Best Payment Gateways
Process online payments — cards, wallets, and global methods — for stores and apps.
Read our ranked guide: Best Payment Gateways →We compare 5 payment gateways. Stripe is our top pick at 4.6/5. 1 offers a free tier. 5 have a public API.
All payment gateways compared
| # | Tool | Starts at | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stripe Developer-first payments infrastructure | Custom | 4.6/5 | Developers, SaaS & online stores |
| 2 | Square Unified online + in-person payments | Free | 4.5/5 | Retail, food & omnichannel SMBs |
| 3 | Adyen Enterprise global payments platform | Custom | 4.5/5 | Enterprise & large platforms |
| 4 | PayPal The most recognized checkout button | Custom | 4.3/5 | Stores wanting buyer trust |
| 5 | Braintree PayPal-owned gateway for growing platforms | Custom | 4.3/5 | Growing platforms & marketplaces |
How to choose payment gateways
Best rated → Stripe
4.6/5 across 14,800 reviews. Best-in-class developer experience.
Best free option → Square
Has a genuine free tier, so you can test before spending.
Need an API → Stripe
5 of 5 here expose a public API for integrations and automation.
- Check whether pricing is per seat — it multiplies with team size.
- Headline prices usually assume annual billing; monthly costs more.
- Start on a free tier or trial before committing to a year.
- Confirm the integrations you already rely on are supported.
Popular comparisons in this category
Frequently asked questions
What is the best payment gateway option?+
Stripe is our top-rated pick, scoring 4.6/5. Best-in-class developer experience The best choice still depends on budget and team size — see the ranked list above.
How many payment gateways are compared here?+
We currently compare 5 payment gateways on pricing, features, and ratings, averaging 4.4/5.
Are there free payment gateways?+
Yes — 1 of the 5 here has a free tier: Square.