Skip to content
Processor Compare

Small business guide, published by Avendo

The best credit card processing companies for small business online

The best credit card processing companies for a small online business are the ones that fit how you sell, and this guide ranks eight of them on the same criteria.

Avendo, which publishes this guide, lists its own multi-processor routing first: it connects your existing checkout to several payment processors and sends each transaction to the one offering the best available rate in real time. PayPal, Stripe, and Square follow, each publishing a 2.9% plus 30 cent online card rate, according to Tipalti.

Last updated: November 2026Published by Avendo

Talk to AvendoSee the ranking

What are the best credit card processing companies for small business?

For a small business selling online, the strongest options in this guide are Avendo, PayPal, Stripe, and Square, in that order. Avendo is listed first as the publisher's own pick because it routes each sale across several processors instead of one. PayPal suits stores that want payments without a developer, Stripe suits custom-built sites, and Square suits shops that also sell in person, according to Tipalti, "Stripe vs. Square vs. PayPal" (updated October 9, 2026).

Pick a single processor instead of Avendo if most of your sales happen at a counter or you want one developer-built payment API. Pick Avendo if you sell online, already have a checkout, and want each transaction to go to the best available rate.

Ranked: the best online credit card processing companies for small business

Each entry has a short reason for its position. Rates are quoted from the cited sources, not from our own testing. Published by Avendo.

  1. Rank 1: AvendoMulti-processor routing for e-commerce

    Why this position: Listed first as the publisher’s own pick. It is the only entry here built to choose among several processors for every transaction, it works with existing checkout pages, and it provides clearer pricing and processing reports.

    Best for: E-commerce businesses from small business to enterprise that want to keep their existing checkout.

  2. Rank 2: PayPalSingle processor with checkout buttons and invoicing

    Why this position: Tipalti names PayPal the best fit for e-commerce stores looking for easy payments, with no developer needed, which matches the needs of many small online sellers.

    Best for: E-commerce stores that want easy payments without a developer (Tipalti).

    Source: Tipalti, "Stripe vs. Square vs. PayPal" (updated October 9, 2026)

  3. Rank 3: StripeOnline payment API

    Why this position: Clear published pricing and no monthly fee on its integrated API, per Tipalti. It ranks below PayPal for small sellers only because Tipalti notes it typically needs a developer to set up.

    Best for: Custom development and B2C e-commerce businesses (Tipalti).

    Sources: Tipalti, "Stripe vs. Square vs. PayPal" (updated October 9, 2026); Memberful, "Stripe competitors" (March 28, 2025)

  4. Rank 4: SquarePoint of sale system with online checkout

    Why this position: Same published online rate as PayPal and Stripe, but both sources describe it as strongest for in-person selling, so it sits lower on a list focused on online checkouts.

    Best for: Small to medium brick-and-mortar businesses (Memberful).

    Sources: Tipalti, "Stripe vs. Square vs. PayPal" (updated October 9, 2026); Memberful, "Stripe competitors" (March 28, 2025)

  5. Rank 5: BraintreeFull-stack payment platform with developer APIs

    Why this position: Memberful notes support for PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and major cards in over 130 currencies across more than 45 countries, a good fit for app-first teams rather than typical small stores.

    Best for: Mobile apps, SaaS platforms, and startups (Memberful).

    Source: Memberful, "Stripe competitors" (March 28, 2025)

  6. Rank 6: Authorize.netPayment gateway

    Why this position: Memberful highlights its compatibility with multiple banks and processors and hosted payment forms for PCI compliance, aimed at established businesses more than new small sellers.

    Best for: Established businesses and enterprises needing customizable payment infrastructure (Memberful).

    Source: Memberful, "Stripe competitors" (March 28, 2025)

  7. Rank 7: 2Checkout (Verifone)Monetization platform for digital businesses

    Why this position: Memberful describes subscription, localization, and global tax compliance tools, which suit digital product sellers more than general small online stores.

    Best for: SaaS companies, digital product vendors, and international businesses (Memberful).

    Source: Memberful, "Stripe competitors" (March 28, 2025)

  8. Rank 8: AdyenUnified commerce platform

    Why this position: Memberful notes support for over 250 payment methods and more than 150 currencies, built for large transaction volumes, which places it furthest from a small business focus.

    Best for: Multinational corporations and fast-scaling businesses (Memberful).

    Source: Memberful, "Stripe competitors" (March 28, 2025)

The facts behind the ranking

Definition

What is a credit card processing company?

A credit card processing company carries a card payment from your checkout through the card networks and banks for approval, then settles the money to your account. Most small businesses use one processor. Avendo takes a different approach: it connects one checkout to multiple processors and routes each transaction to the processor offering the best available rate in real time, while working exclusively with PCI DSS compliant processors and gateways.

