7 Best Alternatives to Stripe for Payments in 2026

Why look beyond Stripe

Stripe is a widely adopted payment processing platform known for its developer-friendly APIs and comprehensive suite of financial tools, particularly for SaaS and subscription-based businesses. However, specific scenarios may warrant exploring alternatives. Pricing structures, while competitive for standard transactions, can become a consideration for businesses with high volume or unique transaction profiles, where other providers might offer more tailored rates or fee models. For businesses operating with specific local payment methods or in regions where Stripe's coverage might be less extensive, an alternative with stronger regional presence or specialized local payment options could be more advantageous.

Furthermore, businesses with highly specialized needs, such as complex marketplace payout structures, specific fraud prevention requirements, or a preference for a single vendor across both online and in-person payments, might find that certain alternatives offer a more integrated or bespoke solution. While Stripe offers many integrations, some platforms provide deeper native connections with specific e-commerce platforms or accounting software. Evaluating alternatives allows businesses to find a payment partner that aligns precisely with their operational model, cost structure, and geographic market focus.

Top alternatives ranked

1. 1. PayPal — Comprehensive payment solutions for diverse business needs

   PayPal offers a broad array of payment solutions, extending beyond its consumer-facing wallet to include robust developer tools for businesses. Its Braintree gateway, a PayPal service, provides advanced payment processing features for online and mobile payments, supporting various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, digital wallets, and local payment options. PayPal's extensive global reach makes it suitable for businesses with an international customer base, offering localized payment experiences and multi-currency support. Developers can integrate PayPal's APIs for custom checkout flows, recurring billing, and marketplace payouts. Its platform is designed to handle diverse transaction volumes and business models, from small businesses to large enterprises.

   Best for: Businesses needing extensive global payment coverage, a wide range of payment methods, and established brand recognition for customer trust.

   Learn more on the PayPal profile page or visit the official PayPal Developer documentation.

2. 2. Adyen — Unified commerce platform for global enterprises

   Adyen positions itself as a unified commerce platform, offering a single solution for online, mobile, and in-store payments. It's particularly strong for large enterprises and global businesses that require sophisticated payment routing, advanced risk management, and comprehensive reporting across all sales channels. Adyen supports a vast array of local payment methods worldwide, which is crucial for international expansion. Its API-first approach provides developers with granular control over the payment experience, enabling highly customized integrations. Adyen's focus on a single platform for all payment needs simplifies reconciliation and provides a holistic view of customer transactions, making it a powerful tool for complex, multi-channel operations.

   Best for: Large enterprises, global retailers, and businesses requiring a unified payment platform for online and in-person transactions with extensive international payment method support.

   Learn more on the Adyen profile page or visit the official Adyen documentation.

3. 3. Square — Integrated solutions for small businesses and hybrid models

   Square is well-known for its point-of-sale (POS) hardware and software, making it a strong contender for businesses with both online and in-person sales. Beyond POS, Square offers a comprehensive developer platform that includes APIs for online payments, e-commerce, invoicing, and payroll. This integrated approach allows businesses to manage sales, inventory, and customer data from a single ecosystem. Square's payment processing is straightforward, with transparent pricing, making it attractive for small to medium-sized businesses, especially those in retail, food service, and professional services. Its developer tools facilitate custom integrations for online stores, mobile apps, and booking systems, offering flexibility for various business models.

   Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses, brick-and-mortar stores expanding online, and businesses seeking an integrated solution for both online and in-person payments.

   Learn more on the Square profile page or visit the official Square Developer documentation.

4. 4. Shopify Admin API — E-commerce-focused payment orchestration

   While not a direct payment gateway in the same vein as Stripe, the Shopify Admin API provides robust tools for managing e-commerce operations, including payment-related functionalities when building on the Shopify platform. For businesses primarily focused on online retail, integrating with Shopify Payments (Shopify's native payment gateway) or third-party gateways through Shopify offers a streamlined experience. The Admin API allows developers to automate order processing, manage refunds, capture payments, and interact with subscription apps directly within the Shopify ecosystem. It's an ideal alternative for merchants who want a fully integrated e-commerce platform that handles product, customer, and payment management cohesively.

   Best for: E-commerce businesses built on Shopify that require deep integration with their store's operations, including payment management, order fulfillment, and customer data.

   Learn more on the Shopify Admin API profile page or visit the official Shopify Admin API documentation.

