5 Best Alternatives to Stripe for Payments in 2026

Why look beyond Stripe

While Stripe offers a comprehensive suite of payment processing tools, including a developer-centric API, flexible subscription billing with Stripe Billing, and fraud detection with Stripe Radar, businesses may seek alternatives for several reasons. Transaction fees, starting at 2.9% + 30¢ for online card payments, can accumulate, prompting exploration of providers with different pricing structures or a focus on lower interchange-plus models for higher volumes. Specific business models, such as those heavily reliant on in-person sales or requiring integrated e-commerce platforms, might find a more tailored solution elsewhere.

Furthermore, some businesses prioritize simplified onboarding and immediate acceptance of common payment methods without extensive API integration work, which platforms like PayPal Business or Square often facilitate. Regional presence and support for specific local payment methods can also be a deciding factor, as global enterprises might require broader international coverage or specialized solutions that cater to diverse markets beyond Stripe's core offerings. Evaluating these aspects against a business's unique operational needs can help determine if an alternative payment gateway provides a better fit for long-term growth and cost efficiency.

Top alternatives ranked

1. 1. PayPal — Global consumer recognition and broad acceptance

   PayPal, particularly through its PayPal Business and Braintree offerings, serves as a significant alternative to Stripe. PayPal Business provides a straightforward way to accept payments online, via email, or in person, leveraging its extensive global user base. It is often favored by small businesses and freelancers due to its ease of setup and brand recognition. Braintree, a PayPal service, offers a more developer-focused platform similar to Stripe, with customizable checkout options, recurring billing, and support for various payment methods beyond just PayPal accounts, including credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Braintree's fraud tools and global reach make it suitable for larger e-commerce operations seeking flexibility and advanced features.

   PayPal's core strength lies in its widespread acceptance and consumer trust, potentially converting more customers who prefer to pay with their PayPal accounts. While its standard transaction fees can be comparable to Stripe's, specific negotiated rates may be available for high-volume merchants. For detailed documentation on integrating PayPal's services, refer to the PayPal Developer documentation.

   Best for:

   • Small businesses and freelancers needing quick setup
   • Businesses leveraging PayPal's brand recognition
   • E-commerce platforms requiring diverse payment options (via Braintree)
   • International sales with established PayPal user bases

2. 2. Square — Integrated solutions for brick-and-mortar and online sales

   Square is a strong alternative, especially for businesses with a significant physical presence that also engage in online sales. Square's ecosystem includes point-of-sale (POS) hardware, payment processing, invoicing, and e-commerce tools, providing a unified platform for managing sales across multiple channels. Its POS systems are popular among retailers, restaurants, and service providers due to their user-friendliness and affordability. Square's Online Store allows businesses to create an e-commerce presence that integrates seamlessly with their in-person operations, synchronizing inventory and sales data.

   Square's pricing is transparent, typically a flat rate per transaction, which can be advantageous for businesses with varying transaction sizes. Developer tools are available for custom integrations, including APIs for payments, POS, and e-commerce, as described in the Square Developer documentation. This makes Square a viable option for businesses looking for an all-in-one solution that spans both physical and digital storefronts.

   Best for:

   • Retailers and restaurants requiring integrated POS systems
   • Businesses with both in-person and online sales
   • Companies seeking simplified pricing and hardware solutions
   • Service-based businesses needing invoicing and appointment management

3. 3. Adyen — Enterprise-grade global payment processing

   Adyen specializes in providing a single platform for global payment processing, risk management, and financial services, catering primarily to large enterprises and global brands. Unlike some providers that aggregate various services, Adyen operates as an acquiring bank, processor, and gateway, offering direct connections to card schemes and local payment methods worldwide. This integrated approach often results in better authorization rates, lower costs for high volumes, and a more streamlined reconciliation process.

   Adyen supports a vast array of international payment methods, including local cards, digital wallets, and banking solutions, making it ideal for businesses with a global customer base. Its platform is highly customizable, with APIs for online, in-app, and in-store payments, as detailed in the Adyen documentation portal. Adyen's focus on enterprise solutions means it offers advanced reporting, analytics, and fraud prevention tools tailored to complex operational requirements, offering a scalable payment infrastructure for growing global businesses.

