Stripe Alternatives
Don't miss out on the top-rated Stripe alternatives for 2023. Learn about payment processors that rival Stripe's capabilities.
The best Stripe alternatives to process your payments include:
- Square: for new businesses
- PayPal: most user-friendly Stripe alternative
- Helcim Merchant Services: for lower fees
- Stax: for high-volume businesses
- Payment Depot: merchant account alternative
- PaymentCloud: for high-risk businesses
- Adyen: for international businesses
- Authorize.net: for e-commerce businesses
- Amazon Pay: for online retail businesses
- Verifone (2Checkout): for SaaS & online services
Stripe doesn't fit your needs quite right?
Maybe you're a small business looking for more intuitive options. Or you're a growing business looking for cheaper processing fees.
Whatever your business type or size, there is a suitable Stripe alternative. Read on for your options.
Top-rated Payment Processors like Stripe
When it comes to payment processing, you have two main options: a 3rd party payment service provider (like Stripe) or a full-service merchant account provider.
Here are good alternatives for either one. Let's start with a payment service provider that's easier to use than Stripe.
Monthly Fee | Online Rate | Swipe Rate | |
---|---|---|---|
Stripe | No monthly fees | 2.9% + $0.30 | 2.7% + $0.05 |
Square | Starts at $0/mo | 2.9% + $0.30 | 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction |
PayPal | No monthly fees (additional payment features start at $5/mo) | Starts at 2.59% + $0.49 | Starts at 2.29% + $0.09 |
Helcim | No monthly fees | Interchange rate + 0.50% + $0.25 (for processing up to $50,000/month; discounts for larger volume) | Interchange rate + 0.40% + $0.08 (for processing up to $50,000/mo; discounts for larger volume) |
Stax by fattmerchant | Starts at $99 per month | Interchange rate + $0.18 | Interchange rate + $0.08 |
Payment Depot |
| Interchange rate + $0.18 | Interchange rate + $0.08 |
PaymentCloud | Not disclosed - offers customized pricing | Not disclosed - offers customized pricing | Not disclosed - offers customized pricing |
Authorize.net | $25/mo for all plans | 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for the All-in-One option | 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for the All-in-One option |
Amazon Pay | No monthly fees |
| N/A |
Square Reader: Free Mobile Credit Card Reader
- Pay 2.6% + 10¢ Per Swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express
- Accept Credit Cards Anywhere
- Fast Setup, No Commitments
Save Up to 40%
- Flat Monthly Subscription Price, Starting at $99
- 0% Markup on Direct-Cost Interchange
- 24/7 Support
Chase Payment Solutions℠
- Never miss a sale with powerful new ways to accept credit cards, anytime, anywhere. Accept payments multiple ways – in person, online or over the phone.
- Fast funding at no additional cost. Get deposits as soon as same day.
- Get fair and transparent pricing with no hidden fees. 2.6% rate +10¢ per tap, dip and swiped transaction. 2.90% + 25¢ per eCommerce transaction and monthly fee starting at $9.95. 3.5% rate +10¢ per keyed transaction.
- Trusted security – As technology advances, our industry-leading systems help keep your payments and customers safe.
- Get paid fast and manage your business from anywhere with the Chase Point of Sale system. Use our mobile app, reader and terminal to take payments via tap, dip and swipe.
- Accept cards online or over the phone with our payment gateway or use our pre-built payment integrations to leading eCommerce platforms and virtual terminal options.
- Process payments with Chase Payment Solutions, the #1 merchant acquirer in the U.S.
- Tap to Pay on iPhone offers you the ability to accept contactless cards, Apple Pay and other digital wallets on your iPhone – no additional hardware required.
- Chase Customer Insights is a complimentary business intelligence platform that offers simple, actionable analytics and reports to help you make better business decisions and reach more customers.
High Risk? No Problem
- Competitive Options for Payment Processing at All Risk Levels
- Fast Funding
- No Setup/Hidden Fees
- No Minimum Credit Score
- All Industries Accepted
U.S. Bank Payment Solutions - Earn up to $1,000 in 3 months
Earn up to $1,000 in 3 months when you open a new Payment Solutions account with U.S. Bank.
Power your business with U.S. Bank merchant services. Our merchant services accounts do more for your business - securely accept payments, gain access to funds within hours, customize your solutions and connect with us 24/7 if you have a question. Member FDIC.
