By helloDarwin
March 17, 2025
Stripe vs Nuvei: Which Payment Gateway to Choose for E-Commerce?
In the world of e-commerce, choosing a reliable payment gateway is crucial for online merchants. Two major players stand out: Stripe and Nuvei. These payment gateways allow businesses to securely accept and manage online payment processing. Stripe is an Irish-American fintech known for its easy API integration and transparent pricing. Nuvei, on the other hand, is a Canadian provider focused on global payment solutions for businesses, with an extensive international presence.
This Stripe vs. Nuvei comparison examines the key criteria for choosing one solution over the other: transaction fees, technical integration and compatibility, payment security (PCI DSS compliance), customer support, accepted payment methods, fraud management, user experience, recurring subscription management and international payments, overall pricing, third-party integrations/API documentation, financial reporting tools, acquiring bank/partner network, and the level of customization offered. A final comparison table will summarize the key differences between Stripe and Nuvei.
Transaction Fees
Stripe offers simple and transparent pricing: no monthly subscription or setup fees, just a commission on each payment. In general, Stripe charges around 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. This all-inclusive model allows small merchants to start easily with a pay-as-you-go model.
Nuvei adopts a more customized pricing structure. The pricing usually combines a monthly fee for using the platform, fixed per-transaction fees (e.g., ~$0.40), and a variable commission negotiated based on the merchant's volume or profile. Additional fees may apply (e.g., PCI compliance or annual maintenance). The advantage is that high-volume merchants get lower rates per transaction, while smaller merchants may pay more due to fixed costs. In short, Stripe attracts users with its simplicity and lack of fixed fees, while Nuvei offers tailored pricing, which is especially beneficial for high-volume merchants.
API Integration and Compatibility
Stripe is often praised for the quality of its API and documentation. Developers have access to libraries in many languages (PHP, JavaScript, Python, etc.) and ready-to-use tools like Stripe Checkout (hosted payment page) or Stripe Elements (UI components for integration). The integration is quick, and compatibility is ensured with most websites and mobile apps (iOS/Android SDKs available). In short, Stripe provides a smooth experience for developers, allowing online payments to be added in no time.
Nuvei also offers a powerful REST API, but the integration is more formal. Merchants must first open a merchant account with Nuvei (business process) to obtain API credentials. The provided API documentation allows for the implementation of payment flows (authorization, capture, refund, etc.). Nuvei also provides plugins for certain e-commerce platforms (Magento, PrestaShop, etc.), making adoption easier without heavy development. However, the technical community around Nuvei is smaller, so there are fewer external tutorials—the company compensates with dedicated technical support to guide merchants step by step. In summary, Stripe stands out with its well-documented plug-and-play integration, while Nuvei adapts to major environments but requires a bit more initial effort.
Payment Security and PCI Compliance
Stripe and Nuvei ensure a high level of payment security. Both are PCI DSS Level 1 certified, the strictest standard for card data protection. This means that by using Stripe or Nuvei, merchants delegate sensitive data management to a compliant infrastructure, simplifying their own PCI compliance.
Stripe relies on tokenization of banking data: customer card details never pass through the merchant's server in plaintext. Additionally, Stripe supports strong authentication (3D Secure) when required, with no extra effort. All transactions are encrypted, and Stripe includes built-in fraud prevention tools. These measures are included by default, making Stripe a recognized reliable platform.
Nuvei also applies tokenization and advanced encryption for payments. The solution supports 3D Secure as needed, adding an extra layer of protection for high-risk transactions. Nuvei customers praise its robust security, which provides peace of mind. There may be additional PCI compliance fees with Nuvei, but in return, merchants are relieved of technical constraints. Ultimately, both Stripe and Nuvei offer secure transactions compliant with industry standards.
Customer Support and Merchant Assistance
Stripe and Nuvei take different approaches to customer support.
Stripe primarily offers online support: 24/7 assistance via chat or email (mainly in English, with some French availability), and a comprehensive knowledge base (guides, FAQs, developer community). However, small Stripe merchants do not have a dedicated account manager. Stripe’s self-service model is ideal for independent users who can find answers through the documentation.
Nuvei provides more personalized merchant support. Typically, a dedicated account manager or team assists merchants from integration onward (advice, configuration). Nuvei support is available via email, phone, and sometimes chat, with local teams depending on the market. User feedback highlights Nuvei's responsiveness and availability, with proactive follow-ups. In summary, Stripe focuses on autonomy and self-service resources, while Nuvei prioritizes human, tailored customer support.
Accepted Payment Methods
The diversity of supported payment methods is a major comparison point.
