Stripe is a payment processor specializing in online sales, but it’s not necessarily the best payment processing company for every small business. NerdWallet’s Stripe review highlights its simple pricing structure, ability to accept many types of payments and customizability. However, it can be expensive, complicated and overly focused on online payments for some merchants. Stripe alternatives range from full-service merchant account providers to simple payment gateway providers.
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Here are nine Stripe competitors that may be a better fit for your business.
Best Stripe Competitors for Small Businesses
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Input your business’s monthly transaction details and we’ll help you sort from the best valueBest Stripe Competitors for Small Businesses
Product | Cost Estimate | Payment processing fees | Cost Estimate | Learn more | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Helcim Learn more on Helcim's secure website | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | 5.0/5 Best for Interchange-plus pricing | In-person: 0.4% + $0.08 Online: 0.5% + $0.25 Plus interchange | $0.00 | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | Learn more on Helcim's secure website |
Stax Learn more on Stax's secure website | 3.6/5 Best for Businesses with high transaction volumes | In-person: 0% + $0.08 Online: 0% + $0.15 Plus interchange | $99.00 and up. | Learn more on Stax's secure website | ||
Square Payments Processing Learn more on Square Payments Processing's secure website | Best for In-person transactions | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 | Learn more on Square Payments Processing's secure website | ||
Shopify Payments Learn more on Shopify Payments' secure website | 4.2/5 Best for Online website builder | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $39.00 Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan. | Learn more on Shopify Payments' secure website | ||
Authorize.net | Best for Payment gateway only | 2.9% + $0.30 for All-in-One option. | $25.00 | |||
PayPal Zettle | 4.1/5 Best for Brick-and-mortar businesses expanding online | In-person: 2.29% + $0.09 Online: 3.49% + $0.09 | $0.00 | |||
Adyen | 3.5/5 Best for Large omnichannel businesses | 0.6% + $0.13 Plus interchange for Visa and Mastercard; 3.3% + $0.23 for AmEx. | $0.00 | |||
WePay | Best for Chase business account holders | 2.9% + $0.25 | $0.00 | |||
PayPal Braintree | 4.0/5 Best for Payment gateway plus merchant account | 2.59% + $0.49 credit & debit cards and digital wallets; 3.49% + 49¢ Venmo (U.S. only). | $0.00 |
| Product | Best for | Payment processing fees | Monthly fee | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Helcim Learn more on Helcim's secure website | Best for Interchange-plus pricing | In-person: 0.4% + $0.08 Online: 0.5% + $0.25 Plus interchange | $0.00 | Learn more on Helcim's secure website |
Stax Learn more on Stax's secure website | Best for Businesses with high transaction volumes | In-person: 0% + $0.08 Online: 0% + $0.15 Plus interchange | $99.00 and up. | Learn more on Stax's secure website |
Square Payments Processing Learn more on Square Payments Processing's secure website | Best for In-person transactions | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 | Learn more on Square Payments Processing's secure website |
Shopify Payments Learn more on Shopify Payments' secure website | Best for Online website builder | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $39.00 Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan. | Learn more on Shopify Payments' secure website |
Authorize.net | Best for Payment gateway only | 2.9% + $0.30 for All-in-One option. | $25.00 | |
PayPal Zettle | Best for Brick-and-mortar businesses expanding online | In-person: 2.29% + $0.09 Online: 3.49% + $0.09 | $0.00 | |
Adyen | Best for Large omnichannel businesses | 0.6% + $0.13 Plus interchange for Visa and Mastercard; 3.3% + $0.23 for AmEx. | $0.00 | |
WePay | Best for Chase business account holders | 2.9% + $0.25 | $0.00 | |
PayPal Braintree | Best for Payment gateway plus merchant account | 2.59% + $0.49 credit & debit cards and digital wallets; 3.49% + 49¢ Venmo (U.S. only). | $0.00 |
Our pick for
Interchange-plus pricing
Helcim
Learn more
on Helcim's secure website
Monthly fee
$0.00
Unlike flat-rate payment processors that charge the same transaction fee across different types of credit cards, Helcim uses an interchange-plus pricing model. This means your business saves when a customer uses a card with low interchange rates. Helcim also offers volume discounts if you process more than $50,000 monthly, which is a plus for high-volume businesses. And if you need hardware for taking payments in-person, the company sells its own smart terminal and mobile card reader, too.Read full review
Pros
- Businesses save when customers use cards with low interchange rates.