Offer:
- Open account between 8/15/2024 and 10/15/2024
- Account must be in active status and settling card payments at the time monthly statement credits are applied
- Get merchant fees refunded up to $1,000 over three months
Get $500 If National Processing Can't Beat Your Current Rates*
*For merchants processing over $10k/month
Eliminate Credit Card Processing Fees With Surcharging
Accept Credit Cards at 0% Cost and Increase Your Margins Instantly
Square: for New Businesses
Like Stripe, Square offers flat-rate pricing with no monthly fee, which makes it budget-friendly for new businesses. You'll only be charged once you make a sale.
Plus, your Square account and POS app are free. You can even create an online store for free.
Compared to Stripe, Square is a lot more user-friendly. You can get started quickly on your own. It's a good option whether you're a mobile business, small online store, restaurant, or professional service.
Square Reader: Free Mobile Credit Card Reader
- Pay 2.6% + 10¢ Per Swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express
- Accept Credit Cards Anywhere
- Fast Setup, No Commitments
You can even customize the checkout experience (like add-ons, item grids, and categories) so your staff can work efficiently during busy hours.
And if you ever get disconnected, you can keep sales going with offline mode. Your business doesn't need to come to a halt.
Square lets you accept major credit cards, contactless payments, gift cards, and bank transfers from your customers.
Pros + Cons:
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Square pricing:[1]
Square can be more affordable than Stripe for in-person sales. But you get the same rates for online payments.
Swipe, chip, tap | 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction |
Online | 2.9% + $0.30 |
Manual keyed-in | 3.5% + 15¢ |
- How Square Compares with Stripe
Visit Site Learn More Square
Stripe
Pricing Model Flat rate Flat rate (also offers customized pricing packages) Monthly Fee Starts at $0/mo No monthly fees Swipe Rate 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction 2.7% + $0.05 Online Rate 2.9% + $0.30 2.9% + $0.30 Keyed-in Transaction Fee 3.5% + 15¢ 3.4% + 30¢ Accept International Payments USD payments only 135+ currencies Equipment Card reader: $0 to $59; Stand, Terminal, and Register available for purchase Online Processing, Terminal, Stripe for Marketplace & Platforms, Billing Services (subscription & invoicing) Invoice Management Recurring Billing Fraud Prevention Tools Customer Service Phone, Email, Live Chat Support, Seller Community Phone (by request), Email, Live Chat, IRC Visit Site Learn More
Square is the best Stripe alternative for small businesses. It's easy to get started without needing a developer. You can accept credit and debit card payments online and in-person. You can even build your own website through Square Online.
PayPal: for More Payment Options
PayPal is another great Stripe alternative if you want to accept payment options like PayPal Credit, Pay Later, and Venmo. It also accepts more global digital wallets, like Samsung Pay, GrabPay, and Satispay, which Stripe doesn't accept.
Your customers won't even need a PayPal account to pay. They can just input their card details at checkout. And if you're taking in-person payments, PayPal Zettle card readers and terminals are available.
PayPal integrates with major e-commerce platforms like BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and Shopify. For a more seamless workflow, you can also connect other tools you use for inventory management, accounting, and marketing automation.
Pros + Cons:
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PayPal Pricing:
PayPal's fees depend on your customer's payment type:[2]
Payment Type | Percentage + Fixed Fee (for USD) Per Transaction |
---|---|
PayPal Checkout & Guest Checkout | 3.49% + $0.49 |
Pay with Venmo | 3.49% + $0.49 |
Credit and Debit Card Payments | 2.99% + $0.49 |
QR Code Transactions | 2.29% + $0.09 |
International Transactions | Additional 1.50% |
Note that the fixed fee is based on the currency you receive. So $0.49 is only applicable for USD payments.
- How PayPal Compares with Stripe
PayPal
Stripe
Pricing Model Flat-rate and Interchange-plus Flat rate (also offers customized pricing packages) Monthly Fee No monthly fees (additional payment features start at $5/mo) No monthly fees Chargeback Fee $20 $15 Accept International Payments 25 currencies 135+ currencies Equipment Paypal Zettle card reader: $29 to $79; Zettle Terminal: starts at $199; Printers, and Accessories available for purchase Online Processing, Terminal, Stripe for Marketplace & Platforms, Billing Services (subscription & invoicing) Invoice Management Recurring Billing Fraud Prevention Tools Customer Service Phone, Email, Live Chat Support, PayPal Community Phone (by request), Email, Live Chat, IRC
The downside is that PayPal can be too expensive. If you're looking for a more affordable option, check out Helcim.
