- You need more features and functionality. PayPal's point-of-sale systems technology, for example, is limited compared with other providers.
- You want a more customizable option. Although PayPal has a number of payment solutions, certain providers, like Stripe, offer more advanced online payment customization.
- You want lower fees. Some payment processors charge lower rates than PayPal.
- You need better integrations with certain platforms. Some payment solutions might work more seamlessly with the other apps you use daily.
- You want a dedicated merchant account. This is an account businesses use to access funds from card payments. PayPal aggregates all its customers' funds into a single merchant account.
Best PayPal Alternatives
Product | Payment processing fees | Learn more | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Stripe Learn more on Stripe Payments' secure website | 5.0/5 Best for Payment customization options | 2.7% + 5¢ in-person; 2.9% + 30¢ online. | $0 | Learn more on Stripe Payments' secure website |
Payline Learn more on Payline's secure website | 4.5/5 Best for All-in-one merchant service provider | 0.4% + 10¢ plus interchange in-person; 0.75% + 20¢ plus interchange online. | $10 in person; $20 online. | Learn more on Payline's secure website |
Amazon Pay | Best for Businesses with an Amazon seller account | 2.9% + 30¢ web and mobile; 4% + 30¢ Alexa transactions. | $0 | |
QuickBooks GoPayment | Best for QuickBooks accounting software users | 2.9% + 25¢ online; 2.4% + 25¢ in-person. Pricing differs for non-QuickBooks Online users. | $0 Monthly fee in some instances. | |
Shopify Payments Learn more on Shopify Payments' secure website | 4.5/5 Best for Shopify e-commerce users | 2.4%-2.9% + 30¢ online; 2.4%-2.7% in-person. | $29 Basic plan; $79 Shopify plan; $299 Advanced plan. | Learn more on Shopify Payments' secure website |
Braintree | Best for Dedicated merchant account | 2.59% + 49¢ credit & debit cards and digital wallets; 3.49% + 49¢ Venmo (U.S. only). | $0 | |
Stax by Fattmerchant Learn more on Stax by Fattmerchant's secure website | 4.5/5 Best for High-volume e-commerce businesses | 0% + 8¢ plus interchange in-person; 0% +15¢ plus interchange keyed. | $99 and up. | Learn more on Stax by Fattmerchant's secure website |
Adyen | 5.0/5 Best for Accepting orders through multiple channels | Interchange + 12¢ Visa and Mastercard; 3.3% + 22¢ AmEx; 3%-12% + 12¢ for other payment methods. | $0 | |
Authorize.net | Best for Payment gateway focused on security and customer support | 2.9% + 30¢ for merchant account; 10¢ + 10¢ daily batch fee for payment gateway only. | $25 | |
Square POS Learn more on Square POS's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for Full-service POS with integrated payment processing | 2.6% + 10¢ in-person; 2.9% + 30¢ online. | $0 Free plan; $29 Plus plan; Custom plan available. | Learn more on Square POS's secure website |
Our pick for
Payment customization options
Stripe
on Stripe Payments' secure website
2.7% + 5¢
in-person; 2.9% + 30¢ online.
$0
Pros
- Highly customizable.
- Competitive pricing.
Cons
- Prioritizes online merchants.
- Requires developer experience.
Our pick for
All-in-one merchant service provider
Payline
on Payline's secure website
0.4% + 10¢
plus interchange in-person; 0.75% + 20¢ plus interchange online.
$10
in person; $20 online.
Pros
- Competitive pricing.
- Good customer service offerings.
Cons
- Negative online reviews.
Our pick for
Businesses with an Amazon seller account
Amazon Pay
2.9% + 30¢
web and mobile; 4% + 30¢ Alexa transactions.
$0
Pros
- Easy checkout for customers with Amazon accounts.
- Supports global customers and currencies.
- No setup or monthly fees; pay only per transaction.
- Alexa voice integration to place and track orders.
Cons
- Reserve policy delays payouts, especially for newer accounts.
- No in-person payment support.
- No volume discounts or custom packages.
Our pick for
QuickBooks accounting software users
QuickBooks GoPayment
2.9% + 25¢
online; 2.4% + 25¢ in-person. Pricing differs for non-QuickBooks Online users.
$0
Monthly fee in some instances.
Pros
- Convenient for existing QuickBooks clients.
- Free app that works on Android and iOS devices.
Cons
- Limited to businesses using QuickBooks accounting.
- Pricing structure can be difficult to navigate.
Our pick for
Shopify e-commerce users
Shopify Payments
on Shopify Payments' secure website
2.4%-2.9% + 30¢
online; 2.4%-2.7% in-person.
$29
Basic plan; $79 Shopify plan; $299 Advanced plan.
Pros
- Accepts a variety of payment methods.
