01
Stripe
Financial infrastructure for the internet
A comprehensive payment platform offering developer-first tools for online businesses of all sizes.
95.0
Stripe is our top recommendation for online businesses and developers needing custom payment flows, while PayPal suits merchants seeking instant brand recognition and quick setup. Square is ideal for physical retail and omnichannel sellers looking for integrated hardware and software solutions.
RANKENTRYSCORETRENDFROM
1
StripeStripe processes hundreds of billions of dollars annually for millions of internet businesses.95.0NEW2.9% + 30c per transaction
3
SquareSquare pioneered mobile card reading with its iconic white audio-jack dongle.90.3NEW2.6% + 10c per transaction
5
Checkout.comCheckout.com serves many of the world's leading tech unicorns and marketplaces.85.7NEWCustom
6
BraintreeBraintree was acquired by PayPal in 2013 for 800 million US dollars.83.3NEW2.59% + 49c per transaction
7
WorldpayWorldpay processes millions of mobile, online, and in-store transactions daily.81.0NEWCustom
8
Authorize.NetAuthorize.Net has been operating as a trusted payment gateway since 1996.78.7NEW$25 monthly gateway fee
9
HelcimHelcim guarantees lifetime rate locks for its merchant accounts.76.3NEWInterchange plus pricing
10
GoCardlessGoCardless automates collection across more than thirty countries globally.74.0NEW1% + 20p per transaction
CURATED · UPDATED REGULARLY
The ranking, in detail
02
PayPal
The safer, easier way to pay online
A globally recognized digital wallet and payment processor offering trusted checkout solutions.
92.7
03
Square
Make every sale count
A versatile payment processor specialising in point-of-sale hardware and omnichannel retail.
90.3
04
Adyen
Engineered for ambition
An end-to-end payments platform designed for large global enterprises and high-volume merchants.
88.0
05
Checkout.com
Connected payments for the digital economy
A cloud-based payment processor focused on high-performance digital commerce and cross-border transactions.
85.7
06
Braintree
Powering payments for the world's leading companies
A PayPal service that provides a robust payment gateway for online and mobile applications.
83.3
07
Worldpay
Powering commerce worldwide
A traditional payment processing giant offering scalable solutions for businesses of all sizes.
81.0
08
Authorize.Net
The trusted name in payment processing
A Visa solution providing reliable payment gateway services for small to medium-sized businesses.
78.7
09
Helcim
Payments that are better for your business
A merchant services provider known for transparent interchange-plus pricing and no monthly fees.
76.3
10
GoCardless
Global bank payment made easy
A specialized payment processor focusing on recurring bank-to-bank direct debit payments.
74.0
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Positions 1, 2 and 3 are available to buy for twelve months. Everyone below moves down a place, and the bottom entry comes off.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a payment gateway and a payment processor?
A payment gateway captures and transmits payment information from the customer to the processor, while the payment processor executes the actual transaction by communicating with the issuing and acquiring banks.
What is interchange-plus pricing?
Interchange-plus pricing passes the exact wholesale interchange fee charged by card networks directly to the merchant, adding a transparent, fixed markup fee for the processor.
Are payment processors compliant with PCI DSS regulations?
Yes, reputable payment processors are certified as compliant with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards to ensure secure handling of cardholder data.