Payment processing providers for online and in-person sales
Payment processors and gateways let businesses accept cards, wallets and bank payments online, in apps and in person, then settle the funds to a bank account. The range spans card-reader services for small shops, online platforms for e-commerce and SaaS, direct debit providers and enterprise acquirers. Every company below is listed free by our editors, A–Z — no one pays for a position, and you can request a listing by email.
All payment processing providers
Free listings · A to Z · sponsor yours from $5/dayAdyen
Dutch payments platform for online, in-person and platform payments for enterprises and large merchants
Braintree
US payment gateway owned by PayPal for online and mobile payments at mid-sized and enterprise businesses
Checkout.com
UK payment processor for online card and alternative payments for digital and enterprise merchants
GoCardless
UK bank payment provider for direct debit, recurring and open banking payments for businesses
Helcim
Canadian payment processor for in-person and online card payments for small and mid-sized businesses
Mollie
Dutch payment service provider for online and in-person payments for European SMEs and e-commerce
Paddle
UK merchant of record handling payments, sales tax and billing for SaaS and app businesses
PayPal
US online payments company offering checkout, wallet, card and in-person payment tools for businesses
PayPal Zettle
Swedish-founded POS and card readers from PayPal, now PayPal Point of Sale, for small merchants
Razorpay
Indian payments platform for online and in-store payments, payouts and banking for businesses
Square
US point-of-sale and payment processing by Block for retailers, restaurants and service businesses
Stripe
US/Irish payments infrastructure for online payments, billing and platforms, from startups to enterprises
SumUp
UK-headquartered card readers, POS and online payments for small merchants in many countries
Worldpay
US/UK merchant acquirer, part of Global Payments since 2026, for online and in-store payments at scale
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What does a payment processor actually do?
A payment processor lets your business accept money from customers by card, digital wallet, bank transfer or other local methods, and moves those funds into your bank account. When a customer pays, the processor captures the payment details, routes the transaction through the card networks or banking rails, checks it for fraud, and later settles the money to you minus its fees. A payment gateway is the technical layer that connects your website, app or checkout to that system; many modern providers bundle gateway, processing and merchant account into one service.
In person, the same providers supply card readers, point-of-sale apps and tap-to-pay on phones. Online, they offer hosted checkout pages, embedded payment forms, payment links and APIs for developers. Around the core transaction you will usually find dashboards, refunds and dispute handling, recurring billing, payouts, reporting and integrations with e-commerce platforms and accounting software.
Providers in this directory range from simple mobile card-reader services for market stalls and salons, through all-in-one platforms for online stores and SaaS companies, to enterprise acquirers that process high volumes across many countries.
Which type of payment provider fits your business?
The right model depends on where your customers pay, how complex your checkout is and who is responsible for tax and compliance. Use the table to narrow the field before comparing individual providers.
| Provider model | Typical fit | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Card reader and POS provider | Shops, cafés, salons and mobile traders taking in-person payments | Hardware costs and lock-in to the provider's POS software |
| All-in-one online processor | E-commerce stores, startups and SaaS companies selling online | Shared-account models can mean holds or reserves if risk flags appear |
| Bank payment and direct debit provider | Subscriptions, invoices and recurring B2B payments paid from bank accounts | Slower settlement and different refund and dispute rules than cards |
| Merchant of record | Software and digital-product sellers who want the provider to handle sales tax and VAT globally | The provider is the legal seller, which affects branding, data and margins |
| Enterprise acquirer or gateway | High-volume and multinational merchants needing local acquiring and custom pricing | Longer onboarding, contracts and integration work |
Many growing businesses combine models, for example a card reader for in-person sales plus an online processor for the web store, or a card processor alongside a direct debit provider for recurring invoices. A single provider that covers both channels can simplify reconciliation.
What should you compare before shortlisting?
Headline transaction rates are only part of the picture. Compare providers on the factors that affect conversion, cash flow and operational effort.
| Criterion | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Payment methods and countries | Does it support the cards, wallets and local payment methods your customers use, in the countries and currencies you sell in? |
| Payouts | How quickly do funds reach your bank account, can you get faster payouts, and are there rolling reserves or holds? |
| Fraud and disputes | What fraud tools are included, how are chargebacks handled and what does a dispute cost you? |
| Integrations | Does it plug into your e-commerce platform, POS, billing system and accounting software without custom work? |
| Security and compliance | Does it reduce your PCI DSS scope with hosted fields or checkout, and support strong customer authentication where required? |
| Contract terms | Is there a minimum term, monthly minimum, early termination fee or hardware lease? |
How does payment processing pricing work?
Most small-business providers use blended or flat-rate pricing: a percentage of each transaction plus a fixed fee per transaction, with different rates for in-person, online, keyed-in and international cards. It is simple to understand, but can cost more for businesses with large average tickets or many debit-card payments.
Larger merchants are often offered interchange-plus pricing, where you pay the card network and issuer costs as they occur plus a provider markup, or custom negotiated rates. On top of transaction fees, check for currency conversion charges, chargeback fees, payout fees, monthly or software subscriptions, and the cost of card readers. Merchants of record usually charge a higher all-inclusive percentage because they also take on tax and compliance work. Model your real mix of card types, ticket sizes and countries to compare offers fairly.
What mistakes should you avoid when choosing a payment processor?
A common mistake is comparing only the headline rate. A slightly cheaper percentage can be wiped out by monthly fees, payout charges, currency conversion or a hardware contract. Another is ignoring the checkout experience: missing a popular local payment method or forcing customers off your site can cost more in lost sales than any fee difference.
Businesses also underestimate switching costs. Stored card details, subscription billing and integrations can be hard to move, so ask how the provider handles data portability and card-token migration before you start. Finally, check that the provider supports your industry; some sectors are restricted or classed as higher risk, which can mean reserves or refused applications.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a payment gateway and a payment processor?
A gateway securely captures payment details from your website or terminal and passes them on, while the processor handles the transaction with the card networks and banks and settles funds. Many providers now offer both as one service, so the terms are often used interchangeably.
Do I need a merchant account to accept card payments?
Not always. Many providers use an aggregated model where you are onboarded under their master merchant account, which makes sign-up fast. Larger businesses may get a dedicated merchant account, which can come with custom pricing but involves more underwriting.
How long does it take to receive money from card payments?
Payout timing varies by provider, country and risk profile, and is usually measured in business days. Some providers offer faster or instant payouts for an additional fee. New accounts and high-risk industries may face longer delays or reserves at first.
What is PCI DSS and does it apply to my business?
PCI DSS is the card industry's security standard for any business that accepts, processes or stores card data. It applies to you if you take card payments, but using hosted checkout pages or payment fields from your provider can greatly reduce what you must do to comply.
How this directory is compiled
Every company on this page was added by our editors from publicly available information: the company name, what it does in one line, and a link to its own site. No company paid to be listed, none was asked for approval, and inclusion here is not a recommendation — it is a starting point for a shortlist you should verify yourself.
No position on this page can be bought: the list is always alphabetical and every entry is free. Advertising on kurums.com appears only in clearly labelled ad units, separate from the listings, and has no influence on our editorial guides or on the Kurums Trust badges, which are earned against published criteria and are never for sale.
Plans, features and availability change often in this category, so vendor descriptions here are kept short and factual. Check each provider's own site before you decide, and treat any directory — including this one — as a list of candidates rather than an answer.
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