What's the difference between Stripe and PayPal?
Both are payment processors that allow you to accept online payments, but they work differently:
Stripe is a modern payment infrastructure designed for online businesses. It processes credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets seamlessly. Your clients never leave your branded invoice experience. Stripe is known for its clean interface and developer-friendly approach.
PayPal is a digital wallet service that's been around since 1998. It's widely recognized by consumers worldwide. Clients can pay using their PayPal balance, or they can pay with credit/debit cards without creating a PayPal account. The PayPal brand can increase trust, especially with international clients.
Our recommendation: If your clients are tech-savvy or younger, Stripe offers a smoother experience. If your clients are older or international, PayPal's brand recognition may lead to faster payments. Many businesses enable both and let clients choose.
Can I use both Stripe and PayPal on the same invoice?
Absolutely! Invoizar allows you to enable both payment methods simultaneously. When you create an invoice, your clients will see both payment buttons and can choose their preferred option. This flexibility increases the likelihood of prompt payment since clients can use whichever service they're most comfortable with.
To enable both:
1. Navigate to Tools > Settings > Payment Options
2. Toggle both Stripe and PayPal to On
3. Complete the setup process for each
Can I cancel a payment after it's processed?
Once a payment successfully processes, you cannot cancel it—you can only refund it. Refunds follow the timeline mentioned above.
However, pending payments (not yet completed) can sometimes be canceled:
Contact the processor's support immediately
If the payment hasn't fully cleared, they may be able to stop it
Success is not guaranteed and depends on timing
Best practice: If you need to cancel an order, issue a full refund as soon as possible.
Do I need PCI compliance?
No! This is one of the biggest benefits of using Stripe or PayPal.
They handle PCI compliance for you:
Payment data goes directly to their secure servers
You never touch or store credit card information
They maintain all necessary certifications
You're protected from compliance requirements
If you were to process cards directly, you'd need to maintain expensive PCI compliance certifications yourself. Using these processors eliminates that burden entirely.
What happens if my account gets hacked?
Both services have strong protections in place:
Immediate Actions:
1. Contact support immediately through official channels
2. Change your password from a secure device
3. Enable two-factor authentication if not already active
4. Review recent transactions for unauthorized activity
5. Dispute any fraudulent charges
Protection Policies:
Unauthorized transaction protection
Seller Protection policies (requirements apply)
Account monitoring alerts
Temporary account suspension during investigation
Prevent Hacking:
Use strong, unique passwords (password manager recommended)
Enable two-factor authentication
Never share login credentials
Be wary of phishing emails (always check sender address)
Log out on shared devices
Keep your contact information updated
What do clients see when they pay?
Stripe Experience:
1. Client opens your invoice
2. Clicks Pay with Stripe button
3. Sees a secure payment form (Invoizar-branded)
4. Enters card details or selects saved payment method
5. Reviews total and clicks Pay
6. Receives instant confirmation on screen and via email
7. Invoice is marked "Paid" automatically
PayPal Experience:
1. Client opens your invoice
2. Clicks Pay with PayPal button
3. Redirected to PayPal's secure page
4. Can log in to PayPal or pay as guest with card
5. Reviews payment details
6. Completes payment
7. Returns to confirmation page
8. Both parties receive email confirmation
Both experiences are mobile-optimized and take under 2 minutes to complete.
Do clients need to create accounts?
Stripe: No account needed. Clients simply enter their card information directly. They can save it for future payments if they choose, but it's optional.
PayPal: Clients can pay as guests without a PayPal account. They can use credit or debit cards directly. Having a PayPal account is optional and provides saved payment methods for convenience.
Your clients face minimal friction either way.
Can I customize the payment page?
Stripe: Limited customization through Invoizar. Your business name and logo appear on the payment form. Additional branding customization may be available in Stripe's dashboard settings.
PayPal: The payment page uses PayPal's standard branding. Your business name appears in the payment details, but the overall experience is PayPal-branded.
Invoice Customization: You have full control over your invoice design in Invoizar—colors, logos, fonts, and layout. The payment page itself has more limited customization.
Can I accept payments without sending an invoice?