- Offers free POS software.
- Offers volume-based discounts automatically.
- No termination fees, long-term contracts or PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Deposits are available within two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Our pick for
Businesses with high transaction volumes
Stax
Learn more
on Stax's secure website
Monthly fee
$99.00
and up.
Stax’s membership-based pricing model is meant for small businesses processing at least $5,000 in credit card transactions monthly. In addition to a monthly subscription cost, it charges a small margin on top of interchange rates. Optional add-ons include custom branding, next-day funding, shopping cart integrations and ACH processing.Read full review
Pros
- Businesses save when customers use cards with low interchange rates.
- Unique add-on features, like custom branding.
- No long-term contracts.
- Compatible with POS system providers, such as Clover.
- No PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Not ideal for businesses with low-volume sales.
- Pricing isn't as transparent as competitors.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Our pick for
In-person transactions
Square Payments Processing
Learn more
on Square Payments Processing's secure website
Monthly fee
$0.00
Square's product lineup is modular, but its POS system works well enough as a stand-alone product. Pricing is competitive, making it a solid option for many small businesses.Read full review
Pros
- Simple, transparent prices.
- Diverse hardware lineup.
- Long list of features.
Cons
- More specialized POS systems exist.
- Doesn't run on Windows desktop or tablet.
Our pick for
Online website builder
Shopify Payments
Learn more
on Shopify Payments' secure website
Monthly fee
$39.00
Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan.
Shopify Payments accepts multiple payment methods and offers competitive processing fees. Because it’s a fully integrated service offering an e-commerce platform, a point-of-sale system, and payment processing services, e-commerce businesses can simplify and streamline their sales and transactions.Read full review
Pros
- Hundreds of e-commerce website templates available.
- Can customize checkout page.
- Higher-tier plans offer less expensive online processing rates (as low as 2.5% plus 30 cents).
- No long-term contracts.
Cons
- E-commerce plan with monthly fee is required to use Shopify Payments.
- Monthly POS subscription costs can be expensive.
Our pick for
Payment gateway only
Our pick for
Brick-and-mortar businesses expanding online
PayPal Zettle
Monthly fee
$0.00
PayPal Zettle delivers the essentials at a relatively low cost with a small commitment. On top of accepting credit and debit cards (customers can either dip or tap them to the device), Zettle accepts other payment methods like Venmo, PayPal and digital wallets. But consider other options if you want features like customer loyalty and email marketing programs. Although Zettle can expand through hardware, it doesn’t offer plan upgrades or those types of add-ons.Read full review
Pros
- No long-term contract or termination fees.
- Accepts a variety of payment types, including Venmo and PayPal payments.
- Inexpensive card reader with a keypad, plus built-in payment processing and a free mobile app lets you quickly accept in-person payments on the go.
- Low in-person processing fees for a flat-rate processor.
Cons
- Accepting online transactions involves additional monthly fees, depending on your gateway.
- No offline mode.
Our pick for
Large omnichannel businesses
Adyen
Payment processing fees
0.6% + $0.13
Plus interchange for Visa and Mastercard; 3.3% + $0.23 for AmEx.
Monthly fee
$0.00
Adyen is ideal for omnichannel merchants that need to consolidate their payment data across different sales channels and want to give customers a seamless shopping experience, such as the ability to buy online and return in-store, for example. It doesn’t charge monthly fees and supports a wide variety of payout currencies.Read full review
Pros
- No monthly subscription or termination fees.
- Consolidate data across multiple online and in-person sales channels.
- Global payment options available.
Cons
- Pricing models differ by card, which can be confusing.
- No accounting integrations.
- Must give at least two months’ notice before terminating contract.
- Must reach out for hardware costs.
