QuickBooks Payments Vs Stripe – Which One Is Better

Choosing the right payment processing service is crucial for businesses of all sizes. QuickBooks Payments and Stripe are two popular options, each offering unique features and benefits. Let’s compare these two services across several key factors to help you determine which one might be the best fit for your business needs.

What Is QuickBooks Payments?

QuickBooks Payments is a payment processing solution integrated with QuickBooks accounting software. It allows businesses to accept credit card, debit card, ACH, and digital wallet payments both online and in-person. It is particularly beneficial for businesses already using QuickBooks for their accounting needs, offering seamless integration and streamlined financial management.

Learn more about QuickBooks Payments for different QuickBooks products.

What Is Stripe?

Stripe is a versatile payment processing platform designed for online and in-person transactions. It supports a wide range of payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and various digital wallets. Stripe is known for its developer-friendly API, making it a popular choice for businesses needing customizable payment solutions.

Key Differences

Integration with Accounting Software

QuickBooks Payments integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks Online and Desktop, making it an excellent choice for businesses already using QuickBooks for their accounting. This integration simplifies bookkeeping by automatically syncing payment data with accounting records.

Stripe, while not inherently tied to an accounting platform, offers robust API integrations that allow it to connect with various third-party accounting software, providing flexibility but potentially requiring more setup.

Pricing Structure

QuickBooks Payments operates on a pay-as-you-go model with no monthly fees for the basic plan. Transaction fees range from 1% for ACH payments to 3.5% for keyed-in transactions. There is also a $20 monthly plan with reduced rates.

Stripe charges a flat 2.9% plus $0.30 per successful card charge, with no monthly fees. For businesses processing high volumes, Stripe offers custom pricing plans which can lower transaction costs.

Ease of Use

QuickBooks Payments is designed to be user-friendly, especially for those familiar with QuickBooks. The setup is straightforward, and the interface is intuitive, making it easy for businesses to start accepting payments quickly.

Stripe, on the other hand, is more complex due to its extensive customization options. While it offers great flexibility, setting up Stripe can be more time-consuming and may require developer assistance.

Support and Customer Service

QuickBooks Payments provides customer support via phone and chat from Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT. There is also an online community and a resource center with articles and tutorials.

Stripe offers 24/7 customer support via email, chat, and phone, which can be advantageous for businesses that operate outside standard business hours or have urgent issues that need resolution.

Payout Times

QuickBooks Payments typically offers next-day deposits, with an option for instant payouts to a QuickBooks Checking account at an additional fee of 1.75%.

Stripe also provides next-day deposits for standard transactions. Instant payouts are available for a 1% fee, giving businesses quick access to their funds when needed.

Security Features

Both QuickBooks Payments and Stripe are PCI-compliant and offer robust security features. QuickBooks Payments includes tokenization, data encryption, and chargeback protection. Stripe also provides extensive security measures, including data encryption, two-factor authentication, and real-time fraud detection tools.

Global Reach

Stripe supports businesses in over 40 countries and allows transactions in more than 135 currencies, making it a strong choice for international businesses.

QuickBooks Payments is more limited in its global reach, primarily serving businesses in the United States, Canada, and a few other regions. This can be a significant consideration for businesses with a global customer base.

Which Is Better?

QuickBooks Payments is generally better for businesses that already use QuickBooks for accounting, as the seamless integration provides flexible payment methods and simplifies financial management and bookkeeping. It offers a user-friendly interface, competitive pricing, and solid support, making it a strong contender for small to medium-sized businesses.

Stripe, however, excels in flexibility and customization. Its powerful API and extensive global reach make it ideal for businesses with complex needs or those operating internationally. The 24/7 support and robust security features also add to its appeal.

Conclusion

Choosing between QuickBooks Payments and Stripe depends on your specific business needs. QuickBooks Payments is best for businesses looking for an integrated solution with their accounting software, while Stripe is ideal for those needing extensive customization and global capabilities.

For businesses looking to leverage the full benefits of QuickBooks Payments with added discounts and ongoing support, talk to us at Paygration. We can help you get started and maximize your investment in QuickBooks Payments. Call us at 866-949-7267 today!