Payment Links: Both processors allow you to create and share direct payment links, but this functionality depends on Invoizar's features. Check with Invoizar support about:
Creating payment links for specific amounts
QR codes for in-person payments
Recurring payment links for subscriptions
Typically, the invoice serves as the payment request, providing your client with a professional, detailed record of what they're paying for.
Troubleshooting & Support
Payment button not showing on my invoice
Checklist:
1. Verify payment provider is toggled On in Settings > Payment Options
2. Confirm your account is fully verified (check email for verification requests)
3. Ensure invoice total is above minimum ($0.50 for Stripe, $1.00 for PayPal)
4. Check that the invoice is marked as "Sent" not "Draft"
5. Try disconnecting and reconnecting the payment provider
6. Clear your browser cache or restart the Invoizar app
7. Update to the latest version of Invoizar
Still not working? Contact Invoizar support with your invoice number and screenshots.
Client says payment page won't load
Common Solutions:
Ask client to check internet connection
Try a different browser (Chrome or Safari recommended)
Disable browser extensions that block pop-ups or tracking
Clear browser cache and cookies
Try on a different device (mobile vs desktop)
Check if corporate firewall is blocking payment processors
Alternative: Send your client a direct payment link via email or text message.
Can I set up recurring payments or subscriptions?
Both processors support recurring billing, but implementation depends on Invoizar's features:
Through Stripe:
Create subscription plans in Stripe dashboard
Set billing intervals (weekly, monthly, annually)
Automatic payment collection
Automatic invoice generation
Through PayPal:
Set up subscription buttons
Define billing cycles
Manage subscriber payments
Automatic renewal notifications
Check with Invoizar: Ask if recurring payment features are available in your plan, or if you need to set them up directly in the processor's dashboard.
Do you support international payments?
Yes! Both processors work internationally:
Stripe:
Available in 46+ countries for sellers
Accepts payments from customers worldwide
135+ currencies supported
Automatic currency conversion
PayPal:
Available in 200+ countries for sellers
One of the most widely used payment methods globally
100+ currencies
Well-known brand increases international trust
Requirements: You must be located in a supported country, and your business must comply with local regulations. Check each processor's website for your country's availability.
Can I export payment data for accounting?
Absolutely! Both services provide detailed transaction exports:
Stripe:
CSV export of all transactions
Customizable date ranges
Detailed breakdown of fees, refunds, and net amounts
API access for automated accounting software integration
PayPal:
Download transaction history as CSV, PDF, or QuickBooks format
Monthly, quarterly, or annual statements
Tax reporting documents
Integration with accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks)
Invoizar: May also provide payment reports within the app. Check your reports section for payment summaries.
Making the Right Choice
Should I choose Stripe or PayPal?
Consider these factors:
Choose Stripe if:
You want a modern, streamlined payment experience
Your clients are tech-savvy
You prefer all payments to look like they're part of your brand
You want detailed analytics and reporting
You plan to scale and need advanced features
Choose PayPal if:
Your clients are older or less tech-savvy
You work with many international clients
You want instant access to funds in your PayPal balance
You need the trust factor of a well-known brand
You want QR code payment options
Choose Both if:
You want to maximize payment convenience for all clients
You work with diverse client demographics
You want backup in case one processor has issues
You don't mind managing two payment accounts
Our recommendation: Enable both and let your clients choose. The cost of running both is zero (you only pay when processing payments), and it maximizes your chances of getting paid quickly.
Quick Reference
Stripe vs PayPal At-A-Glance
Feature Stripe PayPal
Domestic Fee 2.9% + $0.30 2.99% + $0.49
International Fee +1% to 2% +1.5%
Payout Speed 2-3 business days Instant to PayPal, 1-3 days to bank
Account Required No No (guest checkout available)
Currencies 135+ 100+
Best For Modern, seamless experience Brand recognition, QR codes
Refund Policy Fixed fee not returned Fixed fee not returned
Mobile Experience Excellent Excellent
Get Help:
Invoizar support: Available through the app
Stripe support: support.stripe.com
PayPal support: paypal.com/help