Picking the right payment gateway is a big deal for any business. It’s how you get paid, after all. With so many options out there, each with different fees and features, it can get confusing fast. We’ve looked at some of the top choices to help you figure out the best payment gateway integrations by platform for your needs. Let’s break down what makes these gateways stand out.

Key Takeaways

• Stripe is great for businesses that want flexibility and customization, especially with its Terminal for in-person payments and strong API.
• PayPal offers a familiar brand for customers and handles payments in over 130 currencies, including fraud detection and recurring billing.
• Square provides a single platform for both online and in-person payments, making it simple to manage transactions securely.
• Shopify Payments is a natural fit for Shopify store owners, simplifying payment processing within the platform.
• When choosing, compare processing fees, supported payment methods, platform compatibility, security features, and customer support.

1. Stripe

Stripe has become a go-to for many online businesses, and honestly, it’s easy to see why. They call themselves the financial infrastructure for the internet, and that’s not too far off. It’s got a lot of power under the hood, which is great for developers, but it might feel a bit much when you first start. There’s a setup wizard that asks a few questions to help you figure out how to put it into your shop, and it gives you guides with code you can just copy and paste. Pretty handy if you’re not a coding wizard.

Stripe really shines with its tools for online sales, especially for businesses that do subscriptions or have marketplaces. You can also take payments in person with their Stripe Terminal, which is their point-of-sale system. It works with a bunch of popular online stores like Shopify and WordPress. Plus, it’s available in 46 countries and takes over 135 currencies, so selling internationally isn’t a headache. They also have this fraud system called Radar that uses machine learning to get smarter about protecting your business.

How Stripe Can Help

Stripe’s payment gateway offers solid security, flexible integration, and a pretty straightforward user experience. It’s built to handle the needs of both businesses and their customers. Here are some of the main things that make Stripe a good choice:

Security Features

• Encryption: Stripe uses encryption methods like SSL and Transport Layer Security (TLS). This keeps data safe when it moves between customer browsers, your website, and Stripe’s systems. It helps protect sensitive customer and financial information from being accessed or changed by unauthorized people.
• Tokenization: They use tokenization to swap out actual payment details for unique tokens. These tokens don’t have any value on their own if they get out, which cuts down on the risk of data breaches.

Pricing and Fees

• Standard Online Transactions: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
• Additional Fees: Expect 0.5% for manually entered cards, 1.5% for international cards, and 1% for currency conversion if needed.
• Subscription Fee: $0. This means no monthly charges just to use the service.

Accepted Payment Methods

Stripe supports a wide variety of ways for customers to pay, including:

• Bank transfers
• Debit and redirect payments
• Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options
• Credit and debit cards
• Digital wallets
• Real-time payments

Setting up Stripe might take a bit more effort compared to some other options, especially if you’re not comfortable with technical details. However, the platform’s extensive features and robust security often make the initial setup worthwhile for businesses looking for a powerful payment solution. You can learn more about selling subscriptions with Stripe Checkout.

Integration Options

Stripe integrates with many popular e-commerce platforms and tools, making it easier to add to your existing setup. Some common integrations include:

• Shopify
• WordPress
• WooCommerce
• Adobe Commerce

Key Benefits

• Flexibility: A wide range of tools and plugins are available.
• Analytics: Provides accessible analytics to track your sales.
• Global Reach: Operates in many countries and accepts numerous currencies.

Stripe Terminal

While Stripe is known for online payments, the Stripe Terminal allows you to accept payments in person. This is great for businesses that have a physical presence or do pop-up events. It connects with their online system, so all your sales data stays in one place. You can use it with their point of sale (POS) system for a complete payment setup.

2. PayPal

When you think about online payments, PayPal is probably one of the first names that comes to mind. It’s been around forever, and most people have an account. This makes it super easy for customers to pay you because they already trust the brand and don’t need to enter their card details every single time. It’s a big plus for getting people to actually complete their purchases.

