Featured Partners
1
Stax
No
First Month Free
$99 per month, 7 cents to 15 cents per transaction plus interchange rate
2
Finix
No
Save up to 40% on credit card processing
Transparent subscription-based pricing with 0% markup on interchange fees
3
Payment Depot
No
First Month Free
$59 per month, $0.07 – $0.15 per transaction + interchange rate
Compare the Best Payment Gateways of 2025
| Company | Forbes Advisor Rating | Superlative | Starting Monthly Price | Pros | Cons | Expert Take | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 5.0   | Best for high-volume sellers | Per transaction: Interchange plus 0.15% and 6 cents | Rock-bottom payment transaction fees | Not well suited to very small sellers | Helcim combines complete payment solutions with big savings on overhead | Read Forbes' Review | |
| 4.8 | Best all-in-one payment solution | Per transaction: 2.29% plus 9 cents* | Integrated, comprehensive payment management | Higher-than-average transaction fees | PayPal combines payment processing with your other business processes | Read Forbes' Review | |
| 4.7  | Best for online stores | $29.00 plus 2.6% and 10 cents per transaction* | Fast, simple online sales | High subscription cost and fees | Shopify meets the payment needs of startup stores and large retailers | On Shopify's website | |
| 4.7 | Best for startups | 2.6% plus 10 cents per transaction* | No subscription fees | Limited to small retailers | Solopreneurs and new businesses can get their operation going quickly and inexpensively | On Square's website | |
| 4.6 | Best single-price payment solution | $95.00 | Transparent pricing | Limited integrations | Merchants can easily estimate their monthly payment costs using Payline’s straightforward pricing model | On Payline's website | |
| 4.6 | Best for bundling payments with POS | $14.95 for basic POS plus 2.3% and 10 cents per transaction | Complete POS/payment solutions | Requires purchasing a POS system | Clover specializes in serving restaurants and specialty retailers | On Clover's website | |
| 4.3 | Best for fraud prevention | $25.00 plus 20 cents per transaction** | Industry-leading fraud protection | Lacks third-party integrations | Lock down your company’s payment system with Authorize.net’s Advanced Fraud Detection | Read Forbes' Review | |
| 3.9  | Best for e-commerce | 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction | Pay-as-you-go pricing | Limited hardware options | Stripe’s payment plans grow along with your business | On Stripe's website | |
| 3.8 | Best for SaaS payment integration | $99.00 | Add payment processing to software | Many payment features sold separately | Stax lets software developers and SaaS providers integrate payments with their products | On Stax's website |
9 Best Payment Gateways Of 2025
Best for High-Volume Sellers
Helcim
Starting Transaction Fee
Interchange plus 1.58% plus 6 cents ($1 million-plus monthly volume)
POS Software Integration
No
Interchange Plus Payment Structure
Yes
Interchange plus 1.58% plus 6 cents ($1 million-plus monthly volume)
No
Yes
Helcim’s interchange plus pricing helps businesses save on their payment-processing costs by eliminating monthly fees and extended contracts. The catch is that the biggest savings will be realized by companies that process more than $1 million in credit card payments each month. That doesn’t mean smaller retailers won’t realize a drop in their payment processing expenses, though. Helcim claims to save its customers an average of 25% on their payment processing fees.
The payment services available from Helcim go beyond processing in-person, keyed and online payments and serve as a one-stop payment solution for businesses of all sizes. Its products include invoicing, virtual terminal software, POS hardware and software, and processing of recurring payments. However, Helcim doesn’t offer the range of third-party integrations available from competing vendors such as Clover and PayPal.
Learn more: Read our full Helcim review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#2Transaction Fees and CostsRanked 2 out of 9For Transaction Fees and Costs
- 84% of people had positive sentiments
- 4% of people had neutral sentiments
- 12% of people had negative sentiments
84%4%12%Ranked 2 out of 9For Transaction Fees and Costs- 84% of people had positive sentiments
- 4% of people had neutral sentiments
- 12% of people had negative sentiments
-
#4IntegrationRanked 4 out of 9For Integration
- 82% of people had positive sentiments
- 11% of people had neutral sentiments
- 7% of people had negative sentiments
82%11%7%Ranked 4 out of 9For Integration- 82% of people had positive sentiments
- 11% of people had neutral sentiments
- 7% of people had negative sentiments
-
#5Payment Processing SpeedRanked 5 out of 9For Payment Processing Speed
- 46% of people had positive sentiments
- 18% of people had neutral sentiments
- 36% of people had negative sentiments
46%18%36%Ranked 5 out of 9For Payment Processing Speed- 46% of people had positive sentiments
- 18% of people had neutral sentiments
- 36% of people had negative sentiments
-
#2Security and Fraud ProtectionRanked 2 out of 9For Security and Fraud Protection
- 44% of people had positive sentiments
- 0% of people had neutral sentiments
- 56% of people had negative sentiments
44%56%Ranked 2 out of 9For Security and Fraud Protection- 44% of people had positive sentiments
- 0% of people had neutral sentiments
- 56% of people had negative sentiments
Helcim users are pleased with the service’s low transaction fees, transparent pricing and straightforward payment processing features. Many report positive interactions with Helcim’s customer service reps. Users praise the service’s Fee Saver feature and its seamless integration with QuickBooks and other third-party tools. Not all Helcim users are happy about their customer service encounters, however. Some report technical issues with the company’s mobile app and card readers. They’re also concerned about how well Helcim handles their transactions and its stringent account approvals.
