Finding the right online payment system is crucial for any business, but Stripe isn’t the only player in the game. Whether you’re a small startup, a mobile service provider, or an established e-commerce store, different needs call for different solutions. The ideal platform should align with your sales volume, business model, and technical requirements.
This roundup explores a variety of powerful alternatives that offer unique features, from simple card readers for on-the-go sales to sophisticated smart terminals for in-store transactions. We’ve compiled a list of ten excellent options to help you compare functionality, fee structures, and hardware compatibility, ensuring you find the perfect payment partner to help your business thrive and grow seamlessly.
Our Recommended Online Payment Systems
- Bedsure Duvet Insert King Size
- Litanika Mineral Blue Bed Comforter Set
- LifeTB Full Comforter Set Blue Grey
- Superior Reversible Down Alternative Polyfill Blanket
- SLEEPBELLA Comforter Queen Size
- Square Reader for contactless and chip
- Square Reader for magstripe (USB-C)
- Clover Go Contactless Reader
- Poynt POS Smart Terminal
- SumUp Plus Card Reader
Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd Generation)
The Square Reader for contactless and chip is a versatile tool for businesses that need to accept payments anywhere. This compact device allows you to process tap-to-pay, chip card, and digital wallet payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay with improved connectivity and security. Its extended battery life ensures you can process transactions throughout your busiest days without interruption.
You can get started quickly with Square’s easy-to-use and customizable point-of-sale app. The pricing structure is straightforward, with one low rate for every transaction and no long-term contracts or monthly fees. A particularly useful feature is offline payments, which lets you continue accepting payments for up to 24 hours even without an internet connection, ensuring you never miss a sale.
Square Reader for magstripe (USB-C)
For businesses that primarily need to accept magnetic stripe card payments, the Square Reader for magstripe offers a simple and cost-effective solution. This reader connects via USB-C, making it compatible with a wide range of modern devices. Setup is incredibly fast; just download the free Square Point of Sale app, create an account, and you can start processing payments immediately.
This system helps you manage your finances efficiently by getting your money as soon as the next business day. The free Square app also serves as a comprehensive business tool, allowing you to track sales, manage inventory, accept tips, and send digital receipts. With no long-term commitments, it’s an excellent low-risk option for new or small businesses.
Clover Go Contactless Reader
The Clover Go Contactless Reader is a robust mobile payment solution that is EMV and chip-ready. It provides a secure way to accept a variety of payment types while on the move. This reader is designed to work seamlessly with both iOS and Android devices, offering flexibility for different user preferences.
It is important to note that quantities for this specific version may be limited, as orders could be fulfilled with the most current version of the Clover Go. This ensures you receive an up-to-date device with the latest features and security enhancements. The Clover ecosystem is known for its reliability and is a trusted name in the payment processing industry.
Poynt POS Smart Terminal
The Poynt POS Smart Terminal is an all-in-one solution for businesses seeking a more permanent and feature-rich payment setup. This terminal allows you to accept payments quickly and securely, supporting contactless methods for a modern checkout experience. Its stylish design fits well in any retail or hospitality environment.
A key requirement for purchasing this terminal is that a new merchant account must be set up with SwyftPAY prior to shipment. Security is a cornerstone of its design, with every payment being end-to-end encrypted. The terminal is fully PCI DSS and PCI PTS certified, ensuring your customers’ data is protected according to the highest industry standards.
SumUp Plus Card Reader
The SumUp Plus Card Reader is a straightforward and efficient tool for accepting card payments. It is designed for simplicity, allowing businesses to start processing transactions with minimal setup. SumUp is known for its transparent pricing and easy-to-understand fee structure, which appeals to small businesses and solo entrepreneurs.
This reader is part of an ecosystem that helps you manage your business on the go. While the specific features of the Plus model are best confirmed on the product page, SumUp readers generally support key payment types and sync with a user-friendly app for tracking sales and managing your business finances, providing a complete payment solution in a compact device.
Bedsure Duvet Insert King Size
The Bedsure Duvet Insert is a lightweight, king-size comforter designed for summer use or warmer climates. Filled with 150 GSM down alternative fiber, it provides just enough warmth without being heavy or overwhelming. This makes it an extremely comfortable option for a restful night’s sleep and a great choice for college dorm rooms.
This duvet insert features a classic box-stitch design that effectively keeps the filling evenly distributed to prevent clumping or shifting. It also includes eight corner tabs to easily secure a duvet cover and keep the comforter in place. For peace of mind, it is OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified, ensuring it is free from harmful substances.
Litanika Mineral Blue Bed Comforter Set
The Litanika Mineral Blue Bed Comforter Set features a chic colorblock design that combines three colors with classic stripes for a stylish bedroom aesthetic. This two-piece set includes one comforter and one pillowcase, making it a convenient all-in-one bedding solution for a twin or twin XL bed. Its modern look is perfect for enhancing your room’s interior decor.
Despite its lightweight feel, this comforter is filled with a cloud-like down alternative that provides a fluffy and soft experience. It is designed for all-season use, offering the right balance of comfort throughout the year. The comforter is made from premium brushed polyester fabric, which is known for its superior breathability, softness, and durability.
LifeTB Full Comforter Set Blue Grey
The LifeTB Full Comforter Set offers a modern boho style with its geometric blue, grey, and white striped pattern. This three-piece set includes one comforter and two pillow shams, providing a complete look for a full-size bed. The unique design easily coordinates with various home decor styles, adding a touch of sophistication to any bedroom.
Made from premium microfiber and filled with cloud-like fibers, this comforter is super soft and breathable for comfortable sleep in any season. It features hidden solid stitching that improves durability and helps prevent the filling from bunching, even after washing. Please note that the pillow insert is not included and the pattern on the pillow shams may vary.