Setting up PayPal is generally pretty straightforward. You don’t usually need a contract or have to pay setup fees, which is great if you’re just starting out or running a small operation. They’ve got different ways to integrate, from simple buttons you can just copy and paste onto your product pages to more advanced stuff if you’re technically inclined. They also have this feature called One Touch, which makes the checkout process even faster for returning customers, keeping their info safe.

PayPal works in a ton of countries and supports lots of different currencies, so if you’re thinking about selling internationally, it’s a solid option. Besides credit and debit cards, people can pay using their PayPal balance, Venmo, and even some cryptocurrencies. It’s pretty flexible.

Accepted Payment Methods

• Bank transfers
• Debit and redirect payments
• Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options
• Credit and debit cards
• Digital wallets
• Real-time payments
• Cash-based vouchers

Pros

• Global Reach: Accepted in over 200 countries and regions, supporting 25 currencies.
• Customer Trust: High brand recognition leads to increased customer confidence.
• Ease of Integration: Offers various integration methods suitable for different technical levels.
• Multiple Payment Options: Supports PayPal accounts, Venmo, and cryptocurrencies in addition to cards.

Cons

• Confusing Pricing: Fees can be complex and vary significantly based on transaction type and currency.

The basic fee structure often involves a percentage of the transaction plus a fixed amount. For example, U.S. credit card transactions might incur a fee around 3.49% plus $0.49. However, these rates change, so it’s important to check the latest details.

If your business grows and you need more advanced features, PayPal also has another service called Braintree. It offers more control over the checkout experience, better analytics, and slightly lower processing fees. It also handles a wider variety of payment methods, including Venmo.

To get started with offering PayPal on your site, you can integrate PayPal Checkout to include options like Pay Later and Venmo.

3. Square

Square is a really popular choice, especially if you run a physical store or a business that does a lot of in-person sales. They started out with that iconic little card reader that plugs into your phone or tablet, and they’ve built a whole ecosystem around it. It’s not just about taking payments, though. Square offers a bunch of tools that can help manage your business, like inventory tracking and customer management.

They’re often seen as a great all-in-one solution for small to medium businesses.

Point of Sale (POS) System

Square’s POS system is probably what they’re most famous for. It’s pretty straightforward to set up and use, whether you’re at a market stall or a busy shop. You can take payments with chip cards, contactless payments, and even good old magnetic stripe cards. They have different hardware options, from simple readers to more advanced terminals.

Online Payments

Beyond the physical store, Square also makes it easy to accept payments online. You can create simple online stores, send invoices, or just use their payment links. This makes it flexible for businesses that have both online and offline sales channels. Integrating their payment processing into your website is also an option if you want a more custom setup. You can learn more about integrating the Square payment gateway.

Features and Pricing

Square usually charges a flat fee per transaction, which is pretty transparent. There aren’t usually monthly fees for their basic services, which is a big plus for businesses just starting out or those with variable sales volumes. They also have add-on services for things like payroll and marketing, which can be handy.

Here’s a quick look at some common transaction fees:

Service Type	Fee
In-person	2.6% + 10¢
Online	2.9% + 30¢
Card-on-file	3.5% + 15¢

Square’s strength lies in its simplicity and the breadth of its integrated tools. It’s designed to be user-friendly, allowing businesses to get up and running quickly without needing a lot of technical know-how. This makes it a strong contender for businesses that want a straightforward way to handle payments and manage basic operations.

Integrations

Square plays well with a lot of other business tools. You can connect it to accounting software, marketing platforms, and even tools that help automate tasks. For example, you can save new Square transactions to Google Sheets rows. This kind of automation can save a lot of time on manual data entry. They also offer ways to integrate Square with your business apps, which can streamline workflows even further.

