9 Best Online Payment Processing Services of April 2026
These payment processing services open up your business to online customers. Just make sure they integrate with your e-commerce platform.
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Square
Best for Hybrid businesses
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
for Free plan; $49 Plus plan; $149 Premium plan.
Learn more on Square's website
Pros
- Offers a free mobile card reader and free POS software plan.
- Can subscribe to related services, such as payroll, that integrate with its POS system.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- No chargeback or PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Complex businesses might prefer a processor that integrates with more specialized POS systems.
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
Helcim
Best for Interchange-plus credit card processing
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.4% + $0.08
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$0
on Helcim's website
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 may take up to two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Stripe
Best for API customization
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.7% + $0.05
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
on Stripe's website
Pros
- Highly customizable online checkout options.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- 24/7 chat support.
- Can process transactions in more than 135 currencies.
- No PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Doesn’t sell full countertop POS setups; hardware is limited to handheld terminals and card readers.
- Deposits can take up to two business days.
- No phone or email support.
Shopify Payments
Best for E-commerce platform integration
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$39
Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan.
on Shopify's website
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
- Phone support only available for Plus and Retail plan subscribers.
- Monthly POS subscription costs can be expensive.
Stax
Best for Membership-style pricing
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0% + $0.08
Online: 0% + $0.15
Online: 0% + $0.15
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$99
and up.
on Stax's website
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.
Cons
- Not ideal for businesses with low-volume sales.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
- Accounting integrations may cost extra.
- Charges $10 PCI compliance fee each month.
PaymentCloud
Best for High-risk merchants
Payment processing fees
3.5% + $0.00
and up on average.
Monthly fee
$5
to $20.
on PaymentCloud's website
Pros
- Works with high-risk businesses.
- New merchants may qualify for a free terminal.
- 24/7 support.
Cons
- Website isn’t transparent about processing rates.
- May charge PCI compliance fees.
- Some plans require a contract and charge steep termination fees.
Adyen
Best for Omnichannel commerce
Payment processing fees
0.6% + $0.13
Plus interchange for Visa and Mastercard; 3.3% + $0.23 for AmEx.
Monthly fee
$0
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.
Amazon Pay
Best for Streamlined checkout
Payment processing fees
2.9% + $0.30
For online and mobile.
Monthly fee
$0
Pros
- Easy checkout for customers with Amazon accounts.
- Supports global customers and currencies.
- No monthly subscription costs or termination fees.
- Alexa voice integration to place and track orders.
Cons
- Reserve policy delays payouts, especially for newer accounts.
- No third-party accounting integrations.
BlueSnap
Best for Splitting payments with other vendors
Payment processing fees
2.9% + $0.30
Or customized rate for large-volume businesses.
Monthly fee
$0
Pros
- No monthly fee.
- Transparent transaction fees.
- Customer support by phone, message and chat.
Cons
- No online store hosting.
- No proprietary POS.
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Default Square
Best for Hybrid businesses
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
for Free plan; $49 Plus plan; $149 Premium plan.
on Square's website
Pros
- Offers a free mobile card reader and free POS software plan.
- Can subscribe to related services, such as payroll, that integrate with its POS system.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- No chargeback or PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Complex businesses might prefer a processor that integrates with more specialized POS systems.
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
Square’s free POS plan comes with a magstripe reader for in-person purchases and includes an e-commerce website for opening your business up to online customers. It’s a low-cost solution for hybrid businesses that want to sell goods and/or services both in-person and online.
Pros
- Offers a free mobile card reader and free POS software plan.
- Can subscribe to related services, such as payroll, that integrate with its POS system.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- No chargeback or PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Complex businesses might prefer a processor that integrates with more specialized POS systems.
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
Square’s free POS plan comes with a magstripe reader for in-person purchases and includes an e-commerce website for opening your business up to online customers. It’s a low-cost solution for hybrid businesses that want to sell goods and/or services both in-person and online.
Pros
- Offers a free mobile card reader and free POS software plan.