Helcim: for Lower Fees
Helcim offers interchange-plus pricing, which can be more affordable than paying a flat rate. On average, in-person transactions with Helcim cost 1.93% + 8¢. Average online transactions cost 2.49% + 25¢.
These are more affordable than Stripe's standard pricing, which is 2.9% + $0.30 for online transactions.
There are also no monthly fees with Helcim. Your account comes with all payment tools including: POS features, virtual terminal, payment gateway, recurring billing, and even ACH processing.
And if you're a larger business, Helcim makes managing your business easy. You can easily view your best-selling items, automatically sync inventory from different locations, and create however many staff accounts you need.
Pros + Cons:
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Helcim Pricing:[3]
Helcim offers discounts with larger processing volume. Rate discounts happen automatically as you increase your card sales. You won't need to haggle every time.
Monthly Volume | In-person Transactions | Online or Keyed Transactions |
---|---|---|
$0 - $50,000 | Interchange + 0.40% + 8¢ | Interchange + 0.50% + 25¢ |
$50,001 - $100,000 | Interchange + 0.35% + 7¢ | Interchange + 0.45% + 20¢ |
$100,001 - $500,000 | Interchange + 0.25% + 7¢ | Interchange + 0.35% + 20¢ |
$500,001 - $1,000,000 | Interchange + 0.20% + 6¢ | Interchange + 0.25% + 15¢ |
$1,000,001+ | Interchange + 0.15% + 6¢ | Interchange + 0.15% + 15¢ |
There are no monthly fees, no contracts, and no early termination fees.
- How Helcim Compares with Stripe
Visit Site Learn More Helcim
Stripe
Pricing Model Interchange plus Flat rate (also offers customized pricing packages) Monthly Fee No monthly fees No monthly fees Swipe Rate Interchange rate + 0.40% + $0.08 (for processing up to $50,000/mo; discounts for larger volume) 2.7% + $0.05 Online Rate Interchange rate + 0.50% + $0.25 (for processing up to $50,000/month; discounts for larger volume) 2.9% + $0.30 Keyed-in Transaction Fee Interchange + 0.50% + 25¢ (for processing up to $50,000/mo; discounts for larger volume) 3.4% + 30¢ Accept International Payments Customers can purchase in CAD/USD (not their local currency) from any location 135+ currencies Equipment $99 for Helcim Card Reader; $329 for Helcim Smart Terminal Online Processing, Terminal, Stripe for Marketplace & Platforms, Billing Services (subscription & invoicing) Invoice Management Recurring Billing Fraud Prevention Tools Customer Service Phone, email, or schedule callback Phone (by request), Email, Live Chat, IRC Visit Site Learn More
Start Accepting Payments Fast
- Interchange Plus Pricing
- No Monthly Fees
- No Contracts
Helcim can be a cheaper alternative to Stripe. Unlike Stripe's flat-rate pricing, you can get interchange-plus pricing with Helcim. This is usually more affordable, especially if you have high processing volume. You'll automatically get a lower markup when your sales volume increases.
The more you process, the more you save with Helcim. But if you process more than $15,000/mo, you'll likely save the most with Stax.
Stax: for High-volume Businesses
Stax offers subscription pricing, which is usually cheaper for large businesses. There is no processor percentage markup. You'll only pay the direct-cost interchange per transaction, plus a monthly fee starting at $99/mo.
Your subscription comes with essential features like mobile POS, inventory tracking, digital invoicing, virtual terminal, and more. You can also integrate QuickBooks Online for a two-way sync.
If you have an e-commerce store, Stax lets you integrate with payment gateways like WooCommerce, Magento, and SalesForce. You can also use a pre-built shopping cart or create your own.
Pros + Cons:
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Stax Pricing:
Stax's processing fees are:
In-person | Interchange rate + $0.08 |
Online | Interchange rate + $0.18 |
Manual keyed-in | Interchange + $0.18 |
You'll also pay a monthly membership fee, which depends on your processing volume:[4]
- $99/mo: processing up to $250,000/yr
- $199/mo: processing $250,000 to $500,000/yr
- Custom: processing $500,000+/yr
You'll get the same features regardless of your sales volume. But some features are add-ons, like ACH processing, next-day funding, and digital gift cards.