4. Shopify Payments

When you’re running a store on Shopify, the easiest way to handle payments is usually with Shopify Payments itself. It’s built right into the platform, so you don’t have to mess around with connecting a separate company to process credit cards or anything like that. Everything is managed in one spot, which really cuts down on the complexity of running your online business. You can accept payments from all the usual places, like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, plus digital wallets. It also works nicely with other Shopify payment options like Shop Pay, making checkout even smoother for your customers.

Shopify Payments is automatically included with your Shopify account, simplifying the entire payment process.

Here’s a quick look at what it offers:

• Integrated Experience: No need to find and set up a third-party gateway. It’s all there from the start.
• Unified Dashboard: Keep track of sales, orders, and payments all in one place within your Shopify admin.
• Competitive Rates: Fees are generally competitive, and you avoid extra transaction fees that some other gateways charge when you use Shopify Payments.
• Faster Payouts: Get your money quicker, usually within a couple of business days, which is great for cash flow.
• Security: It meets industry standards for security, so customer data is protected.

There are a few things to keep in mind, though. Availability is limited to certain countries, so if your business is elsewhere, you’ll need another option. Also, like any payment processor, you might run into chargebacks or have funds temporarily held if there’s unusual activity. Some specific types of products might also face restrictions.

Setting up Shopify Payments is straightforward if you’re already on the Shopify platform. It’s designed to work seamlessly with your store, reducing the technical hurdles of getting paid online.

If you’re looking to get started with Shopify Payments, you can find detailed instructions on how to set it up and integrate additional payment methods into your online store here.

5. Braintree

Braintree

Braintree, which is actually a PayPal company, is a pretty solid option if you’re looking for a payment gateway that handles a lot of different currencies. They say you can accept payments in over 130 currencies, which is a big deal if you sell to people all over the world. It’s got features like fraud detection and recurring billing, which are pretty standard but good to have. They also offer 24/7 customer support, which is always a plus when you’re dealing with money stuff.

One thing that stands out is their pricing. It seems pretty straightforward with no hidden fees, and they even have a free trial so you can kick the tires before you commit. However, they don’t do instant deposits, so you might have to wait a few days to get your hands on your earnings. Their checkout process is designed to be quick and secure, aiming to reduce those annoying cart abandonments. It’s good to know they have a vault feature to securely store customer payment details for future purchases, making repeat business easier.

Here’s a quick look at some of their fees:

Service	Fee
Card & Digital Wallet	2.59% + $0.49
Venmo	3.49% + $0.49
ACH Direct Debit	0.75%
Monthly Subscription	$0

Braintree supports a bunch of payment methods, including PayPal, Venmo (in the US), credit and debit cards, digital wallets, and even some local payment options. They also offer free recurring billing, which is nice if you have subscription plans or want to offer discounts and free trials. Integrating Braintree with your platform involves a few steps in the settings, specifically within the Integrations section. You’ll want to find the payment integrations tab and then add Braintree as your gateway.

Braintree is a good choice for businesses of all sizes that want a payment gateway without surprise fees. International sellers will find its multi-currency support particularly useful.

Braintree is a great choice for businesses of all sizes that want a comprehensive payment gateway solution with no hidden fees.

6. Adyen

Adyen is a big player in the payment processing world, especially if you’re running a larger business or have plans to go global. They really focus on making payments smooth, whether someone is buying from your website or in a physical store. It’s pretty neat how they handle everything from credit cards to digital wallets and even things like buy-now-pay-later options, all in one place. This unified platform approach can simplify things a lot, meaning you don’t have to juggle a bunch of different services.

One of the standout features is their global reach. You can accept payments from customers in tons of countries and in lots of different currencies, which is a huge plus if you’re selling internationally. They also provide real-time data and analytics, so you can actually see what’s happening with your sales and customer behavior right away. This can help you figure out what’s working and what’s not.

