Adaptive Pricing

Adaptive Pricing is a Checkout and Payment Links feature that converts prices to a customer’s local currency using the latest Stripe-provided exchange rates, allowing you to present prices in your customer’s local currency.


What is Adaptive Pricing?

Adaptive Pricing is a Checkout and Payment Links feature that converts prices to a customer’s local currency using the latest Stripe-provided exchange rates. This allows you to present prices in your customer’s local currency for 150 countries and unlocks payment methods that require local currency presentment.

Customers see prices converted to the relevant local currency based on their location, the exchange rate applied, and supported payment methods. They still have the option to pay in the original currency you set for your prices.

Turn this feature on from the Dashboard. See our technical documentation for more details.

Example checkout page showing Adaptive Pricing with options to choose to pay in original or customer's local currency

Frequently Asked Questions

Why enable Adaptive Pricing?

Enabling this feature has been shown to result in higher revenue (averaging 17%+), higher conversion, and net new sales to new markets where customers predominantly pay in their local payment methods.

What are the fees?

Stripe applies a conversion fee of between 2-4% to the exchange rate you present to your customers. Stripe typically charges a fee of 4% for orders under $500, 3% for $500-$1.5k, and 2% for orders over $1.5k. View the pricing page for current fees at Stripe.

Your customer’s bank may also charge them additional fees for purchases from overseas merchants, and you should disclose this to your customers.

Example:

If the mid-market exchange rate is $1 = €1, and a US merchant sells a $100 item to a German customer, the exchange rate applied will include a 4% conversion fee ($1 = €1.04). In this case, the customer will be presented with the option to pay $100 or €104. Regardless of the customer’s currency selection, the merchant will receive $100. (€104 / 1.04), less applicable Stripe processing fees.

For what period is the exchange rate guaranteed?

Stripe uses the mid-market exchange rate and applies a fee to guarantee the rate for the duration of the Checkout Session (up to 24 hours) through settlement. If the exchange rate changes by more than 5% in the first 24 hours after payment, Stripe might use the updated exchange rate to calculate your payout.

What exchange rate is applied for refunds and chargebacks?

Refunds or chargebacks are issued in the currency that the customer paid with. Adaptive Pricing does not guarantee the same exchange rate for refunds or chargebacks. Because the latest Stripe-provided exchange rate is applied when issuing refunds or chargebacks, you may gain or lose revenue depending on how exchange rates have changed.

Can I turn Adaptive Pricing on/off?

Yes, you can turn this feature on and off in the Dashboard.

What terms apply to Adaptive Pricing?

The Stripe Adaptive Pricing terms govern your use of Adaptive Pricing.