Gearing Up!
Every successful online brand gets one thing right before anything else. Smooth, trustworthy payments.
Yet, when it comes to choosing between Stripe vs Shopify payments, most founders hit a wall. They sound similar. They even look connected. But beneath the surface, their roles in your eCommerce stack couldn’t be more different.
Shopify Payments feels like an all-in-one cash register built into your store, while Stripe acts more like a global financial infrastructure for the internet. Both are powerful, both process billions in transactions, but the difference between Stripe and Shopify Payments lies in control, flexibility, and scalability.
Before you decide which one fits your business, it’s worth asking: Are you looking for convenience or customization? A built-in solution or a platform-agnostic powerhouse?
Let’s unpack the Shopify payments vs Stripe differences and see which gateway actually deserves to run your checkout.
Before this also learn about How to Increase Shopify Store Rankings: The 10 Shopify CRO Best Practices
Is Shopify Payments powered by Stripe in 2025?
What is Shopify Payments?
Shopify Payments is Shopify’s built-in payment system that lets you accept payments directly from your online store. Instead of connecting to outside processors like Stripe or PayPal, it’s already set up inside your Shopify dashboard.
It handles credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Shop Pay, and automatically deposits money into your bank account within a few days. Because it’s fully integrated, you can track orders, payments, and payouts all in one place.
In short, Shopify Payments removes the need for third-party gateways, making checkout faster for customers and management easier for store owners.
Also Read: 10 Powerful Benefits of Shopify Payments for Online Store
What is Stripe Payments?
Stripe Payments is a global online payment processing platform that allows businesses to accept and manage payments over the internet.
It’s designed for flexibility; developers can integrate Stripe into websites, mobile apps, or eCommerce platforms to accept credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets, and even bank transfers. It supports 135+ currencies and operates in 40+ countries, making it one of the most widely used payment solutions for online businesses.
In short, Stripe Payments is a versatile, developer-friendly platform that powers online transactions for businesses of all sizes, from startups to global enterprises like Amazon, Shopify, and Zoom.
Learn more How to Integrate Shopify with AI Tools for Better Management
Payment processors facilitate every credit-card swipe, mobile payment, and online transaction … and it’s important to choose the right provider for your business.
The Ultimate Shopify Payments vs Stripe Comparison You Should Know About!
At first glance, the Shopify Payments vs Stripe comparison might feel like comparing twins, both power online transactions, both promise secure checkouts, and both handle billions every year. But look closer, and you’ll see one is built to keep you inside Shopify’s ecosystem, while the other was designed to power the entire internet.
Let’s uncover the real difference between Stripe and Shopify Payments, and why understanding this choice can shape how your business grows, scales, and sells.
| Criteria | Shopify Payments | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Shopify’s built-in payment gateway for accepting online payments directly through a Shopify store. | A stand-alone payment processor that integrates with any website or app, including Shopify. |
| Ownership | Developed and managed by Shopify, powered internally by Stripe’s infrastructure. | Created and owned by Stripe Inc., an independent payment platform. |
| Integration | Fully integrated into Shopify’s dashboard; no third-party setup required. | Requires manual integration through APIs or third-party plugins when used with Shopify. |
| Ease of Setup | Instant setup, automatically enabled for eligible merchants. | Requires creating a Stripe account and linking it manually. |
| Supported Countries | Available in approximately 23 countries. | Operates in 45+ countries globally. |
| Payment Methods | Credit/debit cards, Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and local methods (depending on region). | Credit/debit cards, digital wallets, ACH, Klarna, Alipay, and 135+ local payment options. |
| Payout Speed | Typically 1–3 business days (depends on region). | 2–7 business days, depending on the bank and country. |
| Fees | Standard Shopify rates (2.9% + 30¢ per transaction on Basic plan). No extra Shopify transaction fees. | Around 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction, plus Shopify’s 0.5–2% additional fee if used externally. |
| Customization | Limited; checkout is tied to Shopify’s ecosystem. | Highly customizable with developer tools and APIs. |
| Currency Support | Supports 130+ currencies with automatic conversion. | Supports 135+ currencies with custom multi-currency logic. |
| Chargeback Handling | Managed inside Shopify with automated tracking and response tools. | Handled through Stripe Dashboard with detailed analytics and dispute resolution tools. |
| Analytics & Reports | Unified with Shopify’s overall sales data and dashboard. | Advanced developer-grade analytics and API access. |
| Best For | Shopify merchants who want simplicity and zero external setup. | Businesses need flexibility, custom integrations, or the ability to operate across multiple platforms and countries. |
| Limitations | Only works with Shopify and is not available in all countries. | Requires manual setup on Shopify and may incur extra fees. |
| Verdict | Best for merchants who want an all-in-one, seamless Shopify checkout experience. | Best for developers or brands needing scalable, multi-platform payment control. |
If you’re scaling beyond standard Shopify features, understanding Shopify Plus vs Shopify can also help you decide
Final Verdict: Is Shopify Payments Better Than Stripe?
