Adyen vs Stripe: Which The Top Pick in 2025?

One key drawback of Adyen is its complex and frustrating user interface, which many users find difficult to navigate. On the other hand, Stripe is often criticized for its high fees, which can quickly add up and become a financial burden for businesses.

Rho could offer a more efficient solution by integrating AP automation and banking products with advanced software, streamlining financial processes for businesses.

When it comes to payment processing, many businesses turn to Adyen and Stripe for their robust solutions. However, choosing the right platform can be a complex task.

In this article, we’ll delve into what each solution offers and how they stack up against each other. Additionally, we'll also explore Rho as a third option worth considering.

Adyen Overview

Adyen operates as a comprehensive financial technology platform, integrating payments, data, and financial management. It primarily serves digital businesses, omnichannel enterprises, and platforms & marketplaces. The main value proposition lies in helping these businesses grow by providing an end-to-end solution that streamlines financial operations and offers valuable data insights.

Adyen Features

Some of the key features of Adyen include:

Expand your business: Easily add more payment methods and grow into new markets with local acquiring.
Connect online and offline: Create superior customer experiences using cross-channel insights.
Uncover areas for growth: Gain a deeper understanding of your business with all your global payment data in one place.
Manage fraud at scale: Protect your business by detecting and responding to fraud without impacting real transactions.

Adyen Pricing

Adyen's pricing structure is based on a per-transaction model without subscription tiers or packages.

$0.13 + 4% for certain payment methods
$0.13 + 3% for others
$0.13 + 4.99% + $0.30 for the United States and Canada

The prices for each tier are not publicly listed.

Drawbacks To Adyen

General user reviews of Adyen are mixed, with some users appreciating its functionality, while others criticize its user interface and support.

"Pathetic UI and Support." - Verified User
"ALERT!!! They change your account settings without consent and informing you!!!" - Verified User

For more details, visit Adyen Reviews on G2.

Stripe Overview

Stripe operates as a financial infrastructure platform, offering solutions in payments, embedded finance, and revenue automation. It primarily serves enterprises, startups, ecommerce, SaaS, retail, platforms, and marketplaces. Stripe's main value proposition is to help businesses reduce costs, grow revenue, and run more efficiently through a fully integrated suite of financial products.

Stripe Features

Some of the key features of Stripe include:

Online Payments: Solutions for accepting payments online, including no-code options like Payment Links and prebuilt payment forms like Checkout.
In-person Payments: Terminal solutions for accepting payments in physical locations.
Fraud Prevention: Radar for detecting and preventing fraudulent transactions.
Acceptance Optimizations: Tools for optimizing payment acceptance rates.

Stripe Pricing

Stripe offers both standard and custom pricing structures.

2.9% + 30¢ per successful transaction for domestic cards
Additional fees for manually entered cards, international cards, and currency conversion
Custom pricing available for businesses with large payment volumes or unique business models

Drawbacks To Stripe

The overall consensus on Stripe is generally positive, with users appreciating its ease of use and integration capabilities, though some have concerns about high fees.

"Stripe makes creating subscriptions, plans and payment links easy. The free billing portal allows clients to amend their plan type with us in a few simple clicks." - Oliver B.
"The cost, it's expensive, the percentage taken on each transaction, the exchange rate for foreign currencies, even if it doesn't seem much at start can quickly become a burden." - Sven K.

For more details, visit Stripe Payments Reviews on G2.

What to Know Before Picking Adyen or Stripe

Looking at the reviews as a whole, businesses often find Adyen's platform complicated and frustrating to use, with poor user interface and reporting tools. High fees and hidden charges are also common complaints, along with difficulties in contacting support and slow response times.

On the other hand, Stripe users frequently mention high fees and poor customer support as significant issues. Additionally, businesses face problems with API reliability, unexplained account blocks, and complex tax reporting requirements, which can disrupt operations and require technical expertise to manage.

Why Rho Is a Better Alternative

At Rho, we understand the challenges businesses face with Adyen and Stripe, such as high fees, complex interfaces, and unreliable support. Our platform is designed to simplify financial operations, offering transparent pricing, intuitive tools, and responsive customer service, making us a more efficient and user-friendly alternative.

