Top alternatives to Paypal for your business in 2025
Businesses are always looking for more cost-effective and secure payment processing solutions. While PayPal has long been a staple for online transactions, the evolution of consumer preferences, changes in the marketplace, and the rise of new technologies combine to result in businesses often requiring more than just one option to stay competitive.
Whether you’re looking for lower transaction fees, better customer support or more attractive international opportunities, there are a number of alternatives which can offer what PayPal is unable to do. In this article, we analyse some of the top payment platforms to consider in 2025, helping you find the best fit for your business needs and ensuring smooth, seamless transactions as you expand and grow in the new year.
1. Stripe – for an easy integration
Stripe is one of the most popular alternatives to PayPal, especially for businesses focused on the latest technology and e-commerce. It offers several payment processing tools, including customizable payment gateways, subscriptions, and a variety of other business solutions. Stripe is also known, especially among developers, for its simple integration process with websites and mobile apps.
Stripe profile:
- Supports payments in over 40 countries and can handle transactions in more than 135 currencies.
- Stripe’s API and pre-built solutions allow developers to create custom payment experiences tailored to specific business needs.
- From startups to large enterprises, Stripe provides scalability, offering everything from simple payment links to complex subscription management tools.
- Stripe charges a flat fee of 2.9% + 30¢ per successful transaction in the U.S., and there are no setup fees or monthly fees.
It is recommended for E-commerce businesses, subscription services, SaaS companies, and businesses that need a customizable payment solution.
2. Square – a good choice for brick-and-mortar retailers
Square has long been recognized for its point-of-sale (POS) systems, making it a top choice for brick-and-mortar retailers, restaurants, and service-based businesses. This option offers a comprehensive suite of tools that include online payment processing, invoicing, and business management features.
Square profile:
- Square’s POS systems are widely regarded as some of the best in the industry for physical stores, with an intuitive interface and features like inventory management, sales reports, and employee tracking.
- It does not charge monthly fees for its basic POS system, which is a big plus for businesses with tight margins. Transaction fees are competitive, with a 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction fee for in-person payments and 2.9% + 30¢ for online payments.
- Beyond payments, Square offers invoicing, payroll, appointment scheduling, and financing for small businesses.
- Integrates with various e-commerce platforms like WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Wix, making it easy for businesses with both online and offline sales.
It is a good choice for small to medium-sized retail businesses, restaurants, service-based companies, and businesses that need both online and offline payment solutions.
3. Adyen – for Multinational Businesses
Adyen is a payment processor that has gained prominence in recent years, particularly for large multinational companies. It provides a unified platform for managing payments across all channels—whether online, in-store, or mobile. Adyen supports over 250 payment methods, making it a good choice for global businesses.
Adyen profile:
- Enables businesses to process payments across different sales channels, including online, mobile, and in-store.
- Supports payments in over 150 currencies and offers a wide array of local payment methods, making it ideal for businesses with a global presence.
- Adyen’s platform includes advanced reporting tools and fraud prevention features to give businesses better visibility and control over their transactions.
- Allows businesses to tailor the payment experience, making it a flexible solution for companies with specific needs.
It is recommended for businesses with international operations, e-commerce platforms, and companies requiring multi-channel payment processing.
4. Braintree – A PayPal-Owned Solution
Braintree, owned by PayPal, provides an excellent alternative for businesses that require more flexibility than PayPal’s standard offerings. While it offers similar features to PayPal, Braintree is known for its focus on helping businesses scale internationally and offering enhanced payment customisation options.
Braintree profile:
- Supports payments in over 130 currencies and multiple payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, and even local payment systems.
- Offers robust fraud prevention tools, helping businesses safeguard against chargebacks and fraudulent transactions.
- Braintree’s API allows businesses to fully customize their payment experience to suit their needs.
- Integrates with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento, as well as mobile apps and marketplaces.
It is a good option for E-commerce businesses, startups, and businesses that need a customizable payment gateway with international reach.
