Guide
Stripe fees for coaches, explained
Stripe is the most common way online coaches get paid, and its pricing is 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%. That takes the rate to roughly 4.4% + $0.30. A further currency-conversion fee applies 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.