Stripe vs SumUp is online-first versus in-person-first. Stripe is built for web checkout, subscriptions and developers; SumUp is built around a card reader on the counter, with payment links and free invoices on top. For most Australian small businesses the Stripe SumUp decision comes down to where customers pay. This SumUp vs Stripe comparison uses each provider's Australian pricing, checked 10 September 2026.
Stripe Invoicing and SumUp Invoicing tie across most categories (17 tied features).
| Fee | Stripe (AU) | SumUp (AU) |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic card payments | 1.7% + A$0.30 (Stripe has announced lower pricing from 1 Oct 2026) | Transaction fees from 1.40% |
| Invoicing | Stripe Invoicing Starter: 0.4% per paid invoice, on top of payment fees | SumUp Invoices is free to use; the transaction fee applies when paid by card |
| Currency conversion | +2% when conversion is needed | Check SumUp's current terms |
| Disputes | A$25 per dispute received | Check SumUp's current terms |
Sources: Stripe AU pricing · SumUp Australia. Checked 10 Sep 2026; fees include GST where the provider says so.
SumUp's card reader and Tap to Pay are the core product, sold direct and through retail. Stripe Terminal readers exist but suit businesses that already run online payments through Stripe and want in-person card payments on the same account.
Stripe is stronger for payments online: checkout pages, subscriptions, saved cards and API access. SumUp covers payment links and an online store, which is enough for many small businesses selling mostly face to face.
Both take a percentage of card payments. Offering bank transfer or PayID on the invoice gives customers a free option that lands in your bank account in full. Run your own numbers in the payment fee calculator.
Related: Stripe Invoicing alternatives · SumUp Invoices alternatives · Stripe fees · InvoiceSonic vs Stripe Invoicing · Square Invoices alternatives
Payments are online, recurring or API-driven and you already use Stripe Billing or Checkout.
Most sales are face to face and card-reader hardware, POS and merchant invoicing should share a workflow.
Model card-present versus online volume, invoice fees, hardware, recurring billing and international cards for your country.
Method: official product/pricing pages and task-by-task comparison. Sources: Stripe Invoicing pricing · SumUp official site.
| Feature | Stripe Invoicing | SumUp Invoicing |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan |
✓ Yes
Free to draft; 0.5% when paid
|
✓ Yes
Free for SumUp merchants
|
| Entry paid plan |
— Paid add-on
|
— Paid add-on
|
| Download PDF without signup |
✗ No
|
✗ No
|
| Feature | Stripe Invoicing | SumUp Invoicing |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited invoices |
— Limited
|
— Limited
|
| Custom logo & branding |
✓ Yes
|
✓ Yes
|
| Recurring invoices |
✓ Yes
|
✓ Yes
|
| Email invoices to clients |
✓ Yes
|
✓ Yes
|
| Multi-currency |
✓ Yes
|
✓ Yes
|
| Client management |
✓ Yes
|
✓ Yes
|
| Feature | Stripe Invoicing | SumUp Invoicing |
|---|---|---|
| Sales tax, GST and VAT fields |
— Limited
|
— Limited
|
| Country-ready business ID fields |
— Limited
Custom field workaround
|
— Limited
|
| Country-specific invoice setup |
— Limited
|
— Limited
|
| Feature | Stripe Invoicing | SumUp Invoicing |
|---|---|---|
| Bank reconciliation |
✗ No
|
✗ No
|
| Expense tracking |
— Limited
|
— Limited
|
| Payroll |
✗ No
|
✗ No
|
| Inventory tracking |
✗ No
|
✗ No
|
| Feature | Stripe Invoicing | SumUp Invoicing |
|---|---|---|
| Choice of payment method |
✓ Yes
Stripe only
|
✗ No
SumUp payments
|
| Mobile app |
— Limited
|
— Limited
|
| Feature | Stripe Invoicing | SumUp Invoicing |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time |
✗ No
Stripe Dashboard + API knowledge
|
— Limited
Account signup required
|
Neither tool fits your invoicing-only workflow? Try InvoiceSonic — free for unlimited ATO-compliant tax invoices, no signup required.
Create a free invoice now →Stripe Invoicing starts at 0.5% on paid invoices (on top of Stripe fees); SumUp Invoicing starts at Free (card fees apply). Stripe Invoicing offers free to create; fees when paid. SumUp Invoicing offers free invoicing for sumup merchants.
For ATO-compliant GST: Stripe Invoicing = limited, SumUp Invoicing = limited. For native ABN field: Stripe Invoicing = limited, SumUp Invoicing = limited. If you operate in Australia and either tool falls short here, InvoiceSonic handles both natively — and it's free.
Most freelancers want fast invoicing without paying for full accounting. Between these two, SumUp Invoicing wins more categories overall. But if you're a freelancer who just wants ATO-compliant tax invoices for free, InvoiceSonic is purpose-built for that workflow.
Do not assume a one-click migration. Confirm each product's current export and import formats, then test contacts, opening balances, unpaid invoices, tax codes, attachments and reconciliations before cancelling the old account. Keep statutory records outside both systems.
Stripe is online-payment and developer-first; SumUp is merchant and card-present-first. Neither is accounting-first. If you only need a PDF invoice, a focused invoice generator may be simpler than either payment ecosystem.
Yes — InvoiceSonic lets you create and download an invoice without signup. Its account plans have separate limits and pricing, so compare current official plans before deciding.