WooCommerce Payments Vs. Stripe UK: Which Is Better? (2024)

WooCommerce Payments and Stripe are two popular payment solutions in the UK.

Let’s compare them in detail.

Feature	WooCommerce Payments	Stripe
Fees (Standard transactions)	2.9% + 30p	2.9% + 30p
Fees (In-person)	2.6% + 10p	2.7% + 5p
Fees (Manual card entry)	N/A	0.5% extra
Fees (International)	1.50%	1%
Fees (Instant payouts)	1.5%, minimum £0.50	1%, minimum £0.50
Payment gateway vs. processor	Gateway (Stripe as processor)	Processor only
Features	Simpler, integrates with WooCommerce	More features (subscriptions, invoicing, fraud prevention)
Ease of use	User-friendly	User-friendly
Customer support	Limited to business hours	24/7 support
Availability	UK	More countries and currencies

WooCommerce Payments vs. Stripe UK: An Overview

WooCommerce Payments and Stripe are both widely used for processing online transactions.

WooCommerce Payments is integrated seamlessly with WordPress, making it a convenient choice for businesses already using the platform.

On the other hand, Stripe is available in more countries and is generally more cost-effective for international transactions.

Cost Comparison

WooCommerce Payments and Stripe have different fee structures. WooCommerce Payments charges a standard transaction fee of 2.9% plus 30 cents for sales based in the United States, with slight variations for in-person sales.

For international transactions, it charges a 1.5% fee.

On the other hand, Stripe charges just 1% for transactions made from a card issued outside the US and 2.7% plus five cents for in-person payments.

It also offers lower fees for international transactions, making it a favorable choice for businesses with a global customer base.

Payment Gateway vs. Payment Processor

Note that Stripe is a payment processor, while WooCommerce Payments functions as a payment gateway.

This means that with Stripe, you will not be able to accept payments using other payment processors, whereas WooCommerce Payments allows you to add supported payment gateways, including PayPal.

If you want a solid, all-in-one payment management system integrated into your WordPress dashboard, WooCommerce Payments might be the better option for you.

Compatibility and Integration

WooCommerce Payments is designed to integrate closely with WordPress websites, displaying all transaction data and simplifying the process of taking payments.

It also offers multi-currency features, allowing merchants in the U.S., UK, and Canada to accept payments in various currencies.

On the other hand, the Stripe plugin only offers in-person payments using a card reader device and does not have built-in multi-currency support.

Therefore, the choice between the two may depend on the specific needs of your business and the level of integration required.

WooCommerce Payments vs. Stripe UK: Ease of use

Both Stripe and WooCommerce Payments provide user-friendly payment experiences.

Stripe allows customers to complete transactions directly on your online store without redirecting, reducing the chances of cart abandonment and enhancing the checkout process.

On the other hand, WooCommerce Payments is designed exclusively for WooCommerce and offers seamless integration into the platform, providing a more integrated user experience by allowing store owners to manage transactions within the WordPress dashboard.

In terms of availability, Stripe has an advantage, particularly when it comes to in-person payments.

It is recognized for its user-centric design and extensive suite of features, catering to a wide range of businesses, from online platforms to physical storefronts like pop-ups, farmer’s markets, and traditional brick-and-mortar shops.

However, WooCommerce Payments has a slight advantage when it comes to WooCommerce integration, as it is specifically designed for the platform.

WooCommerce Payments vs. Stripe UK: Customer support

When it comes to customer support, both WooCommerce Payments and Stripe offer support through email and live chat.

Stripe claims to provide 24/7 customer support, while WooCommerce Payments leverages WooCommerce’s established support avenues.

However, some negative reviews of WooCommerce Payments mentioned a lack of customer service support.

Either way, both payment services offer competitive payment processing solutions for eCommerce, and the choice between them depends on factors such as the location of the business and the specific needs of the business.

WooCommerce Payments vs. Stripe UK: Availability

Stripe supports more countries and currencies than WooCommerce Payments.

While WooCommerce Payments supports 100 different currencies, Stripe supports over 135 different currencies.

If your business is based outside of the United States, Stripe may be the better choice due to its wider international support and availability.

However, WooCommerce Payments is a good option for businesses based in the UK that use WooCommerce for their online store.

Here are other WooCommerce payments countries:

the United States
Ireland
Australia
New Zealand
Canada
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
the United Arab Emirates

WooCommerce Payments vs. Stripe UK: Speed

Both WooCommerce Payments and Stripe offer standard transaction services along with expedited fund delivery.

