Braintree vs Stripe: What Is the Preferred Option for E-commerce?

Braintree, part of the PayPal family since 2013, is celebrated for its comprehensive features and ability to handle a variety of payment methods. Stripe, established in 2010, has swiftly gained popularity among developers due to its smooth integration and cutting-edge technology.

This article offers a thorough comparison of Braintree and Stripe, examining aspects such as features, pricing, support, and integration capabilities, to assist you in making a well-informed choice that suits your business requirements.

As of november 2024, Stripe is installed on 425,000 ecommerce stores, whereas Braintree is installed on around 65,000 online shops, making Stripe the clear favorite among online shops.

Feature Overview of Stripe vs Braintree

This table shows a quick overview so you can quickly decide which platform you should go with.

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In-Depth Feature Analysis

Let's take a straightforward look at the features of Braintree and Stripe to help you determine which payment gateway best suits your ecommerce business needs.

Transaction Fees and Pricing Structure

Both Braintree and Stripe offer transparent pricing models with a standard fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for domestic credit and debit cards. Neither platform charges monthly or setup fees, making them accessible to businesses of all sizes. However, subtle differences in their pricing structures can impact your overall costs.

Braintree provides additional benefits such as no fees for accepting alternative payment methods like PayPal, Venmo (for U.S. merchants), and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. This can be advantageous if a significant portion of your customer base prefers these payment options. Additionally, Braintree may offer volume discounts for businesses with high transaction volumes, but these are negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

Stripe, while maintaining the same base transaction fee, charges an extra 1% fee for international cards and an additional 1% for currency conversion if applicable. Stripe also offers customized enterprise pricing for businesses with large payment volumes or unique business models. Some advanced features like Stripe Billing for recurring payments and Stripe Radar for enhanced fraud detection may incur additional fees.

Key Takeaway: Both platforms have competitive standard rates, but consider additional fees based on your business model, especially if processing international payments or requiring advanced features.

If Braintree is the POS for you, make sure that you know of all the alternatives, as there might be a Braintree alternative that is more optimal for you.

Payment Methods and Global Reach

Accepting a variety of payment methods enhances customer convenience and can boost sales, particularly in international markets.

Braintree supports all major credit and debit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. It excels in offering alternative payment options such as PayPal, Venmo (U.S. merchants only), Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. Braintree operates in over 45 countries and supports transactions in 130+ currencies, making it suitable for businesses with a global presence.

Stripe also offers extensive payment method support, including major credit and debit cards. It accommodates digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, and regional payment methods such as Alipay, WeChat Pay, Klarna, and Afterpay/Clearpay. Stripe operates in over 40 countries and supports 135+ currencies, providing robust international capabilities.

Key Takeaway: Both platforms offer comprehensive payment method support, but Stripe may have an edge in international and regional payment options, while Braintree leverages PayPal and Venmo integration for enhanced customer convenience.

Developer Friendliness and Integration

The ease of integrating a payment gateway affects development time, costs, and the ability to customize your payment experience.

Braintree provides developer-friendly APIs and SDKs in multiple programming languages, including Java, .NET, PHP, Python, Ruby, and Node.js. Their documentation is thorough, featuring clear examples and a sandbox environment for testing. Tools like Drop-in UI and Hosted Fields simplify the integration process by handling sensitive payment data securely while allowing for a customizable checkout experience.

Stripe is highly regarded for its developer-centric approach. It offers extensive APIs and SDKs across various programming languages. Stripe's documentation is exceptionally detailed, including code snippets, libraries, and a robust API reference. Tools like Stripe Elements and Stripe Checkout provide pre-built UI components that are customizable and optimized for different devices, ensuring a seamless user experience.

Key Takeaway: Both platforms are developer-friendly, but Stripe is often praised for its superior documentation and developer tools, which can accelerate integration and offer greater flexibility.

Recurring Billing and Subscription Management

Effective management of recurring payments is vital for subscription-based businesses.

Braintree offers Braintree Recurring Billing, enabling merchants to set up subscriptions with customizable billing cycles, pricing, and trial periods. Features include managing subscription plans, handling prorations, and offering add-ons or discounts. While powerful, implementing advanced features may require more development effort.

Stripe provides Stripe Billing, a comprehensive suite for managing recurring payments. It supports complex billing models like tiered pricing, usage-based billing, and metered billing. Stripe Billing includes features like smart retries for failed payments, automatic card updates, and detailed analytics on subscription metrics.

Key Takeaway: Stripe offers more advanced and flexible subscription management features, making it suitable for businesses with complex billing needs. Braintree is effective for standard subscription models.

Fraud Protection and Security

Protecting your business from fraudulent transactions minimizes chargebacks and financial losses.

Braintree includes basic fraud protection tools such as AVS (Address Verification System) and CVV checks at no extra cost. For enhanced security, Braintree offers integration with Kount, a leading fraud management solution, which requires an additional fee. Kount provides advanced features like device fingerprinting, proxy detection, and behavioral analytics.

