Chargebacks quietly chip away at your profits. If you’re comparing Adyen vs Stripe, understanding their chargeback fees and processes is key to keeping your business healthy. This post breaks down the real costs and steps involved with each.
Adyen Chargeback Fees and Process
Adyen charges a flat $10 fee per chargeback in the U.S. That fee applies no matter the outcome. Even if you win the dispute, the fee isn’t refunded.
Here’s how the process works:
- Dispute notification – Adyen alerts you when a chargeback is filed.
- Defense window – You must respond with evidence during set timeframes, depending on the card network.
- Issuer review – The issuer and card network decide whether to uphold or reverse the chargeback.
Adyen also offers automatic defenses and tools to help build your case. Their system flags invalid disputes and gives you the option to contest when it makes sense.
Stripe Chargeback Fees and Process
Stripe charges a $15 dispute fee as soon as a chargeback is filed. Last June, they introduced a second $15 counter fee if you contest and lose the dispute, making the total lost fees $30. If you win the dispute, the counter fee is refunded, but the original $15 fee stays charged.
Stripe also offers Smart Disputes, an AI‑powered service that automates representation. It waives the manual counter fee but charges 30 % of the recovered amount when you win.
Stripe Fee Scenarios
- Lose without contest: Pay $15.
- Lose after contest: Pay $30.
- Win after contest: Keep transaction, pay $15.
- Win with Smart Disputes: No cash fees, pay 30 % of recovered amount.
Adyen vs Stripe: Which Has Lower Chargeback Fees?
Stripe’s overall cost is higher when you lose. Even when you win, you still pay the $15 initial fee. Adyen charges just $10 per dispute, with no added steps.
Beyond the Fees
While chargeback fees matter, your real goal is to avoid chargebacks:
- Win rates depend on evidence quality, not just fees.
- Fraud tools: Stripe has Radar (machine learning, ~$0.05/transaction), while Adyen offers RevenueProtect and auto-defense features.
- Scaling effect: For high volumes, even small fee differences add up fast.
Conclusion
Looking purely at fees, Adyen outperforms Stripe in terms of cost per chargeback. Stripe’s higher fees, including the possible counter fee, raise potential losses, especially on lost disputes. But your best strategy remains the same: prevent chargebacks, build strong defense evidence, and choose the right tools.
FAQ: Adyen vs Stripe Chargeback Fees
What is Adyen’s chargeback fee?
Adyen charges a flat $10 per chargeback, non-refundable and billed regardless of the dispute result.
How much does Stripe charge for a chargeback?
Stripe charges $15 upfront per dispute. If you contest and lose after June 17, 2025, you pay an extra $15 for a total of $30. If you win after contesting, only the initial $15 remains.
Can I avoid Stripe’s counter fee with Smart Disputes?
Yes. Stripe waives the $15 counter fee when you use Smart Disputes. However, if you win, Stripe takes 30 % of the recovered amount.
Which platform offers better chargeback protection tools?
Stripe offers Radar, a machine‑learning guard (~$0.05 per screened transaction). Adyen provides RevenueProtect plus auto-defense features. Both help reduce disputes, but their approach differs.
Are there fees beyond the chargeback amount?
Yes. Losing a chargeback also means losing the transaction value. In Stripe’s case, losing an appealed dispute costs $30 plus lost revenue, and in Adyen’s case, it’s $10 plus lost revenue.
Prevent Chargebacks Before the Flood
Chargebacks cost more than just fees; they also drain time and can jeopardize your merchant profile. Chargeblast delivers real-time alerts, automated prevention, and effective dispute responses customized to your transactions. It helps you act fast where it matters most.
Protect your profits with smarter defense.
