8 Best Payment Gateways of January 2026
A payment gateway allows your business to securely accept payments online. If you already use a POS system or have an e-commerce site, your best option is typically its in-house gateway.
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| Product | Best for | NerdWallet rating | Payment processing fees | Monthly fee | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Helcim | Interchange-plus pricing | In-person: 0.4% + $0.08 Online: 0.5% + $0.25 Plus interchange | $0 | on Helcim's website | |
 Square | Businesses selling in-person and online | In-person: 2.6% + $0.15 Online: 3.3% + $0.30 | $0 for Free plan; $49 Plus plan; $149 Premium plan. | on Square's website | |
 Stripe | Overall payment gateway | In-person: 2.7% + $0.05 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0 | on Stripe's website | |
 Finix | Subscription pricing | In-person: 0% + $0.08 Online: 0% + $0.15 Plus interchange | $79 and up. | on Finix's website | |
 Shopify Payments | Website-building tools | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $39 Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan. | on Shopify's website | |
 Clover | Variety of POS hardware | 4.3
/5
| In-person: 2.5% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $0 and up. | on Clover's website |
 Authorize.net | More complex payment needs | 2.9% + $0.30 for All-in-One option. | $25 | ||
 PayPal Enterprise Payments | Accepting PayPal and Venmo | 2.89% + $0.29 credit & debit cards and digital wallets; 3.49% + 49¢ Venmo (U.S. only). | $0 |
Helcim
Best for Interchange-plus pricing
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.
Best all-in-one payments service
Square
Best for Businesses selling in-person and online
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.
Stripe
Best for Overall payment gateway
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.
Finix
Best for Subscription pricing
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0% + $0.08
Online: 0% + $0.15
Online: 0% + $0.15
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$79
and up.
on Finix's website
Pros
- No long-term contracts.
- Subscription model can help high-volume businesses save money.
- Transparent fee breakdowns.
- 24/7 emergency phone and email support.
- No PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Limited POS hardware options.
- Lacks direct accounting software integrations.
Shopify Payments
Best for Website-building tools
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.
Clover
Best for Variety of POS hardware
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on Clover's website
Pros
- Free POS software plan available if you’re only using a mobile card reader.
- Offers POS software plans tailored to a variety of industries.
- 24/7 phone support.
Cons
- Online payment processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Promotions require a three-year contract.
- Charges PCI compliance fees and, in some cases, termination fees.
Authorize.net
Best for More complex payment needs
Payment processing fees
2.9% + $0.30
for All-in-One option.
Monthly fee
$25
Pros
- You can use Authorize.net with a wide range of merchant account providers.
- Transparent, flat-rate pricing.
- No contracts or early termination fees.
- 24/7 customer support through phone, chat or online form.
Cons
- You’ll pay a $25 monthly fee regardless of usage.
- Authorize.net doesn’t have a robust point-of-sale system for in-person transactions.
- Signing up directly through Authorize.net may be more expensive than going through your merchant services provider.
- Merchant account isn’t directly with Authorize.net.
PayPal Enterprise Payments
Best for Accepting PayPal and Venmo
Payment processing fees
2.89% + $0.29
credit & debit cards and digital wallets; 3.49% + 49¢ Venmo (U.S. only).
Monthly fee
$0
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.
- No phone support.
Sort by:
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.
Helcim
Best for Interchange-plus pricing
Best for Interchange-plus pricing
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.
Best all-in-one payments service
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.
Best all-in-one payments service
Square
Best for Businesses selling in-person and online
Best for Businesses selling in-person and online
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.
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
Best for Overall payment gateway
Best for Overall payment gateway
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.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0% + $0.08
Online: 0% + $0.15
Online: 0% + $0.15
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$79
and up.
on Finix's website
Pros
- No long-term contracts.
- Subscription model can help high-volume businesses save money.
- Transparent fee breakdowns.
- 24/7 emergency phone and email support.
- No PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Limited POS hardware options.
- Lacks direct accounting software integrations.
Finix
Best for Subscription pricing
Best for Subscription pricing
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0% + $0.08
Online: 0% + $0.15
Online: 0% + $0.15
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$79
and up.
on Finix's website
Pros
- No long-term contracts.
- Subscription model can help high-volume businesses save money.
- Transparent fee breakdowns.
- 24/7 emergency phone and email support.
- No PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Limited POS hardware options.
- Lacks direct accounting software integrations.
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 Payments
Best for Website-building tools
Best for Website-building tools
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.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on Clover's website
Pros
- Free POS software plan available if you’re only using a mobile card reader.
- Offers POS software plans tailored to a variety of industries.
- 24/7 phone support.
Cons
- Online payment processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Promotions require a three-year contract.
- Charges PCI compliance fees and, in some cases, termination fees.
Clover
Best for Variety of POS hardware
Best for Variety of POS hardware
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on Clover's website
Pros
- Free POS software plan available if you’re only using a mobile card reader.
- Offers POS software plans tailored to a variety of industries.
- 24/7 phone support.
Cons
- Online payment processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Promotions require a three-year contract.
- Charges PCI compliance fees and, in some cases, termination fees.
Pros
- You can use Authorize.net with a wide range of merchant account providers.
- Transparent, flat-rate pricing.
- No contracts or early termination fees.
