Stripe is a global leader in online payments, and if a big part of your business is web ordering, bookings or a custom online flow, it is exceptionally capable. For pure in person counter service it is less of a natural fit than the dedicated EFTPOS players. Here is our honest read.
Stripe started as online payments infrastructure and that is still where it is strongest. If your venue takes a meaningful share of orders online, runs its own ordering site, sells gift cards or memberships, or needs a custom checkout, Stripe gives you powerful, reliable tools and the flexibility developers love. The online experience is genuinely excellent.
In person, Stripe does offer terminals, but this is not its core strength the way it is for a dedicated EFTPOS provider, and the per transaction pricing can work out higher for straightforward counter taps. The honest framing is that Stripe is the right call when online is central to how you take money, and an over engineered choice when you just need to tap cards at the till.
If web ordering, bookings or subscriptions matter, Stripe's online tools are as good as it gets.
Powerful options for custom checkouts and flows, which is why developers reach for it.
Subscriptions, memberships, gift cards and international cards are all well supported.
Terminals exist, though counter payments are not where Stripe is at its most competitive.
Stripe is the right choice when online is central to how your venue takes money, a strong web ordering business, memberships, or a custom booking flow. There its tools are hard to beat. If your payments are overwhelmingly in person taps, a dedicated EFTPOS provider will usually be simpler and cheaper, and that is the honest steer.
We rate suppliers independently. We do not earn a referral fee from Stripe. Here is the balanced picture, the good and the points to weigh up.
Stripe uses transparent pay as you go pricing with no monthly or setup fee, and Australian domestic rates are low by global standards thanks to local interchange regulation. The rates differ by how the payment is taken, with online, in person and international cards all priced separately. The figures below are Stripe's published Australian rates and can change, so always confirm current pricing for your mix.
| Payment type | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic cards online | 1.7% + 30c | Standard online rate for Australian issued cards. GST applies on the fee. |
| In person (Stripe Terminal) | 1.7% + 10c | Card present payments taken on a Stripe reader. Lower fixed fee than online. |
| International cards | 3.5% + 30c | Cards issued outside Australia. A further currency conversion fee applies where relevant. |
| Apple Pay and Google Pay | 1.7% + 30c | Priced the same as domestic cards online. |
| BECS Direct Debit | 1% + 30c | Capped at $3.50. The cheapest method for larger invoice payments. |
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Card readers | from $89 | Stripe Terminal hardware, priced before GST. |
| Disputes and chargebacks | $15 each | Refunded if you win the dispute. |
| Currency conversion | +2% | Applies when a payment needs converting to your settlement currency. |
| Custom pricing | negotiated | Higher volume businesses can request custom rates and a tailored package. |
Stripe is the strongest option when your payments are online or developer led, with deep APIs, subscriptions and a clean checkout, and the in person Terminal product is solid too. The fixed fee per transaction is the thing to watch: on low value sales like a single coffee, 30c online or 10c in person eats more of the margin than the percentage does, so your card mix and average sale size drive the real cost. We can model Stripe against the in person specialists on your actual mix, free.
Stripe is one option. Here is how it sits alongside the other payment providers we review, so you can weigh them side by side.
The right payments choice depends on your online versus in person mix. We will look at your split and tell you honestly whether Stripe or a dedicated EFTPOS provider suits you better. Free, no obligation, and we will be in touch within 48 hours.
