Guide
Stripe fees for coaches, explained
Stripe is the most common way online coaches get paid, and its pricing is refreshingly public — but the way the fee is built means small payments lose a bigger share than you'd expect. Here's exactly what comes off each payment and why.
The standard rate: 2.9% + $0.30
Stripe's published US online card rate is 2.9% of the payment plus a fixed $0.30 per successful charge. On a $200 session that's $6.10 (2.9% = $5.80, plus $0.30). On a $2,000 package it's $58.30. The percentage scales with the payment; the 30¢ does not — which is why it matters most on small charges.
Why small payments hurt more
Because of the flat 30¢, the effective percentage you pay is higher on small payments. A $10 add-on costs you 2.9% + $0.30 = $0.59, an effective rate of 5.9% — double the headline number. A $1,000 payment's effective rate is about 2.93%. If you sell low-ticket items, batching them or raising prices reduces the fixed-fee drag.
International cards cost more
Stripe adds a surcharge for cards issued outside your country — commonly +1.5%, taking the rate to roughly 4.4% + $0.30, with a further currency-conversion fee if the payment isn't in your settlement currency. If you coach a global client base, a meaningful slice of your fees is this surcharge, not the base rate.
Frequently asked questions
What is Stripe's standard fee for coaches?
2.9% + $0.30 per successful card charge on Stripe's standard US online pricing. The percentage scales with the payment; the 30¢ is fixed, so small payments pay a higher effective rate.
Does Stripe charge more for overseas clients?
Yes. International cards typically carry an additional surcharge (commonly +1.5%) on top of the base rate, plus a currency-conversion fee if the payment isn't in your settlement currency.