Payment Processing Fees Explained: What You Actually Pay
A transparent breakdown of transaction costs and how they compare to alternatives
Payment processing fees can feel like a mystery. Credit card companies, payment processors, platforms—everyone takes a cut. Let's demystify exactly what happens when a client buys your photos.
The Anatomy of a Transaction
When a client pays $100 for photos, here's where that money goes:
1. Card Network Fees (Interchange)
Visa, Mastercard, and Amex charge fees to process transactions. These vary by card type but typically run 1.5-2.5%. Premium rewards cards cost more to process than basic debit cards.
2. Payment Processor Fees (Stripe)
Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 per successful transaction for standard US-based accounts. This covers fraud protection, PCI compliance, dispute handling, and the infrastructure that makes instant payments possible.
Note: Stripe's fees may vary depending on your country and the currency of the transaction. For international rates and detailed information, visit Stripe's Pricing Page.
3. Platform Fees (Us)
Proof & Purchase takes a small percentage to maintain the platform, provide support, and continue development. Our rates:
- Free plan: 5%
- Pro plan: 2%
Real Numbers
Let's see actual take-home amounts for different sale sizes on the Pro plan:
| Sale Price | Stripe Fee | Platform Fee | You Receive |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25 | $1.03 | $0.50 | $23.47 |
| $50 | $1.75 | $1.00 | $47.25 |
| $100 | $3.20 | $2.00 | $94.80 |
| $250 | $7.55 | $5.00 | $237.45 |
| $500 | $14.80 | $10.00 | $475.20 |
How We Compare
vs. Traditional Galleries
Print labs and gallery platforms often take 20-50% commission on sales. On a $100 sale, you might only see $50-80. Our combined fees (Stripe + platform) are significantly lower.
vs. PayPal
PayPal charges 2.99% + $0.49 for standard commercial transactions—slightly more than Stripe. Their invoicing features require chasing clients for payment. With Proof & Purchase, clients pay at checkout without invoices.
vs. Square
Square's 2.6% + $0.10 in-person rate is competitive, but online transactions are 2.9% + $0.30—identical to Stripe. Square also charges extra for instant transfers, similar to Stripe.
vs. Manual Invoicing
Sending invoices via Wave, QuickBooks, or email adds friction that delays payment. Every day a client doesn't pay is a day you're not earning. Integrated checkout converts browsers to buyers immediately.
Minimizing Your Fees
Encourage Larger Purchases
Fixed per-transaction fees ($0.30) matter less on larger sales. A $25 purchase has an effective Stripe rate of 4.1%, while a $250 purchase drops to 3.0%.
Consider album bundles and package pricing to encourage larger cart sizes.
Upgrade to Pro
If you're processing more than $167/month in sales, the $5 Pro subscription pays for itself in reduced platform fees. At $300/month in sales, you save $9 in fees—almost double the subscription cost.
Price Accordingly
Factor fees into your pricing. If you want to net $100 on a sale (Pro plan), price at $105.47 to cover the 4.9% + $0.30 fees.
The Bottom Line
No payment method is free. The question is: what value do you get for the fees you pay?
With Proof & Purchase, your fees cover secure hosting, automatic watermarking, integrated payments, instant delivery, and a professional client experience. Compare that to taking 50% less through a gallery, and the math speaks for itself.