PayPal vs Stripe
PayPal Holdings, Inc.
Global payment ecosystem and digital wallet leader serving consumers and businesses.
Small retailers, consumer-facing businesses, non-technical merchants seeking simplicity and brand trust
VS
Stripe, Inc.
Modern payment infrastructure platform for developers, startups, and global enterprises.
SaaS companies, e-commerce platforms, startups, global enterprises, and technically-advanced organizations
Short Answer
PayPal is an established consumer-facing payment ecosystem with a $41.17B market cap, offering broad payment methods and user familiarity. Stripe is a developer-focused payment infrastructure company valued at $159B, providing superior technical flexibility and API-first architecture for modern businesses.
Our Verdict
Both platforms excel in different contexts: PayPal remains the trusted name for mainstream consumers and simple payment collection, while Stripe has captured the developer and growth-focused business market with superior infrastructure. For technical implementations and scaling companies, Stripe's superior valuation and market share growth reflect its dominance; for consumer acceptance and ease-of-use, PayPal still leads.
PayPal Holdings, Inc.7
8Stripe, Inc.
Choose PayPal Holdings, Inc. if
Small retailers, consumer-facing businesses, non-technical merchants seeking simplicity and brand trust
Track this comparison
Get notified when prices change, new specs ship, or our verdict updates.
Triggers: price change new spec verdict update
No spam. Stop anytime.
Key Differences at a Glance
🔹
Business Model: Consumer-facing payment platform vs Developer-first payment infrastructure
🔹
Valuation: Stripe, Inc. wins ($159 Billion (private) vs $41.17 Billion (public))
🔹
Developer Experience: Stripe, Inc. wins (Excellent modern APIs vs Good but legacy APIs)
Key Facts & Figures
| Metric | PayPal Holdings, Inc. | Stripe, Inc. | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market Valuation(USD Billion) | $41.17 Billion (Public Market Cap, Mar 2026) | $159 Billion (Private Valuation, Feb 2026) | -74% |
| Global Payment Market Share(Percent) | ~8-10% (declining) | 20.8-29% (growing) | -64% |
| US Market Dominance(percent) | ~25-30% (declining) |
Key Differences
PayPal Holdings, Inc.
Attribute
Stripe, Inc.
Consumer-facing payment platform
Business Model
Developer-first payment infrastructure
$41.17 Billion (public)
Valuation
$159 Billion (private)🏆
Good but legacy APIs
Developer Experience
Excellent modern APIs🏆
Related Comparisons
N
D
Netflix vs Disney+
companies
G
M
Google vs Microsoft
companies
A
W
Amazon vs Walmart
companies
U
L
Uber vs Lyft
companies
H
L
Home Depot vs Lowe's
companies
D
U
DoorDash vs Uber Eats
companies
C
S
Costco vs Sam's Club
companies
T
W
Target vs Walmart
companies
N
H
Netflix vs Hulu
companies
i
S
iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26
technology
P
X
PS5 vs Xbox Series X
technology
M
W
Mac vs Windows
technology
Related Articles
technology
Best Streaming Services in 2026: Top Picks for Every Budget & Interest
Navigating the crowded streaming landscape in 2026 can be overwhelming. We've tested and ranked the best streaming services that offer the most value, from Netflix's massive library to budget-friendly options like Tubi, helping you cut cable and find your perfect entertainment solution.
technology
Best Live TV Streaming Services & Plans for Spring 2026: Complete Buyer's Guide
Tired of overpaying for cable? Discover the best live TV streaming services and plans for Spring 2026, including YouTube TV's new genre-based packages starting at $55/month. Our comprehensive guide breaks down pricing, channels, and features to help you cut the cord.
Explore Entities
Last updated: March 29, 2026AI generated