- Can subscribe to related services, such as payroll, that integrate with its POS system.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- No chargeback or PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Complex businesses might prefer a processor that integrates with more specialized POS systems.
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
Helcim
Best for Interchange-plus credit card processing
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.4% + $0.08
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$0
on Helcim's website
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 may take up to two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Most online payment processing services on this list use flat-rate pricing, meaning they charge the same amount per transaction no matter how interchange rates fluctuate. This can be convenient for businesses dealing with small transactions, but interchange-plus processing is typically more cost-effective, especially as you begin to sell more.
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 may take up to two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Most online payment processing services on this list use flat-rate pricing, meaning they charge the same amount per transaction no matter how interchange rates fluctuate. This can be convenient for businesses dealing with small transactions, but interchange-plus processing is typically more cost-effective, especially as you begin to sell more.
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 may take up to two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Stripe
Best for API customization
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.7% + $0.05
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
on Stripe's website
Pros
- Highly customizable online checkout options.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- 24/7 chat support.
- Can process transactions in more than 135 currencies.
- No PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Doesn’t sell full countertop POS setups; hardware is limited to handheld terminals and card readers.
- Deposits can take up to two business days.
- No phone or email support.
Stripe is a highly customizable option for business owners who have developer experience and want to take a hands-on approach to designing their online checkout experience. In addition to incorporating customized brand elements, you can add contact details, legal policy information and additional checkout form fields.
Pros
- Highly customizable online checkout options.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- 24/7 chat support.
- Can process transactions in more than 135 currencies.
- No PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Doesn’t sell full countertop POS setups; hardware is limited to handheld terminals and card readers.
- Deposits can take up to two business days.
- No phone or email support.
Stripe is a highly customizable option for business owners who have developer experience and want to take a hands-on approach to designing their online checkout experience. In addition to incorporating customized brand elements, you can add contact details, legal policy information and additional checkout form fields.
Pros
- Highly customizable online checkout options.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- 24/7 chat support.
- Can process transactions in more than 135 currencies.
- No PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Doesn’t sell full countertop POS setups; hardware is limited to handheld terminals and card readers.
- Deposits can take up to two business days.
- No phone or email support.
Shopify Payments
Best for E-commerce platform integration
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$39
Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan.
on Shopify's website
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
- Phone support only available for Plus and Retail plan subscribers.
- Monthly POS subscription costs can be expensive.
Shopify’s main draw is its popular e-commerce platform that lets you build your own online storefront and accept a variety of payment types. You can choose from more than 100 template themes and customize details from there. Similar to Stripe, Shopify is best for online-first businesses.
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
- Phone support only available for Plus and Retail plan subscribers.
- Monthly POS subscription costs can be expensive.
Shopify’s main draw is its popular e-commerce platform that lets you build your own online storefront and accept a variety of payment types. You can choose from more than 100 template themes and customize details from there. Similar to Stripe, Shopify is best for online-first businesses.
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
- Phone support only available for Plus and Retail plan subscribers.
- Monthly POS subscription costs can be expensive.
Stax
Best for Membership-style pricing
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0% + $0.08
Online: 0% + $0.15
Online: 0% + $0.15
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$99
and up.
on Stax's website
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.
Cons
- Not ideal for businesses with low-volume sales.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
- Accounting integrations may cost extra.
- Charges $10 PCI compliance fee each month.
Stax’s membership-style pricing model gives high-volume businesses access to lower interchange-plus fees, which can make the monthly subscription cost worth it, especially in the long run.
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.
Cons
- Not ideal for businesses with low-volume sales.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
- Accounting integrations may cost extra.
- Charges $10 PCI compliance fee each month.
Stax’s membership-style pricing model gives high-volume businesses access to lower interchange-plus fees, which can make the monthly subscription cost worth it, especially in the long run.
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.
Cons
- Not ideal for businesses with low-volume sales.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
- Accounting integrations may cost extra.
- Charges $10 PCI compliance fee each month.