- Low interchange-plus pricing
- No monthly fees or contracts
- Offers full payment solutions, including POS hardware and software
- Lacks the third-party integrations of competing payment gateways
- Low-volume sellers save less
- Accounting integrations limited to Xero and Intuit QuickBooks
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
|
Automatic Clearing House Payments
|
Yes
|
|
Venmo Payments
|
Not included
|
|
Keyed Transaction Fee
|
From 1.92% plus 15 cents ($1 million-plus in monthly transactions)
|
|
Online Transaction Fee
|
Same as keyed transactions
|
|
Swiped/Chipped/Tapped Transaction Fee
|
From 1.58% plus 6 cents ($1 million-plus in monthly transactions)
|
Best All-in-One Payment Solution
PayPal
Starting Transaction Fee
2.29% plus 9 cents
POS Software Integration
Yes
Interchange Plus Payment Structure
Interchange plus plus
2.29% plus 9 cents
Yes
Interchange plus plus
One of the biggest names in online payments offers online and brick-and-mortar retailers plenty of payment processing options, although its prices are higher than many competing providers. For example, sales using Venmo or PayPal’s own service are charged 3.49% plus 49 cents, and those using PayPal’s Pay Later option are charged 4.49% plus 49 cents, in addition to an APR for monthly payments that ranges from 9.99% to 35.99% (purchases greater than $49).
Despite the relatively high transaction fees, PayPal represents a bargain for sellers that are looking for a simple, reliable and flexible payment processing partner. The company’s small business services include invoicing, complete POS systems, financial services and business management tools. A single-vendor solution allows small businesses to operate more efficiently and expand seamlessly.
Learn more: Read our full PayPal review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#3Transaction Fees and CostsRanked 3 out of 9For Transaction Fees and Costs
- 48% of people had positive sentiments
- 15% of people had neutral sentiments
- 37% of people had negative sentiments
48%15%37%Ranked 3 out of 9For Transaction Fees and Costs- 48% of people had positive sentiments
- 15% of people had neutral sentiments
- 37% of people had negative sentiments
-
#5IntegrationRanked 5 out of 9For Integration
- 42% of people had positive sentiments
- 18% of people had neutral sentiments
- 40% of people had negative sentiments
42%18%40%Ranked 5 out of 9For Integration- 42% of people had positive sentiments
- 18% of people had neutral sentiments
- 40% of people had negative sentiments
-
#1Payment Processing SpeedRanked 1 out of 9For Payment Processing Speed
- 51% of people had positive sentiments
- 9% of people had neutral sentiments
- 40% of people had negative sentiments
51%9%40%Ranked 1 out of 9For Payment Processing Speed- 51% of people had positive sentiments
- 9% of people had neutral sentiments
- 40% of people had negative sentiments
-
#3Security and Fraud ProtectionRanked 3 out of 9For Security and Fraud Protection
- 17% of people had positive sentiments
- 18% of people had neutral sentiments
- 65% of people had negative sentiments
17%18%65%Ranked 3 out of 9For Security and Fraud Protection- 17% of people had positive sentiments
- 18% of people had neutral sentiments
- 65% of people had negative sentiments
Some PayPal users report frequent crashes of the system, poor inventory management and problems when using the service’s mobile app, while others are dissatisfied with the company’s support staff. Many users also cite connectivity issues that disrupt their transactions or prevent them from accessing their accounts. Positive reviews, on the other hand, focus on the system’s ease of use.
- Combines payment processing with other business management services
- Flexible Pay Later options for retailers’ customers
- Supports a range of payment methods
- High transaction fees
- Limited access to Interchange Plus pricing
- Doesn’t support Cash App or Zelle
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
|
Automatic Clearing House Payments
|
Yes
|
|
Venmo Payments
|
Yes
|
|
Keyed Transaction Fee
|
3.49% plus 9 cents
|
|
Online Transaction Fee
|
3.49% plus 49 cents
|
|
Swiped/Chipped/Tapped Transaction Fee
|
2.29% plus 9 cents
|
Best for Online Stores
Shopify
Starting Transaction Fee
$39 plus 2.6% plus 10 cents per transaction
POS Software Integration
Yes
Interchange Plus Payment Structure
No
$39 plus 2.6% plus 10 cents per transaction
Yes
No
Shopify’s four payment gateway products meet the needs of retailers of all types and sizes. Solo entrepreneurs can get a fast start on their sales operations by signing up for Shopify’s Basic plan, which costs $39 a month ($29 a month with an annual contract) and includes a complete online store and checkout supporting an unlimited number of products. On the other end of the spectrum is Shopify’s Plus package priced at $2,300 a month with a three-year contract (one- to three-year contracts required) and offers high-volume merchants steep discounts on their transaction fees.