5. Wise (also called TransferWise) – Low-Cost International Payments
Wise is primarily known for offering cheap, fast international money transfers, but it has also expanded its offerings to include payment processing services for businesses. With Wise, businesses can manage multi-currency accounts, make international payments, and send invoices with competitive exchange rates and minimal fees.
Wise profile:
- Provides some of the best exchange rates and lowest fees for international transactions, which is a major advantage for businesses that regularly deal with cross-border payments.
- Businesses can hold and manage multiple currencies, making it easier to avoid costly currency conversions.
- Unlike traditional banks, Wise offers fully transparent pricing with no hidden fees, which can result in significant savings for businesses.
- Transfers through Wise typically happen within a few hours, ensuring faster cash flow for businesses.
It is suitable for businesses that operate internationally, especially those that deal with frequent cross-border transactions or need to make payments in multiple currencies.
6. Venmo – A Popular Choice for Small Transactions
Venmo, another PayPal-owned company, has become increasingly popular for peer-to-peer (P2P) payments and small business transactions. While it’s best known as a personal payment app, many small businesses and freelancers use Venmo for quick payments and easy money transfers.
Venmo profile:
- Offers an easy-to-use mobile app that makes it simple for businesses to accept payments directly from customers.
- Charges a 1.9% + 10¢ fee for credit card payments, which is lower than PayPal’s typical fees for similar transactions.
- Many customers are already familiar with Venmo, making it a convenient and popular choice for businesses targeting millennial and Gen Z consumers.
- It is a good choice for businesses with a strong consumer base that need to handle small, personal payments.
It is a good option for small businesses, freelancers, and service-based businesses that handle smaller transactions or cater to younger audiences.
7. Authorize.Net – A Time-Tested Payment Processor
Authorize.Net has been around since 1996, and remains one of the trusted and widely used payment processors for businesses of all sizes. It provides a full range of payment services, including credit card processing, recurring billing, and fraud protection.
Authorise.Net profile:
- As one of the oldest payment gateways, Authorize.Net is known for its reliability and strong customer support.
- Offers a wide range of solutions, including online payments, mobile payments, and recurring billing, making it ideal for businesses in various industries.
- Authorize.Net has built-in fraud prevention tools to help protect businesses from chargebacks and fraud.
- While it charges a monthly fee, its pricing is straightforward and easy to understand.
It is a good choice for small to medium-sized businesses, particularly those that need a reliable and comprehensive payment gateway.
What to Consider When Choosing Alternatives to PayPal for Your Business
There are several key factors to keep in mind when choosing alternatives to PayPal. Be Wary of “Fee-Free” Claims.
While upfront fees might seem nonexistent, these services may still charge hidden fees by offering unfavourable exchange rates.
Check exchange rates before committing to a service. While some providers list their fees clearly, exchange rates can have a big impact on the cost of your transfer. Always compare the rate you’re offered to the mid-market rate (the rate banks use for global trades), which can be easily found through a quick Google search or a currency converter. Many services profit by offering a less favourable exchange rate, so using the mid-market rate as a benchmark can help you avoid overpaying.
Bottom line
Choosing a good alternative to Paypal is important, especially if you’re dealing with international transactions. Getting it wrong can quickly add up in fees and hidden costs. Look for alternatives that offer low fees, good exchange rates, and a seamless experience for both you and your customers.
Whether you need an easy-to-integrate solution like Stripe, a global payment processor like Adyen, or a low-cost international option like Wise, the variety of payment platforms available today ensures you will find the right solution.
When evaluating alternatives to PayPal , consider factors such as transaction fees, international support, the options for personalisation, and the specific requirements of your business model.
If you’re on the point of choosing the right alternative to PayPal for your business, but you’re still in doubt, contact our experts. Book a free consultation with us!
Check our latest article How to Restore My Stripe Bank Account? for more valuable insights on similar topics.
Disclaimer
Widelia and its affiliates do not provide tax, investment, legal or accounting advice. Material on this page has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, investment, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction. Please consult https://widelia.com/disclaimer/ for more information.
