Short answer: For selling, a Venmo business profile (1.9% + $0.10) is usually the cheapest of the four on small to mid payments, then Cash App Business (2.6% + $0.15), Stripe online cards (2.9% + $0.30) and PayPal Checkout (3.49% + $0.49). Personal payments between friends are free on all three apps unless a credit card funds them, and every app charges about 1.75% to cash out instantly.
What each app charges a seller
These are the standard published US rates for receiving a payment for goods or services, checked November 2026. Your app shows the exact fee before you confirm.
| App / payment type | Rate | On $20 | On $100 | On $500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venmo business profile | 1.9% + $0.10 | $0.48 | $2.00 | $9.60 |
| Cash App Business | 2.6% + $0.15 | $0.67 | $2.75 | $13.15 |
| Stripe online card | 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.88 | $3.20 | $14.80 |
| Venmo / PayPal personal goods & services | 2.99% | $0.60 | $2.99 | $14.95 |
| PayPal Checkout | 3.49% + $0.49 | $1.19 | $3.98 | $17.94 |
Cashing out: instant vs standard
Standard transfers to your bank are free on PayPal, Venmo and Cash App and take about 1–3 business days. Instant transfers cost about 1.75%: PayPal and Venmo cap the fee at $25 with a $0.25 minimum; Cash App quotes 0.5%–2.5% in the app.
If you cash out $1,000 a week instantly, that's about $17.50 a week, or roughly $900 a year — often more than the selling fees themselves.
- Batch cash-outs and use standard transfers when you can wait.
- Stripe pays out to your bank on a rolling schedule; Instant Payouts cost extra.
Which one fits which seller
Fees aren't the only cost. Chargebacks, refund policies and payout holds matter more for some sellers than a 0.5% difference.
- Local sales, small tickets: Venmo business profile has the lowest fee on most amounts.
- Customers who already use Cash App: Cash App Business, priced in.
- Online store, subscriptions, invoices: Stripe — built for websites and recurring billing.
- Buyers who want PayPal protection or international sales: PayPal Checkout, despite the higher rate.
Refunds and fees
Stripe does not return processing fees when you refund. PayPal returns the percentage part of most fees but keeps the fixed part. Check each app's refund terms before setting a return policy.
Never take sales as 'friends and family'
Asking buyers to send business payments as personal payments to dodge fees breaks app terms, removes buyer and seller protection, and can get an account limited. Price the fee in instead: to keep $100 through PayPal Checkout, charge $104.13.
Taxes on app payments
Payment apps send Form 1099-K for goods-and-services payments above the federal reporting threshold. Personal reimbursements between friends aren't income. Business income is taxable whether or not you receive a form.
Official sources and limitations
Policy sources consulted November 7, 2026. Platform terms, regional eligibility, payment screens and account notices take precedence over this guide. Example amounts are hypothetical, not guaranteed payouts. This is educational guidance, not personalized financial or tax advice.
Run your own numbers
Use your own statement amounts and measured rates instead of treating a calculator default as an official payment quote.
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