The sweet spot for most SMBs are the Shopify and Advanced plans that cost $105 a month and $399 a month, respectively, with discounts for annual contracts. In addition to lower transaction rates, the two packages offer five and 15 staff accounts, respectively, and shipping discounts of up to 88%. Other Shopify payment options are the Starter plan at $5 a month for selling through social media and Retail at $89 a month that lets you accept in-person payments.
Learn more: Read our full Shopify review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#8Transaction Fees and CostsRanked 8 out of 9For Transaction Fees and Costs
- 24% of people had positive sentiments
- 23% of people had neutral sentiments
- 53% of people had negative sentiments
24%23%53%Ranked 8 out of 9For Transaction Fees and Costs- 24% of people had positive sentiments
- 23% of people had neutral sentiments
- 53% of people had negative sentiments
-
#7IntegrationRanked 7 out of 9For Integration
- 65% of people had positive sentiments
- 26% of people had neutral sentiments
- 9% of people had negative sentiments
65%26%9%Ranked 7 out of 9For Integration- 65% of people had positive sentiments
- 26% of people had neutral sentiments
- 9% of people had negative sentiments
-
#7Payment Processing SpeedRanked 7 out of 9For Payment Processing Speed
- 46% of people had positive sentiments
- 9% of people had neutral sentiments
- 45% of people had negative sentiments
46%9%45%Ranked 7 out of 9For Payment Processing Speed- 46% of people had positive sentiments
- 9% of people had neutral sentiments
- 45% of people had negative sentiments
-
#6Security and Fraud ProtectionRanked 6 out of 9For Security and Fraud Protection
- 24% of people had positive sentiments
- 9% of people had neutral sentiments
- 67% of people had negative sentiments
24%9%67%Ranked 6 out of 9For Security and Fraud Protection- 24% of people had positive sentiments
- 9% of people had neutral sentiments
- 67% of people had negative sentiments
Shopify users praise the service for how easy it is to set up an e-commerce store. They also appreciate the company’s extensive support for third-party apps and robust e-commerce features that scale easily as their businesses grow. However, some reviews express frustration with Shopify’s customer service, billing practices and high transaction fees. Problems frequently cited include being locked out of accounts and slow responses from the company’s support staff.
- Payment plans for retailers of all types
- Online stores included with Basic, Shopify and Advanced packages
- Track inventory from multiple locations
- Added fee for Venmo, Cash App or Zelle payments
- Charges both monthly fees and transaction fees
- Intended primarily for online merchants
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
|
Automatic Clearing House Payments
|
Yes
|
|
Venmo Payments
|
Added fee
|
|
Keyed Transaction Fee
|
3.5% plus 10 cents
|
|
Online Transaction Fee
|
From 2.5% plus 30 cents
|
|
Swiped/Chipped/Tapped Transaction Fee
|
From 2.4% plus 10 cents
|
Best for Startups
Square
Starting Transaction Fee
2.6% plus 10 cents (in-person sales)
POS Software Integration
Yes
Interchange Plus Payment Structure
No
2.6% plus 10 cents (in-person sales)
Yes
No
Square pioneered mobile payments with the 2009 release of its card reader for mobile devices. Its payment processing options now cover online and remote payments in addition to in-person sales using a range of countertop and mobile devices. Square’s transaction fees are competitive considering the company doesn’t charge a monthly subscription fee. Retailers also benefit from Square’s free POS software that features inventory management and electronic invoicing.
Retailers wanting to take advantage of Square’s Afterpay service that pays the full transaction amount at the time of purchase are charged 6% plus 30 cents for all types of sales, including in-person transactions and invoices. However, the Square Reader device for taking swipe payments using a mobile device is available for free, and Square doesn’t charge for inactive periods or account takeover protection.
Learn more: Read our full Square review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#5Transaction Fees and CostsRanked 5 out of 9For Transaction Fees and Costs
- 43% of people had positive sentiments
- 17% of people had neutral sentiments
- 40% of people had negative sentiments
43%17%40%Ranked 5 out of 9For Transaction Fees and Costs- 43% of people had positive sentiments
- 17% of people had neutral sentiments
- 40% of people had negative sentiments
-
#9IntegrationRanked 9 out of 9For Integration
- 67% of people had positive sentiments
- 20% of people had neutral sentiments
- 13% of people had negative sentiments
67%20%13%Ranked 9 out of 9For Integration- 67% of people had positive sentiments
- 20% of people had neutral sentiments
- 13% of people had negative sentiments
-
#3Payment Processing SpeedRanked 3 out of 9For Payment Processing Speed
- 70% of people had positive sentiments
- 7% of people had neutral sentiments
- 23% of people had negative sentiments
70%7%23%Ranked 3 out of 9For Payment Processing Speed- 70% of people had positive sentiments
- 7% of people had neutral sentiments
- 23% of people had negative sentiments
-
#9Security and Fraud ProtectionRanked 9 out of 9For Security and Fraud Protection
- 11% of people had positive sentiments
- 3% of people had neutral sentiments
- 86% of people had negative sentiments
11%3%86%Ranked 9 out of 9For Security and Fraud Protection- 11% of people had positive sentiments
- 3% of people had neutral sentiments
- 86% of people had negative sentiments
Square users are pleased with the service’s ease of use, reliability and efficiency. They note that the company’s competitive transaction fees are a boon for small businesses. Negative user comments focus on Square’s poor customer service, unexplained account deactivations and funds being withheld unexpectedly.