- How Stax Compares with Stripe
Visit Site Learn More Stax by fattmerchant
Stripe
Pricing Model Subscription Flat rate (also offers customized pricing packages) Monthly Fee Starts at $99 per month No monthly fees Swipe Rate Interchange rate + $0.08 2.7% + $0.05 Online Rate Interchange rate + $0.18 2.9% + $0.30 Keyed-in Transaction Fee Interchange + $0.18 3.4% + 30¢ Accept International Payments USD or CAD only 135+ currencies Equipment POS (EMV, Magstripe, Contactless, NFC), Mobile Payment Processing, Online Processing Online Processing, Terminal, Stripe for Marketplace & Platforms, Billing Services (subscription & invoicing) Invoice Management Recurring Billing Fraud Prevention Tools Customer Service Phone, Email, Fax, Live Chat Support, Fattmerchant Support Center Phone (by request), Email, Live Chat, IRC Visit Site Learn More
Save Up to 40%
- Flat Monthly Subscription Price, Starting at $99
- 0% Markup on Direct-Cost Interchange
- 24/7 Support
Payment Depot: Merchant Account Alternative
Like Stax, Payment Depot is also a merchant account provider that offers subscription pricing. This makes it more suited for medium to high-volume businesses.
All membership levels get access to all essential features. You'll get a free payment gateway, next-day funding, and chargeback and risk monitoring features.
Higher-tiered plans will get you free POS equipment like a standard terminal, mobile reader, pinpad, etc. You may even get free terminal upgrades every 2 years.[5]
Pros + Cons:
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Payment Depot Pricing:
Payment Depot has no processor percentage markup. It only charges a small flat-rate fee on top of the interchange, plus the monthly subscription fee.
In-person | Interchange rate + $0.08 |
Online | Interchange rate + $0.18 |
Manual keyed-in | Interchange + 18¢ |
The monthly subscription packages are:[6]
- Start at $79/month (Process up to $250,000/yr)
- Custom quote (Process more than $250,000/yr)
Payment Depot has no hidden fees and cancellation fees.
- How Payment Depot Compares with Stripe
Visit Site Learn More Payment Depot
Stripe
Pricing Model Subscription Flat rate (also offers customized pricing packages) Monthly Fee - Start at $79/month (Process up to $250,000/yr)
- Custom quote (Process more than $250,000/yr)
No monthly fees Swipe Rate Interchange rate + $0.08 2.7% + $0.05 Online Rate Interchange rate + $0.18 2.9% + $0.30 Keyed-in Transaction Fee Interchange + 18¢ 3.4% + 30¢ Equipment POS (EMV, Magstripe, NFC, Contactless, Smart Terminals), Mobile Payment Processing, Online Payment Processing Online Processing, Terminal, Stripe for Marketplace & Platforms, Billing Services (subscription & invoicing) Invoice Management Integration needed Recurring Billing Integration needed Fraud Prevention Tools Customer Service Phone, Email, Ticket Center, Social Media Platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) Phone (by request), Email, Live Chat, IRC Visit Site Learn More
Note that these merchant accounts do not work with high-risk businesses. If you're considered high-risk, check out PaymentCloud instead.
PaymentCloud: for High-risk Businesses
Stripe does not accept certain types of businesses (in fact, it has a restricted business list). If your business falls into one of these categories (like adult, cannabis, firearms, bail bonds), PaymentCloud is one of the best merchant account providers.
They specialize in working with high-risk merchants, so they understand the unique challenges. You get a dedicated account manager to help you find the best solutions for your business. They also offer tools to help you reduce fraud and chargebacks.
You can accept online and in-person payments from all major card types. Depending on your merchant account type, you can get access to a virtual terminal, payment gateway, shopping cart, wireless terminals, etc.
PaymentCloud also offers many integrations that can help with your daily operations, like FreshBooks, Authorize.net, and Zoho.
Pros + Cons:
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PaymentCloud Pricing:
PaymentCloud offers customized pricing for businesses. You must contact them for a quote to know your processing rates. This also means you have the chance to negotiate your fees.
- How PaymentCloud Compares with Stripe
Visit Site Learn More PaymentCloud
Stripe
Pricing Model Customized Flat rate (also offers customized pricing packages) Equipment Available through third-party providers (Clover, Dejavoo, etc.) Online Processing, Terminal, Stripe for Marketplace & Platforms, Billing Services (subscription & invoicing) Invoice Management Recurring Billing Fraud Prevention Tools Customer Service Phone and Form Submission Phone (by request), Email, Live Chat, IRC Visit Site Learn More
High Risk? No Problem
- Competitive Options for Payment Processing at All Risk Levels
- Fast Funding
- No Setup/Hidden Fees
- No Minimum Credit Score
- All Industries Accepted
Going global? Adyen is best when it comes to expanding your business internationally.
