OCTIS vs Stripe vs Airwallex vs PayPal for taking payments in Hong Kong
Card rates are close. Currency conversion, local methods and payout fees are where the cost differs.
Last checked · 5 sources
Otty's short answer
On published domestic card rates in Hong Kong, Airwallex is 3.30% plus HK$2.35, Stripe is 3.40% plus HK$2.35 and PayPal is 3.90% plus HK$2.35. Stripe adds 2% when it must convert currency. PayPal adds 3% to 4%. If you sell in more than one currency, conversion often costs more than the card rate. Use PayPal for buyer trust, Stripe for developers, Airwallex for local methods.
Side by side
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| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | Stripe | Airwallex | PayPal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic card rate | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | 3.40% + HK$2.35 | 3.30% + HK$2.35 | 3.90% + HK$2.35 |
| International card rate | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | 3.90% + HK$2.35 | 3.60% + HK$2.35 | 4.40% + HK$2.35 |
| Alipay and WeChat Pay | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | 2.2% + HK$2.00 | HK$2.00 + method fee | QR code: 2.90% + fee |
| FPS | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | Not listed on pricing page | Listed among local methods | Not listed |
| Currency conversion | Multi-currency via licensed partners | Adds 2% | From 0.2% over interbank | 3% to 4% over base rate |
| Setup and monthly fee | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | None | None on payments; account plans separate | Not listed on fee page |
| Payout to HK bank | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | Free standard; instant 1%, min HK$5 | Not listed | Free from HK$1,000; HK$3.50 below |
| Dispute fee | Set by our licensed partner; quoted before you commit | HK$85 per dispute | Not listed | HK$75 chargeback; HK$65 dispute |
| HK regulatory status | OCTIS is not a bank; payments run via licensed partners | Not checked | MSO 16-09-01929 | PayPal Hong Kong Ltd, SVF licensee |
Data sources & disclaimer: Comparison data was compiled from publicly available sources — including the competitors' own published pricing and feature pages — captured on 9 November 2026. Figures reflect the typical or advertised pricing at that time and may have changed since; plans, inclusions and prices vary by provider, region and promotion. OCTIS is independent and not affiliated with the named companies; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. This comparison is provided in good faith for general information only and is not professional, legal or financial advice — please verify current details with each provider before deciding.
Which one fits you
OCTIS · Hong Kong company + OCTIS global plan
Choose OCTIS if you want collecting and sending payments through licensed partners, together with your company, accounts and CRM.
Stripe
Choose Stripe if you want developer tools and clean standard pricing, and sell mostly in HKD or USD.
Airwallex
Choose Airwallex if you want lower card rates, FPS and local methods, and to keep sales in the currency you receive.
PayPal
Choose PayPal if your buyers expect it and you accept higher card and conversion fees for checkout trust.
What the table does not show
Card fees and currency conversion
Per their Hong Kong pages, Airwallex charges 3.30% plus HK$2.35 for domestic cards and 3.60% for international cards. Stripe charges 3.40% plus HK$2.35, adding 0.5% for international cards and 2% when it converts currency. PayPal charges 3.90% plus HK$2.35, adding 0.50% for international buyers and 3.00% over the base rate to convert received payments. If you sell in USD and hold HKD, avoid conversion by holding the currency you receive.
Local payment methods
Stripe lists Alipay and WeChat Pay at 2.2% plus HK$2.00, and does not list FPS on its pricing page. Airwallex lists local methods at HK$2.00 plus a method fee, and says it supports FPS and WeChat Pay among 160+ methods. PayPal lists QR code payments at 2.90% plus a fixed fee. FPS is the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's instant payment system, so confirm live support on your own checkout before you commit.
Licensing and payouts
PayPal Hong Kong Limited is a stored value facility licensee on the HKMA register. Airwallex states a money service operator licence. We did not verify Stripe's Hong Kong licence status. Stripe's standard payout is free and instant payouts cost 1% (minimum HK$5). PayPal withdrawals to a Hong Kong bank are free from HK$1,000. Airwallex does not list a payout fee on its pricing page.
Where OCTIS fits
Gateway payouts arrive net of fees, which is where reconciliation gets messy. OCTIS bookkeeping matches Stripe, Airwallex and PayPal payouts to your sales and books the fees, for a Hong Kong company, and we handle profits tax and audit by a Hong Kong CPA practice. OCTIS is not a bank, does not hold your money and has no partnership with any provider here. Ask about 10–30% off your current bill.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper in Hong Kong, Stripe or PayPal?
Stripe is cheaper on published card rates: 3.40% plus HK$2.35 for domestic cards against PayPal's 3.90% plus HK$2.35. PayPal's conversion margin of 3% to 4% is also higher than Stripe's 2% add-on.
Does Stripe support FPS in Hong Kong?
Stripe's Hong Kong pricing page lists cards, Alipay and WeChat Pay but not FPS. Airwallex says it supports FPS. Availability changes, so check your own dashboard before you design checkout around it.
Is Airwallex cheaper than Stripe for cards?
On published rates, yes by 0.1 percentage point: 3.30% against 3.40% for domestic cards. The bigger saving is on currency conversion, where Airwallex lists FX from 0.2% against Stripe's 2% add-on.
What does PayPal charge a Hong Kong merchant?
PayPal lists 3.90% plus HK$2.35 for domestic commercial transactions, 0.50% more for international ones, and 2.90% for QR code payments. Currency conversion is 3.00% above the base rate on received payments. Fees dated August 2025.
Do I need a separate business bank account to use these?
Yes. You still need somewhere to receive settlements. Airwallex gives you a multi-currency account built in. Stripe and PayPal pay out to a Hong Kong bank account, and PayPal also holds a balance until you withdraw.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.