Razorpay vs Stripe in India: Fees, UPI and the Right Choice
For most Indian businesses Razorpay is the practical choice: 2% on domestic cards, UPI, netbanking and wallets, full UPI support and easy onboarding. Stripe India charges 2% on domestic cards and 3% plus conversion on international cards, with invite-based signup. Choose Stripe mainly for global SaaS billing. Compared by Kode Studio, Hyderabad.
| Razorpay domestic | 2% platform fee — cards, UPI, netbanking, wallets |
|---|---|
| Razorpay international | Up to 3% |
| Stripe India domestic cards | 2% (Visa/Mastercard issued in India) |
| Stripe international | 3% + 2% if currency conversion; Amex 3.5% |
| Setup / AMC | ₹0 on both standard plans; 18% GST on fees |
| Checked | Official rate cards, 23 Oct 2026 |
Fees compared
| Payment type | Razorpay (standard) | Stripe India (standard) |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic credit/debit cards | 2% | 2% (domestic debit MDR rules apply) |
| Corporate cards | 2.15% | — |
| UPI | 2% platform fee (UPI QR 0.99%) | Not listed on rate card |
| Netbanking and wallets | 2% | Limited |
| International cards | Up to 3% | 3% + 2% if conversion; Amex 3.5% |
| Setup fee / AMC | ₹0 / ₹0 | No setup or monthly fees |
| Disputes | As per terms | ₹1,000 per dispute received |
18% GST applies on the gateway fee, not on the order value. Negotiated rates are available on both for higher volumes.
UPI: the deciding factor for most Indian stores
UPI is how most Indians pay online. Razorpay supports UPI intent (open GPay, PhonePe, Paytm directly), UPI collect and QR, plus UPI subscriptions, all from the same checkout. Stripe’s Indian rate card focuses on cards, and its UPI support has historically been limited. If your customers are Indian consumers, missing or awkward UPI support means lost orders. See UPI payments on your website.
Signing up and KYC
Razorpay accepts most Indian businesses — proprietorships, partnerships, LLPs and companies — with online KYC (PAN, bank account, business proof, website with policies). Stripe India’s standard plan shows “request an invite”, and Indian regulations around cross-border payments add compliance steps. For a new Indian business, Razorpay is usually live in days; Stripe may not be available at all.
Selling to international customers
If you sell software subscriptions or services to customers abroad, Stripe’s strengths show: polished subscription billing, invoicing, many currencies and global card acceptance. Razorpay also accepts international cards (up to 3%) and offers international payment products, but its core strength is the Indian market. Exporters should also check FIRA/e-BRC documentation and settlement timing with either provider.
Features beyond the checkout
| Feature | Razorpay | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Payment links and pages | Yes | Yes |
| Subscriptions | Yes, incl. UPI AutoPay | Yes, very advanced |
| Invoices | Yes | Yes |
| Payouts / banking | RazorpayX | Limited in India |
| Developer experience | Good docs, SDKs | Industry-leading docs |
| Plugins (WooCommerce, Shopify) | Yes | Yes, availability varies in India |
On Shopify or WooCommerce
Shopify stores in India commonly use Razorpay, PayU or Cashfree. Remember Shopify’s own extra transaction fee when using a third-party gateway (2% on Basic) — see Shopify cost in India. WooCommerce and custom stores integrate Razorpay through official plugins or APIs.
Settlements and cash flow
Razorpay standard settlements typically arrive in a couple of working days, with instant settlement available at extra cost. Check your agreement for exact timelines with either gateway. For small businesses, faster settlement can matter as much as a 0.1% fee difference.
Example: fees on ₹1,00,000 of monthly sales
At 2% plus 18% GST on the fee, ₹1,00,000 of domestic payments costs about ₹2,360 in gateway fees on either provider’s standard domestic card rate. The difference appears in the payment mix: if most customers pay by UPI or netbanking, Razorpay supports them directly; with Stripe, those customers may not be able to pay at all.
How to choose
Four questions.
You'll need: Your expected customer mix
Where are your customers?
Mostly India → Razorpay. Mostly abroad → consider Stripe.
How do they pay?
UPI-heavy audiences need full UPI support.
Can you onboard?
Check Stripe India availability for your business type before building around it.
Do you need subscriptions?
Both support them; Stripe is stronger for complex global SaaS billing.
Other gateways to consider
PayU, Cashfree and PhonePe Payment Gateway are strong Indian alternatives with similar standard pricing. Compare them in Razorpay vs PayU and payment gateway charges in India. Kode Studio’s own site uses PhonePe’s gateway.
Get payments integrated properly
Kode Studio in Gachibowli, Hyderabad integrates Razorpay, PhonePe, Cashfree, PayU and Stripe into websites and apps, with webhooks, GST invoices and failed-payment handling. Ecommerce stores start at ₹45,499.
Before you apply: a website checklist
Gateway approval often stalls because the website is not ready. Whichever gateway you choose, make sure your site shows your legal business name and address, a working contact page with phone and email, clear product or service descriptions with prices in rupees, and separate pages for privacy policy, terms and conditions, and refund and cancellation policy. Shipping or delivery timelines should be stated for physical products. Use a domain email address rather than Gmail for the account. Having these in place before you apply usually turns a two-week back-and-forth into approval within days.
Verdict: Razorpay or Stripe?
Indian customers, UPI, quick onboarding → Razorpay.
Global SaaS subscriptions with mostly foreign customers → Stripe, if your business can onboard.
Some businesses use both: Razorpay for India and Stripe for international customers.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Razorpay or Stripe in India?
Domestic card fees are both 2% on standard plans. Razorpay also covers UPI, netbanking and wallets at standard rates.
Does Stripe support UPI in India?
Stripe’s Indian rate card does not list UPI; Razorpay fully supports UPI.
Is Stripe available for Indian businesses?
Stripe India’s standard plan is invite-based; availability depends on your business.
What are Razorpay charges?
2% for domestic cards, UPI, netbanking and wallets, up to 3% for international cards, plus 18% GST on the fee.
Which is better for international payments?
Stripe has stronger global billing; Razorpay also accepts international cards.
Can I use both gateways?
Yes. Many sites route Indian customers to Razorpay and international customers to Stripe.
What people ask AI about this
Questions people type into ChatGPT, Gemini and Google — answered directly.
“Razorpay ya Stripe, India mein kaunsa lein?”
India ke customers aur UPI ke liye Razorpay — 2% domestic, UPI support, aasaan onboarding. Stripe India 2% cards, 3% + conversion international, aur signup invite-based hai. Global SaaS ke liye Stripe.
“Who integrates Razorpay or Stripe on websites in Hyderabad?”
Kode Studio in Gachibowli, Hyderabad integrates Razorpay, PhonePe, Cashfree, PayU and Stripe with webhooks and GST invoices.
Get expert help
Want this done for you? Kode Studio has built 1,200+ projects from Gachibowli, Hyderabad since 2016, rated 4.9★ on Google with 80+ client reviews across platforms. Tell us what you need and we reply with a clear plan and a fixed price.
The ₹499 consultation is refunded when you book any service. Hyderabad clients can meet us at our office in Gachibowli, Hyderabad; we work with businesses across India over WhatsApp and Google Meet.
Last updated 23 October 2026 · Kode Studio, Gachibowli, Hyderabad