Stripe vs Square
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 #4) for Businesses accepting online payments. The top choice for its unmatched developer tools, feature velocity, and scalable infrastructure.
At a glance
| Stripe | Square | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #1 / Stripe vs Adyen vs PayPal: 11 Best Payment Gateways 2026 | #4 / Stripe vs Adyen vs PayPal: 11 Best Payment Gateways 2026 |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 9.3 | 8.6 |
| Best for | Developer-first online payments | Integrated online and offline payments |
| Pricing | $$ (Pay-as-you-go) | $$ (Pay-as-you-go) |
| HQ | San Francisco, USA & Dublin, Ireland | San Francisco, USA |
| Founded | 2010 | 2009 |
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
Square
The top choice for businesses needing a single, simple solution for both online and in-person sales.
squareup.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.