Softwr

Software · head to head

Apple Pay vs Stripe

Apple Pay logo

Apple Pay

Software

The easier way to pay and send money

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

Stripe

Software

Financial infrastructure for the internet

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Apple Pay apple Pay works only in countries and regions that support contactless payments and is not available in all markets; Stripe requires developer setup and API integration for most use cases
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Pay covers Digital wallet, Stripe covers Payment processing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple Pay and Stripe actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple Pay and Stripe differ
AttributeApple PayStripe
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
PlatformsIOS, WatchOS, MacOSWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20142010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Apple Pay

  • Digital wallet
  • Secure payments
  • Contactless transactions
  • P2P money transfers
  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • Bank accounts
  • IOS support

Only in Stripe

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

What people use each for

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

Apple Pay

  • Contactless in store payment from iPhone and Apple Watchnot Stripe
  • Paying in apps and on the web without entering card detailsnot Stripe
  • Sending money between Apple users with Apple Cash and Tap to Cashnot Stripe

Stripe

  • Online paymentsnot Apple Pay
  • Subscription managementnot Apple Pay
  • Marketplace paymentsnot Apple Pay
  • Global expansionnot Apple Pay
  • Platform monetizationnot Apple Pay

Where each one falls short

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

Apple Pay

  • Apple Pay works only in countries and regions that support contactless payments and is not available in all markets
  • Apple Cash is available only in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
  • Apple Cash Family accounts and Tap to Cash transactions are each capped at 2000 USD within a rolling seven day period
  • Mac support requires a Touch ID equipped model
  • A card works only if the issuing bank supports Apple Pay, and banks may charge their own overseas usage fees

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

Apple Pay

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Secure payments
    • P2P transfers
    • Transit passes

Stripe

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Stripe review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Apple Pay if

  • You need digital wallet.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on IOS, WatchOS, MacOS.
  • You also want secure payments.
Apple Pay review

Choose Stripe if

  • You need payment processing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want subscription billing.
Stripe review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Pay or Stripe better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Pay starts at Free and Stripe at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Pay or Stripe?
Apple Pay starts at Free and Stripe at Free.
Does Apple Pay or Stripe run on more platforms?
Apple Pay runs on IOS, WatchOS, MacOS. Stripe runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Apple Pay for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Apple Pay best used for?
Apple Pay is most often used for contactless in store payment from iphone and apple watch, paying in apps and on the web without entering card details, sending money between apple users with apple cash and tap to cash. Of those, contactless in store payment from iphone and apple watch and paying in apps and on the web without entering card details are not what Stripe is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Pay do that Stripe cannot?
Apple Pay covers Digital wallet, Secure payments, Contactless transactions, P2P money transfers. Stripe covers Payment processing, Subscription billing, Invoicing, Terminal (in-person payments).

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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
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
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
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Apple Pay

More on Stripe

Keep looking

Other head to heads