### Stripe vs. QBitFlow: Is the "Default" Costing You Too Much?
Stripe is the reliable industry standard, but in 2026, "default" doesn't mean "optimal." For SaaS, marketplaces, and global businesses, Stripe’s layered fees often hide the true cost of doing business.
#### Stripe’s Fee Structure (2026)
Stripe’s pricing appears simple but scales quickly with hidden costs:
* *Base Fees:* 2.9% + $0.30 (US) or 1.5% + €0.25 (EU).
* *International Surcharges:* Often an additional 1% plus currency conversion fees.
* *Chargebacks:* A flat $15 fee per dispute, regardless of the outcome.
* *Payout Lag:* Funds are typically held for 2–7 business days.
* *Add-ons:* Fraud protection (Radar) and Tax automation incur extra per-transaction costs.
#### The QBitFlow Alternative: 1.5% Flat
QBitFlow strips away the complexity with a single, transparent rate: *1.5% flat.*
* No per-transaction fixed fees.
* No international or currency conversion surcharges.
* No chargeback fees (blockchain transactions are final).
* No monthly or setup costs.
#### The Real-World Math
The savings become dramatic when looking at effective rates across different price points:
*The International Gap:* For an EU business accepting a €100 US payment, Stripe charges ~€3.75 (3.75%). QBitFlow charges €1.50. That is a *60% reduction* in fees.
#### Structural Advantages
Beyond the percentage, QBitFlow changes how you handle money:
* *Instant Settlement:* Funds arrive in your wallet immediately. No rolling reserves or payout schedules.
* *Non-Custodial:* You own your money. Unlike Stripe, QBitFlow cannot freeze your account because they never hold your funds; payments go directly from the customer to your wallet via open-source smart contracts.
* *Zero Chargebacks:* Finality on the blockchain eliminates the $15+ dispute fees that plague digital goods and subscriptions.
#### Which One Should You Choose?
*Stick with Stripe if:*
* Your customers are non-technical and don't use crypto wallets.
* You require immediate fiat settlement into a traditional bank account.
* You are deeply embedded in Stripe’s tax and billing ecosystem.
*Switch to QBitFlow if:*
* *Your audience is crypto-native:* Perfect for Web3 tools, DeFi, and tech-forward SaaS.
* *You sell globally:* Eliminate cross-border friction and conversion fees instantly.
* *You want better margins:* A SaaS doing $50k/month could save over *$13,000 annually* by switching from Stripe to QBitFlow.
* *You want a hybrid approach:* You don't have to choose. Use Stripe for cards and QBitFlow to offer a low-fee crypto option.
#### Get Started
QBitFlow supports Ethereum and Solana with major stablecoins (USDC/USDT). Integrate via our *API/SDKs*, use our *No-code web app*, or drop in a *Hosted Checkout* page.
Stripe is the reliable industry standard, but in 2026, "default" doesn't mean "optimal." For SaaS, marketplaces, and global businesses, Stripe’s layered fees often hide the true cost of doing business.
#### Stripe’s Fee Structure (2026) Stripe’s pricing appears simple but scales quickly with hidden costs: * *Base Fees:* 2.9% + $0.30 (US) or 1.5% + €0.25 (EU). * *International Surcharges:* Often an additional 1% plus currency conversion fees. * *Chargebacks:* A flat $15 fee per dispute, regardless of the outcome. * *Payout Lag:* Funds are typically held for 2–7 business days. * *Add-ons:* Fraud protection (Radar) and Tax automation incur extra per-transaction costs.
#### The QBitFlow Alternative: 1.5% Flat QBitFlow strips away the complexity with a single, transparent rate: *1.5% flat.* * No per-transaction fixed fees. * No international or currency conversion surcharges. * No chargeback fees (blockchain transactions are final). * No monthly or setup costs.
#### The Real-World Math The savings become dramatic when looking at effective rates across different price points:
| Transaction Size | Stripe (US) Fee | QBitFlow Fee | Your Savings | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | *$10 (Small)* | $0.59 (5.9%) | $0.15 (1.5%) | *$0.44* | | *$50 (Medium)* | $1.75 (3.5%) | $0.75 (1.5%) | *$1.00* | | *$100 (Large)* | $3.20 (3.2%) | $1.50 (1.5%) | *$1.70* | | *$1,000 (Enterprise)* | $29.30 (2.93%) | $15.00 (1.5%) | *$14.30* |
*The International Gap:* For an EU business accepting a €100 US payment, Stripe charges ~€3.75 (3.75%). QBitFlow charges €1.50. That is a *60% reduction* in fees.
#### Structural Advantages Beyond the percentage, QBitFlow changes how you handle money: * *Instant Settlement:* Funds arrive in your wallet immediately. No rolling reserves or payout schedules. * *Non-Custodial:* You own your money. Unlike Stripe, QBitFlow cannot freeze your account because they never hold your funds; payments go directly from the customer to your wallet via open-source smart contracts. * *Zero Chargebacks:* Finality on the blockchain eliminates the $15+ dispute fees that plague digital goods and subscriptions.
#### Which One Should You Choose? *Stick with Stripe if:* * Your customers are non-technical and don't use crypto wallets. * You require immediate fiat settlement into a traditional bank account. * You are deeply embedded in Stripe’s tax and billing ecosystem.
*Switch to QBitFlow if:* * *Your audience is crypto-native:* Perfect for Web3 tools, DeFi, and tech-forward SaaS. * *You sell globally:* Eliminate cross-border friction and conversion fees instantly. * *You want better margins:* A SaaS doing $50k/month could save over *$13,000 annually* by switching from Stripe to QBitFlow. * *You want a hybrid approach:* You don't have to choose. Use Stripe for cards and QBitFlow to offer a low-fee crypto option.
#### Get Started QBitFlow supports Ethereum and Solana with major stablecoins (USDC/USDT). Integrate via our *API/SDKs*, use our *No-code web app*, or drop in a *Hosted Checkout* page.
* *Test it out:* [Test Mode →](https://qbitflow.app/docs?section=test-mode) * *Verify the code:* [GitHub →](https://github.com/QBitFlow) * *Calculate your exact savings:* [Pricing Calculator →](https://qbitflow.app/pricing)