- No monthly subscription fees
- Free Square Reader for accepting mobile payments
- Free POS software includes electronic invoicing
- Not economical for large retailers
- Doesn’t support Venmo or Zelle payments
- Not available for high-risk merchants
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
|
Automatic Clearing House Payments
|
Yes
|
|
Venmo Payments
|
No
|
|
Keyed Transaction Fee
|
3.5% plus 15 cents
|
|
Online Transaction Fee
|
2.9% plus 30 cents
|
|
Swiped/Chipped/Tapped Transaction Fee
|
2.6% plus 10 cents
|
Best Single-Price Payment Solution
Payline
Starting Transaction Fee
$95
POS Software Integration
Yes
Interchange Plus Payment Structure
No
$95
Yes
No
Much of the complexity involved in choosing a payment gateway is in calculating the total cost of each service for your business. Transaction fees vary from provider to provider for in-person, online and keyed transactions, as well as by your monthly sales volume and any number of other variables. Payline takes a lot of the guesswork out of determining your final cost by basing its monthly subscription cost on your monthly sales volume and average transaction amount. The only other variables are whether the transaction is conducted online or in person.
Payline’s flat-rate pricing starts at $95 a month, but it increases with the number of sales, so a retailer whose average transaction amount for in-person sales is $25 will pay a total of $305 a month if its total sales reach $10,000 and $2,595 if its sales for the month reach $100,000. Similarly, an online business with an average transaction amount of $100 and monthly sales of $10,000 pays $335 a month, and with volume of $100,000 the monthly cost is $2,595.
Learn more: Read our full Payline Data review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#1Transaction Fees and CostsRanked 1 out of 9For Transaction Fees and Costs
- 41% of people had positive sentiments
- 3% of people had neutral sentiments
- 56% of people had negative sentiments
41%3%56%Ranked 1 out of 9For Transaction Fees and Costs- 41% of people had positive sentiments
- 3% of people had neutral sentiments
- 56% of people had negative sentiments
-
#2IntegrationRanked 2 out of 9For Integration
- 60% of people had positive sentiments
- 40% of people had neutral sentiments
- 0% of people had negative sentiments
60%40%Ranked 2 out of 9For Integration- 60% of people had positive sentiments
- 40% of people had neutral sentiments
- 0% of people had negative sentiments
-
#2Payment Processing SpeedRanked 2 out of 9For Payment Processing Speed
- 100% of people had positive sentiments
- 0% of people had neutral sentiments
- 0% of people had negative sentiments
100%Ranked 2 out of 9For Payment Processing Speed- 100% of people had positive sentiments
- 0% of people had neutral sentiments
- 0% of people had negative sentiments
-
#7Security and Fraud ProtectionRanked 7 out of 9For Security and Fraud Protection
- 0% of people had positive sentiments
- 0% of people had neutral sentiments
- 100% of people had negative sentiments
100%Ranked 7 out of 9For Security and Fraud Protection- 0% of people had positive sentiments
- 0% of people had neutral sentiments
- 100% of people had negative sentiments
Payline’s payment processing receives kudos from customers for its competitive rates and breadth of features. Many users report positive interactions with the company’s sales and support teams, although some reviews complain of unclear fees, poor communication with company reps and problems when using the mobile app. While Payline’s services for high-risk merchants receive high marks, the company is criticized for its unresponsiveness and lack of transparency.
- Monthly payment subscriptions simplify total cost estimates
- Supports high-risk businesses
- Includes virtual terminal software
- Doesn’t support Venmo, Cash App or Zelle
- Not economical for low-volume sellers
- Accounting integrations limited to Intuit QuickBooks
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
|
Automatic Clearing House Payments
|
Add-on
|
|
Venmo Payments
|
No
|
|
Keyed Transaction Fee
|
N/A
|
|
Online Transaction Fee
|
N/A
|
|
Swiped/Chipped/Tapped Transaction Fee
|
N/A
|
Best for Bundling Payments With POS
Clover
Starting Transaction Fee
$14.95 plus 2.6% plus 10 cents
POS Software Integration
Yes
Interchange Plus Payment Structure
No
$14.95 plus 2.6% plus 10 cents
Yes
No
Clover is a POS vendor that bundles payment processing with its solutions for retailers, online sellers and restaurants. Its three POS plans are priced from $14.95 a month for Essentials to $89.95 a month for Full-Service Restaurant Management (price before purchasing POS hardware). Between these two products is Clover’s Quick-Service Dining Management priced at $59.95 a month. Clover charges 2.6% plus 10 cents for card tap, swipe and insert transactions and 3.5% plus 10 cents for keyed-in transactions.