PaymentCloud
Best for High-risk merchants
Payment processing fees
3.5% + $0.00
and up on average.
Monthly fee
$5
to $20.
on PaymentCloud's website
Pros
- Works with high-risk businesses.
- New merchants may qualify for a free terminal.
- 24/7 support.
Cons
- Website isn’t transparent about processing rates.
- May charge PCI compliance fees.
- Some plans require a contract and charge steep termination fees.
Businesses in industries that are considered high risk — like CBD, dropshipping, nutraceuticals and travel agencies — may struggle to find a traditional online payment processing service willing to work with them. This is where PaymentCloud comes in.
Pros
- Works with high-risk businesses.
- New merchants may qualify for a free terminal.
- 24/7 support.
Cons
- Website isn’t transparent about processing rates.
- May charge PCI compliance fees.
- Some plans require a contract and charge steep termination fees.
Businesses in industries that are considered high risk — like CBD, dropshipping, nutraceuticals and travel agencies — may struggle to find a traditional online payment processing service willing to work with them. This is where PaymentCloud comes in.
Pros
- Works with high-risk businesses.
- New merchants may qualify for a free terminal.
- 24/7 support.
Cons
- Website isn’t transparent about processing rates.
- May charge PCI compliance fees.
- Some plans require a contract and charge steep termination fees.
Adyen
Best for Omnichannel commerce
Payment processing fees
0.6% + $0.13
Plus interchange for Visa and Mastercard; 3.3% + $0.23 for AmEx.
Monthly fee
$0
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.
Lots of online payment processing services accommodate both online and in-person transactions, but Adyen helps create a more seamless customer experience across each of those channels. For example, it gives customers the option to buy online but return in store or vice versa. It can also support larger businesses with multiple online sales channels as opposed to just one.
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.
Lots of online payment processing services accommodate both online and in-person transactions, but Adyen helps create a more seamless customer experience across each of those channels. For example, it gives customers the option to buy online but return in store or vice versa. It can also support larger businesses with multiple online sales channels as opposed to just one.
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.
Amazon Pay
Best for Streamlined checkout
Payment processing fees
2.9% + $0.30
For online and mobile.
Monthly fee
$0
Pros
- Easy checkout for customers with Amazon accounts.
- Supports global customers and currencies.
- No monthly subscription costs or termination fees.
- Alexa voice integration to place and track orders.
Cons
- Reserve policy delays payouts, especially for newer accounts.
- No third-party accounting integrations.
Amazon Pay lets businesses integrate Amazon’s checkout experience into their own online store. Since so many people are familiar with Amazon, adding this payment method could have the potential to increase your conversion rates.
Pros
- Easy checkout for customers with Amazon accounts.
- Supports global customers and currencies.
- No monthly subscription costs or termination fees.
- Alexa voice integration to place and track orders.
Cons
- Reserve policy delays payouts, especially for newer accounts.
- No third-party accounting integrations.
Amazon Pay lets businesses integrate Amazon’s checkout experience into their own online store. Since so many people are familiar with Amazon, adding this payment method could have the potential to increase your conversion rates.
Pros
- Easy checkout for customers with Amazon accounts.
- Supports global customers and currencies.
- No monthly subscription costs or termination fees.
- Alexa voice integration to place and track orders.
Cons
- Reserve policy delays payouts, especially for newer accounts.
- No third-party accounting integrations.
BlueSnap
Best for Splitting payments with other vendors
Payment processing fees
2.9% + $0.30
Or customized rate for large-volume businesses.
Monthly fee
$0
Pros
- No monthly fee.
- Transparent transaction fees.
- Customer support by phone, message and chat.
Cons
- No online store hosting.
- No proprietary POS.
BlueSnap’s payment splitting capabilities are ideal for businesses that work with other vendors to help carry out their services and need to share customer payments accordingly. Payments can be split by percentage or specific dollar amounts.
Pros
- No monthly fee.
- Transparent transaction fees.
- Customer support by phone, message and chat.
