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E-Commerce · head to head

3dcart vs Stripe

3dcart logo

3dcart

E-Commerce

All-in-one ecommerce platform for online retailers

From
$19/month
Rated
-
Stripe logo

Stripe

E-Commerce

Financial infrastructure for the internet

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Stripe has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 3dcart limited scalability compared to enterprise e-commerce platforms; Stripe requires developer setup and API integration for most use cases
  • They diverge on capability: 3dcart covers Store builder, Stripe covers Subscription billing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3dcart and Stripe actually diverge.

Attributes where 3dcart and Stripe differ
Attribute3dcartStripe
Starting price$19/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android
Founded19972010

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated), category (E-Commerce).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 3dcart

  • Store builder
  • Unlimited products
  • Shopping cart
  • Inventory management
  • Email marketing
  • SEO optimization
  • Mobile responsive

Only in Stripe

  • Subscription billing
  • Invoicing
  • Terminal (in-person payments)
  • Fraud prevention
  • 3D Secure
  • Global payouts
  • Financial reporting
  • Shopify

Both cover

  • Payment processing

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

3dcart

  • Building multi-channel stores across Facebook, eBay, Amazon in parallelnot Stripe
  • Recovering abandoned shopping carts with automated email sequencesnot Stripe
  • Calculating real-time shipping costs and integrating carrier APIsnot Stripe
  • Protecting payment processing with VISA PCI certificationnot Stripe

Stripe

  • Online paymentsnot 3dcart
  • Subscription managementnot 3dcart
  • Marketplace paymentsnot 3dcart
  • Global expansionnot 3dcart
  • Platform monetizationnot 3dcart

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

3dcart

  • Limited scalability compared to enterprise e-commerce platforms
  • Payment processing tied to Shift4 Payments after acquisition
  • Fewer advanced marketing and analytics features than competitors

Stripe

  • Requires developer setup and API integration for most use cases
  • Dispute fee of $15 per chargeback is standard industry cost
  • Limited offline payment capabilities

Pricing, plan by plan

3dcart

$19/month
  • Starter$19/month
    • Unlimited products
    • Basic templates
    • Email support

Stripe

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Stripe review.

Which should you pick?

Choose 3dcart if

  • You need store builder.
  • You also want unlimited products.

Choose Stripe if

  • You need subscription billing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want invoicing.

Questions people ask

Is 3dcart or Stripe better?
Neither clearly leads. 3dcart starts at $19/month and Stripe at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3dcart or Stripe?
Stripe has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $19/month for 3dcart and Free for Stripe.
Does 3dcart or Stripe run on more platforms?
3dcart runs on Web. Stripe runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Stripe for free?
Yes. Stripe has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. 3dcart starts at $19/month.
What is 3dcart best used for?
3dcart is most often used for building multi-channel stores across facebook, ebay, amazon in parallel, recovering abandoned shopping carts with automated email sequences, calculating real-time shipping costs and integrating carrier apis, protecting payment processing with visa pci certification. Of those, building multi-channel stores across facebook, ebay, amazon in parallel and recovering abandoned shopping carts with automated email sequences are not what Stripe is typically brought in for.
What can 3dcart do that Stripe cannot?
3dcart covers Store builder, Unlimited products, Shopping cart, Inventory management. Stripe covers Subscription billing, Invoicing, Terminal (in-person payments), Fraud prevention. Both handle Payment processing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

3dcart: What is the starting price for 3dcart?

3dcart (now Shift4Shop) starts at $19/month with no setup fees, transaction fees, or hidden fees.

Source
Stripe: What are Stripe's transaction fees?

Standard US rates are 2.9% plus 30 cents for online card payments, 2.7% plus 5 cents for in-person, 3.4% plus 30 cents for keyed/phone transactions, and 0.8% capped at $5 for ACH payments.

Source
3dcart: Does 3dcart include hosting?

Yes. 3dcart includes web hosting, domain support, and built-in website building tools with no separate hosting costs.

Source
Stripe: How many currencies and countries does it support?

Stripe accepts 135+ currencies and supports payment acceptance in 40+ countries through Stripe Connect, enabling sellers to onboard and receive payouts in minutes.

Source
3dcart: What happened to 3dcart?

Shift4 Payments acquired 3dcart in November 2020. The platform is now operated under the name Shift4Shop but maintains the same core functionality and pricing.

Source
Stripe: What payment methods are supported?

Stripe supports dozens of payment methods including credit/debit cards, ACH transfers, and local payment options, with additional support through partnerships with Meta and Google.

Source
3dcart: Does 3dcart offer free templates?

Yes. 3dcart provides dozens of professionally designed, industry-specific templates that are mobile-friendly, SEO optimized, and highly customizable.

Source
Stripe: Are there monthly fees or contracts?

No. Stripe charges no monthly fees or contracts, only per-transaction fees and dispute fees, making costs fully transparent and variable.

Source
3dcart: What payment methods does 3dcart support?

3dcart integrates with multiple payment gateways including Shift4 Payments, Stripe, PayPal, and other major payment processors.

Source
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