Global Reach and Payment Methods

Adyen supports payments in over 180 currencies and across nearly 100 countries. They accept more than 200 different payment methods, including:

• Credit and debit cards
• Digital wallets (like Apple Pay, Google Pay)
• Bank transfers
• Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options

Key Features

• Unified Platform: Manage online, mobile, and in-store payments from a single system.
• Real-time Analytics: Get instant insights into transaction data and customer behavior.
• Advanced Security: Utilizes encryption and tokenization to protect sensitive data.
• Customization: Tailor the payment experience to match your brand and customer needs.

Potential Downsides

While Adyen offers a lot of power and flexibility, it’s not always the simplest to get started with. Some businesses find the initial setup takes a bit more technical know-how. Also, their pricing can be a bit complex to figure out because it depends on so many different factors like the types of payments you accept and where your customers are located.

Setup in Adobe Commerce

To set up Adyen payment methods in Adobe Commerce, navigate to Stores > Configuration in the admin panel. Then, go to Sales > Payment Methods and select ‘Configure’ next to Adyen Payments. Follow the subsequent steps to complete the integration.

Pricing Structure

• Processing Fees: Typically a fixed fee per transaction (e.g., €0.11) plus a percentage that varies based on the payment method used.
• Subscription Fee: $0

Best For

• Enterprise-level businesses
• Companies with significant international sales
• Businesses needing a unified online and in-person payment solution

7. Stax

Stax, formerly known as Fattmerchant, is a payment gateway that really focuses on transparency and affordability, especially for businesses that move a lot of product. What sets Stax apart is its pricing model. You pay a flat monthly fee, and then there are per-transaction costs, but here’s the kicker: they don’t mark up interchange fees. This can be a big deal for businesses with high sales volumes.

Pricing Structure

Stax has a pretty straightforward pricing setup. You’re looking at a monthly fee, and then a small charge for each transaction. For instance, keyed transactions are $0.15, and swipe transactions are $0.08. They also offer a plan with no per-transaction fees for $99 a month, which is great if you have a ton of sales. The cool part is that you can add extra features as you need them, like accounting sync or API access, so you’re not paying for stuff you’ll never use. Higher tiers get you things like better dashboards and a dedicated account manager.

Key Features

• Interchange-Plus Pricing: No markups on the base interchange rates, which can save a lot of money for high-volume businesses.
• Scalable Plans: Start with basic features and add more as your business grows.
• Invoicing: Built-in tools for creating and sending invoices.
• QuickBooks Integration: Syncs with QuickBooks Online for easier accounting.
• Add-on Features: Pay only for extras like accounting reconciliation, API integration, and enhanced reporting.

Stax is a solid choice for businesses that process a lot of transactions each month, generally over $5,000. It’s designed to grow with you, starting with predictable costs and letting you add functionality as your needs evolve. It’s a good way to manage your payment processing costs without hidden fees.

Who Should Use Stax?

Stax is particularly well-suited for businesses with high sales volumes, typically exceeding $5,000 per month. Growth-oriented companies will find its scalable pricing and feature set very appealing. Small businesses can start with a low, predictable monthly cost and then add more advanced features as their operations expand. This makes it a flexible option for businesses at various stages of growth. If you’re looking for a way to simplify your payment processing and potentially lower costs through transparent pricing, Stax is definitely worth a look. You can learn more about integrating a payment gateway with Stax or other providers to see how it fits your business model.

8. Payment Gateway vs. Payment Processor

It’s easy to get mixed up between a payment gateway and a payment processor, but they really do different jobs. Think of it like this: the gateway is the front door for your online payments, handling things like the checkout page and making sure the customer’s card details are entered securely. It’s the part the customer actually sees and interacts with. The processor, on the other hand, is the behind-the-scenes worker. It’s the one that actually talks to the banks and card networks to check if the card is valid and if there are enough funds. It then moves the money from the customer’s bank to your business account.

What’s the difference?

