# Paywall transaction fees

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](/llms.txt).


https://help.circle.so/p/payments/paywall-setup/paywall-transaction-fees

Category: [Payments](https://help.circle.so/p/payments) › [Paywall setup](https://help.circle.so/p/payments/paywall-setup)

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_Last updated: October, 2026_

Circle has a direct integration with the payment processor [**Stripe**](https://stripe.com/), enabling you to securely take payments from members who subscribe to your community via [**Circle paywalls**](/p/payments/paywall-setup/paywalls-overviews). This guide explains the different fees associated with paywall payments.

## Key things to know about paywall transaction fees

- For every paywall payment, your community is charged with both Stripe’s processing fees and Circle's transaction fees.

- Stripe’s processing fees may vary based on factors such as country, customer card details, and Stripe features used, like tax collection.

- This article lists Stripe pricing for the US. For the most accurate numbers in your region, check the [Stripe pricing page](https://stripe.com/pricing) and select the **country** where your Stripe account is based from the footer. If you’re using a VPN, make sure the country selector matches your actual country.

- Payments may incur additional Stripe fees for things such as international transactions or currency conversions. On Stripe’s payment method pricing page, click **Show additional fees** on the payment method card to view more details about these fees.

## **Circle transaction fees**

Here are the Circle’s paywall transaction fees for current billing plans:

- **Professional** - 2%

- **Business** - 1%

- **Scale**  - 1%

- **Circle Plus** - 0.5%

Circle’s transaction fees are displayed as **Application fees** along with **Stripe processing fees** on each payment charge in Stripe. These fees will be deducted from your payouts as per Stripe’s payout schedule.  
  
For the most up-to-date info on our transaction fees, always make sure to check our [**pricing page**](https://circle.so/pricing).

## **Stripe processing fees**

Stripe charges processing fees (transaction fees) for payments based on our paywall integration and the payment method used.

### Cards and wallets

Stripe’s standard payment processing fee for cards and supported wallets typically starts at **2.9% + $0.30**. This includes cards, Link, PIX (available to communities with Stripe accounts registered in Brazil), Google Pay, and Apple Pay.

We use additional Stripe features depending on the paywall pricing to better support our paywalls:

- For subscription and installment pricing, we utilize Stripe Billing with Payments.

- For one-time fee pricing, we use Stripe Invoicing with Payments.

Here’s a breakdown of Stripe fees based on the type of paywall pricing:

 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/9p63y6h8n5dfbcp8l45cbvhcls67)

For instance, if a community is on a  **Business**  plan and a member purchases a paywall subscription, the total fees would be: **1% (Circle) + 2.9% (Stripe Payments) + $0.30 (Stripe Payments) + 0.7% (Stripe Billing)**.

### Buy now, pay later

Stripe’s processing fees for buy now, pay later providers differ from those for cards and wallets. These fees vary based on the BNPL provider and your business’s country.

For example, if a community in the U.S. is on a **Professional** plan and a member purchases your paywall using **Affirm** , the total fees might look like this: **2% (Circle) + 6% (Stripe fees for Affirm) + $0.30 (Stripe fees for Affirm)**.

To check the specific fees for your country, visit[](https://stripe.com/pricing/local-payment-methods#buy-now-pay-later)[Stripe’s BNPL pricing page](https://stripe.com/pricing/local-payment-methods#buy-now-pay-later). On the provider’s pricing card, click **Show additional fees** to see any additional fees charged for the transaction.

### European regional payment methods

Stripe applies different processing fees for bank-based payment methods.

For subscription or installment purchases made with Bancontact or iDEAL, only the first payment uses those methods. All future payments are processed through SEPA Direct Debit.

**Banconnect**

 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/m77a4oki9dkhipv0t5qd0gtmgjwb)

**iDEAL**

 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/5s5co6ufgndcpap9sadfhf5ck7mh)

**SEPA Direct Debit**

 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/ns16ilg9z4ucg2higcczk0tcxgtb)

## **Transaction fee refunds**

When you refund a member payment through your Circle community, you will automatically get Circle’s transaction fees refunded in your payout.

Please note that this only applies to Circle’s transaction fees. If you issue a refund directly through your Stripe dashboard, Circle's transaction fees won't get refunded.

## Request an invoice for application fees

If your community is based in the EU, you may need itemized invoices for application (transaction) fees paid to Circle on paywall purchases.

Our support team can generate these invoices on your behalf. To request one, contact us at [support@circle.so](mailto:support@circle.so) and let us know which months you need invoices for.