Can I Use Stripe With Shopify? (2026 Guide)

By Samwel Dollah | Founder, DropshippingIt.com

I’ve set up payment gateways for several client stores over the years, including the Stripe migration most merchants had to go through in 2025. As a Shopify merchant since 2017, I understand first-hand the needs and concerns of store owners. This guide reflects the current setup process and fee structure as of 2026, including the “Stripe Card Payments” change that many older guides haven’t yet addressed.

Last updated: June 2026 | Originally published 2023

Exploring the question ‘Can I use Stripe with Shopify?’ opens the door to streamlining your online store’s payment process. The partnership between Shopify and Stripe is a significant development for Shopify Payments, which already serves more than a million businesses globally.

This collaboration is expected to improve how businesses operate, making it easier for merchants to succeed.

In this post, we will explore how to integrate Stripe with your Shopify store and how merchants can receive payments through Shopify. This informative guide will help you streamline your business operations effortlessly.

How Stripe Works

It’s consequential to know how Stripe and Shopify work together if you want to make payment processing easier for your online store. When using Shopify Payments, the payment gateway and processor work seamlessly to ensure smooth transactions.

The payment gateway securely stores the customer’s credit card information and then transfers it to the processor for handling the transaction. The payment amount is held temporarily in a merchant account, with credit card fees deducted before the payment is transferred to the merchant’s account.

Integrating Stripe with Shopify may appear complex, but it simplifies the payment process. Stripe combines gateway functionality and payment processing into one solution.

It acts as a third-party payment processor and gateway, enabling you to transfer funds from your customers’ bank accounts to your business account through secure credit and debit card transactions.

Stripe with Shopify streamlines e-commerce, making payment processing more straightforward.

Important: there are now two distinct ways Stripe connects to Shopify, and they are not the same thing. Shopify Payments runs on Stripe’s infrastructure behind the scenes. This is what most merchants use, and it has no extra transaction fees. Connecting your own separate Stripe account as a third-party provider is a different setup entirely, and Shopify charges an additional 0.5% to 2% transaction fee on top of Stripe’s own rate when you do this, depending on your Shopify plan.

In summary, Shopify Payments is best for most merchants who want a simple, fully integrated solution without extra fees. On the other hand, connecting Stripe Card Payments as a third-party provider benefits merchants who need advanced Stripe features, such as custom reporting, complex subscription billing, or who already manage multiple businesses through one Stripe dashboard. Consider your store’s needs and payment requirements to decide which setup suits you best.

How do you choose between Shopify Payments and Stripe Card Payments? For most merchants, Shopify Payments is the best choice because it is simple to manage, integrates directly with your Shopify dashboard, and avoids extra transaction fees.

However, you should consider connecting Stripe Card Payments if you need advanced Stripe dashboard and reporting features, require subscription billing that Shopify does not support natively, or already use Stripe for payments on another platform and want everything in one place. Taking stock of your business needs and payment setup will help you decide which method is more suitable for your store. We will cover more on when each option actually makes sense further down.

The Benefits of Integrating Stripe with Shopify

What are the advantages of integrating Stripe and Shopify? The integration offers multiple benefits, making it a popular option for online merchants. Although Shopify payments have distinct restrictions, integrating with Stripe provides several advantages:

Seamless Payment Automation:

• With Stripe integration, you can accept buyers’ credit and debit card payments cost-effectively.
• The integration automates payment processing, eliminating the need for manual fund transfers and saving you time and effort.

Robust Chargeback Protection:

• Stripe offers chargeback-handling tools that can simplify dispute resolution for your business.
• Note: chargeback fee structures vary, and it’s worth comparing Shopify Payments’ $15 chargeback fee (which is refunded if you win the dispute) against Stripe’s own dispute fee structure before assuming one is automatically better. For example, if you have 10 chargebacks in a month and win 8 of them, with Shopify Payments, you would only pay for the 2 lost disputes ($15 each, $30 total). Stripe typically also charges a $15 fee per dispute, which is not refunded if you win, so 10 disputes would cost you $150 regardless of the outcome. The right choice depends on your typical dispute volume and how often you win chargebacks.