Adyen: Best for International Businesses
Although other Stripe alternatives let you take global payments, no one does it best like Adyen. Aside from accepting international currencies online, you can accept in-person payments with Adyen in almost 100 countries.[7]
Adyen accepts over 100 payment methods, including Alipay, UnionPay, GrabPay, and tons of other digital wallets around the world.[8] Your customers abroad can even view your checkout portals in their own language.
Pros + Cons:
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Adyen Pricing:[9]
Adyen charges a fixed processing fee plus a fee depending on the payment method for each transaction.
Here are some rates you can expect in the U.S.:
Visa | Interchange + $0.13 |
Mastercard | Interchange + $0.13 |
American Express | 3.3% + $0.10 + $0.13 (North America); 3.95% +$0.13 (Global) |
Discover | 3.95% + $0.13 |
PayPal | Direct contract with PayPal + service fee + $0.13 |
There are no monthly fees, setup fees, or early termination fees. However, there is a minimum monthly invoice depending on your industry or business model. You'll have to speak to a rep to find out.
- How Adyen Compares with Stripe
Adyen Stripe Pricing Model Fixed fee + fee depending on the payment method Flat-rate Monthly Fee No monthly fees No monthly fees Accept International Payments 29 currencies 135+ currencies Equipment Third-party Options (Mobile Processing, Tap to Pay, Countertop, Self-service) Online Processing, Terminal, Stripe for Marketplace & Platforms, Billing Services (subscription & invoicing) Invoice Management x ✓ Recurring Billing ✓ ✓ Fraud Prevention Tools ✓ ✓ Customer Service Phone, Email, Courses Phone (by request), Email, Live Chat, IRC
Authorize.net: for E-commerce Businesses
Authorize.net is a popular payment gateway owned by Visa. It works with a lot of online shopping carts and e-commerce platforms.
If you already have a merchant account (or want to choose your own), you can go for the Payment Gateway Only plan. If you don't, you can choose the All-in-One plan. Authorize.net will help you get your own merchant account with their payment gateway.
You can accept credit card payments, eChecks, and contactless payments with Authorize.net. But to take in-person payments, you'll have to find a supported card reader.
Some features include advanced fraud protection, recurring billing, Customer Information Manager, and digital invoicing.
Pros + Cons:
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Authorize.net Pricing:[10]
All-in-One | 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction |
Payment Gateway Only | $25/mo; 10¢ per transaction; daily batch fee of 10¢ |
If you use the Payment Gateway Only plan, note that you'll also have fees from your merchant account provider.
Businesses processing more than $500,000/yr can be eligible for interchange-plus pricing.
- How Authorize.net Compares with Stripe
Authorize.net
Stripe
Pricing Model Flat rate or Flat fee per transaction Flat rate (also offers customized pricing packages) Monthly Fee $25/mo for all plans No monthly fees Online Rate 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for the All-in-One option 2.9% + $0.30 Accept International Payments 11 currencies 135+ currencies Equipment Supported Card Reader Required; Virtual Terminal Available Online Processing, Terminal, Stripe for Marketplace & Platforms, Billing Services (subscription & invoicing) Invoice Management Recurring Billing Fraud Prevention Tools Customer Service Phone (1-877-447-3938), Chat, Form Phone (by request), Email, Live Chat, IRC
Authorize.net is a trustworthy alternative for Stripe for online businesses. It can integrate with your website and mobile app. You'll also get advanced fraud protection tools to protect your business.
If you're only looking for a very simple Stripe alternative, you can check out Amazon Pay instead.
Amazon Pay: for Online Retail Businesses
Almost everyone has an Amazon account these days. Amazon Pay is a convenient way for your customers to checkout using their saved Amazon account details.
This checkout option can be a good way to help lower cart abandonment. Businesses have seen an increase in conversion by 35% compared to native checkout options.[11]
Some integration features you can get include recurring checkout and one-time checkout options. Amazon Pay also works with many website and shopping cart providers like BigCommerce, Shopify, and WooCommerce.
It's best for online retailers since Amazon Pay is only an online payment gateway. It doesn't offer hardware options.
Pros + Cons:
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Amazon Pay Pricing:[12]
Amazon Pay offers flat-rate pricing, like Stripe.
