Authorize.net vs Stripe: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Authorize.net and Stripe side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Stripe leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Authorize.net
Secure and reliable payment gateway for businesses of all sizes.
Best for you if:
- • You want widely recognized and trusted brand in payment processing
Stripe
Payment infrastructure for the internet
Best for you if:
- • You want excellent developer experience
| At a Glance | Authorize.net | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $25/mo, billed monthly Gateway only plan | Free plan |
Category | E-commerce Payment Processing | Finance E-commerce |
Rating | 4.2/5 G2 4.2 209 reviews | 4.4/5 Capterra 4.6 · G2 4.2 3,839 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Watch out for | eCheck 0.75% per transaction on Gateway + eCheck | International card surcharge: +1.5% on top of the 2.9% base rate for cards issued outside your country. A US business charging a UK customer pays 4.4% + 30¢, not 2.9% |
Choose Authorize.net or Stripe?
Choose Authorize.net if
- You want widely recognized and trusted brand in payment processing
- You want robust fraud prevention tools
- You work in e-commerce, not finance
Choose Stripe if
- You want excellent developer experience
- You want comprehensive feature set
- You work in finance, not e-commerce
In-Depth Analysis
Authorize.net
Secure and reliable payment gateway for businesses of all sizes.
Authorize.net's pricing is fair for established businesses needing a reliable gateway, with a flat $25/mo plus per-transaction fees that are standard for the industry.
Watch out
eCheck 0.75% per transaction on Gateway + eCheck
Strengths
- Pro: Widely recognized and trusted brand in payment processing
- Pro: Robust fraud prevention tools
- Pro: Good integration capabilities with many e-commerce platforms
- Pro: Supports various payment methods
- Pro: Reliable uptime and transaction processing
Weaknesses
- Con: Can be more expensive than some newer payment processors
- Con: Setup process can be complex for beginners
- Con: Customer service can sometimes be slow
Key features
Stripe
Payment infrastructure for the internet
Stripe's 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction is the standard every payment processor is compared against.
Watch out
International card surcharge: +1.5% on top of the 2.9% base rate for cards issued outside your country. A US business charging a UK customer pays 4.4% + 30¢, not 2.9%
Strengths
- Pro: Excellent developer experience
- Pro: Comprehensive feature set
- Pro: Strong documentation
- Pro: Global payment methods
Weaknesses
- Con: Higher fees than some alternatives
- Con: Account holds can happen
- Con: Complex for simple needs
Key features
Plans and prices: Authorize.net vs Stripe
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Authorize.net |
| authorize.net/pricing read Nov 1, 2026 |
| Stripe |
| stripe.com/pricing read Sep 29, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Authorize.net pricing and Stripe pricing.
Key Takeaways
Authorize.net
- Choose if you want secure and reliable payment gateway for businesses of all sizes
Stripe
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.2/5
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, Stripe leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Stripe has the higher user rating (4.2/5 from 209 reviews for Authorize.net, 4.4/5 from 3,839 reviews for Stripe).
- Authorize.net starts at $25/mo, billed monthly; Stripe has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only Stripe has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Authorize.net and Stripe compare in 2026?
On the data below, Stripe leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Stripe has the higher user rating (4.2/5 from 209 reviews for Authorize.net, 4.4/5 from 3,839 reviews for Stripe). Authorize.net starts at $25/mo, billed monthly; Stripe has no public paid plan price on file. Only Stripe has a free plan.
What are Authorize.net and Stripe used for?
Authorize.net: Secure and reliable payment gateway for businesses of all sizes. Stripe: Payment infrastructure for the internet.
What does Authorize.net cost vs Stripe?
Authorize.net's cheapest paid plan is Gateway only at $25/mo, billed monthly. Stripe has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Authorize.net and Stripe?
Authorize.net's main strength: widely recognized and trusted brand in payment processing. Stripe's main strength: excellent developer experience.