It depends on what kind of business you run, because Shopify Payments vs Stripe aren’t direct competitors; they solve different problems.
If you’re running a Shopify store, Shopify Payments is almost always the smarter choice. It’s built into the platform, activates in minutes, and saves you from paying extra transaction fees. You get a seamless checkout, faster payouts, and everything from orders to refunds, managed in one dashboard.
But if your business runs across multiple platforms or you need advanced customization, Stripe wins. It offers global coverage, 135+ currencies, and developer-friendly APIs that let you build payment experiences your way.
Learn more about 10 Best Shopify Plugins You Can’t Miss in 2025
Final Thoughts: Should I use Shopify Payments or Stripe?
We hope this blog has helped you understand the Shopify Payments vs Stripe comparison and clear up the confusion around whether Stripe and Shopify are the same. Both platforms are excellent, but they serve different purposes.
Here’s what you should do:
- Choose Shopify Payments for simplicity, automation, and cost savings within Shopify.
- Choose Stripe for flexibility, scalability, and custom integrations beyond Shopify.
Both are excellent; the right pick between shopify payment gateway vs Stripe depends on whether you want an integrated payment gateway or a powerful standalone processor.
At Enstacked Technologies, our IT Service company helps businesses choose the right payment gateway and implement it seamlessly. Whether you need Shopify Payments setup, Stripe integration, or a hybrid solution tailored to your tech stack, we’ll help you make a smart, future-ready choice.
To know more about us and how we can help you, book a free consultation with us to hire dedicated shopify developers.
Also Read: Lovable Shopify Integration: Fast AI Store Builder in 2025
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Yes. Shopify Payments is powered by Stripe’s infrastructure, but they’re not the same. When comparing between Shopify Pay vs Stripe, Shopify uses Stripe’s backend to process transactions while offering merchants a built-in, seamless checkout experience inside Shopify’s ecosystem.
Shopify Payments is simple but limited. It’s only available in select countries, offers less customization than Stripe, and isn’t supported for certain high-risk businesses. Also, you can’t use it outside the Shopify platform.
Yes, you can use Stripe instead of Shopify Payments, but Shopify will charge an extra transaction fee (0.5%–2%) for using an external gateway. Most merchants choose Shopify Payments to avoid those additional charges.
Yes. Shopify Payments is PCI-DSS compliant and uses advanced encryption to protect customer data. Since it’s powered by Stripe’s secure technology, it meets the same global standards for online payment safety.
For Shopify store owners, when it comes to choosing between shopify payment gateway vs Stripe, Shopify Payments is usually cheaper because it removes extra transaction fees. Stripe, however, offers consistent pricing across different platforms at around 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
No, you can’t use both together. Shopify Payments already runs on Stripe’s backend, so enabling Shopify Payments automatically replaces the need to connect Stripe manually.
Yes, but it depends on your country. Shopify Payments supports around 23 countries and 130+ currencies. If your region isn’t supported, you can integrate Stripe Payments for a broader global reach.