Stripe allows merchants to accept most popular payment options. In addition to credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc.), the solution integrates digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay for easier mobile payments, as well as local payment solutions in many countries (e.g., iDEAL, Bancontact, Boleto, etc.). Stripe also supports buy now, pay later (BNPL) options (Klarna, Afterpay, etc.) and bank debits (SEPA, ACH). Finally, Stripe is starting to open up to cryptocurrencies, allowing the acceptance of certain stablecoins, which are then converted into traditional currency. In total, 50+ different payment methods and 135 currencies are supported—enough to cover most standard e-commerce needs.
Nuvei stands out with an even more extensive, truly global catalog. The platform claims to support 500+ payment methods worldwide. This includes all popular cards and wallets, but also a vast range of local or alternative methods: regional e-wallets, prepaid cards, cash payments via vouchers, mobile money solutions, etc. In practice, Nuvei allows merchants to offer virtually any local payment method without adding another provider. (Regarding crypto, Nuvei supports payments in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others, with automatic conversion into fiat currency.) This comprehensive offering is a major advantage for reaching an international clientele with diverse preferences.
Fraud Management and Secure Transactions
Both solutions integrate fraud management tools to protect merchants from malicious transactions.
Stripe deploys Stripe Radar by default, which analyzes each payment using a machine learning model trained on countless transactions. Radar assigns a risk score and can automatically require additional verification or block a suspicious transaction. Merchants can fine-tune the settings (blacklists/whitelists, custom rules) via a dedicated dashboard. The advantage of Radar is that it works immediately without complex configuration, leveraging intelligence across Stripe’s entire network. This helps maintain a low fraud rate and limit chargebacks.
Nuvei also offers advanced anti-fraud tools, but with more control for merchants. Users can configure precise filters and rules: address verification (AVS), CVV checks, country or IP blocking, mandatory 3D Secure for transactions above a certain amount, etc. Merchants get real-time insights into suspicious transactions and can adjust their strategy accordingly. Additionally, thanks to its local acquiring network, Nuvei can process payments through a bank in the buyer’s country, reducing geographical-based transaction blocks. This approach minimizes false positives (legitimate transactions rejected for security reasons) and improves approval rates.
In summary, Stripe provides an effective turnkey fraud prevention solution, while Nuvei offers customizable fraud management tailored to merchants’ specific needs.
User Experience and Ease of Use
Stripe offers a standardized and optimized checkout process to maximize conversions: clean payment pages, mobile-friendly design, relevant options (e.g., one-click Apple Pay), and a smooth flow that builds customer trust. On the admin side, Stripe provides a clear and user-friendly dashboard to track sales, issue refunds, or manage disputes.
Nuvei enables a fully customized, site-integrated payment process (no forced redirection), allowing merchants to maintain a consistent brand experience throughout. This flexibility requires more integration work, but gives full control over the payment UX. On the back-office side, the Nuvei portal appears more complex due to its rich feature set and extensive settings. Once mastered, it provides access to advanced controls (sub-account payments, risk rules, etc.) that large merchants appreciate.
Recurring Subscriptions and International Payments
Stripe offers Stripe Billing, a complete module for managing subscriptions (automatic withdrawals, invoicing, failed payment retries, etc.). This makes it easy to set up a recurring revenue model without complex development.
Nuvei also supports recurring payments via card tokenization, but does not have a dedicated subscription management solution. Merchants can trigger recurring payments via API, but fine-tuned subscription management (plan tracking, customer communication) must be handled separately or via an external tool.
For international payments, Stripe operates in over 40 countries and accepts payments from customers worldwide in 135+ currencies (with automatic currency conversion if needed). This covers most standard e-commerce needs.
Nuvei has an even broader reach, supporting merchants in many countries where Stripe is not available. It leverages local banking partners to process transactions within each region. Practically speaking, a distant payment can be routed through a local acquirer, improving approval rates and reducing cross-border fees. For a business with a truly global clientele, Nuvei’s “glocal” (global-local) approach is a major advantage.
Pricing and Cost Structure
When it comes to cost structure, Stripe focuses on standardized transparency, while Nuvei offers customized pricing.
Stripe has no sign-up fees, no monthly subscription, and no long-term commitment. Most features are included for free, and merchants only pay a commission on successful transactions. Only a few premium features have small additional fees (e.g., 0.5% for subscription payments via Stripe Billing, or a few cents for an outgoing transfer with Stripe Connect). In the event of a customer dispute (chargeback), a fixed fee applies only if the merchant loses the case. Finally, there are no costs to stop using Stripe.
Nuvei, on the other hand, sets up custom contracts. This often includes fixed fees (setup, monthly subscription, etc.) in addition to negotiated transaction commissions. The common pricing model is interchange++, which means real card network fees + Nuvei’s margin. This structure can lower unit costs for high-volume merchants, especially for domestic cards with low interchange rates, but it requires fixed fees and usually a long-term commitment. Small merchants may prefer Stripe’s simple pricing, while large businesses can negotiate Nuvei’s terms to optimize their variable costs.