- Can customize checkout page.
- Easy to set up and use.
- Transparent, flat-rate fees.
Cons
- E-commerce plan with monthly fee is required to use Shopify Payments.
- Charges fee for use of third-party payment gateway.
Our pick for
Dedicated merchant account
Braintree
2.59% + 49¢
credit & debit cards and digital wallets; 3.49% + 49¢ Venmo (U.S. only).
$0
Pros
- Transparent, competitive pricing.
- No contracts or early termination fees.
- No monthly, PCI compliance or minimum transaction 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.
Our pick for
High-volume e-commerce businesses
Stax by Fattmerchant
on Stax by Fattmerchant's secure website
0% + 8¢
plus interchange in-person; 0% +15¢ plus interchange keyed.
$99
and up.
Pros
- No markup on interchange rate.
- Unique add-on features.
Cons
- Not a good option for businesses with low sales.
- Pricing isn't as transparent as competitors.
Our pick for
Accepting orders through multiple channels
Adyen
Interchange + 12¢
Visa and Mastercard; 3.3% + 22¢ AmEx; 3%-12% + 12¢ for other payment methods.
$0
Pros
- No monthly, setup, integration or closure fees.
- Payments accepted across online, in-store and app payment channels.
- Global payment options available.
- 24/7 customer support.
Cons
- Complex pricing model.
- Monthly minimums might exclude some small businesses. Minimums vary and require contacting Adyen to learn more.
Our pick for
Payment gateway focused on security and customer support
Our pick for
Full-service POS with integrated payment processing
Square POS
on Square POS's secure website
2.6% + 10¢
in-person; 2.9% + 30¢ online.
$0
Free plan; $29 Plus plan; Custom plan available.
Pros
- Deep list of features.
- Free version offers a lot of functionality.
- Square offers helpful related services, like payroll, that integrate closely with its POS system.
Cons
- Can’t run on Windows devices.
- Complex industries might prefer a more specialized system.
Stripe: Best for payment customization options
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
- 2.7% plus 5 cents for in-person transactions.
- 3.4% plus 30 cents for manually keyed transactions.
- 3.9% plus 30 cents for international cards or currency conversion.
Payline Data: Best all-in-one merchant service provider
- Interchange plus 0.4% and 10 cents for in-person transactions, and $10 per month.
- Interchange plus 0.75% and 20 cents for online transactions, and $20 per month.
- Pricing varies by card type for manually keyed transactions.
Amazon Pay: Best for businesses with an Amazon seller account
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for web and mobile transactions.
- 4% plus 30 cents for Alexa transactions.
- Extra 1% for cross-border transactions.
QuickBooks GoPayment: Best for QuickBooks accounting software users
- 2.4% plus 25 cents for in-person payments.
- 2.9% plus 25 cents for online and invoiced payments.
- 3.4% plus 25 cents for manually keyed payments.
- 1% for ACH transactions.
- 2.4% plus 30 cents per swiped transaction.
- 3.5% plus 30 cents per keyed-in transaction.
- 3.5% plus 30 cents per invoiced transaction.
- 1.6% plus 30 cents per swiped transaction.
- 3.3% plus 30 cents per keyed-in transaction.
- 3.3% plus 30 cents per invoiced transaction.
Shopify Payments: Best for Shopify e-commerce users
- 2.4%, 2.6% or 2.9% plus 30 cents for online payments for Advanced, Shopify or Basic plan, respectively.
- 2.4%, 2.5% or 2.7% for in-person payments for Advanced, Shopify or Basic plan, respectively.
Braintree: Best dedicated merchant account
- 2.59% plus 49 cents per transaction credit cards, debit cards and digital wallets.
- 3.49% plus 49 cents for Venmo (U.S. only), transactions in non-U.S. currency or transactions outside the U.S.
- 0.75% for ACH (maximum fee of $5). Discounts available for enterprise businesses.
Stax (formerly Fattmerchant): Best for high-volume e-commerce businesses
- Interchange plus 8 cents for in-person transactions.
- Interchange plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
- $99 per month and up for software.
Adyen: Best for accepting orders through multiple channels
- Interchange plus 12 cents per transaction for Visa and Mastercard.
- 3.3% plus 22 cents for American Express.
- 12 cents plus 3%-12% for other payment methods, depending on transaction type.
- 37 cents per transaction for ACH.
Authorize.Net: Best payment gateway focused on security and customer support
- 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction, and $25 per month for merchant account option.
- 10 cents per transaction, 10 cent daily batch fee and $25 per month for payment gateway only.
Square: Best full-service POS with integrated payment processing
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions (2.5% plus 10 cents with Retail Plus plan).
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions or invoices without a card on file.
- 3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions or card-on-file invoices.