Currency Conversion Fee Calculator
Compare the FX markup on PayPal, Stripe, Shopify Payments and Wise for the same payment, so you can see who takes the smallest cut.
Your numbers
PayPal's published spread for goods and services payments taken in another currency, checked 30 Sep 2026.
Added on top of Stripe's normal card fee, not a standalone conversion product.
Shopify doesn't publish one fixed number. Check Settings → Payments for your store's exact rate; 1.5% to 2% is typical.
Wise shows the live mid-market rate plus a small fee that varies by currency pair and amount. Check wise.com/pricing for your exact route.
Your result · updates as you type
Wise costs the least to convert
$3.00
0.6% of $500.00, $17.00 less than PayPal at 4%.
- Wise
- $3.00
- Shopify Payments
- $7.50
- Stripe (added to card fee)
- $5.00
- PayPal
- $20.00
These aren't quite apples to apples: PayPal and Stripe charge their spread as part of taking the payment, Shopify charges it on payout, and Wise charges it when you move money you already hold. Compare the one that matches how you'd actually receive this payment.
Breakdown
- Wise (0.6%)
- $3.00
- Stripe (added to card fee) (1%)
- $5.00
- Shopify Payments (1.5%)
- $7.50
- PayPal (4%)
- $20.00
The markup, not the exchange rate itself
Every one of these providers converts at roughly the real (mid-market) exchange rate, then adds a spread on top. That spread, not the headline exchange rate, is what actually costs you money. This calculator compares the spreads directly, in dollars, on the same payment.
Example: the default numbers ($500 payment)
- Wise (0.6%)
- $3.00
- Shopify Payments (1.5%)
- $7.50
- Stripe, added to card fee (1%)
- $5.00
- PayPal (4%)
- $20.00
Wise costs the least at $3.00, $17.00 less than PayPal's $20.00 on the same $500.
PayPal's 4% and Stripe's 1% are published spreads, checked 30 Sep 2026. Shopify and Wise don't publish one fixed number: edit those two fields with your store's exact rate from Settings → Payments, and your Wise quote for the currency pair you actually use.
These aren't quite the same product
- PayPal and Stripe charge their spread as part of taking a payment already in a different currency, alongside their normal processing fee.
- Shopify Payments charges it when it pays out your sales into your bank account's currency.
- Wise charges it when you actively convert or send money you already hold, for example paying an overseas supplier.
Compare the one that matches how you'd actually handle this specific payment, not just the lowest number on the list.
Questions people ask
What is PayPal's currency conversion fee?
Up to a 4.00% spread over PayPal's base exchange rate for goods and services payments taken in a currency other than the one you're listed in.
Is Wise cheaper than PayPal for currency conversion?
Usually, yes, often by a wide margin, because Wise starts from the mid-market rate and adds a small fee instead of a flat spread. The exact saving depends on the currency pair and amount.
Does Shopify charge a currency conversion fee?
Yes, when Shopify Payments pays you out in a different currency than the customer paid in. Shopify doesn't publish one universal rate; check your exact figure in Settings → Payments.
Why is Stripe's conversion fee listed separately from its card fee?
Because it's an add-on to Stripe's normal processing rate, not a standalone way to move money, unlike Wise. It only applies when a card payment needs converting.
Related tools
Want this builtinto your store?
I'm Emmanuel, a Shopify and WooCommerce developer. If this tool pointed at something you'd rather have fixed for you (a faster store, cleaner product data, a migration, a custom feature), send me a note.
Emmanuel Asika
Shopify & WooCommerce developer, Dublin
I build and fix online stores: new builds, migrations, speed, SEO and the custom bits apps can't do.
Last reviewed 30 September 2026.
Sources: PayPal: Merchant fees · Stripe: Pricing · Shopify Help: Currency conversion fee calculation for Shopify Payments orders · Wise: Pricing