Cons
- No online store hosting.
- No proprietary POS.
BlueSnap’s payment splitting capabilities are ideal for businesses that work with other vendors to help carry out their services and need to share customer payments accordingly. Payments can be split by percentage or specific dollar amounts.
Pros
- No monthly fee.
- Transparent transaction fees.
- Customer support by phone, message and chat.
Cons
- No online store hosting.
- No proprietary POS.
Jump to
What are online payment processing services?
Who needs online payment processing services?
What do you need to accept payments online?
How to choose an online payment processing service
Didn’t find what you’re looking for?
Explore NerdWallet’s collection of top credit card processing companies for both online and in-person processing options.
What are online payment processing services?
Online payment processing lets you accept debit card, ACH and credit card payments from customers shopping online. The full process involves a few different phases behind the scenes.
Generally, online credit card processing services provide a payment gateway for the customer, which allows them to securely enter their card information online. The gateway then passes that information along to the payment processor. And from there, the processor verifies that the transaction is legitimate and oversees the transfer of funds from the customer’s bank (also known as the issuing bank) to the business’s bank account. Deposit times range from same-day to multiple business days, depending on the online payment processing service.
Your role in the process is to subscribe to an online credit card processing service, sync it with your website and customize your customers’ checkout experience, if desired.
How do you accept payments online?
This guide provides the background knowledge you need to factor in payment processing costs, pricing models and online payment method options to find the right fit for your business.
Who needs online payment processing services?
Online payment processing is a must for e-commerce businesses and physical stores with an online presence. Businesses with a brick-and-mortar location in addition to an online store may consider products that also sell their own payment processing hardware. That way you can be sure that your card readers and point-of-sale terminals are compatible with your online payment system.
What do you need to accept payments online?
To accept payments online, expect to subscribe to the following products. Most online payment processing services offer all-in-one solutions to make the process simpler.
- Merchant account: Before credit card funds reach your business’s bank account, where you can withdraw them, they’re held in a merchant account. Payment service providers combine multiple businesses’ funds into one merchant account, whereas other processors provide individual merchant accounts. While individual merchant accounts are more customizable and oftentimes more stable, the application process can be extensive.
- Payment gateway: Payment gateways are like messengers for online transactions — they securely capture customers’ credit card information and send it to the payment processor.
- Online payment processor: Processors’ main job is to facilitate the flow of funds from the customer’s bank account (issuing bank) to the business’s bank account (acquiring bank). Our explainer on how payment processors work outlines the process in more detail.
How do payment gateways work?
Payment processing services and payment gateways are often provided in tandem, but they play two different roles in the overall process.
How to choose an online payment processing service
Here are several factors to consider while comparing online payment processing services.
Your sales channels
If your business completes sales entirely online, you can keep it simple by sticking with a payment processing service that specializes in online transactions.
If you also process in-person transactions, you might choose an option that offers in-house POS hardware and mobile card readers. That way, you don’t have to worry about integrating your POS system with a third-party payment processing service.
Cost
Going with your e-commerce platform’s in-house payment processing service is likely the easiest option, and it might even save you time. But it’s possible that integrating with a third-party processor could save you money in the long run. That’s why it’s important to forecast your monthly sales volume and average purchase price, so that you can confidently run the numbers and decide which option is most cost-effective.
You can also keep costs down by avoiding services that charge additional fees for PCI compliance, termination or setup.
Integrations
Scrolling through your e-commerce platform’s payments integrations is an easy way to narrow down your options. Not all platforms are compatible with multiple online credit card processing services. If you sell goods or services in-person, too, make sure the payment processing service integrates with your POS hardware.
Customer service
If your online business’s payment processing services crash, you could miss out on valuable sales. Make sure your online credit card processing service offers phone support or live chat options in case you need a quick fix. Reading reviews can be a great way of gauging the quality of a product’s customer support, too.
If you’re still deciding which service is right for you, NerdWallet’s online payment processor quiz can help you land on the best match.
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.