In addition to its two offerings for restaurants, Clover’s POS products are designed for personal and professional services and for specialty retailers such as bookstores, boutiques and jewelry stores. Its transaction fees for service businesses are as low as 2.3% plus 10 cents, and the rates for retailers start at 2.5% plus 10 cents for in-person sales and 3.5% plus 10 cents for keyed-in transactions. For an additional fee of 1.75%, businesses can receive their payments within minutes of the sale.
Learn more: Read our full Clover review and our Clover pricing guide.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#6Transaction Fees and CostsRanked 6 out of 9For Transaction Fees and Costs
- 32% of people had positive sentiments
- 19% of people had neutral sentiments
- 49% of people had negative sentiments
32%19%49%Ranked 6 out of 9For Transaction Fees and Costs- 32% of people had positive sentiments
- 19% of people had neutral sentiments
- 49% of people had negative sentiments
-
#8IntegrationRanked 8 out of 9For Integration
- 69% of people had positive sentiments
- 19% of people had neutral sentiments
- 12% of people had negative sentiments
69%19%12%Ranked 8 out of 9For Integration- 69% of people had positive sentiments
- 19% of people had neutral sentiments
- 12% of people had negative sentiments
-
#4Payment Processing SpeedRanked 4 out of 9For Payment Processing Speed
- 74% of people had positive sentiments
- 5% of people had neutral sentiments
- 21% of people had negative sentiments
74%5%21%Ranked 4 out of 9For Payment Processing Speed- 74% of people had positive sentiments
- 5% of people had neutral sentiments
- 21% of people had negative sentiments
-
#5Security and Fraud ProtectionRanked 5 out of 9For Security and Fraud Protection
- 26% of people had positive sentiments
- 20% of people had neutral sentiments
- 54% of people had negative sentiments
26%20%54%Ranked 5 out of 9For Security and Fraud Protection- 26% of people had positive sentiments
- 20% of people had neutral sentiments
- 54% of people had negative sentiments
Common complaints about Clover in user reviews include ineffective interactions with its customer service reps, undisclosed fees and high prices in general. Some customers cite difficulties in keeping their operations going because of the service’s poor handling of their funds. Other areas of concern involve long wait times for support, inconsistent service quality and conflicts related to the terms of Clover’s user agreement. Conversely, many users are pleased with the system’s ease of use and setup, and some report positive interactions with specific Clover support reps.
- Combines POS systems with payment processing
- Specializes in serving restaurants and small retail stores
- Add-ons include business analytics and employee management
- Requires purchasing Clover POS
- Doesn’t support Cash App or Zelle
- Excludes high-risk merchants
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
|
Automatic Clearing House Payments
|
No
|
|
Venmo Payments
|
Yes
|
|
Keyed Transaction Fee
|
3.5% plus 10 cents
|
|
Online Transaction Fee
|
3.5% plus 10 cents
|
|
Swiped/Chipped/Tapped Transaction Fee
|
2.6% plus 10 cents
|
Best for Fraud Prevention
Authorize.net
Starting Transaction Fee
$25 plus 20 cents per transaction
POS Software Integration
API and Webhooks
Interchange Plus Payment Structure
No
$25 plus 20 cents per transaction
API and Webhooks
No
Authorize.net has offered payment processing services since 1996 and has earned a reputation for offering iron-clad security for sellers. In particular, its Advanced Fraud Detection Suite add-on service combines customer verification tools with configurable fraud filters for setting minimum transaction thresholds and payment velocity (which detects unusual payment activity such as a spike in the speed of payments made). Businesses can limit the countries they sell to and apply firewalls that detect and remove botnets.
The three payment gateway services sold by Authorize.net include an All-in-One plan for businesses that don’t have a merchant account as well as a gateway for e-checks and another for credit card payments, both of which require a merchant account. The former charges 0.75% for e-checks, and both gateways charge 10 cents plus another 10-cent batch fee for each transaction. Additional payment services from Authorize.net include invoicing, recurring payments and a customer information manager.
