Stripe vs PayPal vs Razorpay for Booking Payments

When you set up paid bookings, one of the first decisions you'll make is which payment gateway to use. The options most booking platforms support are Stripe, PayPal, and Razorpay — and while all three process payments, they're meaningfully different in fees, supported countries, payout speed, and who they're actually built for.

This guide breaks each one down so you can pick the right one for your situation — or know why you might want access to more than one.

What Is a Payment Gateway?

A payment gateway is the service that processes payments between your client's bank or card and your account. When a client books a session and enters their card details, the gateway handles the transaction, fraud checks, and deposit into your account.

Booking platforms don't handle the money directly — they connect to a gateway you choose. The gateway charges a transaction fee on each payment. The booking platform may charge its own subscription or, in some cases, a commission on top.

The gateway you choose affects:

• How much you pay per transaction
• Which countries your clients can pay from
• How quickly the money reaches your bank
• What payment methods your clients can use

Stripe

Who It's Built For

Stripe is the default choice for most online businesses globally. It's used by independent professionals, SaaS companies, marketplaces, and enterprises alike. If you're based in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, Canada, or any of the 46+ countries Stripe supports, it's likely the most capable option available to you.

Transaction Fees

• Standard: 2.9% + $0.30 per successful card transaction (US)
• International cards: Additional 1.5% surcharge
• Currency conversion: Additional 1% if conversion is required
• Fees vary slightly by country — UK, EU, and Australian rates differ from US rates

Countries Supported

46+ countries across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. [Full list on Stripe's website.]

Stripe is not available in India for domestic transactions — Indian professionals need to use Stripe through a workaround or use Razorpay instead.

Payout Speed

• Standard: 2 business days to your bank account (US); 7 days for new accounts
• Instant payouts available for an additional 1% fee (minimum $0.50)

Payment Methods Accepted

Cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover), Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank debits, and a range of local payment methods depending on region.

Ease of Setup

Stripe has a reputation for being developer-friendly, but its no-code dashboard and hosted payment pages make it accessible without technical knowledge. Most booking platforms handle the integration — you connect your Stripe account with a few clicks.

Best For

Professionals based in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, or Canada who work with international clients and want reliable payouts, strong fraud protection, and broad payment method support.

PayPal

Who It's Built For

PayPal is the most widely recognized payment brand in the world. Many clients — especially older demographics or those uncomfortable entering card details on unfamiliar sites — feel safer paying via PayPal because they already have an account. Its strength is reach: 200+ countries, hundreds of millions of active accounts.

Transaction Fees

• Goods & Services (standard): 3.49% + fixed fee (varies by currency)
• Standard card payments: 2.99% + fixed fee
• International transactions: Additional 1.5% cross-border fee
• Currency conversion: 3–4% spread

PayPal's fees are generally higher than Stripe's, especially for international transactions with currency conversion.

Countries Supported

200+ countries — broader than any other gateway on this list. If you work with clients in countries where Stripe isn't available, PayPal often is.

Payout Speed

• To PayPal balance: instant
• To linked bank account: 1–3 business days (standard), instant for a fee
• To debit card: instant for a fee (US)

Payment Methods Accepted

PayPal balance, cards (through PayPal), Pay Later / Buy Now Pay Later options in supported markets. Clients without a PayPal account can still pay by card as a guest, though the experience pushes them toward creating an account.

Ease of Setup

Very easy. Most booking platforms have a "Connect PayPal" button. Clients recognize the PayPal checkout and trust it, which can reduce friction at the payment step.

Best For

Professionals whose clients are familiar with and prefer PayPal, those working with clients in countries where Stripe isn't available, or anyone who wants a backup gateway alongside Stripe.

Watch Out For

PayPal's dispute resolution process historically favors buyers, and holds on funds are more common than with Stripe — especially for newer accounts. If a client files a dispute, PayPal can hold the payment for weeks while it's reviewed.

Razorpay

Who It's Built For

Razorpay is the dominant payment gateway for India and is the go-to choice for professionals based in India or serving Indian clients. It supports the full range of Indian payment methods — UPI, net banking, credit and debit cards, EMI, digital wallets like Paytm — making it the most practical option for the Indian market by a wide margin.

If you're a tutor, consultant, coach, photographer, or therapist in India, Razorpay is almost certainly the right primary gateway. The others either don't support Indian domestic transactions well or require complex workarounds.

Transaction Fees

• Domestic cards, net banking, wallets: 2% per transaction
• UPI: 0% (currently; subject to change by NPCI policy)
• International cards: 3% + GST
• EMI transactions: 1–2% + applicable fees

Razorpay's fees are competitive for Indian transactions, and UPI — which is how a large portion of Indian professionals and clients pay — currently carries no transaction fee.

Countries Supported

Primarily India. Razorpay supports some international card payments, but it's not a global gateway. If you have clients outside India, you'll likely need Stripe or PayPal as a secondary option.

Payout Speed

• Standard settlement: T+3 days (3 business days after transaction)
• Instant payouts available to supported bank accounts

Payment Methods Accepted

UPI (GPay, PhonePe, BHIM, Paytm), credit and debit cards, net banking (all major Indian banks), digital wallets, EMI. This breadth of local payment methods is Razorpay's clearest advantage over international gateways for Indian users.

Ease of Setup

Easy for Indian businesses — Razorpay's onboarding is designed for the Indian market, KYC is straightforward, and the dashboard is in INR. Most booking platforms with Razorpay support offer the same connect-with-a-few-clicks setup.

Best For

Professionals based in India or serving Indian clients. Razorpay handles the full range of how Indian clients prefer to pay — particularly UPI, which Stripe and PayPal don't support natively.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Which Gateway Should You Use?

You're based in the US, UK, Europe, or Australia: Use Stripe as your primary gateway. Add PayPal if your clients ask for it or if you work with clients in countries Stripe doesn't cover.

You're based in India: Use Razorpay. It supports UPI and all major Indian payment methods, fees are competitive, and onboarding is built for Indian businesses. If you also serve international clients, add Stripe or PayPal alongside it.

You work with clients internationally and want maximum reach: Use both Stripe and PayPal. Stripe for card-first markets; PayPal for clients who prefer it or are in countries where Stripe isn't available.

You want UPI: Razorpay is the only option on this list that supports it.

Do You Need More Than One?

For most professionals, one gateway is enough. Add a second if you regularly have clients who can't or won't use your primary gateway. More than two is rarely necessary for an individual service provider.

A Note on Booking Platform Fees

The gateway fee isn't the only cost to consider. Some booking platforms add their own commission on top — a percentage taken from each booking before it reaches your account. That can turn a 2–3% gateway fee into a 5–8% total cut per transaction.

If you're running a high volume of paid bookings, those percentages compound quickly. We covered this in depth in our guide to booking software that doesn't take commission — it's worth reading before choosing a platform.

Onbookr supports all three gateways — Stripe, PayPal, and Razorpay — and charges zero commission on bookings. You choose the gateway that suits your market, and you keep everything your clients pay minus the gateway's own transaction fee. See how it works →

The Bottom Line

• Stripe is the best all-round gateway for professionals in supported Western markets.
• PayPal adds reach and client familiarity, especially for international work.
• Razorpay is the right choice — and often the only practical choice — for professionals in India and South Asia.

The gateway you pick doesn't have to be permanent. Most booking platforms let you switch or add gateways without disrupting existing bookings. Start with the one that matches where you and your clients are, and expand from there if needed.

For a broader look at how booking software costs stack up, read our best Calendly alternatives roundup.