Our pick for
Chase business account holders
WePay
Payment processing fees
2.9% + $0.25
Monthly fee
$0.00
Because WePay is owned by J.P. Morgan, business owners with a Chase business account can benefit from no-fee same-day deposits for payouts. WePay offers three different payments solutions, depending on the size and needs of your business.Read full review
Pros
- Chase business customers benefit from same-day deposits.
- Customizability.
Cons
- Must use a WePay platform partner to sign up for WePay account.
- Platform partners may add markup fees.
Our pick for
Payment gateway plus merchant account
PayPal Braintree
Payment processing fees
2.59% + $0.49
credit & debit cards and digital wallets; 3.49% + 49¢ Venmo (U.S. only).
Monthly fee
$0.00
Braintree, which is owned by PayPal, provides payment processing solutions and merchant accounts for e-commerce businesses that sell products or services online and/or via mobile app. Though they can be time-consuming to apply for, individual merchant accounts can be beneficial for high-volume businesses or those that need specialized assistance. Payment service providers, like PayPal, group multiple businesses’ funds in the same merchant account as opposed to individual ones.Read full review
Pros
- No contracts or early termination fees.
- No monthly subscription costs or PCI compliance fees.
- Accepts PayPal and Venmo in addition to credit and debit cards.
- Simple checkout page that looks good on web and mobile.
Cons
- Requires web development.
- Not suited for brick and mortar stores.
Square
Best for in-person transactions
Why we like it: Square provides payment processing as well as point-of-sale, or POS, system options that can accommodate a variety of small businesses. It offers free POS software, a free magstripe reader and multiple hardware options. Plus, its in-person transaction fees are lower than Stripe’s. Square also offers Tap to Pay on iPhone, which lets merchants accept card payments using only an iPhone with the Square POS app. Square has a vast product suite that extends beyond POS and into e-commerce, online payments, invoicing and more. Read our full Square review.
- $0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
- $29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
- $69 for Square Appointments Premium and Square Restaurants Plus plans.
- $89 for Square Retail Plus plan.
- $165 for Square Restaurant Premium plan.
- Custom pricing for Square Retail plan.
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
- 3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
- 3.3% plus 30 cents for invoices.
- $0 for Square magstripe-only card reader ($10 for each additional reader) or if using Tap to Pay for iPhone (iPhone not included).
- $59 for Square Reader contactless and chip card reader.
- $149 for Square Stand iPad POS or Square Stand Mount (iPad not included; monthly financing available).
- $299 for Square Terminal mobile card reader with built-in printer (monthly financing available).
- $799 for Square Register two-screen system (monthly financing available).
PayPal Zettle
Best for brick-and-mortar businesses expanding online
Why we like it: For accepting in-person payments, PayPal Zettle is more approachable and simpler to implement than Stripe. But for online payments, PayPal also offers a simple payment gateway service that gives you the ability to create a hosted checkout page. If you already have a dedicated merchant account and want to use it for online payments, PayPal could be a good choice compared with Stripe. Read our full PayPal Zettle review.
$0.
- 2.29% plus 9 cents for in-person and QR code transactions.
- 3.49% plus 9 cents for manual-entry card transactions.
- 2.99% plus 49 cents for invoicing (payment made with card).
- 3.49% plus 49 cents for invoicing (payment made with PayPal).
- $29 for first card reader; additional readers cost $79. Price includes USB cable.
- $199 for terminal only.
- $239 for terminal with barcode scanner built in.
- $229 for Store Kit Mini (tablet stand with card reader and dock).
- $339 for Store Kit Portable kit with mobile card reader and printer.
- $479 for Store Kit Standard (tablet stand, card reader, dock and printer).
- $699 for Store Kit Plus (adds barcode scanner).
Adyen
Best for large omnichannel businesses
Why we like it: Adyen is a payments platform that enables payment processing in store, online and within marketplaces (like Etsy), so it may be a better fit for larger businesses with an online presence. Unlike Stripe, it also acts as a merchant account provider, which will require some extra steps in the application process but will likely pay off in the level of service and attention that comes with such an account. Also unlike Stripe, Adyen uses an interchange-plus pricing system, which is often the most affordable pricing structure for credit card processing fees, especially if you have a higher transaction volume. Read our full Adyen review.
