Stripe vs Merchant of Record vs Merchant Account: The Complete Comparison
Stripe, merchant of record, or merchant account—which payment processor is right for your business? Stripe offers speed but comes with suspension risks and higher costs at scale. Merchant of record eliminates tax compliance but charges 5-8% and you lose customer data ownership. Merchant accounts provide the lowest fees, complete control, and stability, but require more setup. This guide compares real costs, benefits, and trade-offs across all three models to help you choose the best payment processing solution for your business size and industry.