tiers become more cost-effective even with subscription costs [3]. High-volume merchants might benefit from Stripe’s custom pricing, which offers lower processing rates but could include monthly fees [10].
Both platforms sell card readers starting at $59, so hardware costs stay similar [10].
Ready to find out which platform could save you money? Try Reetail Free for 14 Days to compare actual processing costs based on your business volume and transaction patterns.
Small businesses with modest sales will likely save more with Stripe’s subscription-free model. Growing businesses that process over $10,000 monthly might do better with Shopify’s reduced transaction rates on higher-tier plans.
Comparison Table
Feature | Stripe Storefront | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
Setup Time | 1 week to 3 months | Minutes |
Integration Approach | API-first, requires development | Pre-integrated, instant setup |
Supported Currencies | 135+ currencies | 130+ currencies |
Available Countries | 30+ countries | 22 countries |
Basic Transaction Fee | 2.9% + $0.30 | 2.9% + $0.30 (Basic Plan) |
In-Person Transaction Fee | 2.7% + $0.05 | 2.4% – 2.6% + $0.10 |
Monthly Subscription | None | $29 – $299 (annual billing) |
Customization Options | Full API customization | Simple customization through admin panel |
Fraud Protection | Stripe Radar with machine learning | Simple fraud analysis |
Payout Schedule | Flexible (daily, weekly, monthly, or manual) | Standard (typically 2 business days) |
Additional Fees | 1% cross-border fee | 0.5-2% for third-party payments |
Mobile Management | Android and iOS dashboard apps | Shopify mobile app |
Conclusion
Your choice between a Stripe Storefront and Shopify really comes down to what your business needs and how much you sell. Shopify makes it super easy to get started – you can begin selling in minutes. Stripe might take days or even weeks to set up. This quick start with Shopify means new businesses can start making money faster.
Let’s talk about costs. Small businesses with modest sales will probably save money with Stripe since it doesn’t charge monthly fees. This works great for startups and seasonal businesses that don’t have steady sales. If you’re processing less than $10,000 monthly, you’ll likely save money with Stripe even with its fixed transaction fees.
Bigger businesses should look at Shopify’s tiered plans. As your sales grow, Shopify’s premium plans offer lower transaction rates that make up for the monthly subscription costs. On top of that, Shopify gives you everything in one platform, so you won’t need to pay for extra tools that could drive up your costs.
Many online sellers need to reach customers worldwide. Stripe works in over 30 countries while Shopify covers 22. This makes Stripe a better fit if you want to sell internationally without payment hassles.
Your need for customization plays a big role too. Stripe works well if you have developers who can create special payment flows or checkout experiences. Shopify is your best bet if you want something simple and straightforward.
Based on what we’ve seen, Stripe is great if you:
Sell less than $10,000 monthly
Need lots of payment customization options
Have customers all over the world
- Utilize a Stripe plugin like reetail.store OR
Have tech people to help with setup
Shopify makes more sense if you:
Process more than $10,000 in monthly sales
Want everything in one place
Don’t have technical expertise
Need simple operations
Pick the platform that fits your business size, tech skills, and growth plans. The choice you make now will affect your profits through 2025 and beyond.
References
[1] – https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/stripe-vs-shopify
[2] – https://penji.co/stripe-vs-shopify/
[3] – https://gappgroup.com/blog/shopify-payments-vs-stripe/
[4] – https://zapier.com/blog/shopify-stripe-integration/
[5] – https://burstcommerce.com/guides/shopify-vs-stripe/
[6] – https://webdesksolution.com/blog/stripe-vs-shopify-payments/
[7] – https://magenest.com/en/shopify-vs-stripe/?srsltid=AfmBOopddLepOhoPqCkL1o6gVvKxLpZTE894oe06ZfL4I-7DaGJcrDqb
[8] – https://magenest.com/en/shopify-vs-stripe/?srsltid=AfmBOor4JPQhXqrL5VUOt9_Ty1hQXHSG_J7hLIW9ZiROc15CRzsut47d
[9] – https://ecommerce.folio3.com/blog/shopify-vs-stripe/
[10] – https://www.merchantmaverick.com/stripe-vs-shopify/
[11] – https://www.chargeflow.io/blog/stripe-vs-shopify-payments