Web and mobile payments | 2.9% for domestic payments; 3.9% for cross-border payments |
Alexa payments for goods and services | 4% for domestic payments; 5% for cross-border payments |
Amazon Pay charges an authorization fee of $0.30 for all payment types. If you ever request to dispute a chargeback, it will cost you $20 every time.[13]
You will be refunded the transaction fees if a refund takes place. But authorization and chargeback fees cannot be refunded.
- How Amazon Pay Compares with Stripe
Amazon Pay
Stripe
Pricing Model Flat rate Flat rate (also offers customized pricing packages) Monthly Fee No monthly fees No monthly fees Online Rate - Web and Mobile Payments: 2.9% + $0.30 for domestic; 3.9% + $0.30 for cross-border
- Alexa Payments: 4% for domestic; 5% for cross-border
2.9% + $0.30 Accept International Payments 12 currencies 135+ currencies Equipment None available Online Processing, Terminal, Stripe for Marketplace & Platforms, Billing Services (subscription & invoicing) Invoice Management Amazon Pay Services needed Recurring Billing Fraud Prevention Tools Customer Service Phone, Email, and Chat Support available through your Amazon Pay account Phone (by request), Email, Live Chat, IRC
If you're an online business focusing on subscriptions, then 2Checkout may provide better features.
Verifone (2Checkout): for SaaS & Online Services
If you have an online SaaS or subscription service, 2Checkout (now Verifone) is an online payment processor specifically designed for modern digital commerce.
It's ideal for businesses with global payments. It uses real-time Geo-IP detection, so your customers can see regional pricing and have a localized checkout experience.
The platform even helps you optimize for conversions with A/B testing of different parts of the checkout journey. And you can also set up trials and freemiums, upgrades, upsells, and more.
It also integrates with over 120 carts like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Zoho.[14]
Unlike Stripe, 2Checkout is only a payment gateway. You won't have POS hardware options and in-person payment features.
Pros + Cons:
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Verifone (2Checkout) Pricing:
There are 3 free plans to choose from:[15]
Plan | Per transaction fee | Good for |
---|---|---|
2Sell | 3.5% + $0.35 | Selling digital or physical products online worldwide |
2Subscribe | 4.5% + $0.45 | Subscription / recurring services |
2Monetize | 6.0% + $0.60 | If you need more payment methods or invoicing features |
All these plans offer pay-as-you-go pricing, so you'll only pay every time you make a sale.
- How 2Checkout Compares with Stripe
Verifone (2Checkout) Stripe Pricing Model Flat-rate Flat-rate Monthly Fee No monthly fees No monthly fees Swipe Rate N/A 2.7% + $0.05 Online Rate 3.5% + $0.35 for 2Sell plan;
4.5% + $0.45 for 2Subscribe;
6.0% + $0.60 for 2Monetize2.9% + $0.30 Keyed-in Transaction Fee N/A 3.4% + 30¢ Accept International Payments 100 currencies 135+ currencies Equipment x Online Processing, Terminal, Stripe for Marketplace & Platforms, Billing Services (subscription & invoicing) Invoice Management ✓ ✓ Recurring Billing ✓ ✓ Fraud Prevention Tools ✓ ✓ Customer Service Contact Form Only Phone (by request), Email, Live Chat, IRC
Honorable Mentions
Apart from the top 10 processors on the list, here are other Stripe alternatives that are worth mentioning.
Braintree by PayPal: For Easy Integration
Braintree is a PayPal platform that lets you accept multiple modes of payment with just one integration.
You can accept credit cards and debit cards, PayPal, Venmo, digital wallet payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay, and even Buy Now and Pay Later options.
Your merchant account will already come with the following:
- Payment gateway
- Basic and advanced fraud prevention tools
- Data encryption
- Reporting
- Recurring billing
- Third-party integrations
- Phone and email support
Pricing:
Your transaction fees depend on the mode of payment you accept:
Cards and digital wallets | 2.59% + $.49 per transaction |
---|---|
ACH Direct Debit | 0.75% per transaction |
Venmo | 3.49% + $.49 per transaction |
PayPal and PayPal credit | Depends on your PayPal account terms |
You can reach out to Braintree to know if you qualify for custom pricing. If so, you can opt for interchange-plus pricing, which can be more affordable than flat rates. Eligibility depends on your business model and sales volume.
WePay by Chase: For Custom Branding
WePay is another payment solution that primarily lets you accept online payments from your customers. It's powered by Chase, so you can be confident that transactions are secure.
