Question 1

How much does PayPal take from a freelance payment?

Accepted Answer

For Goods and Services on a US account the standard rate is around 3.49% plus a fixed fee, with roughly 1.5% more for international payments and a currency conversion markup of about 4% on top when the currencies differ. The conversion is usually the largest single component on cross-border work.

Question 2

What are Stripe fees for freelancers?

Accepted Answer

The standard published rate is around 2.9% plus 30 cents per successful card charge, with about 1.5% more for international cards and about 1% for currency conversion. Stripe is generally cheaper than PayPal on conversion.

Question 3

Is Wise or Payoneer cheaper for freelancers?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the currencies involved. Wise typically charges a small conversion fee near the mid-market rate and nothing to receive in a currency you already hold. Payoneer is often around 1% when the client pays by bank debit and around 3% by card. Use the comparison to check your own amount.

Question 4

How do I invoice so I receive an exact amount?

Accepted Answer

Switch to "What to invoice" and enter the amount you want to land in your account. The calculator works backwards through the percentage, fixed, conversion, and withdrawal fees to give you the invoice figure.

Question 5

Should I pass payment fees on to the client?

Accepted Answer

Many freelancers build fees into their rate rather than adding them as a line item, because a surprise surcharge on an invoice creates friction. Whichever you choose, agree it in the contract before you send the first invoice.

Question 6

Are these fee rates up to date?

Accepted Answer

They are the standard published rates at the date shown under the comparison, and they are editable. Fees vary by country, account type, and payment method, so treat them as a starting point and confirm in your own dashboard.

Payment Fee Calculator

Same invoice, every option

$165.28 separates the best and worst option on this invoice