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21 Comments

Real-Time Payment Processors

Just about to launch my first ever SaaS. I will need to facilitate credit card transactions. Does anybody out there have any opinions, advice, or suggestions regarding real-time payment processors like Stripe or its alternatives?

(I am not even aware of Stripe's competitors other than PayPal?)

on May 23, 2024
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    Next to Stripe, you got Adyen from the Netherlands, but they are more focused on larger companies. Then you also have Chargebee and Braintree for pure payment processing. If you want the payment processor to also handle taxes, your options are Paddle and Lemonsqueezy. Hope this helps!

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      It's a shame that Adyen isn't open to US individuals.

      We badly need an alternative to Stripe here in the US.

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        is it open to canadians?

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          You can try to sign up.

          I'm not sure.

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            whats ur service do exactly? zylvie?

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      thx for sharing. do u have any experience with any of them?

      processing cc transactions online is purely my only need. couldnt care less about other features.

      braintree is owned by paypal right? iirc adyens pricing scheme is super complex and the cost of each transactions depends on which type of card is used etc etc (or was this not ayden but another processor?).

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    Real-time as opposed to what? Delayed?

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      real-time in contrast to other payment methods like wire transfers, ach (in the US), etc

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    Why not Stripe? In my opinion it’s one of the best, but here are some real-time payment processors that you might consider for your project:

    1. Stripe: Known for its robust API and easy integration, Stripe supports various payment methods and currencies, making it ideal for global businesses.

    2. PayPal: A well-established platform that offers real-time payment processing and extensive support for different payment methods, including credit/debit cards and PayPal accounts.

    3. Square: Provides real-time payment processing and is particularly popular among small businesses for its ease of use and comprehensive point-of-sale solutions.

    4. Adyen: Offers real-time payment processing with support for a wide range of payment methods and currencies. It's known for its advanced fraud detection and global reach.

    5. Authorize: A reliable payment gateway that supports real-time payment processing with various features like recurring billing, fraud detection, and extensive reporting.

    6. Worldpay: Provides real-time payment processing with a focus on security and global reach. It supports multiple payment methods and currencies.

    7. Braintree: A PayPal company, Braintree offers real-time payment processing with support for various payment methods, including PayPal, Venmo, and credit/debit cards.

    8. 2Checkout: Offers global real-time payment processing with support for multiple payment methods and currencies, along with robust fraud protection features.

    Each of these processors has its own strengths and specializations, so the best choice will depend on your specific needs, such as the types of transactions you process, your customer base, and any specific features you require. Hope it helps!

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      I'm not against using Stripe. I'm just wonderng whether or not there's a better option out there and what people think of each option if they have any experience with them. For instance, PayPal is absolutely atrocious in so many different ways (so I'll obviously be avoiding that). Perhaps some of the other options are also undesirable for various reasons.

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        You may think that about PayPal, but do business for a while, and you'll realize plenty of customers want to pay via PayPal.

        You can't avoid it.

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          i know how common paypal is. i founded and have been operating a global business for the past 4 years. i will never use paypal as a merchant. i often encounter issues with paypal merely making purchases. ive found that customers will accommodate whichever payment processor you choose to use so long as they actually want/need to use/buy your product/service

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        Yeah, got your point. Then maybe Stripe or 2Checkout would be two viable options for you. Adyen also is competing with Stripe, but I didn’t use it, so I don’t know much about it.

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          fair enough. thx

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      I got rejected by 2Checkout, those assholes.

      Honestly there isn't any equivalent to Stripe, especially if you use it for its API extensively.

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        i do plan on using the processors API to set up everything up myself

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      Do you have any personal experience with any of these platforms other than PayPal?

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        I’ve used Stripe, PayPal, 2Checkout, and Skrill. They’re all solid options, but the best choice depends on your specific needs. If you don’t require niche features or a particular vendor, I recommend starting with Stripe. Its API and documentation are excellent, it has extensive support and integrations, and it's very developer-friendly. Assess its suitability as you go along.

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          thx for sharing. i think ive narrowed it down to ayden/stripe or square based solely on the cost. the cost of ayden/stripe is virtually identical to my knowledge, but the pricing of ayden seems absurdly complicated iirc, so likely between stripe in 1st or square in 2nd place just to avoid wasting time in understanding that complexity. will be watching some YT vids tomo to hopefully help me finalize my decision. really all im going to be using it for is processing cc payments online. the api should be sufficient. im worried about funds being frozen, fraudulent charges, extra fees due to returns or disputes, etc. have heard so many horror stories mostly in relation to paypal, but also now stripe a fair amount. what are some examples of these niche features youve mentioned?

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