SideGuy Clarity Layer

Stripe Fees Calculator — See What You're Really Paying

Stop guessing. Plug in your numbers and see exactly how much Stripe takes from each sale — and whether a different processor would save you money.

What people are really trying to figure out

Most people searching this are trying to avoid three things:

• overpaying
• choosing the wrong option
• getting sold something they do not actually need

That is where SideGuy helps. We translate the issue into a clear next move.

Quick answer

Here's the math: Stripe takes 2.9% + $0.30 per successful US card transaction. On a $50 sale, that's $1.75 (3.5% effective). On a $200 sale, that's $6.10 (3.05% effective). The breakeven point where Stripe's per-transaction model becomes more expensive than interchange-plus pricing is typically around $8,000–$12,000/month depending on your average ticket size.

You might need this if…

• You want to know your exact processing cost per sale, not just the headline rate
• You're comparing Stripe to other processors and need real numbers
• Your accountant asked about processing costs and you don't have a clear answer

You probably do not need this if…

• You already track processing costs and know you're paying under 3% effective
• You process under $2K/month — the total fee difference between processors is negligible
• You're already on interchange-plus pricing — you're past the Stripe flat-rate stage

Why people text SideGuy first

Most sites either drown you in jargon or push you toward a purchase. SideGuy is built for clarity before cost. You get a human-first read on the situation before making a bigger move.

Best next step

Text PJ your monthly volume and average ticket size. I'll run the numbers across Stripe, Square, and Helcim — and show you the exact dollar difference.

Common questions

How do I calculate my Stripe fees?

Formula: (transaction amount × 0.029) + $0.30 = fee per transaction. Multiply by your monthly transaction count. Example: 500 transactions at $40 average = $870/month in Stripe fees.

At what volume should I leave Stripe?

When you're processing $8,000–$12,000/month consistently, interchange-plus pricing from Helcim, Stax, or a merchant account typically saves $100–$300/month. Below $5K/month, the savings usually aren't worth the switching effort.

Does Stripe charge monthly fees?

Standard Stripe: no monthly fee. Stripe Premium (custom pricing): requires negotiation at $80K+/month. But compare carefully — some 'no monthly fee' competitors charge through higher per-transaction rates.

Clarity before cost

If you are stuck between options, send PJ the details. A quick outside read can save you money, time, and a bad decision.