Adyen and Stripe are both well-known payment processing companies. Their biggest differences are their payment processing fee structures and level of transparency.
Adyen’s omnichannel support and fee structure can be good for larger businesses. That's especially true if they have multiple sales channels (or even multiple locations). But its lack of transparency when it comes to additional costs dragged its score down.
Stripe is a better online processing solution for most small businesses. That's thanks to its competitive rates and transparency.
Adyen is better for:
✔️ Large and midsize businesses.
Stripe is better for:
✔️ Most online transactions.
✔️ Customization.
✔️ Transparency.
Adyen pros and cons at a glance
Pros
No monthly subscription fees.
Syncs online, in-person and in-app sales data in one place.
More hardware options than Stripe.
Cons
Must reach out for hardware pricing.
May require a monthly minimum invoice amount.
Stripe pros and cons at a glance
Pros
No monthly subscription fees.
Quicker sign-up process than Adyen typically.
Advanced API tools give developers lots of customization options.
Cons
Full in-person POS terminal setup requires coding.
Adyen vs. Stripe: Head-to-head comparison
| Adyen | Stripe | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly POS software costs | $0 | $0 |
| Payment processing fees |
|
|
| Hardware costs | Adyen sells a variety of card readers, but you have to reach out for pricing details. |
|
| Customer support | Support tickets. No public phone number listed. | 24/7 live chat. Phone and email support only available as add-ons. |
Starting Small: A newsletter to get your business off the ground
Subscribe for grant opportunities, product recommendations and no-nonsense advice from the Nerds.
Where Adyen stands out
Unified commerce approach
Adyen can help your business create consistent shopping experiences both online and offline. For example, customers could buy an item from your online store and return it to your brick-and-mortar location. This makes Adyen ideal for midsize and large businesses that sell across multiple sales channels or locations.
Stripe focuses more specifically on facilitating online payments. You can use one of its mobile card readers to accept in-person payments. But integrating Stripe into a full POS system setup requires coding.
Variety of hardware options
Adyen has more than 10 different card readers and handheld terminals. Its SF01 countertop terminal even lets you add your branding to the touchscreen. You can also use it to advertise promotions. This is a big value-add for brick-and-mortar businesses trying to boost brand recognition.
Stripe offers a handful of card reader options. But since it focuses mostly on online transactions, its selection is more limited.
Interchange pricing
Adyen's interchange-plus-plus pricing structure can be more cost effective for high-volume businesses. That's because it breaks the payment processing fee down to the interchange fee, plus the acquirer’s fee and the card scheme (or card brand) fee. Stripe, on the other hand, charges a flat fee across different card brands.
For instance, debit card processing fees are typically lower than those for credit cards. But a flat-rate processor like Stripe might charge you the same for both. These extra costs can add up.
Where Stripe stands out
Quick signup process
Stripe’s account approval process can be almost immediate if you provide all the required information. This is great news for small startups that need to begin accepting payments quickly.
Adyen’s application process usually takes somewhere around four business days. That’s not necessarily the end of the world. But it could be a dealbreaker for businesses trying to generate revenue immediately.
Customization options
Stripe's open API gives you full control over your business's online checkout process. This is especially useful for business owners with coding experience. If you don't have that, Stripe also has prebuilt checkout modules that are easy to work with.
Straightforward pricing
Stripe is more straightforward on almost every level when it comes to pricing. For example, it clearly lists its chargeback fees and hardware costs. Adyen doesn't do this.
That means you'll have to reach out to the company to get a more realistic idea of how much you'll owe. This approach can be OK for larger businesses that need a tailored product anyway. But for small businesses, it can be a pain.
Is Adyen or Stripe right for your business?
The easiest way to decide between Stripe and Adyen is to consider two main factors:
- Your business’s size.
- Your business’s sales channels.
Adyen’s interchange plus-plus pricing is cost effective for higher-volume businesses. And its omnichannel support is ideal for those that sell online and offline. Stripe’s transparent fees and online checkout options are better for most small online businesses.
