Top 5 Stripe Superior Competitors for Businesses

Navigating the vast landscape of payment processors can be a daunting task. There are a myriad of options available. As you embark on the quest for the ideal payment processing solution for online transactions, it’s inevitable that you’ll encounter Stripe.

This developer-friendly online payments platform has garnered significant attention. It has established itself as a prominent player in the merchant services industry, particularly among e-commerce and web-based businesses. However, while Stripe may be a popular choice, it may not necessarily be the perfect fit for every business.

Exploring Stripe’s competitors is a prudent move. No matter if you are currently utilizing Stripe and seeking an alternative solution or are still on the lookout for the ideal payments platform. Just delve into the offerings of some alternative platforms. Thus you can make an informed decision about the best fit for your business.

In this article, I will dissect five of the top-notch Stripe alternatives. I’m going to provide you with valuable insights. Are any of these alternatives aligned more closely with your business requirements? Well, let’s see.

Stripe: Features, Advantages, and Disadvantages

When it comes to payment processing solutions, few names resonate as strongly as Stripe. This robust platform has gained immense popularity. For good reason—it boasts exceptional functionality, adaptability, and widespread appeal across various business types. But, as with any business solution, it’s essential to consider both the advantages and disadvantages of using Stripe. Some other providers might suit your specific needs better.

At its core, Stripe is a formidable payment processing company. It has played a pivotal role in constructing the very foundation of digital transactions. The open Stripe API empowers small businesses worldwide to tailor their payment gateways to their exact specifications. Stripe itself earns a fraction of each transaction.

One of the paramount benefits of Stripe lies in its unwavering commitment to security. Stripe is a distinguished PCI Service Provider Level 1. It means that payments processed through its platform are always safeguarded.

Stripe excels particularly in the realm of online credit card processing, seamlessly integrating with major card networks such as Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. It offers scalability, making it effortlessly adaptable as your business expands. With its user-friendly implementation process, partnering with a plethora of e-commerce apps becomes a breeze.

Stripe Top Features

1. Stripe Connect. With this feature, businesses can bid farewell to the hassles of accounting, security challenges, and legal compliance with recurring payments. It enables seamless payment processing while ensuring utmost convenience. In exchange for its exceptional services, Stripe charges a nominal fee, providing businesses with a hassle-free experience.
2. Stripe Atlas. For enterprises seeking comprehensive assistance, Stripe Atlas offers a step-by-step journey towards success. This solution covers vital aspects such as stock issuance, incorporation, and documentation and even provides a basic Stripe account for accepting payments.
3. Stripe Sigma. Stripe Sigma harnesses the power of SQL, empowering businesses with in-depth reporting and analytics capabilities. By leveraging this tool, organizations gain valuable insights into their payment data, enabling data-driven decision-making and unlocking new avenues for growth. With Stripe Sigma, you can extract meaningful intelligence from transactions.
4. Stripe Relay. Ideal for businesses engaged in product publishing, ordering, and collaborating with vendors, Stripe Relay offers a comprehensive system for managing these complex operations. With Stripe Relay’s integrated framework technology, you can effortlessly handle payments, streamline partnerships, and enhance the overall customer experience.

Stripe Pros

Stripe stands out as a preferred choice for businesses seeking a comprehensive payments solution. Let’s explore the advantages it offers:

1. Pricing Simplicity: Stripe’s transparent pricing structure eliminates the confusion associated with additional fees commonly charged by other providers. With Stripe, you only need to consider a single, competitive per-transaction charge for online payments. Their website provides detailed pricing information, ensuring complete clarity.
2. Versatile Functionality: As a payments solution, Stripe excels in versatility, enabling businesses to accept various payment methods according to their preferences. Emphasizing online payments, Stripe offers options like embeddable checkouts, customizable payment forms, and invoice-based payments. Stripe also caters to in-person payments, ensuring a seamless omnichannel experience. Additionally, Stripe’s standard security measures, global compatibility, and seamless integration with hundreds of platforms enhance its functionality.
3. Tailored Customization: Recognized as a developer-friendly payments solution, Stripe empowers businesses with customizable UI toolkits and APIs. Even if you’re not a developer, Stripe’s extensive range of payment types, acceptance methods, and add-ons allows you to tailor the solution to your specific requirements. This level of customization caters to the needs of all business owners, offering unparalleled flexibility.

Stripe Cons

While Stripe offers notable advantages, it’s essential to consider its drawbacks before making a decision. Here are the key limitations to keep in mind:

1. Cost: pricing is straightforward, but it may not always be the most affordable option, especially for businesses with high transaction volumes or those utilizing paid add-on tools.
2. Account Stability: As a payment service provider (PSP), Stripe can cancel or freeze accounts if they deem them too risky, potentially impacting business operations.
3. Developer Focus: Stripe is developer-focused, which may pose challenges for businesses without technical resources or expertise.
4. In-person Payments: While Stripe supports in-person payments, it primarily caters to online transactions, making it less ideal for businesses focused on point-of-sale needs.
5. Absence of an account management or card management block: Stripe operates with a single boilerplate account where all cards issued without any distinctions are linked. Consequently, all transactions are processed from this centralized account, restricting the flexibility of having separate accounts with varying amounts. To enable diversified account management and different amount allocations, additional development or the involvement of a third-party vendor is necessary.