WePay offers 3 services to choose from: Clear, Link, and Core. Clear is likely the most similar to Stripe, where you can fully customize the payment experience.
You can choose to customize using your branding or go with WePay's prebuilt and hosted solution. You can also add your markup on top of the processing rate to add to your profits.[16]
Pricing:
WePay only specifies its pricing with its Link services. Whether you accept VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or Chase payments, each transaction costs 2.9% + 25¢.[17] Your business will get assessed for ACH rates if you plan to accept ACH payments.
That said, you'll need to contact WePay for the pricing of Clear and Core services. Fees for Clear already include processing, compliance, settlement, risk, and chargeback protection services. You'll be offered "relationship-based" pricing for Core services.
WePay offers Verifone terminals and an Ingenico mobile card reader for mobile payment processing.
Considering all these options, how do you know if they're better than Stripe? First, take note of what Stripe offers.
What You Get with Stripe
To decide whether Stripe or an alternative is the better option, take note of what Stripe can offer you.
With Stripe, you can:
- Accept local and international payment methods (in over 135 currencies)[18]
- Accept online and in-person payments (through the Stripe Terminal)
- Integrate with your website or online marketplace
- Set up online reservations and in-store pick-ups
- Provide an optimized checkout experience
- Send invoices and set up recurring payments
- Access fraud prevention tools
- Review reporting and analytics
- Access 24/7 customer support
Also, Stripe is highly customizable because it's made with developers in mind. But this can put off small business owners since coding can seem intimidating (although Stripe also offers no-code options for payment features).[19]
If these features don't fit your needs (or if you've just outgrown Stripe), it may be time to consider another processor.
When to Consider Stripe Alternatives
There are a few reasons why you might need a new processor:
Reduce processing fees
As you increase in sales, you may find that Stripe's flat-rate pricing adds up to high processing costs.
To save on costs, it's better to choose a provider with interchange-plus pricing (like Helcim) or subscription pricing (like Stax).
Gain more stability
Stripe doesn't give you your own Merchant ID. This may make your account susceptible to holds or freezes. As your business grows, having a dedicated merchant account is a safer option because your account will be more stable.
Get more features
Stripe offers some of the best features for online businesses. But it may not be ideal if you're getting more into omnichannel sales.
For example, if you're also selling in-person, you may want a processor (like Square), which has a more robust POS system.
Square, PayPal, and Helcim are some of Stripe's biggest competitors. You can accept in-person and online payments with them. Just like with Stripe, you can get the essential payment gateway and terminal you need.
How to Choose a Payment Processor
When comparing Stripe alternatives side-by-side, here are the most important things to look at:
- Transaction Fees
The pricing model will have the biggest impact on how much you would pay. Flat-rate pricing is good for new businesses, but may get expensive in the long run. Subscription pricing will be the most cost effective for high volume businesses. - Accepted payment methods
Are you taking online payments? In-person payments? Recurring billing? Whatever mode of payment you choose to accept, make sure the provider supports it. - Support for international payments
If you're selling globally, make sure the provider supports international payments. Some will support global currencies and digital wallets, and even show localized pricing. - Integrations
Integrations allow you to add functions to help streamline your business. There could be website integrations, shopping carts, accounting software, etc. - Equipment
Payment processors typically offer POS hardware so you can take in-person payments. If you have an online store, you'll also need a hosted payment gateway. So, ensure the provider offers what you need to accept different payment types. - Recurring payments for subscriptions
If you have a subscription business, make sure the process has a recurring billing feature. Some may not, or it may be an add-on cost. - Fraud protection tools
It's a must that a processor has fraud prevention and security features. Check if the processor offers end-to-end encryption and tokenization and is PCI-compliant. - Reporting and analytics
Reports help you gain insights into your business, like sales trends, disputes, staff sales, and more. Ensure the provider has what you need or if you'll need integrations like QuickBooks. - 24/7 merchant support
Since you're dealing with online payments, you're likely accepting payments 24/7. If a problem arises, you'll want to be able to reach a person.
Bottom Line
Stripe is one of the best credit card processors, especially for online businesses. But if you're looking for alternatives, whether it's due to transaction fees or features, there's plenty to choose from.
Square Reader: Free Mobile Credit Card Reader
- Pay 2.6% + 10¢ Per Swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express
- Accept Credit Cards Anywhere
- Fast Setup, No Commitments
Save Up to 40%
- Flat Monthly Subscription Price, Starting at $99
- 0% Markup on Direct-Cost Interchange
- 24/7 Support
Chase Payment Solutions℠
- Never miss a sale with powerful new ways to accept credit cards, anytime, anywhere. Accept payments multiple ways – in person, online or over the phone.