However, it can be really challenging to find a clear winner when it comes to speed as it depends on various factors such as the location of the business, the payment method used, and the payment processor’s policies.

Some reviews suggest that WooCommerce Payments may take longer to process payments than Stripe.

However, both payment services offer reliable and secure payment processing solutions for eCommerce, and the choice between them depends on factors such as the location of the business and the specific needs of the business.

How to integrate Stripe to WooCommerce

Stripe offers a seamless checkout experience and supports a wide range of payment methods, making it a popular choice for WooCommerce integration.

To integrate Stripe with WooCommerce, you can follow these general steps:

Before integrating, you need to create a Stripe account and obtain the necessary API keys from the Stripe dashboard.
There are several plugins available for integrating Stripe with WooCommerce. You can choose from options such as “WooCommerce Stripe Payment Gateway” or “Stripe Payment Plugin for WooCommerce”.
After installing the plugin, you will need to configure it by entering your Stripe API keys and setting up the desired payment options and features.
Once the plugin is configured, you can enable the Stripe payment method in your WooCommerce dashboard under the “Payments” tab.

How to integrate WooCommerce Payments

On the other hand, WooCommerce Payments is a fully integrated payment solution built and supported by WooCommerce, and it offers a simple and secure way to accept payments without any monthly fees.

To integrate WooCommerce Payments with your WooCommerce store, you need to follow these general steps:

You need to sign up for WooCommerce Payments and activate it on your WooCommerce store.
After activating WooCommerce Payments, you need to configure it by entering your business information, bank account details, and tax information.
Once you have configured WooCommerce Payments, you can enable it in your WooCommerce store by going to the “Payments” tab in your WooCommerce dashboard and selecting “WooCommerce Payments”.
After enabling WooCommerce Payments, you should test it to ensure that it is working properly. You can do this by placing a test order and making a payment using WooCommerce Payments.

Best Alternatives

Here are some of the best alternatives to WooCommerce Payments and Stripe in the UK, along with a brief comparison of their features and fees:

1. PayPal:

Fees: 2.9% + 30p per transaction
Features: Widely accepted, easy to use, buyer and seller protection

2. Square:

Fees: 2.6% + 10p per transaction
Features: Point-of-sale integration, inventory management, customer insights

3. Worldpay:

Fees: Custom pricing plans
Features: Comprehensive payment processing, fraud prevention, international payments

4. GoCardless:

Fees: 1% + 20p per transaction
Features: Ideal for recurring payments, direct debit payments, easy integration

5. Clearpay:

Fees: Merchants pay a processing fee per transaction, while customers pay interest and late fees if applicable
Features: Buy now, pay later option, can boost sales and conversions

Choosing the right alternative for you will depend on your specific needs and priorities. Consider factors such as:

Fees: Compare the transaction fees, monthly fees, and any other relevant charges.
Features: Make sure the platform offers the features you need, such as support for international payments, subscriptions, or recurring billing.
Ease of use: Choose a platform that is easy to set up and use, especially if you are not tech-savvy.
Customer support: Consider the level of customer support that is available, especially if you need help troubleshooting or resolving issues.
Integration: If you use other software, such as accounting software or an e-commerce platform, make sure the payment gateway integrates seamlessly.

WooCommerce payments vs PayPal

WooCommerce Payments and PayPal are both great payment gateways for WooCommerce stores.

However, WooCommerce Payments wins with lower rates and a straightforward pricing model.

PayPal is confusing, and you might pick up unwanted expenses if you don’t understand the terminology.

WooCommerce Payments is for people who want a native checkout experience on their WooCommerce stores.

Buyers can pay directly in your store, and you can access your earnings fast.

Also, you can view all payment activities inside WordPress.

On the other hand, PayPal is perfect for all types of businesses, be it freelancers, small businesses, or large corporations.

With an intuitive dashboard, PayPal lets you accept debit cards, credit cards, and even money through the wallet.

However, PayPal does charge a fee for each transaction, which is the responsibility of your WooCommerce store, not the customer. Currently, the fee is 2.9% and 30 cents.

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Wrap!

When deciding between WooCommerce Payments and Stripe, it’s essential to consider factors such as transaction fees, international payment support, integration with existing platforms, and the specific needs of your business.