Learn more: Read our full Authorize.net review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#4Transaction Fees and CostsRanked 4 out of 9For Transaction Fees and Costs
- 28% of people had positive sentiments
- 26% of people had neutral sentiments
- 46% of people had negative sentiments
28%26%46%Ranked 4 out of 9For Transaction Fees and Costs- 28% of people had positive sentiments
- 26% of people had neutral sentiments
- 46% of people had negative sentiments
-
#1IntegrationRanked 1 out of 9For Integration
- 56% of people had positive sentiments
- 32% of people had neutral sentiments
- 12% of people had negative sentiments
56%32%12%Ranked 1 out of 9For Integration- 56% of people had positive sentiments
- 32% of people had neutral sentiments
- 12% of people had negative sentiments
-
#8Payment Processing SpeedRanked 8 out of 9For Payment Processing Speed
- 12% of people had positive sentiments
- 25% of people had neutral sentiments
- 63% of people had negative sentiments
12%25%63%Ranked 8 out of 9For Payment Processing Speed- 12% of people had positive sentiments
- 25% of people had neutral sentiments
- 63% of people had negative sentiments
-
#1Security and Fraud ProtectionRanked 1 out of 9For Security and Fraud Protection
- 32% of people had positive sentiments
- 26% of people had neutral sentiments
- 42% of people had negative sentiments
32%26%42%Ranked 1 out of 9For Security and Fraud Protection- 32% of people had positive sentiments
- 26% of people had neutral sentiments
- 42% of people had negative sentiments
Authorize.net’s payment gateway services receive mixed reviews from users. Many appreciate the product’s security features and integration capabilities, pointing specifically to its value for high-risk merchants. However, the service is criticized for its outdated user interfaces and its unresponsive and unhelpful customer service. Some users report problems with the company’s complex fee structure, resulting in unwarranted fund holds and account closures.
- Advanced fraud prevention for retailers
- Low-cost, no-frills payment gateway service
- Accepts credit-card payments without a merchant account
- Venmo, Zelle and Cash App not supported
- Lacks third-party integrations (API and Webhooks only)
- High-risk merchants excluded
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
|
Automatic Clearing House Payments
|
Yes
|
|
Venmo Payments
|
No
|
|
Keyed Transaction Fee
|
2.9% plus 30 cents (All-in-One); 20 cents (payment gateways)
|
|
Online Transaction Fee
|
2.9% plus 30 cents (All-in-One); 20 cents (payment gateways)
|
|
Swiped/Chipped/Tapped Transaction Fee
|
2.9% plus 30 cents (All-in-One); 20 cents (payment gateways)
|
Best for E-Commerce
Stripe
Starting Transaction Fee
2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction
POS Software Integration
No
Interchange Plus Payment Structure
Yes
2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction
No
Yes
Stripe’s payment processing services meet the needs of e-commerce operations at every stage of their evolution. Startups benefit from Stripe’s per-transaction pricing that charges 2.9% plus 30 cents per sale for swipe, tap and chip cards and only 5 cents more for manually entered cards. The rate is the same for payment links and 2.6% plus 30 cents for Instant Bank Payments.
From this base, businesses can add payment services à la carte that include international transactions, ACH direct debit, 3D Secure authentication, AI-based adaptive acceptance and secure payment credentials using network tokens. The service includes a pre-built payment form for instant checkouts as well as embedded payments for online marketplaces and platforms. As your business’s e-commerce operation grows, you can add billing for recurring payments that’s priced by the month (from $620 with a one-year contract) or as you go for 0.7% of your billing volume.
Learn more: Read our full Stripe review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#7Transaction Fees and CostsRanked 7 out of 9For Transaction Fees and Costs
- 25% of people had positive sentiments
- 21% of people had neutral sentiments
- 54% of people had negative sentiments
25%21%54%Ranked 7 out of 9For Transaction Fees and Costs- 25% of people had positive sentiments
- 21% of people had neutral sentiments
- 54% of people had negative sentiments
-
#3IntegrationRanked 3 out of 9For Integration
- 68% of people had positive sentiments
- 22% of people had neutral sentiments
- 10% of people had negative sentiments
68%22%10%Ranked 3 out of 9For Integration- 68% of people had positive sentiments
- 22% of people had neutral sentiments
- 10% of people had negative sentiments
-
#9Payment Processing SpeedRanked 9 out of 9For Payment Processing Speed
- 17% of people had positive sentiments
- 10% of people had neutral sentiments
- 73% of people had negative sentiments
17%10%73%Ranked 9 out of 9For Payment Processing Speed- 17% of people had positive sentiments
- 10% of people had neutral sentiments
- 73% of people had negative sentiments
-
#4Security and Fraud ProtectionRanked 4 out of 9For Security and Fraud Protection
- 17% of people had positive sentiments
- 15% of people had neutral sentiments
- 68% of people had negative sentiments
17%15%68%Ranked 4 out of 9For Security and Fraud Protection- 17% of people had positive sentiments
- 15% of people had neutral sentiments
- 68% of people had negative sentiments
Many Stripe users criticize the company’s customer service and account management practices, which they describe as opaque and unresponsive. The complaints cite accounts being closed with no clear explanation and funds being withheld for extended periods, which disrupts their operations. Some customers complain that Stripe unfairly classified them as high-risk businesses. On the other hand, positive user reviews note Stripe’s wide range of features and support for third-party integrations.
