The paper presents the results of research aimed at comparing two stringer joining technologies of stiffened panels. Experimental tests were carried out on the basis of uniaxial compression of thin-walled panels stiffened with two parallel stringers. The panels consist of a skin plate and stringers joined with two techniques: riveting and refill friction stir spot welding (RFSSW). The aim of the investigations was to determine the amount of the critical load, the character of the structure's work in the range of post-buckling behaviour and the mode of panel destruction. For deformation measurements, an optical scanner Aramis based on the digital image correlation (DIC) technique was used. The research conducted enabled the assessment of the effectiveness of the RFSSW technology of joining the semi-monocoque structures, taking into account the range of post-critical deformations caused both to the local and global loss of stability. The compression tests have shown that the plate with welded stringers with a spacing of 29.5 mm exhibits the ultimate load similar to the variant of the riveted panel. It was also observed that the nature and number of buckling half-waves depend on the applied load and spacing between connectors.