Embedded Payments
Stripe vs. Embed: Which one is a better fit for vertical SaaS platforms in Europe?
Alejandro Serrat
Oct 31, 2025
If you’re evaluating payment infrastructure for your vertical SaaS platform, Stripe and Embed are likely at the top of your shortlist. Both promise to power your platform’s payments, yet they approach the challenge very differently. Stripe is a market‑proven aggregator with global reach and polished APIs, but its one‑size‑fits‑most model can constrain vertical‑specific workflows. Embed, by contrast, is purpose‑built for vertical SaaS; it offers a custom‑fit infrastructure using a multi‑ledger architecture and flexible pricing to handle messy money flows and industry‑specific compliance.
In this article, we’ll compare Stripe and Embed by highlighting their key features, strengths and limitations and breaking down their differences in onboarding, pricing flexibility, local payment support and regulatory coverage to help you find the right fit for your European vertical SaaS business.
A quick comparison of Stripe vs Embed
Provider | Best for | What it offers | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|
Stripe | Fast launch, global expansion and straightforward payment flows | Market‑proven platform with global reach, polished developer tools and a broad ecosystem of add‑on services | One‑size‑fits‑most approach can constrain vertical‑specific logic; limited pricing flexibility and heavier onboarding requirements |
Embed | Platforms in Europe needing complex fund flows, local compliance and pricing control | Purpose‑built infrastructure for vertical SaaS with native multi‑ledger accounts, phased onboarding, virtual IBANs and local rails | Focuses on EEA and UK; less recognised brand and smaller ecosystem |
What is Embed and who is it for?
Embed is designed for vertical SaaS platforms in Europe that want to take payments beyond a feature and turn it into a core part of their product. Instead of forcing your business into a generic payments template, we let you build custom workflows, handle messy money flows and comply with industry‑specific regulations from day one.
Features of Embed
Purpose‑built for vertical SaaS: Embed is engineered for vertical SaaS platforms operating in regulated industries, managing customer balances and multi‑party payouts. It co‑designs infrastructure around your workflows instead of imposing generic flows.
Programmable balance accounts & automated split: At the heart of Embed lies a multi‑ledger ("Hive") system. It allows you to create multiple balance accounts per user and automate splits between stakeholders natively, avoiding the duct‑tape approach of ad‑hoc balance management.
Phased merchant onboarding: Merchants can start transacting with minimal information and supply full KYC only when volume triggers it. This staged approach accelerates activation while keeping you compliant.
Flexible pricing models: Unlike providers with flat‑rate pricing, Embed supports adaptive pricing with tiered, blended and Interchange++ models. You can customise fees by segment or use case, enabling vertical SaaS platforms to monetise payments strategically.
Unified commerce: One integration powers online, in‑app and in‑person payments. That means your merchants can accept card, wallet and SEPA payments at the counter, in the field or online without needing separate providers.
Hands‑on expert support: Embed’s payment specialists work alongside your team to design and optimise your payments stack. You aren’t left to decipher complex documentation alone.
Regulatory coverage & localisation: Embed is a licensed payment institution authorised and regulated by the Dutch Central Bank (De Nederlandsche Bank) with passporting rights across all EEA countries, covering PSD2, SCA, AML and safeguarding requirements. It also supports local rails like SEPA, iDEAL, Twint and Vipps, ensuring high conversion in European markets. Embed also holds an EMI license in the UK.
Cons of Embed
Limited global footprint: Embed focuses on Europe (EEA and UK). If you need to accept payments in Asia or Latin America from day one, you may need additional partners.
Less suited to basic/generalist SaaS: For simple SaaS products that only need to move money from A to B, a generic provider may be quicker to set up. Embed’s strength lies in handling complexity.
Newer brand awareness: As a specialised provider, Embed doesn’t yet have the same ecosystem or recognition as Stripe or Adyen. However, it offers more personalised support.
What is Stripe and who is it for?
Stripe Connect powers some of the world’s largest platforms and is often the first name that comes up for international SaaS. Its polished APIs, extensive documentation and global reach have made it the default choice for many startups.
Features of Stripe
Global reach: Stripe supports 135+ currencies and surfaces over 40 local payment methods, subject to product and region support. A single integration can power online and in‑person payments across dozens of countries.
Developer‑friendly APIs: Pre‑built components like Elements and Checkout simplify the integration of new payment flows. Stripe’s documentation and test environments are widely praised for their clarity and completeness.
