GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS AFFORDABLY AND WORRY FREE WITH FULLY MANAGED WEBSITES AND ADS
GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS AFFORDABLY AND WORRY FREE WITH FULLY MANAGED WEBSITES AND ADS
Choosing the right payment gateway is an important decision for any small business. Different providers offer different pricing models, payment methods, integrations, and features, so the best option depends on how your business operates and how you accept payments.
In this guide, we review seven payment gateways and platforms small businesses can consider. We will compare them by business type, payment options, website and POS integration, recurring payments, ease of use, costs, and security.
Before comparing individual providers, it helps to understand what your business actually needs. A payment gateway may offer many features, but you may not need them all. Focus on the features that match how your business sells and collects payments.
Your business model affects the type of payment setup you need. Consider whether you:
The products or services you sell can also affect the features you need. For example:
Choose a gateway that supports the way you actually charge your customers.
Your customers may prefer different ways to pay. Before choosing a provider, check whether it supports the methods your customers are most likely to use, such as:
Your payment gateway should work with the tools you already use. Check whether it integrates with your:
A gateway may have great features on its own, but those features will be less useful if the system does not work well with your existing software.
The advertised transaction rate is only one part of what you may pay. Before choosing a provider, look at:
Looking at the total cost gives you a better idea of what the payment gateway will actually cost your business. This is more useful than choosing a provider based only on its advertised transaction rate.
There is no universal winner here. Each provider has a different focus, so the right option depends on what your business needs.
Stripe is a strong option for businesses that sell online and want control over how payments work on their website or application. Stripe provides tools and APIs that developers can use to build customized payment experiences.
Stripe can be a good fit for:
Stripe supports common card payments and a range of other payment methods, including digital wallets and bank-based payment options. The exact methods available can depend on the country and the customer’s location. It also supports recurring payments, which can be useful for memberships, subscriptions, and other businesses that charge customers regularly.
Website integration is one of Stripe’s major strengths. A business can use ready-made checkout options or work with a developer to create a more customized payment experience. Stripe also offers integrations with many ecommerce and business platforms. This is useful when a business wants its payment process to be part of its existing website rather than sending customers elsewhere to pay.
Stripe is not limited to online payments. Its tools can also support in-person payments through compatible hardware and integrations. However, businesses that depend heavily on a traditional physical-store POS may want to compare Stripe with providers that have a stronger retail focus.
Stripe uses transaction-based pricing for many standard payment services, although the actual cost depends on the payment method, country, and other factors. Setting up a basic payment flow can be relatively straightforward, but more advanced customization may require technical knowledge.
Stripe provides security and fraud-prevention tools and supports the security requirements involved in card payments. For a small business, this can reduce much of the work of building a secure online payment process from scratch.
Stripe can become more complicated when a business wants deep customization. A business without technical resources may find a simpler platform easier to manage.
Square is designed around businesses that want to accept payments both in person and online. That makes it especially relevant for businesses with a physical location that are also building an online presence.
Square can be useful for:
Square supports card payments and other payment methods through its payment tools. Depending on the setup, businesses can accept payments through card readers, online checkout, invoices, and other Square services.
This is where Square stands out. A small business can use Square’s POS tools along with compatible payment hardware. The same business can also use Square’s online tools for ecommerce and other digital payments. For a business that wants its physical and online sales to work within one broader system, this can simplify day-to-day management.
Square offers online selling tools and integrations that allow businesses to accept payments through websites and online stores. A business without a complicated ecommerce setup may find this easier than building a fully customized payment system.
Square also offers tools related to inventory, employee management, appointments, invoices, and other business functions. This can be useful for a small business that wants several operations in one platform.
Square generally focuses on simple, transaction-based pricing for many of its services. Costs can vary depending on whether the payment is made online, in person, manually entered, or through another method.
Its hardware and software are designed with small businesses in mind, so businesses with limited technical knowledge may find the setup easier than a highly customizable platform.
Square provides payment security and fraud-management features as part of its payment services.
A business that needs highly customized payment workflows may find Square less flexible than a developer-focused provider such as Stripe.
