1️⃣Stripe
Stripe is the gold standard for modern online payments. Powerful APIs, global coverage, and bank-grade compliance make it a frictionless choice for startups and enterprises. Expect higher checkout conversion and clean reporting.
Address: Dublin, Ireland
- Fast onboarding
- Global coverage in 135+ currencies
- Excellent developer tools and docs
- Advanced fraud protection with Radar
- One-click checkout with Link
- Recurring billing and subscription tools
- Top-tier uptime
- Per-transaction fees can add up at scale
- Some advanced features require developer time
- Payout times vary by country
2️⃣Wise
Wise delivers transparent international transfers at real exchange rates. Multi-currency accounts and business debit cards simplify global operations. Clear fees mean no nasty surprises.
Address: London, United Kingdom
- Best-in-class FX rates
- Transparent flat fees
- Local account details in dozens of countries
- Fast transfers
- Great mobile app
- Business API access
- Not a full banking suite
- Occasional compliance holds on new accounts
- Card availability varies by region
3️⃣PayPal
PayPal is a household name customers already trust. It boosts conversion with PayPal, Pay Later, and Venmo options. However, seller holds and dispute management can be frustrating for some merchants.
Address: San Jose, USA
- Massive consumer trust
- Easy plug-and-play for most carts
- Buy Now Pay Later and Venmo options
- Strong buyer protection
- Account freezes and rolling reserves can occur
- Higher fees than some rivals
- Customer support response times can vary
- Disputes can be time-consuming
4️⃣Adyen
Adyen is a unified commerce powerhouse built for scaling brands. Deep payment routing and risk tools drive approval rates across regions. Setup can be heavy for small teams and minimums may apply.
Address: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Unified gateway and acquiring
- High acceptance rates
- Rich risk controls
- Global omnichannel support
- Complex setup for SMBs
- Volume commitments or minimums may apply
- Requires developer resources
- Interface feels enterprise-first
5️⃣Square
Square excels at in-person and hybrid selling with sleek hardware and simple pricing. Its ecosystem covers POS, invoices, and online checkout. International coverage is limited compared to others and account reviews can disrupt cash flow.
Address: San Francisco, USA
- Beautiful POS hardware
- Simple flat-rate pricing
- Great for in-person and pop-ups
- Strong invoicing and scheduling
- Instant transfers available
- Limited international reach
- Risk reviews can freeze payouts
- Not the cheapest for high volume
- Some advanced features behind paid add-ons