Operations · Payments, billing and finance
Stripe
Online payments, invoicing and subscription billing with pay-as-you-go fees
At a glance
Stripe is an online payments platform. It processes card payments, sends invoices and runs subscription billing, and it’s what many software and online businesses use behind the scenes.
- Category
- Payments, billing and finance
- Best fit
- SME · Mid-market · Enterprise
- Pricing
- See pricing below
- In Adam’s stack
- Yes
Who Stripe is best for
Online businesses, SaaS companies, consultancies and agencies that want to take card payments, invoices or recurring billing without a monthly fee. A strong choice when you need payments embedded in a website, app or proposal flow.
Key features
- Card and digital wallet payments
- Invoicing and payment links
- Subscription and recurring billing
- Detailed reporting and integrations with accounting tools
Why it’s worth it
There’s no monthly fee, so you only pay when you get paid. It makes it easy to take payment the moment a deal is signed, which shortens the gap between ‘yes’ and cash.
Things to consider
- International cards cost noticeably more than domestic cards
- Extras such as Stripe Billing, Invoicing and tax tools can add percentage fees on top of card processing
- Support is mostly online, and advanced setups often need a developer
For Australian businesses
Stripe has an Australian entity and offices, publishes Australian pricing in AUD, pays out to Australian bank accounts and supports local payment methods such as BECS Direct Debit.
Stripe pricing
Cost (ex GST), verified by Adam
No monthly fee. From 1 Oct 2026: 1.65% + A$0.30 per domestic online card (down from 1.70%). International cards 3.5% + A$0.30, dropping to 2.8% on 1 Apr 2027. Rates as published by Stripe.
Source: Stripe support: AU card pricing update. Checked 1 October 2026. Prices change often, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
Alternatives to Stripe
Other tools listed under Payments, billing and finance. Tools from Adam’s stack are marked.
Multi-currency accounts, FX and company cards
SMEMid-marketEnterpriseCloud accounting loved by Australian small businesses
SMEMid-marketMYOB
AustralianAccounting and payroll built for Australia
SMEMid-marketWidely used cloud accounting
SMEMid-marketSubscription billing and revenue operations
SMEMid-marketEnterprisePayments in person and online
SMEMid-marketLow-cost international transfers and accounts
SMEMid-marketMerchant of record for software companies
SMEMid-market
FAQ
Stripe: common questions
Does Stripe charge a monthly fee?
No. Stripe's standard pricing in Australia is pay-as-you-go per transaction, with no monthly or setup fee.
Can I send invoices with Stripe?
Yes. Stripe can send invoices and payment links and run recurring subscriptions, with payments landing in your Stripe balance and paid out to your bank.
Stripe vs Square?
Stripe is built for online and in-app payments, invoicing and subscriptions. Square is stronger for in-person point-of-sale for retail and hospitality.
Can’t find a tool that fits?
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