$0.
- Interchange plus 0.60% and 13 cents per transaction for Visa and Mastercard.
- 3.3% plus 23 cents for American Express.
- 3%-12% plus 13 cents for other payment methods, depending on transaction type.
- 40 cents per transaction for ACH direct payment.
Adyen sells a variety of card readers, but you have to reach out for pricing details.
Helcim
Best for interchange-plus pricing
Why we like it: Unlike some of the options listed, Helcim uses an interchange-plus pricing model that passes interchange savings to the merchant. There are no contracts, and businesses processing more than $50,000 monthly in credit card transactions are eligible for volume discounts. Helcim offers processing solutions for both in-person and online payments. Read our full Helcim review.
$0.
- Interchange plus 0.4% and 8 cents per in-person transaction (if $50,000 or less in monthly card transactions).
- Interchange plus 0.5% and 25 cents per online or manually keyed transaction (if $50,000 or less in monthly card transactions).
- 0.5% plus 25 cents for ACH payments (capped at $6).
- $99 for a mobile card reader (with stand).
- $329 for a stand-alone terminal with built-in thermal printer (or 12 monthly payments of $30).
WePay
Best for Chase business account holders
Why we like it: WePay is an online payments solution affiliated with Chase Payment Solutions. It works with business owners who want to allow their customers to send and receive payments (largely software-as-a-service businesses and similar companies). If you have a Chase business bank account, you can get same-day deposits instead of having to wait days to transfer funds from your merchant account to your business bank account. Read more about WePay versus Stripe.
$0.
- 2.9% plus 25 cents per online transaction for credit card payments with WePay Link. Valid for new U.S. businesses only.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents per online transaction for merchant platforms without set processing fees.
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person and manually keyed transactions.
WePay integrates with the Verifone P400 and V400m terminals, in addition to the Ingenico Moby 5500 card reader, but pricing is not listed on its website.
Authorize.net
Best for a payment gateway only
Why we like it: Authorize.net is a payment gateway provider rather than a merchant account or payment service provider, which means it facilitates the payment but doesn’t provide the merchant account to receive funds. Therefore, unlike Stripe, you’ll need to use Authorize.net in conjunction with a third-party merchant account. You can integrate Authorize.net with your existing merchant account or get one through an Authorize.net reseller. If you’re primarily an online-based business but want to accept payments in person (or over the phone) once in a while, Authorize.net’s virtual terminal allows you to do so. Authorize.net also has 13 configurable fraud filters you can change. Read our full Authorize.net review.
$25 for payment gateway.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction for a merchant account plus a gateway.
- 10 cents per transaction plus 10 cent daily batch fee for a payment gateway only.
Authorize.net focuses on online payments and doesn’t sell POS hardware directly on its website. However, it is compatible with the ID Tech Augusta card reader sold through POS Portal and available for $189.
Braintree
Best for a payment gateway plus merchant account
Why we like it: Braintree, owned by PayPal, includes a dedicated merchant account. You can add a full-featured checkout to your app or website or use the custom user interface, or UI, to build your own checkout page. All of Braintree’s solutions include PayPal acceptance and support. If you accept in-person payments, you can integrate your Braintree account with PayPal Zettle. Read our full Braintree review.
- $0 if you use Braintree for a merchant account and a payment gateway.
- $49 per month plus 10 cents per transaction if you use Braintree as a payment gateway only.
- 2.59% plus 49 cents per transaction for credit cards, debit cards and digital wallets.
- 3.49% plus 49 cents for Venmo (U.S. only).
- 0.75% for ACH (maximum fee of $5). Discounts available for enterprise businesses.
Braintree focuses on online payments and does not sell hardware.
Shopify
Best for online website builder
Why we like it: Shopify is a popular solution for processing online transactions and setting up sleek online stores. It has more than 190 template themes to choose from, meaning you don’t need developer experience to get your own website up and running. The processor also offers options for businesses selling in-person. Read our full Shopify review.
Shopify e-commerce plans:
- $29 for Shopify Basic when billed annually (or $39 when paid monthly).
