Payment processing is critical infrastructure — the wrong choice costs you sales and revenue. Stripe dominates for online/SaaS businesses with developer-first APIs. Square leads for in-person retail with free POS software. PayPal adds buyer trust that increases conversion rates. Key factors: total transaction cost (rate + fees + hidden costs), supported payment methods, fraud prevention, payout speed, and international capabilities.
We evaluate payment processors by processing real transactions across card types and payment methods, measuring actual costs (including hidden fees), payout timing, fraud detection accuracy, and integration complexity. We test checkout conversion rates with A/B studies where possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best payment processing in 2026?
Based on our testing, Stripe is our top pick with a rating of 4.7/5.
How do we evaluate payment processing?
We evaluate payment processors by processing real transactions across card types and payment methods, measuring actual costs (including hidden fees), payout timing, fraud detection accuracy, and integration complexity. We test checkout conversion rates with A/B studies where possible.
Are your payment processing reviews independent?
Yes. While we may earn affiliate commissions, our editorial team tests every product independently. Ratings are never influenced by commercial relationships.
How often are reviews updated?
We re-test and update our payment processing reviews at least quarterly to ensure accuracy.
How does Stripe compare to Wise?
Stripe (4.7/5) and Wise (4.6/5) are both top-rated. Read our detailed comparison for a side-by-side breakdown.