Stripe incorporates Stripe Radar, a machine learning-based fraud detection system included in its standard offering. Radar analyzes transaction data across the Stripe network to identify and block fraudulent activity. It offers real-time risk scoring and allows merchants to set custom rules for fraud prevention.

Key Takeaway: Stripe provides robust fraud protection out of the box, leveraging machine learning for continuous improvement. Braintree's basic tools may suffice for some businesses, but advanced protection through Kount comes at an additional cost.

Customer Support

Reliable customer support is crucial when dealing with payment processing issues.

Braintree offers support via email, phone, and live chat during business hours. They provide a dedicated account manager for larger businesses, offering personalized assistance. Braintree's online resources include comprehensive documentation, FAQs, and a community forum.

Stripe provides 24/7 customer support through email and live chat. Phone support is available for users on certain plans or with higher transaction volumes. Stripe's online resources are extensive, featuring detailed documentation, guides, and a developer community.

Key Takeaway: Stripe's 24/7 support offers greater accessibility, especially for businesses operating outside standard business hours. Braintree provides quality support during business hours, with personalized service for larger clients.

Integration Ease with Ecommerce Platforms

Seamless integration with ecommerce platforms is essential for operational efficiency and a smooth customer experience.

Braintree integrates with major ecommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and BigCommerce. They offer plugins and extensions that simplify the integration process, along with APIs for custom solutions.

Stripe also integrates seamlessly with popular platforms, including Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and Squarespace. Stripe provides pre-built integrations and supports custom solutions through its extensive APIs.

Key Takeaway: Both platforms offer broad compatibility with ecommerce platforms. Your choice may depend on specific features or your development team's familiarity with each platform.

PCI Compliance and Security Standards

Compliance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) is mandatory for businesses handling card payments.

Braintree is a Level 1 PCI DSS compliant service provider. They help merchants reduce their compliance scope by using Hosted Fields, which tokenize sensitive payment information, ensuring it doesn't pass through your servers.

Stripe is also Level 1 PCI DSS compliant. By using Stripe Elements or Stripe Checkout, sensitive card data is sent directly to Stripe, minimizing your PCI compliance burden. Stripe provides pre-filled PCI SAQ A forms to simplify the compliance process.

Key Takeaway: Both platforms prioritize security and assist merchants in minimizing PCI compliance efforts. Stripe's tools may offer a slightly more streamlined approach to achieving compliance.

Pricing Models

When it comes to pricing, both Braintree and Stripe offer competitive transaction fees with no monthly charges, but there are some differences in additional costs that could influence your decision based on your business's specific needs.

Braintree Pricing

• Transaction Fees: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
• Monthly Fees: None.
• Additional Costs: No extra fees for alternative payment methods; advanced fraud protection (via Kount) requires additional fees.

Stripe Pricing

• Transaction Fees: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
• Monthly Fees: None.
• Additional Costs: Additional 1% fee for international cards and currency conversion; fees for advanced features like Stripe Billing.

Must-Have Features Comparison

Here are some of the must-have features that POS systems should have in 2024, this checklist determines whether or not Braintree and Stripe support these features and on which level.

Additional Considerations

Brand Recognition: Braintree, as a PayPal service, benefits from PayPal's strong brand recognition.

Innovation: Stripe is known for rapid innovation, frequently releasing new features and services.

Pick the Right POS for Your Company

Choosing between Braintree and Stripe depends on your ecommerce business's specific needs.

Choose Braintree if:

• Integrating PayPal and Venmo is important for your customer base.
• You prefer no additional fees for alternative payment methods.

Choose Stripe if:

• Advanced subscription management features are essential.
• You require a highly developer-centric platform with exceptional tools.

If Stripe is the one for you, make sure to check these other Stripe alternatives.

By evaluating these factors, you can select the payment gateway that best aligns with your operational needs and growth objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about Braintree vs Stripe:

How easy is it to integrate Braintree and Stripe with my ecommerce platform?

Both Braintree and Stripe offer seamless integration with major ecommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento, providing plugins and comprehensive documentation to simplify the process.

Do Braintree and Stripe support mobile payments?

Yes, both gateways support mobile payments with SDKs for iOS and Android, allowing you to accept payments within mobile apps.

Which gateway offers better fraud protection?

Stripe includes advanced fraud protection with Stripe Radar as part of its standard offering. Braintree provides basic fraud tools and offers advanced protection via Kount for an additional fee.

Can I accept international payments with Braintree and Stripe?

Yes, both platforms support international payments. Braintree operates in over 45 countries with support for 130+ currencies, while Stripe is available in over 40 countries and supports 135+ currencies.

What customer support options are available for each gateway?

Braintree offers email, phone, and chat support during business hours. Stripe provides 24/7 email and chat support, with phone support for premium users.