Payment Gateway Comparison: Top Providers Analyzed for 2025

Braintree also provides data encryption, payment authentication, session management, and activity monitoring on all payments. To use Braintree you’ll pay 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, as well as a 0.75% ACH deposit fee, a 1% fee for transactions involving foreign currency, and a $15 fee on chargebacks. A swipe falls under Payline Start, which has a monthly fee with an additional small charge per transaction, which includes AMEX as well for an additional per transaction fee. Stripe is yet another powerful payment platform designed for internet businesses, with the company claiming to handle billions of dollars worth of transactions annually. The main difference between this service and many others is that it isn’t an out-of-the-box solution. Instead, you’re provided with a range of flexible tools to customize your own payment processes.

Best credit card machine for small business in 2025

At first glance, Payline Data seems to be an extremely affordable option, with transaction rates relatively low compared to those of many other providers. However, it’s important to note that Payline Data charges a monthly fee ($10), which many of its competitors do not. Nonetheless, we think this payment gateway can add some positive value, especially for small businesses.

Authorize.Net Pricing

This method eliminates most compatibility issues and often costs less overall. However, your choice of payment gateway will be limited to whatever services your provider offers, and the gateway itself might not have a robust feature payment service provider set or extensive customization options. NOWPayments stands out as the best payment gateway for recurring subscriptions, making it easy for businesses to create a subscription model that meets their needs.

• For example, with Square Checking, you can automatically set aside money for taxes and get loan offers based on your recorded Square sales.
• Your business needs payment gateways that can not only support recurring billing models but enhance them with automation.
• Advanced fraud detection tools analyze patterns to flag suspicious activity.
• Start by evaluating your current transaction volume and types of payments you need to accept.
• In-person payments cost 2.70% for card-present or 3.50% plus $0.15 for keyed transactions.
• The gateway solution you choose should be capable of scaling efficiently as business transaction volumes increase, such as when you launch a new product or enter a new market.
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Amazon Pay: Best For Amazon Sellers

Stripe is a comprehensive payment gateway that caters to both online retailers and brick-and-mortar shops. Its functions go well beyond accepting payments, with a range of features from tax reporting to invoicing. With no unearned revenue monthly fee and 24/7 customer service, we consider it a strong value for money. Other perks include the ability to save customer payment information, process large batches of transactions at once (5,000 transactions in as little as 90 minutes), and manage inventory.

Pros and cons of PayPal Payflow

Different gateways offer varying levels of functionality and pricing structures, making it essential to evaluate options based on your specific business needs and budget. The more options you can give your customers to pay you with, the more likely they are to make a purchase. The former charges 0.75% for e-checks, and both gateways charge 10 cents plus another 10-cent batch fee for each transaction. Additional payment services from Authorize.net include invoicing, recurring payments and a customer information manager. Non-cash payment options like credit cards and Apple Pay make life easier for businesses and consumers alike, enabling quick and secure transactions. As digital payments become increasingly common, it’s more important than ever that businesses have a reliable payment gateway.

• This makes it especially useful for online businesses selling digital services such as web hosting or web design companies.
• However, if you want more comprehensive functionality, like extensive financial reporting features, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
• With no monthly fee and 24/7 customer service, we consider it a strong value for money.
• If you have equipment you already like, National Processing will reprogram with no extra fees.
• Your choice depends on factors like technical capabilities, security needs, and customer experience preferences.

Some see it as a modern-day alternative to older giants like PayPal. Another Legal E-Billing thing to take into account is what payment methods are supported by the chosen gateway. In addition to credit cards, you may want to accept payments via PayPal or CHAPS.