Managed compliance: Stripe handles KYC, PCI compliance, sanctions screening and fraud prevention under its licence. For the most part, platforms can avoid obtaining their own payment licence by using Stripe Connect.
Add‑on tools: Beyond payments, Stripe offers billing, subscriptions, invoicing, revenue recognition and tax automation services. These extras can reduce the need for additional vendors.
Predictable pricing: A flat‑rate model and pay‑as‑you‑go pricing make cost estimation simple for early‑stage platforms.
Cons of Stripe
One‑size‑fits‑most approach: Stripe’s aggregator model is designed for generic use cases. Platforms needing phased onboarding, multi‑party payouts or industry‑specific workflows may find themselves working around the system rather than with it.
Limited pricing flexibility: Stripe’s default flat‑rate pricing can become expensive for large transaction volumes. Access to Interchange++ pricing requires negotiation and often higher minimum volumes.
Onboarding friction: Merchants may need to provide extensive information up front, delaying activation.
Europe localisation gaps: Stripe’s strongest footprint is in the US. While it supports major European payment methods like iDEAL and SEPA, coverage and configuration vary by country. In-person payments and local acquiring options are generally less mature than in the US, which can add complexity for European platforms.
Less control over user experience: Using Stripe Connect means your merchants often see Stripe‑branded dashboards and sign‑up flows rather than remaining fully within your platform.
Stripe vs Embed: Which payments infrastructure should you choose?
When deciding between Stripe and Embed, think about the nature of your product, regulatory constraints and growth ambitions.
Use Stripe if you need to launch fast, serve a broad (potentially global) customer base and your payment flows are relatively straightforward. Stripe’s global reach and developer‑friendly APIs make it ideal for early‑stage or generic SaaS products. Its flat‑rate pricing and built-in billing and subscriptions tools simplify setup and forecasting.
Choose Embed if your SaaS platform operates in a specific vertical and deals with complex fund flows, multi‑party payouts or localised compliance. Embed’s multi‑ledger architecture, phased merchant onboarding and support for local rails give you fine‑grained control over user experience and monetisation. Our flexible pricing models let you align transaction fees with customer value.
Why Embed is the best payments infrastructure for vertical SaaS platforms in Europe
Choosing between Stripe and Embed depends on your platform’s complexity, geographic scope and growth strategy. If you’re building a vertical SaaS platform in Europe and need custom payment logic, multi‑party payouts and full control over your revenue streams, Embed offers the specialised infrastructure to make payments a competitive advantage. To see how a tailored payments stack could unlock new revenue and improve your user experience, talk to one of our embedded payments experts.
FAQs about Stripe vs Embed
Is Stripe good for vertical SaaS?
Stripe excels at helping platforms launch quickly and scale globally. However, its one‑size‑fits‑most model can be limiting for vertical SaaS platforms that require phased onboarding, automated split payouts and granular pricing control. If your platform’s competitive edge depends on bespoke payment flows and deep integration with industry‑specific workflows, a specialised provider like Embed is likely a better fit.
What are alternatives to Stripe Connect?
Several payments providers serve SaaS platforms. Adyen for Platforms offers unified acquiring across online and in‑person channels, but its rigid policies and high minimum volumes skew towards large enterprises. Mollie Connect emphasises ease of use and quick setup, but it supports fewer customisation options and focuses primarily on Europe. Embed is purpose‑built for vertical SaaS in the EEA and UK, offering multi‑ledger accounts, phased onboarding and flexible pricing.
Does Stripe support EU IBANs?
Stripe provides virtual bank account numbers (VBANs) for bank transfers in Europe. These virtual IBANs automate reconciliation but are only available in certain countries (Germany, France, Ireland and the Netherlands) and are subject to regulatory changes. For example, Stripe discontinued Spanish VBANs in December 2024 due to local regulations. Businesses needing widespread EU IBAN support may need additional partners or consider providers like Embed that offer virtual IBANs for each merchant.
Which provider offers better local payment methods in Europe?
Embed focuses on European payment rails; its licence and integration support local methods such as iDEAL (Netherlands), Twint (Switzerland), Vipps (Norway) and SEPA direct debit. Stripe supports 40+ local payment methods worldwide, but adoption and localisation can vary by country. Platforms prioritising European market depth may prefer Embed’s tailored coverage, whereas those targeting global scale might benefit from Stripe’s broader network.