Expanded Global Reach:

• Adding Stripe to your Shopify store can increase availability in multiple countries and regions, setting your online business apart.
• Stripe’s widespread support allows you to cater to a broader customer base, boosting your international sales potential.

Reliable Backup Solution:

• In the event of a temporary freeze of the Shopify payment gateway, Stripe steps in as a savior by offering an alternative payment option for your customers.
• This backup solution ensures uninterrupted payment processing, preventing potential disruptions to your online business.

Efficient Customer Support:

• Stripe provides excellent customer support, ensuring a smooth experience for merchants when issues or queries arise.
• Compared to Shopify Payments, connecting with someone on Stripe is easier, ensuring prompt assistance.

All these reasons support integrating Stripe with Shopify as a wise choice for merchants seeking to optimize payments and business operations — though it’s worth being clear-eyed about the added fees before deciding it’s the right move for your store.

How to Add Stripe Card Payments to Shopify in 6 Easy Steps

Important update: Shopify retired the legacy “Stripe” third-party provider. As of August 31, 2025, all merchants must use the new “Stripe Card Payments” provider instead. If you’re following an older guide that references the old “Stripe” listing in your Payments settings, that option no longer exists — here’s the current process:

Adding Stripe to your Shopify store is straightforward. Follow these six steps to complete the integration process.

Step #1. Log In or Create a Stripe Account:

If you don’t already have a Stripe account, head over to the Stripe website and create a new account.

Ensure you’re logged into your Stripe account to proceed with the integration.

Learn how to get a Stripe account as a non-US resident.

Step #2. Log in to Shopify:

Access your Shopify store by logging in as usual.

Depending on your location, you can accept Shopify Payments powered by Stripe or add Stripe as a secondary payment option. Sometimes, you may need to create a new Shopify account to proceed. If Stripe Card Payments is not available in your country, you should first check your eligibility by visiting Shopify’s payment eligibility checker, which is available in Shopify’s official documentation. This tool lets you quickly see whether your region and business type support Shopify Payments or Stripe Card Payments. If your preferred payment option is unavailable, review Shopify’s documentation for alternative payment providers or reach out to Shopify Support for advice on the best next steps in your region.

Step #3. Access Shopify Admin & Settings:

Once logged into your Shopify store, navigate to the Shopify Admin page.

At the bottom of the screen, click the “Settings” button to access your store’s settings.

Step #4. Choose Stripe Card Payments as Your Third-Party Credit Card Provider:

Within the Settings page, locate and click on “Payments.”

Scroll to the “Third-party payment providers” section and click “Choose a provider.”

Search for “Stripe Card Payments” (not “Stripe,” which is no longer listed). If you do not see it as an option, you may need to request an installation link directly from Stripe Support. If neither Stripe Card Payments nor Shopify Payments appears, first check your store’s eligibility by reviewing Shopify’s payments documentation and confirming your business information is complete.

Sometimes, regional restrictions or account settings can hide these options. If you still cannot access either provider, reach out to Shopify Support or Stripe Support for additional troubleshooting and clarification on your available payment gateways.

Step #5. Enter Your Stripe Account Details:

In this step, you must enter your Stripe email address and password to link your accounts.

Double-check that the login information is correct before proceeding. If needed, you can reset your password on the Stripe website.

Step #6. Activate!:

Once all the required information is entered, click the “Activate” button to complete the integration process.

Congratulations! Your Shopify store is now ready to accept payments through the powerful partnership of Shopify and Stripe.

By following these six steps, you can integrate Stripe with Shopify to enhance your customers’ shopping experience and optimize your online business.

The Stripe Payment Gateway Evolution

UPDATE! Stripe has been a reliable online payment solution for many years and an option for Shopify merchants. However, what happened to the separate Stripe payment gateway? As of 2025, there’s actually a more specific answer: the legacy “Stripe” gateway was officially retired, and merchants were required to migrate to “Stripe Card Payments” by August 31, 2025.

