Best Payment Gateways for Small Businesses in 2025

In 2025, customer expectations are clear: fast, secure, and frictionless payments. Whether you run an ecommerce store, offer digital services, or operate a brick-and-mortar business with online sales — your payment gateway can make or break the buying experience.

A modern payment gateway must do more than process cards. It should support global currencies, offer fraud protection, and integrate easily with your platforms.

In this guide, we break down the best payment gateways for small businesses in 2025, with a focus on fees, features, ease of use, and regional support.

Why Choosing the Right Payment Gateway Matters

Here’s how the right solution can benefit your business:

• Faster checkout → Higher conversions

• Global payment support → Broader reach

• Transparent fees → Predictable costs

• Built-in compliance → Less legal risk

• Easy integration → Reduced development time

Most importantly, it builds trust with your customers.

1. Stripe

Stripe continues to dominate the online payment space in 2025 with its developer-friendly API and global capabilities.

• Best for: Online stores, SaaS, marketplaces

• Key features:

  • Accepts cards, wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), ACH, Klarna, crypto

  • Subscription billing and invoicing

  • Fraud detection with Stripe Radar

  • Instant payouts and multi-currency support

  • Built-in tax and identity verification

• Fees: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (standard), lower for volume

• Integrations: Shopify, WooCommerce, Webflow, Zapier

Ideal for: Tech-savvy businesses and startups scaling globally.

2. PayPal Business

PayPal remains one of the most trusted names in online payments — especially for customers.

• Best for: Freelancers, digital product sellers, global clients

• Key features:

  • Accept PayPal, cards, and PayPal Credit

  • Instant access to funds

  • Recurring billing and one-click checkout

  • Buyer and seller protection

  • Mass payouts for contractors

• Fees: 2.9% + $0.30 (domestic); international fees vary

• Bonus: Offers PayPal.me for quick payment requests

Pro tip: Add PayPal as a secondary option alongside Stripe for flexibility.

3. Square

Originally designed for point-of-sale businesses, Square is now a full-fledged omnichannel payment platform.

• Best for: Restaurants, retail stores, service-based businesses

• Key features:

  • POS hardware integration

  • Online store builder included

  • Invoicing, appointments, subscriptions

  • Team management and inventory tracking

  • Instant bank transfers

• Fees: 2.6% + $0.10 (in-person); 2.9% + $0.30 (online)

• Mobile: Free mobile card reader and Square app

Great for: Businesses with both physical and online presence.

4. Authorize.Net (by Visa)

A reliable choice for established small-to-medium businesses looking for robust fraud prevention.

• Best for: High-volume stores, healthcare, services

• Key features:

  • Advanced fraud detection suite

  • Recurring billing and customer profiles

  • ACH and e-check support

  • Tokenization for secure storage

  • Developer-friendly API

• Fees: $25/month + 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction

• Integration: Works with most major shopping carts and CRMs

Trusted by: Industries with high compliance requirements.

5. 2Checkout (now Verifone)

2Checkout (Verifone) offers global payments with built-in compliance and tax handling.

• Best for: International digital sellers, SaaS, B2B

• Key features:

  • 200+ global markets

  • 100+ currencies and 45+ languages

  • Subscription billing with dunning management

  • Tax/VAT automation

  • Fraud prevention and PCI compliance

• Fees: Starts at 3.5% + $0.35 per transaction

• Specialty: All-in-one platform for global ecommerce

Ideal for: Businesses expanding internationally without local entities.

6. Mollie

A rising star in the EU, Mollie is a sleek and modern payment gateway gaining traction among European SMBs.

• Best for: European merchants, freelancers, mobile-first sellers

• Key features:

  • Supports SEPA, Bancontact, iDEAL, Sofort, PayPal, and cards

  • Transparent, pay-as-you-go pricing

  • Real-time dashboard and analytics

  • No lock-in contracts or setup fees

• Fees: Varies by method (e.g., 1.8% for EU cards, €0.25 per iDEAL)

• Easy onboarding: No developer required

Best pick for: EU-based small businesses with local payment needs.

What to Consider Before Choosing a Payment Gateway

Ask yourself:

• Where are your customers located?

• Do you need recurring payments or subscriptions?

• Are you selling digital goods, physical products, or services?

• What fees can your margins sustain?

• Do you want to embed payments into your site or use hosted checkout?

Also look for security standards like PCI-DSS compliance and built-in fraud protection.