GoCardless vs Stripe Pricing (2026)
How do these two stack up on price? Here's what each one costs, what you get, and where the value sits.
| GoCardless | Stripe | |
|---|---|---|
| Starts at | Custom | Custom |
| Number of plans | 4 | 2 |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Pricing model | usage-based | usage-based |
Standard
Popular- 1% + 20p
- Per transaction
Advanced
- 1.25% + 20p
- Per transaction
Pro
- 1.4% + 20p
- Per transaction
Custom
- Fully customised package
- Volume-based discounts
- Dedicated customer support
Standard
Custom
Popular- IC+ pricing
- Volume discounts
- Multi-product discounts
- Country-specific rates
GoCardless vs Stripe FAQ
- Which one is cheaper?
- One or both use custom pricing, so it depends on your specific needs.
- Can I use either one for free?
- Neither has a free plan.
- How do they charge?
- Both use a usage-based model, so the comparison is straightforward — it comes down to features and limits at each price point.
- Which one is a better deal?
- Depends on what you need. Stripe: On paper Stripe's headline rate looks average against Square or Braintree, but they position as the premium, developer-first option — the price you pay for rock-solid APIs, reliability, and the broader ecosystem (Billing, Connect, Radar, etc.). They're not chasing the cheapest-processor crowd; they're winning teams that'll build real infrastructure on top of payments.
Still deciding? See the best GoCardless alternatives or the best Stripe alternatives, ranked with verified pricing.
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