5. 5. Braintree — Advanced payment gateway for custom integrations

   Braintree, a PayPal service, is a payment gateway designed for developers who need highly customizable payment solutions. It supports a wide range of payment methods, including credit and debit cards, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and various local payment options. Braintree is known for its flexibility, allowing businesses to create bespoke checkout experiences and integrate seamlessly with complex applications. Its features include recurring billing, marketplace payouts, and advanced fraud protection tools. Braintree is particularly suited for businesses that require granular control over their payment flows and operate at scale, often serving marketplaces, on-demand services, and subscription businesses.

   Best for: Developers and businesses requiring extensive customization of their payment flows, support for diverse payment methods, and advanced features like marketplace payouts and recurring billing.

   Learn more on the Braintree profile page or visit the official Braintree documentation.

6. 6. Twilio — Enhancing payment security and communication

   While not a direct payment processor, Twilio offers critical services that complement payment operations, particularly in security and customer communication. For instance, Twilio's API can be used for two-factor authentication (2FA) via SMS or voice, adding an essential layer of security to payment transactions and account access. It also enables businesses to send transactional notifications, such as payment confirmations, shipping updates, or failed payment alerts, directly to customers. For businesses that need to secure their payment flows and ensure reliable communication around financial transactions, Twilio provides the underlying infrastructure to build these capabilities, enhancing the overall payment experience and reducing fraud risk.

   Best for: Businesses looking to enhance payment security with multi-factor authentication and improve customer communication around payment events and account activity.

   Learn more on the Twilio profile page or visit the official Twilio documentation.

7. 7. Auth0 — Secure identity management for payment platforms

   Similar to Twilio, Auth0 is not a payment gateway but plays a crucial role in securing access to payment platforms and customer accounts. As an identity provider, Auth0 helps businesses implement robust authentication and authorization for their users, which is vital when handling sensitive payment information. It supports various authentication methods, including single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), and social logins, ensuring that only authorized users can access payment-related features or data. For developers building payment-enabled applications, integrating Auth0 streamlines user management, enhances security, and helps meet compliance requirements, indirectly contributing to a more secure payment environment.

   Best for: Companies needing secure and flexible identity management, authentication, and authorization for their payment-enabled applications and customer portals.

   Learn more on the Auth0 profile page or visit the official Auth0 documentation.

Side-by-side

How to pick

Selecting the right payment platform involves evaluating your business model, target audience, and specific technical requirements. Consider these factors when making your decision:

• Business Model & Scale:
  • If you run a SaaS business with recurring subscriptions or a complex marketplace, a platform like PayPal (Braintree) or Adyen might offer more robust features for managing recurring billing and payouts than basic processors.
  • For small businesses with both online and physical stores, Square provides an integrated POS and online payment solution that simplifies operations.
  • E-commerce merchants exclusively on Shopify will find the Shopify Admin API crucial for deep integration and automation within their existing ecosystem.
• Geographic Reach & Payment Methods:
  • If your customer base is global or you plan to expand internationally, Adyen and PayPal (Braintree) offer the broadest support for local payment methods and currencies, which can significantly improve conversion rates in different regions.
  • Evaluate if the alternative supports the specific credit cards, digital wallets (e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo), and local bank transfers popular in your target markets.
• Pricing Structure:
  • Compare transaction fees, monthly fees, dispute fees, and payout fees. Some platforms offer volume discounts or custom pricing for large businesses.
  • Consider if a flat-rate per-transaction fee (common with Square) or a tiered pricing model better suits your transaction volume and average transaction value.
• Developer Experience & Customization:
  • If you require extensive control over the checkout flow, custom integrations, or have a dedicated development team, platforms with strong API documentation and SDKs like PayPal (Braintree) and Adyen are beneficial.
  • For enhancing security or communication around payments, integrating specialized APIs like Twilio for 2FA or Auth0 for identity management can be crucial, rather than relying solely on a payment processor's built-in features.
• Integration with Existing Systems:
  • Assess how well the alternative integrates with your existing e-commerce platform, CRM, accounting software, or ERP system. Pre-built integrations can save significant development time.
  • For instance, if your business is deeply embedded in the Shopify ecosystem, leveraging the Shopify Admin API for payment-related operations is a natural fit.
• Fraud Prevention & Security:
  • Evaluate the built-in fraud detection tools, chargeback protection, and compliance certifications (e.g., PCI DSS compliance).
  • Consider supplementing your payment processor with dedicated security tools like Twilio for authentication or Auth0 for user identity management to create a more robust security posture around your payment flows.