Stripe or Elavon?
Pick the platform that fits your property business.
A side-by-side look at pricing, features and support, so you can match Stripe or Elavon to how your business actually takes payments.
Developer-first payments for global businesses
Bank-backed processing with transparent pricing
Which one should you choose?
Each platform is strongest in a different situation.
Choose Stripe
If you want a developer-first, API-driven platform with global currency coverage, built-in billing and invoicing, AI-powered fraud tools, and deep accounting and SDK integrations.
Choose Elavon
If you want transparent per-transaction pricing with no annual, batch, or cancellation fees, fast weekend and holiday funding, and one platform for payments, chargebacks and reporting.
Consider Zeevou
RECOMMENDEDIf you want to manage holiday lets or serviced accommodation with a free core PMS, 0% commission on direct bookings, and modular add-ons that scale without adding payment-processor complexity.
Stripe vs Elavon at a glance
Based on publicly available data as of September 2026.
StripeProgrammable payment infrastructure with global reach
ElavonU.S. Bank-owned processor for in-person and online payments
See what Zeevou offers
Free core PMS, 0% commission on direct bookings and everything you need to grow from 5 units to 200+.
Book a free consultation“…Easy to board the property and integrate with the OTA’s. I love the monthly chat where we can be updated on features and improvements…”
Tamar Finkelstein“…A game-changer in helping me systemise my business operations while providing a seamless user journey for my guests…”
Jordan Bunton-Williams“…The perfect Channel Manager for our portfolio. ID verification, agreements and security deposits all in one place!…”
Fabian ProsciucA quick feature breakdown
Secure Payment
| Feature | Stripe | Elavon |
|---|---|---|
| 3-D Secure / SCA | – | |
| PCI DSS compliance | ||
| Fraud screening tools | ||
| Tokenised card storage |
Payment Methods
| Feature | Stripe | Elavon |
|---|---|---|
| Card payments | credit/debit/prepaid cards | |
| Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) | ||
| Bank transfers / local methods | – | |
| Payment links | – |
Billing
| Feature | Stripe | Elavon |
|---|---|---|
| Recurring / subscription billing | – | |
| Invoicing | – | |
| Pre-authorisation (holds for deposits) | – | |
| Refunds via dashboard | – |
Disputes and Reporting
| Feature | Stripe | Elavon |
|---|---|---|
| Chargeback management | per-dispute fee applies | |
| Real-time reporting dashboard | ||
| Payout reports | ||
| Accounting integrations | – |
Developer and Support
| Feature | Stripe | Elavon |
|---|---|---|
| Public API | ||
| Plugins for booking engines / PMS | ||
| 24/7 support | email, chat, phone; paid tiers for priority |
Information is based on publicly available data and our independent analysis as of September 2026. Features, pricing and capabilities may change without notice. “–” means the company does not list the feature publicly.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stripe or Elavon cheaper?
Stripe's headline rate is 2.9% + 30¢ per successful domestic card transaction, with extra fees for manually entered cards, international cards, and currency conversion. Elavon's in-person rate starts at 2.60% + 12¢ and its online rate starts at 3.30% + 30¢ per qualified transaction, with no annual, batch, or cancellation fees. Which is cheaper depends on your transaction mix, so it's worth comparing your typical card types and volumes against both rate structures.
Which is better for online businesses, Stripe or Elavon?
Stripe is built around a developer-first, API-driven model with extensive documentation, SDKs, and built-in subscription billing and invoicing, which suits SaaS, marketplaces, and ecommerce businesses that want to customise their payment flows. Elavon also supports online processing and offers a developer portal and gateway APIs, but its published strengths lean more towards unified in-person, online, and mobile payments for retail and hospitality merchants.
Does Stripe or Elavon offer a free plan?
Neither Stripe nor Elavon publishes a free plan. Stripe charges per successful transaction from the first payment, with no setup fees or contracts. Elavon's pricing is also transaction-based, starting at 2.60% + 12¢ in-person or 3.30% + 30¢ online, with no annual or cancellation fees.
What's the main difference between Stripe and Elavon?
Stripe is a global, developer-focused payment infrastructure platform with extensive currency and payment method coverage, AI-driven fraud tools, and built-in billing software. Elavon is a bank-backed processor, owned by U.S. Bank, that emphasises transparent per-transaction pricing, fast funding, and a single platform for payments, chargebacks, and reporting across in-person and online channels.
Can I switch from Stripe or Elavon without disrupting my bookings?
Both providers offer APIs and gateway integrations that can be connected to booking or property management software, but any processor change involves reconfiguring payment flows and testing before going live. If you manage holiday lets or serviced accommodation, pairing your chosen processor with a platform like Zeevou keeps your bookings, guest communication, and payments running smoothly during the transition.
