Stripe vs PayPal
Side-by-side from the Top 11 ranking of Stripe vs Adyen vs PayPal: 11 Best Payment Gateways 2026. Last verified June 9, 2026.
The short answer
Stripe ranks higher on Top 11 (#1 vs #3) for Businesses accepting online payments. The top choice for its unmatched developer tools, feature velocity, and scalable infrastructure.
At a glance
| Stripe | PayPal | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #1 / Stripe vs Adyen vs PayPal: 11 Best Payment Gateways 2026 | #3 / Stripe vs Adyen vs PayPal: 11 Best Payment Gateways 2026 |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 9.3 | 8.8 |
| Best for | Developer-first online payments | Maximizing conversion with brand trust |
| Pricing | $$ (Pay-as-you-go) | $$ (Pay-as-you-go) |
| HQ | San Francisco, USA & Dublin, Ireland | San Jose, USA |
| Founded | 2010 | 1998 |
Stripe
The top choice for its unmatched developer tools, feature velocity, and scalable infrastructure.
stripe.comSee full entry in Stripe vs Adyen vs PayPal: 11 Best Payment Gateways 2026
PayPal
Unrivaled brand trust and a massive user base that boosts e-commerce conversion rates.
www.paypal.comSee full entry in Stripe vs Adyen vs PayPal: 11 Best Payment Gateways 2026
Methodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.