Stripe vs Braintree

The developer's best friend for payments, until you realize you're paying for every single API call meets paypal's developer-friendly sidekick. Here's our take.

Stripe

The developer's best friend for payments, until you realize you're paying for every single API call.

Pros

• Best DX
• Great docs
• Reliable
• All payment types
• Incredibly clean and well-documented APIs that just work
• Handles global compliance and fraud detection so you don't have to
• Seamless integration for subscriptions and recurring billing
• Extensive ecosystem with tools like Stripe Connect and Radar

Cons

• 2.9% + 30¢
• Complex for simple needs
• Account holds
• Transaction fees add up fast, especially for high-volume businesses
• Can get pricey for custom or advanced features beyond the basics

Braintree

Nice Pick

PayPal's developer-friendly sidekick. It makes payments easy until you need to talk to a human.

Pros

• Seamless integration with PayPal and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay
• Robust APIs and SDKs that simplify complex payment workflows
• Strong fraud protection and PCI compliance built-in

Cons

• Customer support can be slow and impersonal, typical of big corporate platforms
• Pricing isn't the cheapest, especially for high-volume transactions

The Verdict

Use Braintree if: You want seamless integration with paypal and digital wallets like apple pay and google pay and can live with customer support can be slow and impersonal, typical of big corporate platforms.

Use Stripe if: You prioritize best dx over what Braintree offers.

The Bottom Line

Braintree wins

PayPal's developer-friendly sidekick. It makes payments easy until you need to talk to a human.