- E-commerce platform for startups to enterprises
- Multiple options for international sales
- Pay-as-you-go pricing with no fees
- Limited POS hardware options
- Only a handful of third-party integrations available
- Doesn’t support Venmo payments
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
|
Automatic Clearing House Payments
|
Yes
|
|
Venmo Payments
|
No
|
|
Keyed Transaction Fee
|
3.4% plus 30 cents
|
|
Online Transaction Fee
|
2.9% plus 30 cents
|
|
Swiped/Chipped/Tapped Transaction Fee
|
2.9% plus 30 cents
|
Best for SaaS Payment Integration
Stax
Starting Transaction Fee
$99
POS Software Integration
API only
Interchange Plus Payment Structure
No
$99
API only
No
Payment processing is increasingly a component of off-the-shelf software, whether products developed by independent software vendors (ISV) or SaaS providers. Stax makes adding payments to applications much simpler through its Stax Connect service that allows software developers to add branded payment processing to their products quickly and simply. Stax brings its expertise in payment security and compliance to integrated development environments (IDE) in plug-and-play fashion.
The payment processing services sold directly by Stax use a subscription model that starts at $99 a month for sellers processing up to $150,000 in sales each month. The price increases to $139 a month when your sales are between $150,00 and $250,000 a month and is capped at $199 a month for monthly sales above $250,000. However, several payment options that many companies will consider mandatory are sold as add-ons by Stax, including ACH payment processing, next-day funding and customer branding.
Learn more: Read our full Stax review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#9Transaction Fees and CostsRanked 9 out of 9For Transaction Fees and Costs
- 10% of people had positive sentiments
- 1% of people had neutral sentiments
- 89% of people had negative sentiments
10%1%89%Ranked 9 out of 9For Transaction Fees and Costs- 10% of people had positive sentiments
- 1% of people had neutral sentiments
- 89% of people had negative sentiments
-
#6IntegrationRanked 6 out of 9For Integration
- 80% of people had positive sentiments
- 0% of people had neutral sentiments
- 20% of people had negative sentiments
80%20%Ranked 6 out of 9For Integration- 80% of people had positive sentiments
- 0% of people had neutral sentiments
- 20% of people had negative sentiments
-
#9Payment Processing SpeedRanked 9 out of 9For Payment Processing Speed
- 0% of people had positive sentiments
- 0% of people had neutral sentiments
- 100% of people had negative sentiments
100%Ranked 9 out of 9For Payment Processing Speed- 0% of people had positive sentiments
- 0% of people had neutral sentiments
- 100% of people had negative sentiments
-
#8Security and Fraud ProtectionRanked 8 out of 9For Security and Fraud Protection
- 14% of people had positive sentiments
- 0% of people had neutral sentiments
- 86% of people had negative sentiments
14%86%Ranked 8 out of 9For Security and Fraud Protection- 14% of people had positive sentiments
- 0% of people had neutral sentiments
- 86% of people had negative sentiments
Stax users criticize the payment processor for having unresponsive and ineffective customer support, charging unexpected fees and making it difficult to cancel its services. Many reviews cite delayed or withheld funds and describe their overall experience with the company as frustrating, leading some to seek legal action against Stax. On the other hand, many Stax users compliment the service’s ease of use and report excellent support from the company’s staff. However, these positive comments are overshadowed by rampant dissatisfaction with service’s reliability and lack of transparent billing.
- Easy payment integration for SaaS
- Unambiguous subscription pricing
- No mark-up on direct-cost interchange
- ACH payments and custom branding cost extra
- Doesn’t support Cash App or Zelle
- Recurring payments sold separately
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
|
Automatic Clearing House Payments
|
Added fee
|
|
Venmo Payments
|
Yes
|
|
Keyed Transaction Fee
|
N/A
|
|
Online Transaction Fee
|
N/A
|
|
Swiped/Chipped/Tapped Transaction Fee
|
N/A
|
Methodology
We assessed each provider across nine categories, with more weight given to some categories than others. Each provider was scored in each category to give a total which was then translated into a star rating out of a possible five stars.
| Category | Analysis | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | Payment gateway fees include interchange plus, flat-fee payments and fees for keyed, online and swiped transactions. | 28% |
| Consumer Sentiment Index | We aggregate user reviews that rate each provider’s transaction fees and costs, integration, payment processing speed, security and fraud protection, and overall satisfaction. | 27% |
| General Features | Essential features include reporting, invoicing, PCI compliance, software integrations, data exports and contactless payments. | 13% |
| Payment Gateway | For this criterion, we assess whether the provider includes a payment gateway and whether third-party credit card processing options are available. | 10% |
| Payment Options | We investigate what payment methods are accepted (Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, etc.) | 8% |
| Expert Score | Our in-house experts evaluate the provider’s value for money, accessibility, user experience and unique selling points. | 4% |
| Customer Support | The provider is rated for offering email, phone and live chat support and for having a knowledge base for self-support. | 4% |
| Mobile App | Providers with a mobile app for both Android and iOS that is highly rated in app stores earn some points in this category. | 3% |
| Pricing | This category considers the monthly subscription cost and whether the vendor offers a free trial. | 3% |
Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Small Business
The Forbes Advisor Small Business team is committed to providing unbiased rankings and information with full editorial independence. We use product data, strategic methodologies and expert insights to inform all of our content to guide you in making the best decisions for your business journey.