If you’re evaluating payment infrastructure for your vertical SaaS platform, Stripe and Embed are likely at the top of your shortlist. Both promise to power your platform’s payments, yet they approach the challenge very differently. Stripe is a market‑proven aggregator with global reach and polished APIs, but its one‑size‑fits‑most model can constrain vertical‑specific workflows. Embed, by contrast, is purpose‑built for vertical SaaS; it offers a custom‑fit infrastructure using a multi‑ledger architecture and flexible pricing to handle messy money flows and industry‑specific compliance.
In this article, we’ll compare Stripe and Embed by highlighting their key features, strengths and limitations and breaking down their differences in onboarding, pricing flexibility, local payment support and regulatory coverage to help you find the right fit for your European vertical SaaS business.
A quick comparison of Stripe vs Embed
Provider | Best for | What it offers | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|
Stripe | Fast launch, global expansion and straightforward payment flows | Market‑proven platform with global reach, polished developer tools and a broad ecosystem of add‑on services | One‑size‑fits‑most approach can constrain vertical‑specific logic; limited pricing flexibility and heavier onboarding requirements |
Embed | Platforms in Europe needing complex fund flows, local compliance and pricing control | Purpose‑built infrastructure for vertical SaaS with native multi‑ledger accounts, phased onboarding, virtual IBANs and local rails | Focuses on EEA and UK; less recognised brand and smaller ecosystem |
What is Embed and who is it for?
Embed is designed for vertical SaaS platforms in Europe that want to take payments beyond a feature and turn it into a core part of their product. Instead of forcing your business into a generic payments template, we let you build custom workflows, handle messy money flows and comply with industry‑specific regulations from day one.
Features of Embed
Purpose‑built for vertical SaaS: Embed is engineered for vertical SaaS platforms operating in regulated industries, managing customer balances and multi‑party payouts. It co‑designs infrastructure around your workflows instead of imposing generic flows.
Programmable balance accounts & automated split: At the heart of Embed lies a multi‑ledger ("Hive") system. It allows you to create multiple balance accounts per user and automate splits between stakeholders natively, avoiding the duct‑tape approach of ad‑hoc balance management.
Phased merchant onboarding: Merchants can start transacting with minimal information and supply full KYC only when volume triggers it. This staged approach accelerates activation while keeping you compliant.
Flexible pricing models: Unlike providers with flat‑rate pricing, Embed supports adaptive pricing with tiered, blended and Interchange++ models. You can customise fees by segment or use case, enabling vertical SaaS platforms to monetise payments strategically.
Unified commerce: One integration powers online, in‑app and in‑person payments. That means your merchants can accept card, wallet and SEPA payments at the counter, in the field or online without needing separate providers.
Hands‑on expert support: Embed’s payment specialists work alongside your team to design and optimise your payments stack. You aren’t left to decipher complex documentation alone.
Regulatory coverage & localisation: Embed is a licensed payment institution authorised and regulated by the Dutch Central Bank (De Nederlandsche Bank) with passporting rights across all EEA countries, covering PSD2, SCA, AML and safeguarding requirements. It also supports local rails like SEPA, iDEAL, Twint and Vipps, ensuring high conversion in European markets. Embed also holds an EMI license in the UK.
Cons of Embed
Limited global footprint: Embed focuses on Europe (EEA and UK). If you need to accept payments in Asia or Latin America from day one, you may need additional partners.
Less suited to basic/generalist SaaS: For simple SaaS products that only need to move money from A to B, a generic provider may be quicker to set up. Embed’s strength lies in handling complexity.
Newer brand awareness: As a specialised provider, Embed doesn’t yet have the same ecosystem or recognition as Stripe or Adyen. However, it offers more personalised support.
What is Stripe and who is it for?
Stripe Connect powers some of the world’s largest platforms and is often the first name that comes up for international SaaS. Its polished APIs, extensive documentation and global reach have made it the default choice for many startups.
Features of Stripe
Global reach: Stripe supports 135+ currencies and surfaces over 40 local payment methods, subject to product and region support. A single integration can power online and in‑person payments across dozens of countries.
Developer‑friendly APIs: Pre‑built components like Elements and Checkout simplify the integration of new payment flows. Stripe’s documentation and test environments are widely praised for their clarity and completeness.