Stripe Pricing

As I mentioned before, when it comes to pricing, Stripe maintains a clear and upfront approach. Here’s an overview of their costs:

• Transaction Fees. For the standard payments platform, Stripe charges transaction fees, typically at a rate of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for online credit card payments. In-person payments carry a slightly lower fee of 2.7% + $0.30 per transaction, along with the cost of the credit card terminal. International cards incur an additional 1% fee, and currency conversion may require another 1% fee. ACH payments attract a charge of 0.8% per transaction (up to a maximum of $5).

• No Extraneous Fees. Stripe does not burden users with monthly fees, PCI-compliance fees, setup fees, or account cancellation fees. However, a chargeback fee of $15 applies. Certain add-on services offered by Stripe may entail associated fees if chosen.

Exploring Top Stripe Alternatives

Now, let’s delve into the leading competitors to Stripe. In the vast landscape of merchant services, I will show you a range of alternatives, including full-service merchant account providers and streamlined payment gateway providers. For this list, I have focused on online payment processing companies that align closely with Stripe’s offerings.

Whether you seek alternatives due to limited developer resources, a requirement for in-person payment acceptance, or a desire to explore all available options, the following solutions may better cater to your business’s specific needs.

#1 Square

Square stands out as a highly accessible option and provides an extensive range of functionalities. Accompanied by a user-friendly interface that simplifies operations without significant overhead. Square’s pricing model is surprisingly straightforward, providing total transparency into your credit card processing costs.

Square offers businesses a seamless experience, empowering them with a comprehensive set of tools and services to manage their payment processing needs effectively. With Square services, companies can clearly understand their expenses, promoting openness and well-informed decision-making.

Key Features:

• Real-time reporting and analytics for efficient invoice tracking.
• Streamlined inventory management with automatic daily stock updates.
• Seamless integration of payment processing through the Square API.
• Robust capabilities for employee management, email marketing, and customer profiles.

Pricing Details:

• No monthly fees.
• Charges begin at 2.65% per card-present transaction.
• For Square Invoices or Square Online sales, the cost is 2.9% + 30 cents.
• Manually entered card transactions incur a fee of 3.4% + 15 cents per transaction (Interac chip & PIN or tap sales have an additional charge of 10 cents).

Advantages:

• You can enjoy a free subscription and receive the first chip card reader at no cost.
• Utilize the user-friendly Square Dashboard for effortless inventory management and reporting.
• Access a comprehensive 24/7 support center featuring FAQs, videos, and articles.

Drawbacks:

• Not ideal for high-risk industries seeking payment solutions.
• Some users have reported occasional account stability issues.
• May not match Stripe’s extensive range of available integrations.

#2 Braintree

You’ll find some parallels between Braintree and Stripe when you contrast them, like their developer-centric approach to payment processing and support for global markets. The main distinction is that whereas Stripe serves as a third-party processor, Braintree offers merchant accounts.

Given this distinction, companies have greater control over how their payments are processed and may create custom solutions that are especially suited to their unique operational requirements.

Key Features:

• Easily create a fully functional checkout page with minimal code, or customize the UI to match your brand.
• Seamlessly integrate with PayPal to accept in-person payments.
• Support for multiple payment types with a user-friendly system.
• Exceptional integrations, particularly with BigCommerce.
• Enable credit card payments without the need for PCI compliance.

Pricing Details:

• Braintree operates on a pay-as-you-go model with no monthly fees.
• The standard rate for card or digital wallet transactions is 2.9% plus 30 cents.
• ACH deposits incur a fee of 0.75% per transaction, while PayPal payments, including PayPal Credit, are fee-free.
• Verified charitable organizations (501(c)) can benefit from discounted rates.

Advantages:

• User-friendly customer portal with seamless integration with PayPal credentials.
• Great customer service team that swiftly resolves issues.
• Ability to void transactions before they result in refunds.

Drawbacks:

• Imperfect subscription management platform for SaaS businesses.
• Lack of API access for discount and plan creation.
• Configuration challenges when it comes to charge details in customer bank statements.

#3 Adyen

Adyen shares striking similarities with Stripe, particularly in its expansive global coverage and comprehensive support for localized payment methods in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and North and South America. What sets Adyen apart is its unique ability to facilitate PayPal transactions, a feature not commonly found among non-PayPal-owned companies.

The platform boasts a notable lineup of supported partners and integrations, although it’s worth noting that many of them cater primarily to large-scale enterprises.