   Best for:

   • Large enterprises and global corporations
   • Businesses needing extensive international payment method support
   • Companies with high transaction volumes seeking custom pricing
   • Merchants requiring a unified platform for all payment channels

4. 4. Braintree — Developer-focused payment gateway from PayPal

   Braintree, a PayPal service, offers a developer-centric payment gateway that competes directly with Stripe in terms of API flexibility and advanced features. It supports a wide range of payment methods, including credit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, and various local payment options. Braintree is known for its robust SDKs and APIs that allow for significant customization of the checkout experience, making it suitable for businesses that require fine-grained control over their payment flow and user interface.

   The platform includes features like recurring billing, fraud protection tools (via Kount and its own Braintree Protect), and marketplace solutions (with Braintree Marketplace), catering to diverse business models from e-commerce to subscription services and on-demand platforms. Its global reach and support for multiple currencies enable businesses to expand internationally effectively. Developers can find comprehensive guides and API references on the Braintree developer documentation, facilitating integration and customization.

   Best for:

   • Developers seeking highly customizable payment integrations
   • E-commerce platforms with complex checkout requirements
   • Subscription services needing robust recurring billing
   • Marketplaces requiring split payments and seller management

5. 5. Shopify Payments — Integrated solution for Shopify e-commerce stores

   Shopify Payments is the native payment gateway fully integrated within the Shopify e-commerce platform. It is designed to simplify payment processing for Shopify merchants, eliminating the need for third-party integrations and offering a streamlined setup. By using Shopify Payments, merchants typically avoid additional transaction fees that Shopify charges when using external gateways, making it a cost-effective option for businesses built on the Shopify ecosystem. It supports major credit cards, as well as accelerated checkouts like Shop Pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

   The primary advantage of Shopify Payments is its seamless integration with the rest of the Shopify platform, including order management, reporting, and customer data. This unified approach simplifies backend operations and provides a consistent experience. While it is exclusive to Shopify stores, for businesses committed to the Shopify platform, it provides an efficient and cohesive payment solution. Details on its features and setup are available directly within the Shopify Help Center.

   Best for:

   • Businesses exclusively operating on the Shopify e-commerce platform
   • Merchants looking to avoid additional transaction fees from Shopify
   • Small to medium-sized e-commerce stores seeking simplified setup
   • Companies prioritizing a fully integrated e-commerce and payment solution

Side-by-side

How to pick

Selecting the right payment gateway involves evaluating your business's specific needs against the features, pricing, and integration capabilities of each platform. Consider the following factors:

• Business Model and Scale:

  • If you run an e-commerce store with minimal in-person sales and prioritize developer flexibility, Stripe or Braintree might be ideal due to their robust APIs and customization options.
  • For businesses with a significant physical presence (retail, restaurants) that also sell online, Square offers an integrated POS and e-commerce ecosystem that simplifies operations.
  • Large enterprises with global operations and high transaction volumes seeking custom pricing, extensive international payment support, and advanced risk management should consider Adyen.
  • If your entire business is built on Shopify, Shopify Payments is often the most cost-effective and integrated solution, avoiding additional transaction fees.

• Pricing Structure:

  • Compare transaction fees, monthly fees, dispute fees, and payout fees. While Stripe and PayPal often have similar standard rates, high-volume businesses may qualify for negotiated rates with Adyen or Braintree, potentially leading to significant savings.
  • Square's flat-rate pricing can be predictable, especially for in-person transactions, but ensure it aligns with your average transaction size.
  • Factor in any additional fees for features like fraud protection, recurring billing, or international transactions, which can vary between providers.

• Developer Resources and Integration Complexity:

  • Stripe and Braintree are renowned for their developer-friendly documentation, comprehensive APIs, and SDKs, making them suitable for teams needing deep customization and control over the payment flow.
  • Square also offers robust APIs for its various services, allowing for custom integrations with POS and e-commerce.
  • Adyen provides extensive API documentation for complex enterprise-level integrations across multiple channels.
  • Shopify Payments, being an integrated solution, generally requires less direct developer intervention for basic setup, as it's managed within the Shopify dashboard.

• Payment Methods and International Reach:

  • Identify the primary payment methods your customers use (credit cards, digital wallets, local bank transfers). Ensure the chosen gateway supports these.
  • For international sales, assess each provider's global coverage, supported currencies, and local payment options. Adyen and PayPal generally offer the broadest international reach and local payment method support.

• Fraud Prevention and Security:

  • All reputable gateways offer PCI DSS compliance and basic fraud tools. However, evaluate advanced features like machine learning-based fraud detection (e.g., Stripe Radar, Braintree Protect) if your business faces high fraud risk.
  • Understand how each provider handles chargebacks and dispute resolution, as this can impact operational overhead and costs.