7 Best Alternatives to PayPal for Payments in 2026

Why look beyond PayPal

PayPal has established itself as a widely recognized payment processor since its founding in 1998, offering solutions for online, in-person, and recurring payments. Its broad acceptance and consumer familiarity can simplify checkout processes for many businesses. However, specific operational requirements or strategic objectives may lead organizations to explore alternatives.

Factors prompting this exploration include fee structures, which, while transparent for standard transactions, may not align with high-volume or specific international business models. Businesses might also seek platforms with more extensive customization options for their checkout flows or a deeper suite of developer tools and APIs to integrate payment processing more seamlessly into proprietary systems. Some alternatives offer more specialized fraud prevention tools or cater to specific industry verticals, such as marketplaces or subscription services, with tailored features. Additionally, the desire for a consolidated platform that handles both online and in-person payments with unified reporting can motivate a search for a different provider.

Top alternatives ranked

1. 1. Stripe — Comprehensive payment infrastructure for internet businesses

   Stripe provides a suite of APIs and tools for online payment processing, designed for developers and businesses of all sizes. Founded in 2009, Stripe supports a wide range of payment methods, including credit and debit cards, mobile wallets, and international options. Its platform includes features for recurring billing, marketplace management, fraud prevention, and financial reporting. Stripe's developer-centric approach offers extensive documentation and SDKs for multiple programming languages, facilitating integration into custom applications and e-commerce platforms. The platform is also known for its transparent, pay-as-you-go pricing model with volume discounts available for larger businesses.

   • Best for: Online businesses, SaaS platforms, marketplaces, and developers seeking extensive API control and customization.

   Learn more on the Stripe official documentation.

2. 2. Square — Integrated solutions for in-person and online commerce

   Square offers a comprehensive ecosystem of payment processing and business management tools, particularly strong for businesses with a physical presence. Established in 2009, Square provides point-of-sale (POS) hardware and software, online store builders, invoicing, and payroll services. Its payment processing handles credit card transactions both in-person and online, with flat-rate pricing that simplifies cost calculations for many small and medium-sized businesses. Square's platform is designed for ease of use, enabling quick setup for new businesses, and offers developer tools for custom integrations, although its primary strength lies in its integrated hardware and software solutions for retail and service industries.

   • Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses, retail stores, restaurants, service providers, and businesses requiring integrated POS and online sales.

   Learn more on the Square Developer site.

3. 3. Adyen — Global payment processing for enterprise-level businesses

   Adyen is a global payment platform that provides end-to-end infrastructure for processing payments across online, mobile, and in-store channels. Founded in 2006, Adyen focuses on large enterprises and international businesses, offering direct connections to card schemes and local payment methods worldwide. Its platform is designed to optimize authorization rates, reduce fraud, and simplify reconciliation through a single system. Adyen's developer tools and APIs allow for highly customized integrations, catering to complex business requirements and offering advanced reporting and analytics capabilities. Adyen's pricing is typically tailored for larger volumes, combining processing fees with a per-transaction fee.

   • Best for: Large enterprises, international e-commerce, businesses with complex global payment needs, and those seeking a unified commerce platform.

   Learn more on the Adyen Developers portal.

4. 4. Braintree — Flexible payment gateway for web and mobile apps

   Braintree, a PayPal service, operates as a distinct payment gateway offering advanced customization and developer-friendly tools for web and mobile applications. Founded in 2007, Braintree supports a wide array of payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, Venmo, and digital wallets. It is known for its robust SDKs and APIs, which provide developers with granular control over the checkout experience and backend integrations. Braintree also offers features like recurring billing, marketplace solutions, and advanced fraud protection tools. While part of PayPal, Braintree targets businesses that require more control and flexibility in their payment processing setup than standard PayPal Checkout offers.

   • Best for: Mobile apps, SaaS companies, marketplaces, and businesses requiring highly customizable payment integrations.

   Learn more on the Braintree developer documentation.

5. 5. Checkout.com — Cloud-based payment processing for global commerce

   Checkout.com provides a cloud-based payment platform designed for businesses operating at scale, emphasizing global reach and performance. Established in 2012, it offers direct connections to card networks and local payment methods across numerous countries, aiming to optimize authorization rates and provide granular data insights. The platform supports a variety of payment types, including credit cards, digital wallets, and alternative payment methods. Checkout.com focuses on providing a unified platform for online, in-app, and in-store payments, with advanced fraud management tools and robust reporting. Its API-first approach caters to developers building complex payment flows, and its pricing is typically customized based on transaction volume and specific business needs.