Learn More: How We Evaluate Web Hosting Services
- 25 Companies Evaluated
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- Hands-On Testing
How To Choose the Best Payment Gateway
The most important factors in a business’s payment gateway buying decision are its total sales volume, average transaction amount and the payment types its customers prefer. Most retailers will require that their payment gateway support in-person credit card, debit card and digital wallet sales as well as mobile transactions and online sales.
Payment processing services typically specialize in meeting the needs of specific categories of sellers. For example, Helcim, our top payment gateway choice, applies interchange plus pricing that adds a small amount to the fee charged by banks for processing their customers’ payments by credit card, ACH and other methods. This allows merchants that record a high volume of monthly sales to save on their payment processing costs.
On the other end of the spectrum are payment services such as Square and Stripe that charge relatively high transaction fees but allow small businesses and startups to offer a full range of payment options to their customers right out of the box. These companies make it easy for sellers to add or enhance their payment options as their needs change.
Essential Payment Gateway Features
Sellers need to know that their customers’ payments are processed quickly and accurately. They also must be sure their payment system is protected against fraudulent transactions and reliable enough to handle spikes in sales during events such as Black Friday. Last but not least, they need to be assured that they will have the payments deposited in their business bank account in a timely manner.
These are the key features of a payment gateway:
- Handling payment data. The first step in processing payments is capturing and encrypting the buyer’s payment data, usually from a POS system or online store.
- Customer interface. The system has to be clear and easy for customers and employees to use so the transaction is completed quickly and accurately. Square and Stripe stand out for their simple and intuitive interfaces.
- Payment data send and receive. Card and other payment information must be validated and secured at the point it’s collected and received and decrypted by the paying bank.
- Data security. The gateway applies encryption and validates the transaction against fraud, while the bank’s security verifies and safeguards the funds transfer to the seller. Authorize.net is noted for offering first-rate fraud protection.
- Integrations. Processing your company’s payments involves many other business processes, so the gateway’s ability to integrate with accounting, inventory management and other internal systems becomes an important buying consideration.
Value
Calculating the value of payment gateways involves more than each service’s monthly costs. Retailers rely on their payment partners for fast and reliable service to ensure their customers are protected and they receive accurate and timely payments from the banks at the other end of the gateway transaction.
Very small businesses are more likely to benefit from a payment gateway that is easy to install and use, even if the service charges more than the industry average. On the other hand, large retailers realize the greatest value from gateways that process payments at rates slightly above the bank’s interchange fees.
Featured Partners
1
Stax
No
First Month Free
$99 per month, 7 cents to 15 cents per transaction plus interchange rate
2
Finix
No
Save up to 40% on credit card processing
Transparent subscription-based pricing with 0% markup on interchange fees
3
Payment Depot
No
First Month Free
$59 per month, $0.07 - $0.15 per transaction + interchange rate
Which Payment Gateway Is Best for Your Business?
The most effective payment gateway is the one that most closely fits your business’s unique payment processing needs. While there is no one-size-fits-all payment solution, all gateway services fulfill the same basic functions such as authorizing the buyer’s payment information and transmitting it to the bank to confirm that the account has sufficient funds.
Beyond these primary operations, the payment features your business will need depends on its size, sales volume and other factors. Three typical scenarios are retail startups, businesses that sell in person and online, and online-only operations.
- Startups can save money by working with a service such as Square that charges no setup fees or monthly fees, so they pay only transaction fees for each sale they make.
- Combined brick-and-mortar and online retailers are best served by a payment gateway that integrates other sales processes such as Clover’s POS/payment combinations.
- Online stores can purchase payment gateway services that include an online store such as Shopify’s plans for small teams and growing e-commerce operations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are payment gateways necessary?
Cash isn’t always king. Payments in cash have been declining since 2021, according to the Federal Reserve, with customers often preferring the convenience of contactless and electronic payments, whether using credit cards or digital wallets. Without a payment gateway, businesses have no way of serving these customers.
Which payment gateway is the best?
Our analysis found Helcim, PayPal and Shopify to be among the best payment gateway providers for different payment needs. Helcim is a great choice for high-volume retailers, while PayPal offers a wide range of payment options and Shopify makes setting up an online store a breeze. Authorize.net stands out in terms of fraud prevention, while Stax is good if your business handles high-value transactions.
How do payment gateways work?
A payment gateway allows businesses to securely check a customer’s bank balance to ensure there are sufficient funds for a transaction and transmits payment data to the payment processor before forwarding payment to your company’s account.
Can I add a payment gateway to my website?
Yes. Once you’ve chosen a payment gateway provider and opened a merchant account, you’ll need to get an API key from your provider to add to your website.
Could I build my own payment gateway?
Yes. Larger and more complex organizations can, and do, develop their own payment gateways and host them on their own servers. This gives businesses full control over how payments work and saves on fees. The trade-off is that security must also be handled in-house.
Can a payment gateway accept foreign currencies?
Multicurrency payment gateways are designed for businesses that need to accept payment in different currencies and convert foreign currency payments into your home currency.