Shopify has integrated Stripe into its existing Shopify Payments platform, streamlining the payment process. When you log in, in most regions you’ll see “Shopify Payments Powered by Stripe” as the native option, alongside “Stripe Card Payments” if you want to connect your own separate Stripe account as a third-party provider.

Due to local regulations, Stripe-related options may differ in certain regions. In areas where Shopify Payments is unavailable, third-party Stripe Card Payments may be your primary option. However, if neither Shopify Payments nor Stripe Card Payments is available for your country or business type, you can explore other payment gateways that Shopify supports, such as PayPal, Authorize.net, or regional providers.

Shopify maintains an up-to-date list of alternative payment providers in its documentation, and you can contact Shopify Support for guidance on the best option for your location to ensure your store can continue accepting payments smoothly.

One thing worth being upfront about: connecting your own Stripe account as a third-party provider is useful in specific situations — if you need Stripe’s full dashboard and reporting, if you’re running subscription billing that Shopify’s native tools can’t handle, or if you already have existing Stripe infrastructure from another part of your business.

But for most solo Shopify merchants selling exclusively through their store, sticking with Shopify Payments (which already runs on Stripe’s infrastructure) avoids the extra 0.5%-2% transaction fee entirely.

Final Thoughts

Add Stripe to your Shopify store in six steps to create a secure checkout experience and streamline operations.

This duo can optimize your payment process and support customer experience, conversions, and global expansion.

Leveraging Stripe with Shopify can position you well in the ever-evolving e-commerce world.

And sure, this reflects the transformative impact of Stripe and Shopify Payments Powered by Stripe, helping you capitalize on the future of your e-commerce venture.

In conclusion, integrating Stripe with Shopify opens up possibilities for online merchants. By combining Stripe’s powerful payment capabilities with Shopify’s user-friendly e-commerce platform, you can elevate your online business.

From automated payment processing and expanded global reach to robust chargeback protection and efficient customer support, the benefits of this integration are undeniable — as long as you’re choosing the right setup for your specific business rather than adding fees you don’t actually need.

FAQs

Can Stripe work with Shopify?

Yes, Stripe integrates with Shopify in two ways: through Shopify Payments (which runs on Stripe’s infrastructure with no extra fees) or as a separate third-party “Stripe Card Payments” provider (which adds a 0.5%-2% transaction fee on top of Stripe’s own rate).

How do Shopify and Stripe work together?

Shopify and Stripe integrate seamlessly, allowing customers to pay with credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets, and other payment methods, enhancing the checkout experience and reducing transaction costs.

How do I set up Stripe Card Payments on Shopify in 2026?

Setting up Stripe on Shopify is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:

1. Log in or create a Stripe account on the Stripe website.
2. Log in to your Shopify store and navigate to the Shopify Admin page.
3. Click on “Settings” and then “Payments.”
4. Under “Third-party payment providers,” choose a provider and search for “Stripe Card Payments.”
5. Enter your Stripe account details (email address and password).
6. Click “Activate” to complete the integration.

What are the fees associated with using Stripe on Shopify?

If you use Shopify Payments, there’s no extra transaction fee — you only pay standard card processing fees. If you connect Stripe Card Payments as a third-party provider, Shopify adds an additional 0.5% to 2% transaction fee on top of Stripe’s own rate, depending on your Shopify plan.

Is Stripe free on Shopify?

No additional setup cost to connect it, but transaction fees apply either way — the difference is whether you’re paying just Stripe’s rate (via Shopify Payments) or Stripe’s rate plus Shopify’s third-party gateway fee (via Stripe Card Payments).

What happened to the old “Stripe” payment provider on Shopify?

It was retired. As of August 31, 2025, Shopify required all merchants using the legacy Stripe provider to migrate to “Stripe Card Payments” instead. If you’re searching for “Stripe” in your Payments settings and not finding it, this is why.

Why is Stripe unavailable on Shopify for some merchants?

Due to local regulations, Stripe-related options may not be available in every region. Availability depends on your country, Shopify Payments support in that region, and Shopify’s own provider configuration for your store.

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