PayPal is one of the most recognizable names in online payments. It can be useful for small businesses that want a familiar payment option for online customers. Instead of building a completely custom payment system, a business can add PayPal payment options to its online checkout.
PayPal can suit:
PayPal supports payments through PayPal accounts and, depending on the product and market, card and other payment options. Offering PayPal can also help businesses serve customers who already prefer using the PayPal wallet.
PayPal offers checkout tools and integrations for ecommerce websites. For a small business that wants to add PayPal without building a complicated payment system, these tools can simplify the process.
PayPal also offers business tools that can help businesses request payments and send invoices. This can be useful for service businesses that do not need a full online store.
PayPal’s fees depend on the transaction type, country, payment method, and business account setup. Businesses should therefore check the fees that apply to their specific transactions rather than assuming one standard rate applies everywhere.
PayPal provides security and fraud-management features designed to protect online payments. Its widespread use can also make the payment process familiar to customers who already use the service.
Businesses with high transaction volumes or more complex payment requirements should compare PayPal’s total costs and features with other providers before deciding.
Braintree is a payment platform owned by PayPal. It targets businesses that want greater control over their online payment experience. It supports multiple payment methods and integrates with websites and applications.
Braintree can be worth considering for:
Braintree supports cards and PayPal, along with other payment options depending on the market and account setup. It also supports recurring billing, making it relevant for businesses that charge customers regularly.
Braintree provides developer tools and APIs for businesses that want to build payment functionality into a website or application. This gives businesses more control over the checkout experience than a simple hosted payment button.
Recurring billing can be particularly useful for subscriptions, memberships, and other services that charge customers repeatedly. Businesses should still compare the recurring-payment features and costs with their specific billing requirements before choosing a provider.
Braintree generally charges transaction fees based on the payment method and transaction type. Additional costs can apply in certain situations. Because pricing can change by market and payment method, businesses should review the provider’s current pricing for their location.
Braintree provides tools to protect payment information and manage fraud risks. It also supports tokenization, which allows businesses to work with stored payment information without keeping sensitive card details directly in their own systems.
Braintree can be more suitable for businesses with some technical support available. A very small business looking for a simple all-in-one POS may find another platform easier to manage.
Helcim focuses on payment processing for small and growing businesses and is known for putting more emphasis on transparent processing costs. It supports both online and in-person payment acceptance.
Helcim may be worth considering for:
Helcim supports card payments and provides tools for invoices, payment links, virtual terminals, and in-person payments. This gives a small business several ways to collect money without needing a completely separate system for every payment situation.
Businesses can use Helcim’s online payment tools and integrations to accept payments through websites and other digital channels. It can also help businesses send invoices or payment requests instead of selling through a traditional ecommerce store.
Helcim offers payment hardware for businesses that need to accept cards in person. This makes it more flexible than a provider focused only on online checkout.
Helcim uses an interchange-plus pricing model in many of its payment services. Under this model, the underlying card-network costs and the provider’s markup are shown separately. That can make it easier for businesses to understand where their processing costs come from. However, whether this model costs less depends on the business’s transaction volume, card mix, and other factors.
Helcim provides security features for card payments and handles many of the technical requirements involved in payment processing.
Businesses outside the markets Helcim serves may need to look at other providers. Availability and payment features can also vary by location.
Your payment gateway is only one part of your online setup. Your website also needs to make it easy for customers to find your business, understand what you offer, and take the next step. With the Ellipsis Marketing Website Program, you get standard website features included from the start, along with optional add-ons you can choose based on your business needs. You do not have to pay for features you do not need. Whether you need a simple website or additional features as your business grows, the program gives you a flexible way to build and maintain your online presence.
Explore the Ellipsis Marketing Website Program and see which features fit your business.
The best payment gateway is not necessarily the one with the lowest advertised transaction fee or the biggest name. Start with the way your business actually operates. The right payment gateway should make accepting payments easier and work with the tools you already use. Your website, advertising, and other marketing tools also need to work together as your business grows. That is where Ellipsis Marketing can help.
From Websites to Ads, and even print mailers, our programs are designed to accelerate your business with speed and agility. We offer worry-free websites and ad programs with low monthly costs, no setup fees, and active updates to keep your business growing.
