We’re listing the best payment gateways you can use to easily process credit or debit card payments online through your website or SaaS applications.
Payment gateways offer the flexibility to accept card payments, whether online or at your physical business location. They enable fast and simple credit card payment processing both online and offline. In addition, payment gateway systems can serve as a Point of Sale (POS) in-store.
Simply put, payment gateways allow you to collect charges from cards. After a certain period, those collected payments are transferred to the business owner’s bank account. During this process, the payment gateway applies a certain commission rate, typically ranging from 1.4% to 3.5%. Often, there is no monthly operating fee at all.
Using payment gateway systems can also be highly beneficial for maintaining a business’s accounting records. All advanced payment gateways integrate with popular bookkeeping software, allowing businesses to simplify their bookkeeping processes and eliminate extra workload.
We compared these payment gateways based on several factors, which include:
- Ease of setup
- Ease of use
- Global transaction capabilities
- Pricing
- Mobile payment acceptance
Below is a list of the best payment gateways currently available.
1 – Paypal
Paypal
$0Setting up PayPal is quite straightforward. You can quickly create a business account, connect it to your bank, and verify ownership. Most e-commerce platforms have native PayPal integration, meaning you can have it up and running in minutes.
Ease of Use
PayPal’s interface is intuitive. Whether you’re invoicing clients or checking out sales reports, the dashboard makes it easy to track transactions and balances.
Global Transaction Capabilities
PayPal supports transactions in over 200 countries and accepts more than 25 currencies. For businesses looking to expand globally, this broad coverage can be a big plus.
Pricing
- Transaction fees (U.S.): Typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
- International fees: Can vary; generally around 4.4% plus a fixed fee depending on the currency.
Mobile Payment Acceptance
PayPal offers a mobile app that allows you to request and receive payments on the go. It also supports mobile website integrations, making it convenient for smartphone shoppers.
2 – Stripe
Stripe
$0Ease of Setup
Stripe requires you to set up an account and integrate their API into your website. Many popular e-commerce platforms (like Shopify and WooCommerce) have built-in Stripe plugins, which simplifies the process significantly.
Ease of Use
Stripe’s well-designed dashboard provides real-time insights into payment activities, refunds, and financial summaries. Developers love it for its robust API and clear documentation.
Global Transaction Capabilities
Stripe supports over 135 currencies and is available in many countries worldwide. Although not quite as universal as PayPal, it still covers most major markets.
Pricing
- Transaction fees (U.S.): Typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
- International fees: An additional 1% for currency conversion.
Mobile Payment Acceptance
Stripe offers a seamless mobile payment experience for both iOS and Android users. It also integrates easily with mobile apps through its SDK, allowing businesses to accept in-app payments.
3 – Square
Square
$0Ease of Setup
Square is known for its user-friendly sign-up process. You can create an account online, order hardware (if needed), and start accepting payments either through a website or a mobile device.
Ease of Use
If you have a physical location, Square’s POS system is particularly simple. For online transactions, it integrates smoothly with e-commerce platforms like BigCommerce and WooCommerce.
Global Transaction Capabilities
Square currently focuses on a handful of major markets, such as the U.S., Canada, Australia, the U.K., and Japan. While they’re expanding, their international coverage isn’t as broad as PayPal or Stripe.
Pricing
- Transaction fees (online): 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
- In-person fees: Typically 2.6% + $0.10 per tap, dip, or swipe in the U.S.
Mobile Payment Acceptance
Square pioneered mobile card readers, making it easy to accept payments on smartphones and tablets. Their mobile app is user-friendly and requires minimal setup.
4 – Authorize.net
Authorize.net
$0Ease of Setup
Authorize.net has been in the industry for a long time. Setting it up might be slightly more involved than newer gateways; however, most e-commerce platforms offer direct integrations.
Ease of Use
The Authorize.net dashboard is clean and gets the job done. It might not be as modern-looking as Stripe’s, but it provides reliable tools for managing transactions and recurring billing.
Global Transaction Capabilities
Authorize.net primarily focuses on the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Europe, and Australia. While it does support international payments, it’s not as extensive as some competitors.
Pricing
- Monthly gateway fee: $25.
- Transaction fees: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (if you use their all-in-one option).
- If you already have a merchant account, you can just pay the $25 monthly gateway fee plus a per-transaction fee set by your provider.
Mobile Payment Acceptance
Authorize.net supports mobile transactions through various POS apps and card readers. It’s more business-oriented and less consumer-facing but still provides decent mobile integration.
5 – 2 Checkout (Verifone)
2Checkout (Verifone)
$0Ease of Setup
2Checkout is relatively quick to set up. You’ll need to provide standard business details, and once you’re approved, you can integrate with most major shopping carts or use their hosted checkout.
Ease of Use
Their dashboard is user-friendly, offering clear tabs for subscriptions, transactions, and analytics. Customization options for checkout pages are straightforward.
Global Transaction Capabilities
2Checkout stands out for its international reach, supporting transactions in more than 200 countries and over 30 currencies. This makes it a solid option if you have a global customer base.
Pricing
- Transaction fees: Start at 3.5% + $0.35 per transaction for the basic plan.
- Additional fees may apply for higher-volume or international transactions.
Mobile Payment Acceptance
2Checkout provides a responsive checkout solution optimized for mobile devices. It also supports in-app payments for various platforms.
Making the Best Choice for Your Business
When selecting a payment gateway, it’s vital to consider factors like ease of setup, ease of use, global transaction capabilities, pricing, and mobile payment acceptance. Here’s a quick recap:
- PayPal: Very beginner-friendly, global coverage, but slightly higher fees on cross-border transactions.
- Stripe: Great for tech-savvy businesses looking for powerful, customizable solutions, plus strong mobile integrations.
- Square: An excellent all-rounder if you sell both in-store and online, though limited international availability.
- Authorize.net: Trusted and long-standing, with robust features and fraud protection, but has a monthly fee.
- 2Checkout: Offers impressive global reach and flexible customization, but watch out for higher transaction costs.
Ultimately, the “best” payment gateway will come down to your unique business requirements. If you need the widest possible international coverage, 2Checkout or PayPal might be your go-to. If you want advanced customization, Stripe is a top contender. For straightforward in-person and online sales, Square is hard to beat. And if reliability and advanced security features top your list, Authorize.net stands out as a dependable choice.
We hope this review helps you find the perfect payment gateway for your business needs. By weighing each provider’s pros, cons, and user ratings, you can confidently select the solution that aligns with your goals for growth and customer satisfaction. Good luck in setting up your ideal payment system!