• Payment Gateway: Manages the customer-facing part of the transaction. This includes the online form where card details are entered, security checks at that stage, and initiating the communication with the processor. It’s like the cashier at a store.
• Payment Processor: Handles the actual movement of money. It communicates with banks and card networks to get approval for the transaction and then moves the funds. This is more like the bank teller and the back-office systems that move money between accounts.
• Payment Service Provider (PSP): Some companies offer a package that includes both a gateway and a processor, and often a merchant account too. This simplifies things because you get everything from one place.

It’s important to understand these roles because not all providers offer both services. Some might only provide the gateway functionality, meaning you’d need a separate processor. Others might bundle them together, which can be more convenient for many businesses.

How does credit card processing work?

1. Authorization: When a customer pays, the gateway sends the transaction details to the processor. The processor then sends this information to the card network (like Visa or Mastercard) and the customer’s bank (issuing bank) to check if the card is valid and has sufficient funds.
2. Communication of transaction status: The processor gets the approval or denial response from the issuing bank and sends it back to the payment gateway. The gateway then updates your website or checkout page to let the customer know if the transaction went through.
3. Settlement: If the transaction is approved, the processor works with the acquiring bank (your business’s bank) to move the money from the customer’s bank to your merchant account. This settlement process usually happens in batches at the end of the day, not immediately for every single sale.

9. How To Choose the Best Payment Gateway

Picking the right payment gateway can feel like a big decision, and honestly, it is. It’s not just about taking credit cards; it’s about how smoothly money moves and how safe your customers feel. You don’t want a clunky checkout that makes people leave before they even buy anything, right? And you definitely don’t want to worry about your customer data getting out there. So, what should you actually look for?

Pricing & Fees

First off, let’s talk money. Gateways have different ways of charging. Some have a monthly fee, others charge per transaction, and some do both. You need to figure out which model works best for your sales volume. If you have a lot of small sales, a lower per-transaction fee might be better. If you have fewer, larger sales, a flat monthly fee could save you money. Always check for hidden charges, too. Nobody likes surprises when it comes to bills.

Security & Compliance

This is non-negotiable. Your customers trust you with their financial details, so you need to protect that. Look for gateways that are PCI-compliant. This means they follow strict rules to keep cardholder data safe. Think of it like a digital vault for credit card numbers. A good gateway uses strong encryption to protect information as it travels from the customer to you.

Accepted Payment Methods

People pay with all sorts of things these days. Sure, credit and debit cards are standard, but what about digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay? Or maybe even bank transfers? The more ways you let customers pay, the easier it is for them to complete a purchase. It’s about meeting them where they are.

Integration with Your Platform

How well does the gateway play with your website or online store? Some gateways plug in easily, while others require more technical know-how. If you’re using a popular e-commerce platform, check if the gateway has a pre-built integration. This makes setup much simpler and reduces the chance of things breaking later on. You want a smooth connection, not a tangled mess.

On-site vs. Off-site Checkout

Do you want customers to pay directly on your website, or is it okay if they get sent to a separate page to enter their card details? An on-site checkout often feels more professional and can reduce cart abandonment because the customer never leaves your site. Off-site can sometimes be simpler to set up, but it might feel less secure to some shoppers.

Global Reach

If you sell to customers outside your home country, you’ll need a gateway that handles different currencies and international payment methods. Make sure it complies with regulations in the countries you’re selling to. Selling globally means thinking globally about payments.

Customer Support

When something goes wrong – and sometimes it will – you need to be able to get help. What kind of support does the gateway offer? Is it 24/7? Do they have phone, email, or chat support? Good customer service can save you a lot of headaches when you’re dealing with financial transactions.

Choosing a payment gateway is about balancing cost, security, and customer experience. It’s worth spending a bit of time upfront to get it right, so you don’t have to deal with payment issues down the road.

10. Which Payment Gateway Provider Is Right for Me?

So, you’ve looked at all the big names, Stripe, PayPal, Square, and the rest. Now comes the really important part: figuring out which one actually fits your business. It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation, not by a long shot. What works for a small online boutique might be a total miss for a busy restaurant or a software company. You really need to think about what you do and who you sell to.