- $79 for regular Shopify when billed annually (or $105 when paid monthly).
- $299 for Shopify Advanced when billed annually (or $399 when paid monthly).
- Custom pricing for Shopify Plus.
- All e-commerce plans come with POS Lite for selling in-person. Upgrading to POS Pro for brick-and-mortar businesses costs an extra $89 per location.
Shopify’s alternative solutions for mainly selling in-person:
- $5 for Starter plan, which includes one POS Lite location.
- $79 (when billed annually) for Retail plan, or $89 when paid monthly; includes one POS Pro location.
- 2.5%, 2.7% or 2.9% plus 30 cents for online payments for Advanced, Shopify or Basic plan, respectively.
- 2.4%, 2.5% or 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person payments for Advanced, Shopify or Basic plan, respectively.
- $49 for Tap & Chip card reader.
- $219 for Tap & Chip countertop kit (iPad not included).
- $349 for Shopify POS terminal.
- $459 and up for POS terminal countertop kits.
Stax
Best for businesses with high transaction volumes
Why we like it: Stax, formerly Fattmerchant, is one of the most affordable options in terms of transaction fees (0% markup on direct-cost interchange) — as long as you can afford the subscription fee. Customers get a merchant account and can accept payments in a variety of ways: mobile, virtual terminal, e-commerce shopping cart, etc. Read our full Stax review.
- Starting at $199 per month for the Starter plan.
- Starting at $399 per month for the Growth plan.
- Quote-based pricing for the Enterprise plan.
- Interchange plus 8 cents for in-person transactions.
- Interchange plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
Quote-based.
Determining what you do and don’t like about Stripe can help you identify your must-have features. Here are Stripe’s main pros and cons.
Pros
No long-term contracts.
No monthly fees.
Supports international transactions and more than 135 currencies.
Highly customizable if you have developer experience.
Cons
Doesn’t sell full countertop point-of-sale (POS) systems for in-store transactions.
Deposits can take up to two business days.
Flat-rate processing model is convenient and easy to understand, but usually isn’t as cost-efficient as interchange-plus pricing.
Learn more about Stripe
Read about how businesses typically use Stripe, which types of payments it accepts and how it keeps your information secure.
» MORE: What is Stripe?
Here are some key factors to consider while choosing the best Stripe competitor for your business.
Payment processing cost
Grouping credit card processing companies by pricing model is one of the easiest ways to distinguish one provider from another. Stripe, like Square and PayPal Zettle, uses a flat-rate model that charges the same rate per transaction, regardless of what interchange fees cost. This means the processor’s margin fluctuates. Alternatively, interchange-plus providers pass exact interchange fees to the merchant and charge a consistent margin on top of them, which is more transparent and can result in savings.
POS hardware options
Since Stripe’s target audience is online businesses, it doesn’t offer many hardware options outside of card readers that pair with a smartphone. If your business runs a brick-and-mortar location, you’ll likely want to go with a processor that has a more robust POS hardware selection or easily integrates with a variety of POS systems.
Merchant account options
Stripe is a payment service provider that aggregates multiple businesses’ credit card transaction funds into one merchant account instead of offering individual merchant accounts. Usually, this allows businesses to start accepting payments quickly. However, aggregated merchant accounts can carry a higher risk of account freezes than individual accounts. If you’d like an individual merchant account that’s tailored to your business, you’ll want to select a merchant account provider instead of a PSP. Just know that the process for obtaining an individual merchant account can be lengthy.
Contract length
One of Stripe’s highlights is its lack of long-term contracts. Make sure to read a provider’s terms of service and ask questions about termination fees and contract lengths before signing up for a payment processing service.
Last updated on May 30, 2024
Methodology
NerdWallet’s ratings of payment processing providers reward companies whose products and services are priced well and work in a variety of payment scenarios, among other criteria. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including overall cost, hardware and software options, system capabilities, customer service, contract requirements and integrations. Learn more about how we rate payment processing providers.
These ratings are a guide, but fees, hardware, software and contract requirements can vary widely from business to business and provider to provider. We encourage you to shop around and compare several providers.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.