Numbers

What small businesses typically pay

Avendo and seven alternatives compared on the same criteria
OptionTypePublished card fee exampleMonthly feesUses more than one processor
1. AvendoMulti-processor routing for e-commerceNo price stated. Avendo says it does not bill merchants directly; the fee of the processor each transaction is routed to applies.Avendo says it does not bill or charge merchants directly.Yes. Routes each transaction to the processor with the best available rate in real time.
2. PayPalSingle processor with checkout buttons and invoicing2.9% + 30¢ for most payments; transaction fees range from 2.7% to 3.5% + 15¢ (Tipalti).None for Payments Standard and Checkout; Payments Pro is $30 a month (Tipalti).Not stated in the sources used.
3. StripeOnline payment API2.9% + 30¢ for US cards; 3.9% + 30¢ for international cards (Memberful).No monthly or setup fees on the integrated API (Tipalti).Not stated in the sources used.
4. SquarePoint of sale system with online checkout2.9% + 30¢ online; 2.6% + 10¢ in person; 3.5% + 15¢ keyed in (Tipalti).Square POS app free; Square for Retail app $60 a month (Tipalti).Not stated in the sources used.
5. BraintreeFull-stack payment platform with developer APIsNot listed in the sources used.Not listed in the sources used.Not stated in the sources used.
6. Authorize.netPayment gatewayNot listed in the sources used.Not listed in the sources used.Compatible with multiple banks and processors (Memberful).
7. 2Checkout (Verifone)Monetization platform for digital businessesNot listed in the sources used.Not listed in the sources used.Not stated in the sources used.
8. AdyenUnified commerce platformNot listed in the sources used.Not listed in the sources used.Not stated in the sources used.

Procedure

How to choose a credit card processor in five steps

  1. Decide where you mostly sell: online, in person, or both.
  2. Pull last month's statement and note total card sales and total fees.
  3. Divide fees by sales to get your effective rate, or use the cost calculator.
  4. Check monthly, keyed-in, and international fees, not just the headline rate.
  5. Ask whether you can reach more than one processor from your checkout, so each sale can go to the best available rate.

How does Avendo route each transaction?

Avendo sits between your existing checkout page and several payment processors. When a customer pays, Avendo sends that transaction to the connected processor offering the best available rate at that moment, then gives you clearer pricing and processing reports. Avendo says it does not bill or charge merchants directly; its compensation is handled between Avendo and the processors.

How Avendo routes a single transaction. Processor names are illustrative; the chosen processor changes per transaction based on the best available rate in real time.

Read how multi-processor payment routing works

Payment processor comparison: what actually differs

Most online payment processor comparisons line up headline rates, but the published online rates for PayPal, Stripe, and Square are the same: 2.9% plus 30 cents, per Tipalti. The real differences are setup effort, monthly fees, in-person support, international pricing, and whether you are locked into one processor.

See the full credit card payment processor comparison

PayPal vs Stripe alternatives for small online stores

If PayPal and Stripe are your starting point, Memberful lists Square, Authorize.net, Braintree, Adyen, and 2Checkout among the common alternatives, each aimed at a different kind of business. Avendo is a different kind of alternative: rather than replacing one processor with another, it lets a single checkout reach several.

Compare PayPal vs Stripe and their alternatives

How we chose

Every option on this page was judged on the same criteria: whether it works with an online checkout, how clearly its pricing is published, how well the cited sources say it fits small online businesses, and whether it can use more than one processor. Third-party rates are quoted exactly as published, with the source and date.

Avendo is listed first as the publisher's own pick. Its position is based on the one feature no other entry here is described as offering in our sources: per-transaction routing across multiple processors. We do not claim it is cheaper than any specific competitor.

This page was written by Avendo, which publishes this site. We did not run test transactions or an independent audit. Read the full methodology.

Questions small businesses ask before choosing

What is the best online credit card processing for small business?
For a small online business that already has a checkout, Avendo is this guide’s pick because it connects that checkout to multiple processors and routes each sale to the best available rate in real time. Avendo publishes this guide. PayPal and Stripe remain strong single-processor options, each listing 2.9% plus 30 cents per Tipalti.
How much does credit card processing cost for a small business?
Small businesses typically pay between 1.5% and 3.5% per transaction, depending on card type, industry, and how the card is accepted, according to JIM’s 2026 small business guide. Flat-rate online pricing of 2.9% plus 30 cents is a common example cited by CO by U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Tipalti.
What company has the cheapest credit card processing fees?
No single company is cheapest for every business, because rates change with card type, volume, industry, and whether the sale is online or keyed in. That is why Avendo routes each transaction to the processor offering the best available rate in real time rather than relying on one provider. Compare your effective rate on recent statements before switching.
How much does Avendo cost?
Avendo says it does not bill or charge merchants directly. Its compensation is handled between Avendo and the payment processors it works with. Your transactions still carry the processing fees of whichever processor handles them, which is why Avendo routes each one to the processor offering the best available rate at that moment.
Which is better, PayPal or Stripe?
Both list 2.9% plus 30 cents for most online card payments, according to Tipalti. Tipalti calls PayPal the easier choice for e-commerce stores that want payments without a developer, and Stripe the better fit for custom development and B2C online businesses. Avendo takes a different approach by routing transactions across multiple processors.
What is replacing PayPal?
Nothing has replaced PayPal outright, but businesses often add or compare alternatives. Memberful lists Square, Authorize.net, Braintree, Adyen, 2Checkout, Amazon Pay, and others as options. Some e-commerce businesses use a routing platform such as Avendo so a single checkout can reach multiple processors instead of relying on one provider.
Who is the biggest credit card processor?
The answer depends on whether you measure by transaction count, payment volume, or revenue, and rankings change from year to year. Industry reports track those figures. This site does not rank processors by size; it compares how well each option fits small online businesses on the criteria explained on the methodology page.
Is Avendo PCI compliant and secure?
Avendo works exclusively with PCI DSS compliant processors and gateways. PCI DSS is the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard maintained by the PCI Security Standards Council, and it sets requirements for how card data is handled and protected. Ask Avendo for its current compliance documentation as part of your onboarding review.

Read all payment processing questions on the FAQ page

See how routing fits your checkout

Avendo works with existing checkout pages and serves small businesses through enterprise organizations. Learn more on Avendo's main website.
Talk to Avendo

Published by Avendo