WePay vs. Stripe for Digital Nomads: Which is Best for Your Online Business in 2025?

What is Stripe? The Go-To for Online Businesses

Founded in 2010, Stripe has become the default payment processor for millions of internet businesses, from startups to large corporations. Its developer-first approach and extensive suite of tools make it incredibly versatile for digital nomads offering online services.

Pros of Stripe for Digital Nomads

• Global Reach: Stripe allows you to accept payments from over 135 currencies, making it ideal for a global client base.

• Rich Feature Set (SaaS Tools): Beyond simple payments, Stripe offers cloud-based tools for recurring billing, professional invoicing, tax calculation, and even tools that use machine learning to retry failed payments.

• Virtual & Physical Cards: Stripe Issuing lets you create virtual cards for online expenses and physical debit cards for your business, which can be shipped in just a few days. This is a huge perk for managing business spending while on the move.

• Easy Integration: Stripe has a powerful API and integrates seamlessly with almost every major e-commerce platform, course builder, and website creator on the market.

• Stripe Atlas: For non-US founders, Stripe Atlas offers a streamlined service to help you form a US company (a C Corp or LLC) and open a bank account, simplifying the entire setup process.

Cons of Stripe

• Account Opening Restrictions: While you can accept payments from anywhere, you can only open a Stripe account if your business is based in one of the 47 supported countries. This is a major hurdle if your business isn't incorporated in one of them.

• Account Stability: Stripe is known for being risk-averse and has a history of freezing or closing merchant accounts with little warning, which can be devastating for a small online business.

• Learning Curve: Some of its more advanced tools can be complex for users who aren't tech-savvy.

Stripe Pricing

For online transactions, Stripe's standard fee is 2.9% + $0.30 per successful card charge.

What is WePay? The Chase-Powered Alternative

WePay started in 2008 and was acquired by banking giant JPMorgan Chase in 2017. This acquisition is its key differentiator. WePay primarily provides integrated payment solutions for software platforms and marketplaces, but it also serves individual businesses.

Pros of WePay for Online Businesses

• Same-Day Payouts: If you have a JPMorgan Chase business bank account, WePay offers same-day payouts. This is a massive advantage for managing cash flow.

• ACH Payment Processing: WePay offers a competitive rate for ACH (bank transfer) payments at just 1% + $0.30, which is great for high-ticket service providers in the US.

• White-Label Solution: Its 'Clear' plan offers a white-label API, allowing platforms to create a fully branded checkout experience.

• No Monthly Fees: WePay has a straightforward pricing model with no monthly subscription fees.

Cons of WePay

• Limited Customer Support: WePay's support is primarily handled through a ticket system with a one-business-day turnaround. The lack of phone or live chat support can be frustrating when you need immediate help.

• Less Nomad-Friendly: The platform feels more geared towards US-based businesses and platforms rather than individual, international digital nomads. The main benefit (fast payouts) is tied to having a Chase bank account.

• Fewer Features: It lacks the extensive ecosystem of tools that Stripe offers, such as virtual cards, advanced billing, and integrated tax solutions.

• No Mobile App: Unlike Stripe, WePay does not have a dedicated mobile app for managing payments on the go.

WePay Pricing

• Card-not-present transactions: 2.9% + $0.25.

• Bank account transfers (ACH): 1% + $0.30.

Quick Comparison: Stripe vs. WePay