The best way to take payments for a small business

Getting paid by card or bank transfer, and what each payment costs you.

Best all-rounder: our pick

  1. Stripe

    1. Stripe

    Strongest on price as you grow, works with the rest and local fit

    • Starting price2.9% + 30¢ per payment, no monthly fee
    Visit websiteMore details

How all 2 tools rate

Ranked for “Best all-rounder”, each rated 1 to 5. What each rating means

  • 4 out of 5More filled is better
  • Deal-breaker: 2 or less caps the score
Ratings for every tool for a small business, ranked for Best all-rounder
ToolPrice to startPrice as you growQuick to set upEasy day to dayWorks with the restLocal fitDeal-breakerHelp when stuckEasy to leave
1, our pickStripeStripeMomentum: RisingGood4 out of 5Excellent5 out of 5Fair3 out of 5Fair3 out of 5Excellent5 out of 5Excellent5 out of 5Fair3 out of 5Good4 out of 5
2PayPalPayPalMomentum: StableFair3 out of 5Good4 out of 5Excellent5 out of 5Good4 out of 5Good4 out of 5Good4 out of 5Fair3 out of 5Fair3 out of 5

Best on a budget: our pick

  1. Stripe

    1. Stripe

    Strongest on price as you grow, price to start and works with the rest

    • Starting price2.9% + 30¢ per payment, no monthly fee
    Visit websiteMore details

How all 2 tools rate

Ranked for “Best on a budget”, each rated 1 to 5. What each rating means

  • 4 out of 5More filled is better
  • Counts more for this lens
  • Deal-breaker: 2 or less caps the score
Ratings for every tool for a small business, ranked for Best on a budget
ToolPrice to startDeal-breakerPrice as you growQuick to set upEasy day to dayWorks with the restLocal fitDeal-breakerHelp when stuckEasy to leave
1, our pickStripeStripeMomentum: RisingGood4 out of 5Excellent5 out of 5Fair3 out of 5Fair3 out of 5Excellent5 out of 5Excellent5 out of 5Fair3 out of 5Good4 out of 5
2PayPalPayPalMomentum: StableFair3 out of 5Good4 out of 5Excellent5 out of 5Good4 out of 5Good4 out of 5Good4 out of 5Fair3 out of 5Fair3 out of 5

Easiest to start: our pick

  1. PayPal

    1. PayPal

    Strongest on quick to set up, easy day to day and price as you grow

    • Starting price3.49% + $0.49 per payment, no monthly fee
    Visit websiteMore details

How all 2 tools rate

Ranked for “Easiest to start”, each rated 1 to 5. What each rating means

  • 4 out of 5More filled is better
  • Counts more for this lens
  • Deal-breaker: 2 or less caps the score
Ratings for every tool for a small business, ranked for Easiest to start
ToolPrice to startPrice as you growQuick to set upDeal-breakerEasy day to dayWorks with the restLocal fitDeal-breakerHelp when stuckEasy to leave
1, our pickPayPalPayPalMomentum: StableFair3 out of 5Good4 out of 5Excellent5 out of 5Good4 out of 5Good4 out of 5Good4 out of 5Fair3 out of 5Fair3 out of 5
2StripeStripeMomentum: RisingGood4 out of 5Excellent5 out of 5Fair3 out of 5Fair3 out of 5Excellent5 out of 5Excellent5 out of 5Fair3 out of 5Good4 out of 5

Best as you grow: our pick

  1. Stripe

    1. Stripe

    Strongest on price as you grow, works with the rest and local fit

    • Starting price2.9% + 30¢ per payment, no monthly fee
    Visit websiteMore details

How all 2 tools rate

Ranked for “Best as you grow”, each rated 1 to 5. What each rating means

  • 4 out of 5More filled is better
  • Counts more for this lens
  • Deal-breaker: 2 or less caps the score
Ratings for every tool for a small business, ranked for Best as you grow
ToolPrice to startPrice as you growDeal-breakerQuick to set upEasy day to dayWorks with the restLocal fitDeal-breakerHelp when stuckEasy to leave
1, our pickStripeStripeMomentum: RisingGood4 out of 5Excellent5 out of 5Fair3 out of 5Fair3 out of 5Excellent5 out of 5Excellent5 out of 5Fair3 out of 5Good4 out of 5
2PayPalPayPalMomentum: StableFair3 out of 5Good4 out of 5Excellent5 out of 5Good4 out of 5Good4 out of 5Good4 out of 5Fair3 out of 5Fair3 out of 5

Rated for your kind of business

What matters most changes with the work. These rankings weigh taking payments the same for everyone.

For freelancers and consultants