Where Do Your Customers Shop?

Think about where most of your sales happen. Are people buying from you in person at a shop, or are they clicking around on your website? The fees can be different for in-person versus online transactions, and sometimes, processing one type of credit card costs more than another. If you’re mostly online, you’ll want a gateway that’s built for that. If you’re a brick-and-mortar place, maybe something with good point-of-sale features makes more sense. It’s about finding the provider that doesn’t eat too much into your profits based on your sales channels.

How Do Your Customers Like to Pay?

This is a big one. Some customers are all about using their credit cards, plain and simple. Others are really into digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay. You need to see what your customers prefer and then pick a gateway that supports those payment methods. If a lot of your customers use a specific digital wallet, and your current gateway doesn’t support it, you might be missing out on sales. It’s worth checking out which providers have the best support for the payment types your customers use most often.

What Kind of Transactions Do You Handle?

Are you dealing with one-off sales, or do you have subscriptions or recurring payments? Some gateways are better equipped to handle subscriptions smoothly, managing updates and failed payments automatically. Others might be more basic and better suited for simple, single transactions. If you have a membership site or a service with monthly billing, you’ll want a provider that makes that easy.

What About Security and Ease of Use?

Security is non-negotiable. You need a gateway that’s secure and compliant with industry standards, like PCI DSS. This protects your customers’ data. Also, think about the checkout experience. A complicated checkout process can make customers leave before they buy. Look for a gateway that offers a smooth, easy-to-understand checkout, whether it’s on your site or a hosted page. A good checkout process can make a real difference in how many sales you actually complete.

Choosing the right payment gateway is a big decision that affects how your business runs and how customers see you. It’s not just about the fees; it’s about making things easy for your customers and secure for everyone involved. Think about your specific business needs and your customers’ habits when you make your choice.

Do You Need an All-in-One Solution?

Some providers, often called payment service providers, bundle everything together – the gateway, the processor, and even a merchant account. This can simplify things, especially if you’re just starting out or don’t want to manage multiple vendors. Others let you pick and choose your components. If you’re running a Shopify store, for example, Shopify Payments is already built-in, which can be super convenient. You just need to decide if you want to stick with that or integrate a different provider.

Wrapping It Up

So, picking the right payment gateway really matters for your online store. We looked at how different ones work with popular platforms, what features they have, and how much they cost. It’s not a one-size-fits-all deal, you know? What works for a small shop might not be best for a big one. Think about what you sell, who your customers are, and what you need your payment system to do. Getting this right means smoother checkouts for your customers and less hassle for you. It’s worth taking the time to find the best fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a payment gateway?

A payment gateway is like a digital cashier for your online store. It securely handles your customers’ payment information, making sure the money goes from their bank to yours. Think of it as the middleman that keeps your transactions safe and sound.

Can I use more than one payment gateway?

Yes, you absolutely can use more than one! Having multiple payment gateways is a smart move. It means you can offer customers different ways to pay, which can help them complete their purchase more easily and reduce problems like declined payments.

How do I pick the best payment gateway for my online shop?

When picking a payment gateway, check the fees they charge for each sale. Also, see if it works with your online store platform, like Shopify or WooCommerce. Make sure it’s secure and can handle different payment methods your customers might use.

How important is a payment gateway for online stores?

A payment gateway is super important for online shopping. It makes paying safe and easy for customers, which builds trust. It also helps your business run smoothly, process payments quickly, and even grow to sell to people in other countries.

Are all payment gateways easy to set up?

Some gateways are easier to set up than others. Hosted gateways are usually the simplest, often just needing a link on your site. Others might need more technical help to connect with your website or app.

What are the most popular payment gateways?

Top choices often include Stripe, PayPal, and Square because they are reliable and work well with many online stores. Shopify Payments is also a great option if you already use Shopify for your website.