- Fast funding at no additional cost. Get deposits as soon as same day.
- Get fair and transparent pricing with no hidden fees. 2.6% rate +10¢ per tap, dip and swiped transaction. 2.90% + 25¢ per eCommerce transaction and monthly fee starting at $9.95. 3.5% rate +10¢ per keyed transaction.
- Trusted security – As technology advances, our industry-leading systems help keep your payments and customers safe.
- Get paid fast and manage your business from anywhere with the Chase Point of Sale system. Use our mobile app, reader and terminal to take payments via tap, dip and swipe.
- Accept cards online or over the phone with our payment gateway or use our pre-built payment integrations to leading eCommerce platforms and virtual terminal options.
- Process payments with Chase Payment Solutions, the #1 merchant acquirer in the U.S.
- Tap to Pay on iPhone offers you the ability to accept contactless cards, Apple Pay and other digital wallets on your iPhone – no additional hardware required.
- Chase Customer Insights is a complimentary business intelligence platform that offers simple, actionable analytics and reports to help you make better business decisions and reach more customers.
High Risk? No Problem
- Competitive Options for Payment Processing at All Risk Levels
- Fast Funding
- No Setup/Hidden Fees
- No Minimum Credit Score
- All Industries Accepted
U.S. Bank Payment Solutions - Earn up to $1,000 in 3 months
Earn up to $1,000 in 3 months when you open a new Payment Solutions account with U.S. Bank.
Power your business with U.S. Bank merchant services. Our merchant services accounts do more for your business - securely accept payments, gain access to funds within hours, customize your solutions and connect with us 24/7 if you have a question. Member FDIC.
Offer:
- Open account between 8/15/2024 and 10/15/2024
- Account must be in active status and settling card payments at the time monthly statement credits are applied
- Get merchant fees refunded up to $1,000 over three months
Get $500 If National Processing Can't Beat Your Current Rates*
*For merchants processing over $10k/month
Eliminate Credit Card Processing Fees With Surcharging
Accept Credit Cards at 0% Cost and Increase Your Margins Instantly
Carefully consider your business needs and goals. The right choice can have a significant impact on your bottom line and customer satisfaction, so take the time to evaluate your options thoroughly.
References
- ^ Square. Pricing, Retrieved: 10/12/2023
- ^ PayPal. Merchant Fees, Retrieved 09/09/23
- ^ Helcim. Helcim Pricing, Retrieved 10/16/2023
- ^ Stax. Pricing, Retrieved 11/22/2023
- ^ Payment Depot. Payment Depot vs Fattmerchant, Retrieved 09/29/23
- ^ Payment Depot. Pricing Plans, Retrieved 11/22/2023
- ^ Adyen. Countries and Languages, Retrieved 09/28/23
- ^ Adyen. Payments, Retrieved 11/22/2023
- ^ Adyen. Pricing, Retrieved 10/16/2023
- ^ Authorize.net. Pricing, Retrieved 10/17/23
- ^ Amazon Pay. Amazon Pay, Retrieved 09/29/23
- ^ Amazon Pay. Amazon Pay fees, Retrieved 11/22/2023
- ^ Amazon Pay. Handling chargebacks, Retrieved 11/22/2023
- ^ Verifone. Online Shopping Cart Integrations, Retrieved 11/22/2023
- ^ Verifone. Pricing, Retrieved 11/22/2023
- ^ WePay. Clear, Retrieved 02/14/24
- ^ WePay. Link, Retrieved 02/14/24
- ^ Stripe. Working with multiple currencies, Retrieved 11/22/2023
- ^ Stripe. No Code Options, Retrieved 09/08/23
Square Reader: Free Mobile Credit Card Reader
- Pay 2.6% + 10¢ Per Swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express
- Accept Credit Cards Anywhere
- Fast Setup, No Commitments
Save Up to 40%
- Flat Monthly Subscription Price, Starting at $99
- 0% Markup on Direct-Cost Interchange
- 24/7 Support
Free Credit Card Processing with Surcharging
- You keep 100% of every credit card sale: when you sell $100, you receive $100. Pay only for debit card transactions.
- Fully Compliant
- CardX passes on the fee for credit card transactions only. Your customers can always choose debit as a no-fee option.
Write to Karen Eloriaga at feedback@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.
Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.
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