PayPal automatically grants you the better rates if you do more than a certain volume, and it's not very high to get the first level or two. In Canada, it starts at 2.9%, $3k a month gets you 2.5%, $12k a month gets you 2.2%, and $125k a month gets you 1.9%. I don't think we quite hit the 1.9% rate, but the 2.2% rate is far better than Braintree's listed default. If they or Stripe could quote us rates as good as PayPal or better, we'd consider them. Otherwise, a better API is zero reason to switch from an already implemented and working solution that costs less.

Braintree just threw down the virtual gauntlet. It's now available in 31 countries (including many in Europe). They accept 130+ currencies. And best of all it's now 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction with no minimums and no monthly fees. They even reduce the rate when you get to higher volume levels. Sounds like all your problems are solved. Go with Braintree. Their API is really, really good.

https://www.braintreepayments.com/tour/international
https://www.braintreepayments.com/pricing

Unless they are going to tell me what those "reduced rates at higher volume levels" are, they're more expensive than PayPal... The fact that they don't advertise their real rates in public seems rather shifty to me.