Rho Features

Here are some of Rho's unique features that address specific challenges businesses face with Adyen and Stripe:

Up to 2% Cashback: With Rho Platinum, businesses can earn up to 2% cashback¹ on their spending, directly reducing operational costs.
Zero Platform Fees for AP Automation: Our AP Automation feature allows businesses to pay hundreds of vendors in minutes without any platform fees, streamlining accounts payable processes and saving money.
Direct Integration with Accounting, HR, and T&E Software: Rho integrates seamlessly with popular software, eliminating the need for manual data entry and reducing the risk of errors.
24/7 Private Banking Support: We offer round-the-clock support, ensuring that businesses can get help whenever they need it, unlike the often slow and unresponsive support from other platforms.
Comprehensive Spend Management and Expense Automation: Our platform automates expense reporting and captures every receipt, making it easier for businesses to manage and track expenses in real-time.
Treasury Management with Dynamic Yield Rates: Rho Treasury¹ helps businesses safeguard idle cash and earn a dynamic percentage yield, optimizing cash management and increasing returns.
Virtual Cards for Specific Needs: Create virtual cards for employees, specific dates, or particular vendors, providing flexibility and control over corporate spending.

Rho Pricing

We offer a straightforward and transparent pricing structure that sets us apart from the complex fee models of Adyen and Stripe. Our goal is to make financial management simple and cost-effective for businesses.

Here are the key pricing line items:

$0 monthly fees: No subscription fees for accessing our platform.
$0 Same-Day ACH fees: No charge for same-day ACH transactions.
$0 wire fees: No charge for wire transfers, with some exceptions for international wires.
$0 support fees: No fees for customer support, available from day one.
$0 checking account minimum fees: No minimum balance fees for checking accounts.
$0 connected, in-platform capabilities: No fees for using AP, Expense, and Accounting Automation features.
$0 per-user fees: No fees per user for accessing the platform.
1% foreign currency transfer: A 1% fee on foreign currency transfers.

You can find all the details about our pricing here.

Why Users Love Rho

We’re proud of what we do, but we think our customers say it best. Take a look at why they prefer Rho over other options.

"It is easy to use, it saves time and eliminates stress." - Sean F. (Chief Financial Officer, Mid-Market)
"Centralized system that is easy to use for all levels of the organization with exceptional customer service." - Tyler M. (Chief Financial Officer, Small-Business)
"Rho offers our users a one-touch experience for reporting company expenses on a corporate card." - Kevin K. (Director of Marketing and Analytics, Mid-Market)

Want a firsthand look at Rho? You can request a free demo here.

Which Platform Is Right for Your Business?

Choosing between Adyen, Stripe, and Rho depends on your business needs. Adyen and Stripe offer robust payment solutions, but they come with high fees and complex interfaces. This is where Rho comes in.

We provide transparent pricing, intuitive tools, and 24/7 support, making financial management simpler and more cost-effective. Our features like up to 2% cashback¹, zero platform fees for AP automation, and seamless software integration set us apart, ensuring a smoother, more efficient experience for your business.

Make the Smarter Choice with Rho Today

Curious to see what Rho can do for you? Discover how our platform can simplify your financial operations. Get started with Rho today.

Rho is a fintech company, not a bank or an FDIC-insured depository institution. Checking account and card services provided by Webster Bank N.A., member FDIC. Savings account services provided by American Deposit Management Co. and its partner banks. International and foreign currency payments services are provided by Wise US Inc. FDIC deposit insurance coverage is available only to protect you against the failure of an FDIC-insured bank that holds your deposits and subject to FDIC limitations and requirements. It does not protect you against the failure of Rho or other third party. Products and services offered through the Rho platform are subject to approval.

The Rho Corporate Cards are issued by Webster Bank N.A., member FDIC pursuant to a license from Mastercard, subject to approval.

Investment management and advisory services provided by RBB Treasury LLC dba Rho Treasury, an SEC-registered investment adviser and subsidiary of Rho. Rho Treasury investments are not deposits or other obligations of Webster Bank N.A., or American Deposit Management Co.’s partner banks, are not FDIC insured, are not guaranteed and may lose value. Investment products involve risk, including the possible loss of the principal invested, and past performance does not future results. Treasury and custodial services provided through Apex Clearing Corp. and Interactive Brokers LLC, registered broker dealers and members FINRA/SIPC.

¹Up to 2% cashback; terms and conditions apply. See eligibility and complete Rho Cashback Rewards Program terms and conditions here.

This content is for informational purposes only. It doesn’t necessarily reflect the views of Rho and should not be construed as legal, tax, benefits, financial, accounting, or other advice. If you need specific advice for your business, please consult with an expert, as rules and regulations change regularly.