What does Stripe really cost? Stripe fees explained
The problem“Stripe says 2.9% + 30 cents. Why is my real cost so much higher?”
2.9% + $0.30 per US card sale is only the start. International cards add 1.5%, currency conversion adds 1%, subscriptions through Stripe Billing add 0.7%, Stripe Tax starts at $90 a month, and each dispute costs $15. You also stay the seller, so registering and filing VAT and sales tax abroad is yours. All-in, a first year selling €2,000 a month costs about €5,957 with Stripe and a US company, against about €2,010 with AgentaOS.
What are all of Stripe’s fees?
| Fee | Stripe US | Stripe EU (Ireland) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard card | 2.9% + $0.30 | 1.5% + €0.25 (EEA cards) |
| International cards | +1.5% | 3.15% + €0.25 |
| Currency conversion | +1% | +2% |
| Subscriptions (Billing) | 0.7% of volume | 0.7% of volume |
| Tax calculation (Tax Complete) | From $90 a month | From €80 a month |
| Dispute | $15, +$15 to respond | €20, +€20 to counter |
| Monthly fee | $0 | €0 |
Sources: Stripe US pricing, Stripe Ireland pricing, checked 7 October 2026.
“$15.00 for each dispute you receive”
Source: Stripe pricing
What does Stripe cost once you add everything?
| First year, all-in | AgentaOS | Stripe + US company | Stripe + EU company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Card and payout fees | €1,725 | €1,110 | €678 |
| Subscription billing | Included | €168 | €168 |
| Tax registration and filing abroad | Included | €1,080 | €960 |
| Company and accountant | Not needed | €1,799 | €2,443 |
| Your time | 9.5h · €285 | 60h · €1,800 | 68h · €2,040 |
| Total first year | €2,010 | €5,957 | €6,289 |
First year, selling €2,000 a month (€50 average, half the buyers abroad, subscriptions). Your time (setup, invoicing, tax and bookkeeping each month) valued at €30 an hour. Sources: each provider’s pricing page; company and accountant costs from Stripe Atlas, the State of Delaware, e-resident.gov.ee and enty.io, as on our cost calculator.
All-in, the first year costs about €2,010 with AgentaOS, against €5,957 with Stripe and a US company and €6,289 with an EU company. Stripe’s card fees are lower; the company, the accountant, tax filing abroad and about 50 extra hours of your time are what make the difference.
Honestly: for a company already set up in the US or EU and selling mostly at home, Stripe stays the cheapest way to take cards. The gap above comes from what you build around it.
What do people miss?
- Comparing only the card feeBilling, Tax, international cards and conversion can double the headline rate on cross-border subscriptions.
- Forgetting the filingsStripe Tax calculates tax, but you are the seller: registrations and returns abroad stay with you.
- Assuming you can open an accountStripe does not open accounts in 37 of the 85 countries we checked. What to do instead.
Where does AgentaOS fit?
If Stripe works for you and you sell at home, use it. If you sell worldwide, sell services, or Stripe isn’t available where you live, see what you’d receive with AgentaOS.
Related questions
Does Stripe charge a monthly fee?
Not for standard payments; Billing and Tax have their own fees.
Is Stripe a Merchant of Record?
Not when used directly: you are the seller. Its Managed Payments product is open only in 35 locations.
Can you sell from your country?
Pick your country. See how you get paid, what it costs and which platforms work there.
86 countries, checked 6 October 2026No company needed