Payment processors, accounting software, and business banking compared on fees, features, and real-world usability. Use our free calculators and quizzes to find exactly what your business needs.
The definitive comparison for the two most popular payment processors. Includes our interactive fee calculator.
Should you offer PayPal checkout? Does it improve conversion enough to justify the higher fees? The fees and tradeoffs, broken down.
Enter your monthly volume and see exact costs for Stripe, Square, and PayPal side by side. Covers in-person vs online split and international surcharges.
The two most popular paid accounting platforms, compared on pricing, users, payroll, inventory, and accountant familiarity.
Is free Wave accounting good enough, or do you need QuickBooks? A breakdown of exactly when to pay and when Wave is all you need.
7 questions about your business size, industry, payroll needs, and budget. Get a personalized recommendation: QuickBooks, Xero, or Wave.
2.0% APY on business checking with no monthly fees. Best for businesses that keep significant cash balances and want to earn interest.
API-first banking for tech startups and ecommerce. Free international wires, virtual cards, Stripe/Shopify integrations, and a full REST API for custom automations.
Simple, fee-free business checking for freelancers and small businesses. No monthly fees, worldwide ATM fee refunds, reserve accounts, and Novo Boost perks.
Up to 20 checking accounts with auto-allocation for Profit First methodology. No monthly fees, 50 virtual cards, and deep QuickBooks/Xero integration.
7 questions about your revenue, transaction volume, wire transfer needs, and priorities. Get matched to Bluevine, Mercury, Novo, or Relay.
| Processor | Online Rate | In-Person Rate | International Surcharge | Monthly Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 2.9% + $0.30 | 2.7% + $0.05 | +1.5% | $0 | Online businesses, developers |
| Square | 2.9% + $0.30 | 2.6% + $0.10 | None | $0 | In-person retail and restaurants |
| PayPal | 2.99% + $0.49 | 2.29% + $0.09 | +1.5% | $0 | Customers who expect PayPal |
| Software | Entry Price | Users | Payroll | Inventory | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks | $30/mo | 1 on entry | Yes (add-on) | Plus plan | US SMBs with accountant |
| Xero | $29/mo | Unlimited | Gusto add-on | Standard plan | Teams and international |
| Wave | Free | Unlimited | Paid add-on | No | Freelancers and micro-biz |
| Bank | Monthly Fee | APY | International Wires | Cash Deposits | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluevine Editor's Pick | $0 | 2.0% | $25/wire | Green Dot ($4.95) | High-balance businesses wanting interest |
| Mercury | $0 | ~0.5% | Included | No | Tech startups, API integrations |
| Novo | $0 | 0% | Limited | No | Freelancers, simple banking |
| Relay | $0 (Pro: $30) | 0% | Pro plan | No | Profit First / envelope budgeting |