Managed compliance: Stripe handles KYC, PCI compliance, sanctions screening and fraud prevention under its licence. For the most part, platforms can avoid obtaining their own payment licence by using Stripe Connect.
Add‑on tools: Beyond payments, Stripe offers billing, subscriptions, invoicing, revenue recognition and tax automation services. These extras can reduce the need for additional vendors.
Predictable pricing: A flat‑rate model and pay‑as‑you‑go pricing make cost estimation simple for early‑stage platforms.
Cons of Stripe
One‑size‑fits‑most approach: Stripe’s aggregator model is designed for generic use cases. Platforms needing phased onboarding, multi‑party payouts or industry‑specific workflows may find themselves working around the system rather than with it.
Limited pricing flexibility: Stripe’s default flat‑rate pricing can become expensive for large transaction volumes. Access to Interchange++ pricing requires negotiation and often higher minimum volumes.
Onboarding friction: Merchants may need to provide extensive information up front, delaying activation.
Europe localisation gaps: Stripe’s strongest footprint is in the US. While it supports major European payment methods like iDEAL and SEPA, coverage and configuration vary by country. In-person payments and local acquiring options are generally less mature than in the US, which can add complexity for European platforms.
Less control over user experience: Using Stripe Connect means your merchants often see Stripe‑branded dashboards and sign‑up flows rather than remaining fully within your platform.
Stripe vs Embed: Which payments infrastructure should you choose?
When deciding between Stripe and Embed, think about the nature of your product, regulatory constraints and growth ambitions.
Use Stripe if you need to launch fast, serve a broad (potentially global) customer base and your payment flows are relatively straightforward. Stripe’s global reach and developer‑friendly APIs make it ideal for early‑stage or generic SaaS products. Its flat‑rate pricing and built-in billing and subscriptions tools simplify setup and forecasting.
Choose Embed if your SaaS platform operates in a specific vertical and deals with complex fund flows, multi‑party payouts or localised compliance. Embed’s multi‑ledger architecture, phased merchant onboarding and support for local rails give you fine‑grained control over user experience and monetisation. Our flexible pricing models let you align transaction fees with customer value.
Why Embed is the best payments infrastructure for vertical SaaS platforms in Europe
Choosing between Stripe and Embed depends on your platform’s complexity, geographic scope and growth strategy. If you’re building a vertical SaaS platform in Europe and need custom payment logic, multi‑party payouts and full control over your revenue streams, Embed offers the specialised infrastructure to make payments a competitive advantage. To see how a tailored payments stack could unlock new revenue and improve your user experience, talk to one of our embedded payments experts.
FAQs about Stripe vs Embed
Is Stripe good for vertical SaaS?
Stripe excels at helping platforms launch quickly and scale globally. However, its one‑size‑fits‑most model can be limiting for vertical SaaS platforms that require phased onboarding, automated split payouts and granular pricing control. If your platform’s competitive edge depends on bespoke payment flows and deep integration with industry‑specific workflows, a specialised provider like Embed is likely a better fit.
What are alternatives to Stripe Connect?
Several payments providers serve SaaS platforms. Adyen for Platforms offers unified acquiring across online and in‑person channels, but its rigid policies and high minimum volumes skew towards large enterprises. Mollie Connect emphasises ease of use and quick setup, but it supports fewer customisation options and focuses primarily on Europe. Embed is purpose‑built for vertical SaaS in the EEA and UK, offering multi‑ledger accounts, phased onboarding and flexible pricing.
Does Stripe support EU IBANs?
Stripe provides virtual bank account numbers (VBANs) for bank transfers in Europe. These virtual IBANs automate reconciliation but are only available in certain countries (Germany, France, Ireland and the Netherlands) and are subject to regulatory changes. For example, Stripe discontinued Spanish VBANs in December 2024 due to local regulations. Businesses needing widespread EU IBAN support may need additional partners or consider providers like Embed that offer virtual IBANs for each merchant.
Which provider offers better local payment methods in Europe?
Embed focuses on European payment rails; its licence and integration support local methods such as iDEAL (Netherlands), Twint (Switzerland), Vipps (Norway) and SEPA direct debit. Stripe supports 40+ local payment methods worldwide, but adoption and localisation can vary by country. Platforms prioritising European market depth may prefer Embed’s tailored coverage, whereas those targeting global scale might benefit from Stripe’s broader network.