- 24/7 customer support through phone, chat or online form.
Cons
- You’ll pay a $25 monthly fee regardless of usage.
- Authorize.net doesn’t have a robust point-of-sale system for in-person transactions.
- Signing up directly through Authorize.net may be more expensive than going through your merchant services provider.
- Merchant account isn’t directly with Authorize.net.
Authorize.net
Best for More complex payment needs
Best for More complex payment needs
Payment processing fees
2.9% + $0.30
for All-in-One option.
Monthly fee
$25
Pros
- You can use Authorize.net with a wide range of merchant account providers.
- Transparent, flat-rate pricing.
- No contracts or early termination fees.
- 24/7 customer support through phone, chat or online form.
Cons
- You’ll pay a $25 monthly fee regardless of usage.
- Authorize.net doesn’t have a robust point-of-sale system for in-person transactions.
- Signing up directly through Authorize.net may be more expensive than going through your merchant services provider.
- Merchant account isn’t directly with Authorize.net.
Payment processing fees
2.89% + $0.29
credit & debit cards and digital wallets; 3.49% + 49¢ Venmo (U.S. only).
Monthly fee
$0
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.
- No phone support.
PayPal Enterprise Payments
Best for Accepting PayPal and Venmo
Best for Accepting PayPal and Venmo
Payment processing fees
2.89% + $0.29
credit & debit cards and digital wallets; 3.49% + 49¢ Venmo (U.S. only).
Monthly fee
$0
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.
- No phone support.
Jump to
How do payment gateways work?
To kick off the payment process, a customer either taps, dips or swipes their card using the business’s POS hardware in person or manually enters their card information in an online checkout portal. The payment gateway captures that card data, encrypts it and electronically delivers it to the business’s payment processor. From there, information gets passed between the processor, the issuing and acquiring banks and the card network. Here’s a closer look at the process:
What’s the difference between a payment gateway and payment processor?
Processing transactions involves a handful of parties, including a payment gateway, payment processor, payment networks, the customer’s card-issuing bank and the business’s acquiring bank. Though they’re both involved in the process and often bundled under the same provider, payment gateways and payment processors play different roles.
After a customer taps their credit card to a reader or manually enters their card information online, the payment gateway encrypts and communicates that payment information to the payment processor. From there, the processor verifies that the transaction is legitimate and that there’s enough money in the customer’s bank account to make the purchase. After communicating the approval to the payment gateway, the payment processor then facilitates the transfer of funds from the customer’s issuing bank to the business’s acquiring bank.
Learn more about payment gateways vs. payment processors
Payment gateways kick off the card authentication process and processing companies take it from there.
Does your business need a payment gateway?
All businesses accepting card transactions need some sort of payment gateway, but they aren’t always advertised as stand-alone products. For businesses accepting in-person transactions, the credit card terminal
For businesses accepting online transactions, payment gateways are often built right into e-commerce sites and shopping carts as part of a bundled payments service. If you built your website from scratch, however, you may need to integrate it with a stand-alone payment gateway that you can customize to match your brand.
How to choose the best payment gateway
The best payment gateway depends on the specific needs of your business. You’ll want to take into account the payment gateway’s total cost, which will include the monthly fee, transaction fees and any additional fees. Also important to consider are factors such as your business’ transaction volume, whether you require a full POS system and how much coding knowledge is needed to integrate and customize the gateway.
The cost of using a payment gateway is generally broken down into two main components:
- Monthly fees. This is like your Netflix subscription — you pay the same amount every month in exchange for access to the service. Not all gateways charge a monthly fee.
- Transaction fees. You’re charged every time a customer buys something online.
Some companies have additional costs, like PCI compliance cheapest payment gateways
If you’re using a payment gateway that offers payment processing services, you’ll have to choose between flat-rate pricing, which is consistent, and interchange-plus pricing
- Flat-rate: For new or seasonal businesses or for those that process less than about $5,000 a month, a flat-rate pricing model, like Square or PayPal uses, may make more sense. Flat-rate pricing is more expensive per transaction than interchange-plus pricing, but providers that use this pricing model often don’t charge a monthly fee. This pricing model also makes it easier to predict and forecast transaction costs because the fees are less variable over time than with interchange-plus pricing. Flat-rate pricing is usually found with
payment service providers
- Interchange-plus: If you process more than about $5,000 a month and particularly if you value having more transparency into your processing fees, then an interchange-plus model like the one Adyen or Helcim uses could be a better fit for your business. You’ll need a
merchant account
Some gateways, like PayPal Payflow, allow for a high level of customization but require coding skills to make the most of the customizable features. Other gateways, like those from Stripe and Adyen, offer a simple copy/paste coding option or options with no coding at all for those who are less tech-savvy in addition to a more code-heavy option that requires development skills.
If you want to take advantage of a more advanced and customizable payment gateway option but don’t have the necessary coding expertise within your team, it’s possible to hire freelance development help to get up and running. Stripe, for example, partners with several agencies that offer this service.
Payment gateway providers might also offer point-of-sale systems for in-person transactions, multiple-location support and other related services. Unless you want to work with multiple payments companies, find a payment gateway that can address all of your current and future payments needs.
Methodology
NerdWallet’s ratings of payment processing providers rewards 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