   • Best for: High-volume e-commerce, global businesses, fintech companies, and enterprises seeking a highly performant and customizable payment infrastructure.

   Learn more on the Checkout.com developer documentation.

6. 6. Apple Pay — Integrated mobile and web payment solution for Apple users

   Apple Pay is a mobile payment and digital wallet service by Apple Inc. that allows users to make payments using compatible Apple devices. Launched in 2014, it integrates with various payment processors and banks, enabling secure transactions in apps, on the web, and in physical stores. For businesses, implementing Apple Pay provides a streamlined checkout experience for a significant user base, often resulting in higher conversion rates due to its convenience and security features like Face ID or Touch ID authentication. Businesses can integrate Apple Pay through supported payment gateways or directly via the Apple Pay API, making it a valuable addition for enhancing the mobile and online checkout process.

   • Best for: Businesses targeting Apple device users, enhancing mobile and web checkout convenience, and improving conversion rates through a trusted payment method.

   Learn more on the Apple Pay developer documentation.

7. 7. Google Pay — Secure digital wallet and payment platform for Android and web

   Google Pay is a digital wallet platform and online payment system developed by Google to power in-app, online, and in-person contactless purchases on mobile devices. Introduced in 2015 (as Android Pay), it allows users to make payments quickly and securely using their Android phones, smartwatches, or through web browsers. For merchants, integrating Google Pay offers a fast and frictionless checkout experience for Android users and across various websites. It leverages existing credit and debit card information stored in Google accounts, reducing manual entry and potential errors. Businesses can integrate Google Pay through several payment processors or directly using Google's APIs to cater to a broad base of Android and web users.

   • Best for: Businesses targeting Android device users, enhancing mobile and web checkout convenience, and improving conversion rates through a widely adopted payment method.

   Learn more on the Google Pay API documentation.

Side-by-side

How to pick

Selecting a PayPal alternative involves evaluating several factors based on your business model, technical capabilities, and strategic goals.

1. Assess your primary payment needs:

   • If your business is primarily online and requires extensive customization, developer-friendly APIs, and support for subscriptions, Stripe or Braintree may be suitable. Stripe is particularly strong for SaaS and marketplace models due to its comprehensive API set.
   • For businesses with a significant physical presence, such as retail stores or restaurants, and a need for integrated hardware and software, Square offers a complete ecosystem including POS systems, inventory management, and online store capabilities.
   • Large enterprises with global operations and complex payment flows, especially those requiring direct acquiring and advanced fraud prevention, should consider Adyen or Checkout.com for their unified commerce platforms and extensive international reach.

2. Consider your technical resources and integration requirements:

   • If you have a dedicated development team and require granular control over the payment experience, platforms like Stripe, Adyen, Braintree, or Checkout.com offer robust APIs and SDKs for deep integration.
   • For simpler integrations or businesses with limited development resources, solutions like Square (especially with its pre-built commerce tools) or integrating Apple Pay and Google Pay through an existing gateway can provide a quicker path to accepting payments.

3. Evaluate pricing models and processing fees:

   • Review the transaction fees, monthly fees, and any additional charges (e.g., for chargebacks, international transactions). While PayPal and Square often have straightforward percentage-plus-fixed-fee models, platforms like Adyen and Checkout.com typically offer custom pricing based on volume, which can be more cost-effective for high-volume merchants.
   • Factor in potential savings from features like enhanced fraud prevention or optimized authorization rates, which can indirectly reduce costs.

4. Examine international capabilities and supported payment methods:

   • If you operate globally or plan to expand internationally, platforms with extensive local payment method support and multi-currency processing, such as Adyen, Stripe, or Checkout.com, are crucial.
   • Consider the geographic regions where your customers are located and ensure the chosen alternative supports their preferred payment methods and currencies.

5. Assess fraud prevention and security features:

   • All reputable payment processors adhere to PCI DSS compliance. However, evaluate the advanced fraud detection tools, chargeback management services, and dispute resolution processes offered by each alternative. Platforms like Adyen and Stripe provide sophisticated machine learning-driven fraud prevention.