Stripe vs. PayPal: which to connect
In this article: What Stripe and PayPal each support on Ruzuku, how their fees compare, and how to pick the right one for your courses. You can also use both. All Plans
Ruzuku supports two payment processors: Stripe and PayPal. Both charge zero platform transaction fees from Ruzuku. The only fees you pay are the processor's own charges.
The short version: Stripe supports everything. PayPal supports single payments only. If you're only going to connect one, Stripe is the way to go. But you can connect both, and there are good reasons to.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Stripe | PayPal |
|---|---|---|
| Free price points | Yes | Yes |
| Single payments | Yes | Yes |
| Payment plans | Yes | No |
| Subscriptions | Yes | No |
| Free trials | Yes (on plans and subscriptions) | No |
| Upsells | Yes | No |
| Gift certificates | Yes (on single payments) | No |
| Setup time | ~2 minutes (OAuth connect) | ~5 minutes (API credentials) |
| Student choice at checkout | Credit/debit card | PayPal account or card |
The biggest difference: Stripe handles all four price point types. PayPal handles single payments only. If you want to offer payment plans, subscriptions, or free trials, you need Stripe.
Fee comparison
Both processors charge similar rates. Ruzuku adds nothing on top.
| Stripe | PayPal | |
|---|---|---|
| Ruzuku transaction fee | 0% | 0% |
| Processor fee (US) | ~2.9% + $0.30 | ~2.9% + $0.30 |
| Monthly fee | None | None |
| International cards | +1.5% for cross-border | Varies by country |
| Payout timing | 2 business days (US) | Available immediately or 1-3 days |
Actual rates depend on your country and PayPal account type. Check stripe.com/pricing and paypal.com/us/business/pricing for your specific rates.
When to connect Stripe
Connect Stripe if any of these apply:
- You want to offer payment plans (monthly installments for a set number of months)
- You want to offer subscriptions (ongoing monthly or annual billing)
- You want to add free trial periods to payment plans or subscriptions
- You want to use upsells at checkout
- You want a single processor that covers every pricing option
Most creators start with Stripe because it covers all the bases. Setup is fast: you click Connect with Stripe in your Ruzuku account settings, authorize the connection, and you're done in about 2 minutes. See Connect Stripe for payments for the full steps.
When to connect PayPal
Connect PayPal if:
- Some of your students prefer paying through their PayPal account rather than entering a credit card
- You sell to an international audience where PayPal is more widely used than credit cards
- You already have a PayPal business account and want to receive payments there
PayPal setup takes about 5 minutes. You create API credentials in the PayPal developer portal and paste them into your Ruzuku account. See Set up PayPal integration for the full steps.
Using both together
You can connect Stripe and PayPal at the same time. When you do, students see both options at checkout for single payment price points. They choose the one they prefer.
This gives students more flexibility without extra work on your end. If you sell a $297 course with a single payment price point, some students will pay with a credit card through Stripe, and others will pay through PayPal.
For payment plans, subscriptions, and upsells, Stripe is the only option regardless of whether PayPal is also connected. Students don't get a choice for those types because PayPal doesn't support them.
The quick recommendation
| Your situation | Connect |
|---|---|
| Starting out and want one processor that does everything | Stripe |
| Only selling single-payment courses and students prefer PayPal | PayPal |
| Want maximum flexibility for students | Both |
| Need payment plans, subscriptions, or upsells | Stripe (required) |
If you're not sure, start with Stripe. You can always add PayPal later.