Superior Reversible Down Alternative Polyfill Blanket
The Superior Reversible Blanket is a Full/Queen size blanket that offers versatile functionality. Its 100% microfiber shell is filled with hypoallergenic down alternative polyfill, making it a great choice for those with allergies. The material provides a subtle softness that is comfortable against the skin for a cozy experience.
This blanket features a reversible design, giving you two distinct looks in one product. One side has smooth tonal stripes, while the other has a matte solid finish. Measuring 88 by 90 inches, it is a perfect fit for a full or queen bed and can be used as an extra layer in winter or as a lighter covering during spring and summer.
SLEEPBELLA Comforter Queen Size
The SLEEPBELLA Comforter Queen Set is a three-piece bedding set that includes one comforter and two pillow shams. The comforter’s outer shell is made from 600 thread count cotton, which helps regulate temperature by feeling warm in chillier weather and cool when it’s warmer. The inner fill is a 250gsm whole piece of microfiber, offering a perfect balance of softness and warmth.
This comforter features a reversible design with a Nordic wide stripe, white, grey, and navy patchwork print on one side and a baby blue shade on the other. The stylish box-stitching helps keep the duvet insert from shifting or clumping, ensuring consistent comfort. It’s important to note that the fringe orientation on the pillow shams may vary between different production batches.
How to Choose the Best Alternatives to Stripe for Online Payment Systems
When I’m looking for the best alternatives to Stripe for online payment systems, the first thing I consider is my business model. Am I a subscription service, an e-commerce store, or a platform that needs to handle payouts to other users? This single question narrows down the field dramatically. For example, a platform like Adyen is built for large, international enterprises, while a service like Gumroad is perfect for individual creators selling digital products. Getting this fit wrong means either paying for features I don’t need or struggling with a system that can’t handle my core operations.
Next, I always dig into the fee structure. It’s not just about the headline transaction percentage. I look for hidden costs like monthly minimums, charges for failed payments, fees for international cards, and the cost of transferring funds to my bank account (payout fees). Some processors offer a flat rate, which is fantastic for predictability, while others use interchange-plus pricing, which can be cheaper for high-volume businesses but is more complex. I make a spreadsheet comparing the total cost based on my average transaction size and monthly volume. This simple exercise has saved me thousands.
The developer experience and ease of integration are huge for me. If I have a technical team, a powerful API like the one from Stripe is a must-have. I look for clear documentation, SDKs for my programming stack, and pre-built UI components. If I’m a solo entrepreneur using Shopify or WooCommerce, I need a solution with a simple plugin that I can install in minutes. I also check what payment methods are supported. In 2024, it’s not just about credit cards. I need to know if the processor supports digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, local payment methods like iDEAL in the Netherlands, or buy-now-pay-later options like Klarna.
Finally, I scrutinize the merchant account relationship. Some payment processors, known as Payment Service Providers (PSPs) like Stripe and PayPal, aggregate all their merchants into one large account. This means faster setup but can lead to sudden account freezes. Others, like traditional merchant account providers, give you your own dedicated account. This often comes with more stability and better customer service for high-risk or high-volume businesses, but the application process is longer. Understanding this difference helps me manage risk and plan for the long-term financial health of my business. Choosing among the best alternatives to Stripe for online payment systems is all about matching their specific strengths to my business’s unique needs and growth stage.
FAQ
Why would I look for an alternative to Stripe in the first place?
Stripe is an excellent tool, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. I might look for an alternative if my business is in an industry that Stripe considers “high-risk,” like CBD, gambling, or travel. Other reasons include needing more personalized customer support, finding Stripe’s fee structure too expensive for my specific transaction volume, or requiring a payment method that Stripe doesn’t support in my region. Sometimes, a simpler, more creator-focused platform is just a better fit for a small operation.
What is the main difference between a Payment Service Provider (PSP) and a traditional merchant account?
This is a fundamental distinction. A Payment Service Provider, like Stripe or PayPal, aggregates thousands of businesses under one master merchant account. This is why you can get started so quickly—you’re essentially a sub-merchant. A traditional merchant account is an account a bank sets up specifically for your business. The PSP model offers ease of use but can sometimes lead to less predictable holds on funds. The merchant account model typically involves a more rigorous application but can offer more stability, customized pricing, and direct support for established businesses.
Are there any good free alternatives to Stripe?
While you’ll be hard-pressed to find a payment processor that doesn’t charge a transaction fee, some platforms have $0 monthly fees. Services like Paypal Zettle or the Square reader often have no monthly cost; you only pay when you make a sale. For online stores, some solutions integrated with platforms like WooCommerce can have low fixed costs, but you’ll still pay card processing fees. The term “free” usually applies to the absence of a monthly subscription, not the cost of processing payments themselves.
How important is it for a payment system to support international sales?
It’s incredibly important if you plan to, or already do, sell to customers in other countries. I look for two key things: multi-currency support and local payment method acceptance. The system should allow me to easily price and accept payments in euros, pounds, yen, etc., and handle the currency conversion smoothly. Even more critical is supporting popular local payment methods. For instance, if I’m selling to customers in Germany, I’d want to support SEPA Direct Debit, and for customers in the Netherlands, iDEAL. Without these, my conversion rates in those countries would suffer.
What should I do if my business is considered “high-risk” by most payment processors?
This is a common challenge for industries like CBD, SaaS, or adult entertainment. If I were in this position, my first step would be to seek out payment processors that specialize in or are openly friendly to high-risk merchants. These providers understand the industry’s nuances and regulatory requirements. They often operate with a traditional merchant account model and their fees will be higher to offset the risk, but they provide a stable, dedicated solution where mainstream PSPs might shut you down without warning. Doing thorough research and being transparent about your business model from the start is key.