Key Features:

• Streamlined payment acceptance, revenue protection, and financial control.
• Multi-channel journeys with embedded payments in marketplaces.
• In-person payments with terminals and devices.
• Revenue optimization with boosted authorization rates and conversions.
• Enhanced payment experience through smart authentication.

Pricing Details:

• Adyen adopts a quote-based model, encompassing interchange fees, processing fees, and payment method fees per transaction.
• eCommerce transaction fees start at Interchange + 0.6% + $0.12 per transaction.

Advantages:

• Quick onboarding and global connectivity.
• Local payment methods for international clients.
• Seamless refunds to customer credit cards.

Drawbacks:

• Potentially slow and unresponsive tech support.
• Challenges in integration for developers.
• Limited availability for new businesses and marketplaces without prior payment processing experience.

#4 Authorize.Net

Unlike the other options mentioned, Authorize.Net functions as a payment gateway, not a payment processor, and can be integrated with various merchant services to expand its capabilities. Yet, it is important to note that Authorize.Net alone does not suffice as a payment processor, and an additional payment processor is required for complete functionality.

Key Features:

• Utilize a versatile virtual terminal for in-person and phone payments.
• Access 13 customizable fraud filters to address top concerns.
• Support various payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and E-check.
• The developer center is equipped with a range of tools, such as APIs, SDKs, and documentation.
• Benefit from a free mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) app for transaction management.

Pricing Details:

• Authorize.net charges a fixed monthly gateway fee of $25.
• Businesses can expect a transaction fee of 2.9% + 30 cents, which is below the industry average.
• Authorize.net relies on third-party resellers for software distribution, resulting in negotiable pricing and potential variations from the rates mentioned here.

Advantages:

• Customize email notifications for individual transactions and end-of-day summaries.
• Seamlessly process online payments with comprehensive reporting capabilities.
• The Address Verification System effectively caters to online customers’ needs.

Drawbacks:

• The admin homepage can feel cluttered and may not provide a comfortable and user-friendly experience.
• Limited data portability may pose challenges for certain users.
• The acquisition of a merchant account through a third party is required.

#5 2Checkout

2Checkout stands out as a simpler alternative to set up than other processor/gateway combos, such as Stripe. It features outstanding support for card-not-present (CNP) transactions and eCommerce page optimization.

A/B testing, worldwide tax support, subscription and bank account management, conversion rate optimization, and fraud prevention are just a few of the outstanding features that 2Checkout offers to help businesses make the most of their online operations.

Key Features:

• Enhance your e-commerce pages through A/B testing, global tax management, and subscription control.
• Enjoy recurring billing options with customizable checkout features.
• Access a vast coverage of over 200 countries and utilize more than 45 diverse payment methods.
• Communicate with customers in 30 languages and display billing in 100 different currencies.
• Manage global sales tax, VAT compliance, and fraud monitoring effortlessly.

Pricing Details:

*There are three plans available, each tailored to specific business needs. No credit card is required upfront, and you only pay when you start making sales.

The three plans are as follows:

1. 2Sell. The easiest package for global selling. This plan offers access to recurring billing, commerce in 200 countries, and integration with over 120 shopping carts. The rate for successful sales is 3.5% + $0.35 per transaction.
2. 2Subscribe. Designed to boost subscription-based businesses. This plan includes all features of the 2SELL plan, along with additional benefits such as renewals, upgrades, analytics, and subscription management. The rate for successful sales is 4.5% + $0.45 per transaction.
3. 2Monetize. An all-inclusive plan perfect for businesses selling digital goods worldwide. In addition to the features provided in the 2SUBSCRIBE package, this plan offers global tax and regulatory compliance, invoice management, and access to over 45 payment methods. The rate for successful sales is 6.0% + $0.60 per transaction.

Advantages:

• Simplified user experience with adherence to PCI data security standards.
• Integration capabilities that enable multiple functions within a single platform.
• Admin panel with a wide range of checkout options.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to process card-present transactions.
• Lengthy approval process with extensive documentation requirements.
• Challenges observed in WooCommerce integration.

Bottom Line

Choosing the optimal payment solution for your business can be a challenging task. Amidst the array of options available, including Stripe and its competitors, it is evident that Stripe excels as an online payment solution, particularly for larger enterprises. It can be the best option because of its outstanding customization options, development tools, and other features.

Nevertheless, if you believe there is another solution better suited to your business, including the alternatives we have explored,it makes sense to investigate their services, particularly if you can test the service without paying a monthly subscription. Given the intricacies of payment processing and these solutions, we recommend creating a list of your essential requirements for a merchant service provider. Spend the time and effort you need comparing alternative solutions against this list, doing extensive research, posing pertinent questions, and testing numerous platforms until you find the best possibilities for your company.

If you want to make your life easier, reach out to DashDevs and discover how our expertise and tailored payment services can enhance your payment processing capabilities. Don’t settle for less when it comes to your business’s financial operations. Partner with DashDevs and unlock new possibilities for success!