Ecommerce Payment Gateways

Ecommerce payment gateways are essential for online businesses as they provide a secure way for customers to enter their payment information. A payment gateway reads, encrypts, and transmits data from credit cards, online wallets, and other payment methods to authorize a transaction. This helps verify the legitimacy of the payment. Payment gateway providers also often offer payment processing services, which further streamline the payment process for businesses.

When choosing a payment gateway for your business, it’s important to consider factors such as your sales volume, coding skills, and overall payment needs. The best payment gateways not only minimize fees but also offer a simple and seamless experience for both you and your customers.

Here are some of the top payment gateways available for businesses of all sizes:

Stripe: Best Overall Payment Gateway

• Monthly Cost:
• $0 for standard Stripe Connect
• $2 per account for Stripe Express (for marketplaces) or Stripe Custom (white-label option)
• Payment Processing:
• 2.7% + 5 cents for in-person transactions
• 2.9% + 30 cents for online transactions
• 3.4% + 30 cents for manually keyed transactions
• 4.4% + 30 cents for international card transactions

Stripe is known for its maximum customizability, allowing developers to build a payment experience tailored to their specific needs. It offers prebuilt checkout pages for those who prefer a low-tech option.

Adyen: Best Omnichannel Option

• Monthly Cost: Free
• Payment Processing:
• Interchange plus 13 cents per transaction for Visa and Mastercard
• 3.3% + 23 cents for American Express
• 3%-12% + 13 cents for other payment methods
• 40 cents per transaction for ACH direct payment

Adyen is an omnichannel payment gateway that allows businesses to accept payments through various channels. It offers flexible pricing options based on different transaction types.

Helcim: Best Interchange-Plus Pricing for Businesses of All Sizes

• Monthly Cost: Free
• Payment Processing:
• Interchange plus 0.4% + 8 cents per in-person transaction (if monthly card transactions are $50,000 or less)
• Interchange plus 0.5% + 25 cents per online transaction (if monthly card transactions are $50,000 or less)
• Interchange plus 0.5% + 25 cents per manually keyed transaction (if monthly card transactions are $50,000 or less)
• 0.5% + 25 cents for ACH payments

Helcim offers interchange-plus pricing, which can benefit merchants by providing more transparency into processing fees. It offers different pricing tiers based on monthly sales volumes.

PayPal Payflow: Best for Doing Everything in One Place

• Monthly Cost:
• $0 for Payflow Link
• $25 for Payflow Pro
• Payment Processing:
• 1.9% + 10 cents for PayPal or Venmo QR code payments
• 2.29% + 9 cents for in-person credit and debit card payments
• 2.59% + 49 cents for online credit and debit card payments
• 3.49% + 49 cents for PayPal Payments transactions (PayPal, Pay Later, Pay with Rewards, Venmo)

PayPal Payflow offers a range of payment processing options, including PayPal, Venmo, and QR code payments. It provides a comprehensive solution for businesses looking for an all-in-one payment gateway.

Square: Best If You Also Have a Storefront

• Monthly Cost:
• $0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail, and Appointments Free plans
• $29 for Square Appointments Plus plan
• $60 for Square Restaurant and Retail Plus plans
• $69 for Square Appointments Premium plan
• Payment Processing:
• 2.6% + 10 cents for in-person transactions
• 2.9% + 30 cents for online transactions
• 3.5% + 15 cents for manually keyed transactions
• 3.3% + 30 cents for invoices

Square offers a range of payment processing solutions, including a point-of-sale system for in-person sales. It is known for its transparent pricing structure with no setup, cancellation, or monthly fees.

Braintree: Best for Accepting a Variety of Payment Types

• Monthly Cost:
• $0 if using Braintree for a merchant account and a payment gateway
• $49 per month + 10 cents per transaction if using Braintree as a payment gateway only
• Payment Processing:
• 2.59% + 49 cents per transaction for credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets
• 3.49% + 49 cents for Venmo (U.S. only)
• 0.75% for ACH (maximum fee of $5)

Braintree, owned by PayPal, offers a high level of customization and accepts a variety of payment types, including PayPal and Venmo. It provides a comprehensive payment gateway solution.

Chase Payment Solutions: Best for a Built-In Banking Partner

• Monthly Cost: Monthly fee in some instances
• Payment Processing:
• 2.6% + 10 cents for in-person transactions
• 2.9% + 25 cents per transaction for online transactions
• 3.5% + 10 cents for keyed transactions

Chase Payment Solutions uses Authorize.net and offers competitive flat-rate pricing. It provides fast deposits for businesses using a Chase business checking account.

Authorize.net: Best for More Complex Payment Needs

• Monthly Cost: $25 per month
• Payment Processing:
• 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction for a merchant account plus a gateway
• 10 cents per transaction plus 10 cent daily batch fee for a payment gateway only

Authorize.net, owned by Visa, offers flexibility for businesses with complex payment needs. It allows you to work with other merchant account providers and accept payments from anywhere in the world.

When choosing the best payment gateway for your small business, it’s important to consider several factors:

Payment Gateway Costs

The cost of using a payment gateway typically includes monthly fees and transaction fees. Some gateways may also have additional fees like PCI compliance fees or setup fees. Consider the total cost and compare it with your business’s budget and transaction volume.

Pricing Models

Payment gateways generally offer flat-rate pricing or interchange-plus pricing. Flat-rate pricing is more predictable and is suitable for new or seasonal businesses or those with lower transaction volumes. Interchange-plus pricing offers more transparency but can be more variable.

Technical Expertise

Consider your coding skills and the level of customization you require. Some gateways offer simple copy/paste coding options, while others require more advanced coding skills. If you lack coding expertise, you can hire freelance developers to assist you.

Payment Processing Needs

Evaluate the payment processing options offered by each gateway and choose the one that aligns with your business’s specific needs. Consider the types of payment methods you want to accept and whether you require a full point-of-sale system.

In conclusion, choosing the right payment gateway for your ecommerce business is crucial for ensuring a secure and streamlined payment process. Consider factors such as cost, pricing models, technical expertise, and payment processing needs to find the best fit for your business.