Third-Party Integrations and API Documentation
Thanks to its popularity, Stripe integrates natively with many third-party tools. Plugins exist for most CMS and e-commerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, etc.), and Stripe is also supported by various SaaS billing, CRM, and financial services via connectors. This makes deployment effortless. Stripe also offers publicly available, top-tier API documentation and a large developer community, ensuring quick issue resolution.
Nuvei is less widely available on small platforms but provides modules for select professional solutions (e.g., Magento extension, integrations via travel industry partners, etc.). In most cases, integrating Nuvei requires API development, but Nuvei’s support team helps with implementation. Nuvei’s API documentation is provided to clients and covers essential use cases.
In summary, Stripe excels in its ecosystem of third-party integrations and public API documentation, while Nuvei focuses on custom integration with strong support assistance.
Financial Reporting and Analytics Tools
Stripe provides standard reports via its dashboard (sales, acceptance rates, etc.) with data export options for external analysis. Nuvei also offers comprehensive, filterable reporting (by country, payment method, etc.) with real-time transaction monitoring. In both cases, fund settlements and associated fees are transparently documented, simplifying financial tracking.
Acquirers and Partner Banks
Stripe acts as the merchant’s primary acquirer in the regions where it operates, meaning merchants only deal with Stripe for all transactions (single contract, centralized management). This simplifies banking relationships and daily operations, as Stripe handles routing payments across networks in the background.
Nuvei relies on a network of multiple partner banks worldwide. Each transaction can be routed through the most suitable local acquirer based on the buyer’s country or card type. For example, a payment from Asia may be processed through an Asian bank, improving approval rates and reducing fees. This multi-acquirer approach is transparent for merchants but offers an advantage for global businesses by optimizing payments locally.
Comparison Table: Stripe vs. Nuvei
To conclude, here is a concise comparative table highlighting the differences between Stripe and Nuvei:
Criterion | Stripe | Nuvei |
|---|---|---|
Transaction Fees | ~2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (no monthly fees). | Custom pricing: Monthly subscription + ~ $0.40 per transaction + negotiated variable %. |
Technical Integration | Well-documented API, multi-language SDKs. Quick integration (ready-to-use tools). | Powerful API, slightly more complex initial integration. Plugins available on major platforms. |
Documentation & Dev Support | Extensive public documentation, large developer community. | Documentation provided to clients, dedicated technical support for integration. |
Payment Methods | ~50+ methods (cards, wallets, transfers, direct debits, BNPL, crypto). 135+ currencies supported. | 500+ methods (cards, local wallets, prepaid, mobile money, crypto). 150+ currencies supported. |
Geographical Reach | Merchants accepted in ~45 countries. Customers worldwide (automatic currency conversion +2% fee). | Merchants accepted almost everywhere. Routing through local acquirers to optimize acceptance and reduce international fees. |
Security & Fraud Prevention | PCI DSS Level 1 certified, card tokenization, integrated 3D Secure. Radar fraud prevention (machine learning) active by default. | PCI DSS Level 1 certified, tokenization, configurable 3D Secure. Customizable fraud prevention (AVS/CVV filters, custom rules). |
Customer Support | 24/7 online support (chat, email). No dedicated account manager for small accounts. Excellent knowledge base. | Dedicated support with an account manager, available by phone/email. Personalized assistance from integration onwards. |
User Experience | Standardized, optimized checkout (smooth UX, mobile-friendly). Intuitive and streamlined admin dashboard. | Fully customizable checkout (full branding, hosted on merchant's site). Feature-rich admin portal (more technical to use). |
Recurring Payments | Integrated Stripe Billing module (full subscription and recurring billing management). | Recurring payments possible via tokenization (no turnkey subscription module provided). |
Reports & Analytics | Standard reports available in the dashboard. Exportable data (CSV, API). | Customizable reports (by country, method, etc.). Real-time tracking. Integration via export/API. |
Customization | Payment process customizable via API (UI customization, webhooks). Additional tools (Connect, etc.) for specific cases (marketplaces). | Fully adjustable solution (white-label pages, local hosting options, addition of specific features/payment methods). |
Final Thoughts
Both Stripe and Nuvei are robust payment gateways that cater to different needs.
- Stripe stands out for its ease of integration, commitment-free pricing, and extensive ecosystem of ready-to-use features. This makes it an ideal choice for SMEs and e-commerce sites looking for a quick and hassle-free deployment.
- Nuvei, on the other hand, shines with its customizable approach and extensive global reach—a preferred option for businesses needing a tailor-made payment solution capable of adapting to international or industry-specific complexities.
The choice between Stripe and Nuvei will depend on each merchant’s specific context:
- If you are starting your online business or prioritizing ease of use and compatibility with standard tools, Stripe is a great fit.
- If you handle high transaction volumes, target a global audience with diverse payment habits, or require personalized support (e.g., fraud management, local compliance), Nuvei can offer superior value.
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