Secure, efficient, and user-friendly transactions depend on selecting the right payment gateway. In 2025, with many options available, careful evaluation of providers is essential. This involves considering specific criteria and how well they match the needs of your business and target audience.

This review compares the top payment gateway providers for 2025. It explains the importance of comparing providers, the criteria used for evaluation, and the need to choose a provider that fits your business’s key operational needs and audience expectations.

What is a Payment Gateway?

A payment gateway is a technology that facilitates the transfer of payment information between a customer and a merchant’s bank. It acts as an intermediary, securely transmitting payment data from the customer’s payment method (such as a credit card or digital wallet) to the merchant’s bank for authorization and settlement. Payment gateways ensure that sensitive data is encrypted and protected, allowing for safe online, in-person, or mobile transactions. They also provide features like fraud detection, payment authorization, and transaction reporting, making them essential for modern businesses to process payments efficiently.

What Should You Be Looking for in a Payment Gateway?

Depending on your industry, size, and customer base, different payment providers will offer features that are more aligned with what you’re looking for. Below, we’ll introduce various payment providers and explain which types of businesses they best serve so you can find the perfect fit for your specific needs. Each provider offers unique capabilities, whether it’s handling high transaction volumes, supporting various currencies, or offering specific integrations. Businesses that cater to international customers may require gateways with multi-currency support, while others may focus on local payment methods. The diversity of services across payment gateways ensures that businesses of all sizes and models can find a solution tailored to their operational needs.

Zift

Zift provides scalable, efficient, embedded payment solutions for SaaS platforms, CRM’s and business management systems. As a payment service provider built to serve these industries, private equity firms can also leverage Zifts capabilities to monetize payments within their portfolio companies.

Pros

• Seamless integration for SaaS platforms, CRM’s and business management systems.
• Embedded merchant onboarding that simplifies the account setup process.
• Support for credit cards, debit cards and ACH in the US and Canada.
•  Merchant remittance and reconciliation features.
• Payment monetization opportunities for platforms and private equity portfolio companies.
• Strong customer support for technical and operational questions.

Cons

• Primarily designed for vertical SaaS, CRM’s and business management systems.
• Integration can be challenging for smaller companies or firms with fewer technical resources.
• Limited support for higher risk merchants and MCCs.
• Integrated acquiring limited to the US and Canada.

Best For

Zift is ideal for Vertical SaaS Platforms, CRM’s and business management systems that want to include payments as part of their product offering for their users. Private Equity firms can also take advantage of a payments partner like Zift to monetize the transactions within their portfolio companies. Additionally, Zift is particularly suited for platforms looking for streamlined merchant onboarding, omnichannel capabilities, robust reporting, and monetization opportunities.

Stripe

Stripe is a payment technology company known for its flexibility and wide range of integration options, with support for various payment methods, , mobile payments, and recurring billing. Stripe is highly customizable and can be great for startup companies needing an easy way to get started accepting payments.

Pros

• Supports multiple payment methods, including cards, bank debits, wallets and buy now, pay later.
• Offers global support with multi-currency capabilities and automatic currency conversion.
• Provides robust tools for managing subscriptions and recurring billing.
• Detailed financial reporting and analytics.
• Customizable for businesses with specific payment needs.
• Seamless integration with various eCommerce platforms and shopping carts.

Cons

• Limited payment monetization options.
• Lack of customer support for technical and operational questions.
• Account holds, and frozen funds can happen without prior notice, causing delays in business operations.
• High processing fees plus potential monthly and hidden fees.

Best for

Stripe is ideal for businesses that need a platform with extensive global reach and support for a wide range of payment methods. Merchants with strong technical expertise can maximize their full potential with Stripe, and if your’e an e-commerce business, Stripe is a great option with multiple integrations and shopping cart support.

PayPal

PayPal is a widely-used online payment platform that allows individuals and businesses to send and receive money securely. It supports various payment methods, including credit cards and bank transfers, and offers buyer protection for online purchases. However, for larger businesses processing payments at scale, PayPal may be more expensive than other payment gateway alternatives.

Pros

• Globally recognized and trusted brand, which may improve customer trust and conversion rates.
• Built-in invoicing capabilities.
• Buyer and seller protection programs to reduce fraud.
• One-touch checkout feature to streamline customer transactions.
• Supports international payments and multiple currencies.
• Allows customers to use their PayPal account balance for payments.

Cons

• Requires a separate setup and checkout process.
• Subpar customer support.
• Additional transaction fees are charged on top of standard rates.
• Funds settle to your PayPal account requiring additional time to manual move funds to your business bank account.

Best for

PayPal is ideal for smaller merchants and freelancers who need a simple, reliable payment solution with international support. For marketplaces that require affiliate payments, PayPal provides the necessary flexibility and ease of use. However, businesses with high transaction volumes may find PayPal’s higher fees and occasional account freezes less favorable compared to other payment gateways.

Adyen

Adyen is a global payment processor that offers a comprehensive platform for businesses to accept payments online, in-store, and via mobile channels. It supports a wide range of payment methods and currencies and provides a single, unified system to manage all transactions.

Pros

• Supports multiple currencies and payment methods.
• Unified platform for both online and offline payments.
• Strong fraud detection and prevention tools.
• Integration with existing systems.
• No setup fees, monthly fees or account closure fees.
• International payment collection and support.

Cons

• Higher transaction fees.
• Complex setup process.
• Limited customization options for some businesses.
• Difficulty troubleshooting payment issues, transaction failures and declines.

Best for

Adyen is best suited for large enterprises and horizontal SaaS platforms that handle high transaction volumes across multiple regions and need flexible, scalable payment solutions. Its comprehensive platform and fraud prevention tools cater well to businesses with diverse payment needs. However, small businesses or startups may find the higher fees, complex setup, and limited customization options less appealing, particularly if they require straightforward and cost-effective payment solutions.

Authorize.net

Authorize.net is a payment gateway that allows businesses to accept credit card and electronic check payments online, in-person, and by phone. It integrates with popular shopping carts, offering secure transaction processing and e-commerce functionality. Owned by Visa, the gateway supports versatile payment methods with fraud detection tools and recurring billing.

Pros

• Integrations into most e-Commerce platforms and shopping carts.
• Commerce platforms and shopping carts.
• Supports multiple payment methods, including PayPal and Apple Pay.
• Recurring billing support.
• Payment form and invoice generation capabilities.
• Customizable fraud detection tools.
• Supports eCheck Payments.

Cons

• Monthly subscription and transactions fees are required.
• The user interface may feel outdated compared to other providers.
• Support response time can be inconsistent.
• Additional costs for add on features.

Best for

Authorize.net is ideal for Independent Sales Organizations (ISOs) that work with a range of processors and need to support a variety of merchants, especially those requiring integrations with different shopping carts and e-commerce platforms. Its flexibility in working with various processors, each with potentially different integrations, makes it an excellent choice for ISOs managing diverse payment setups. Additionally, its fraud prevention features can be ideal for small e-commerce startups looking for an easy and secure way to take payments online.

Conclusion

Choosing the right payment gateway provider in 2025 requires a careful analysis of your business’s specific needs, target audience, and the features offered by different providers. By comparing these key factors, businesses can make informed decisions that enhance their operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and bottom line.

The five providers discussed in this article—Zift, Stripe, PayPal, Adyen and Authorize.net—each offer unique strengths that cater to different segments of the market. Whether you are a small business, an enterprise, or a SaaS platform, understanding these differences will help you select the best payment gateway provider for your needs.

Remember, the right choice today can pave the way for smoother transactions and stronger growth tomorrow.