How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Square is the best all-round pick for small businesses that need in-person, online, and invoice payments from one account.
- Stripe suits online businesses and platforms that need custom checkout, subscriptions, and global payments.
- PayPal Business works well for businesses whose customers already trust PayPal and want a familiar checkout.
- Helcim and Stax can save money for higher-volume businesses, since their pricing models differ from flat-rate processors.
- This is not financial advice. Payment fees, tax, and accounting rules vary by business, so check the processor terms and talk to an accountant for your situation.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Square | Small business in-person and online | See website | Yes |
 Stripe | Online checkout and platforms | See website | Yes |
 PayPal Business | Familiar customer checkout | See website | Yes |
 Shopify Payments | Shopify stores | See website | No |
 Helcim | Lower cost interchange pricing | See website | Yes |
 Stax Payments | Higher volume flat monthly pricing | See website | Free trial |
 Clover | Counter and restaurant payments | See website | No |
 Adyen | Global enterprise payments | See website | No |
 Lightspeed Payments | Retail and restaurant point of sale | See website | No |
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We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best payment apps for business
#1Square
Best for: Small business in-person and online4.6/5 on
G2 (1,208 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit squareup.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Square is the easiest payment app for a small business to start with. You can create a free account, take cards in person with a reader or terminal, sell online, send invoices, and track sales in one dashboard, without a monthly fee for the basic plan. Hardware ranges from a simple reader to a full counter terminal, so a market stall, a cafe, and a small shop can all use the same system.
Flat-rate pricing is simple to understand, but it can cost more than interchange pricing for large average tickets or high monthly volume. Square also reviews accounts for risk, and some businesses report holds on funds, so keep clear records and understand the terms. For most small businesses, Square remains the most complete and approachable starting point.
What we like- Free account and point of sale app
- Online store, invoices, and hardware
- Clear flat-rate pricing
Watch out for- Flat-rate fees can be high for large tickets
- Account holds can occur for some businesses
#2Stripe
Best for: Online checkout and platforms4.2/5 on
G2 (462 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit stripe.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Stripe is the standard choice for online businesses, software platforms, and marketplaces. It offers hosted checkout, payment links, subscriptions, invoicing, and developer APIs that let a business build a custom payment flow, with support for many currencies and payment methods. Dashboard reporting covers revenue, refunds, disputes, and subscription metrics in one place.
The power comes with a learning curve. Basic checkout and payment links are easy, but custom integrations need a developer, and smaller accounts mainly get online support. For an online-first business that wants control, scale, and global reach, Stripe is hard to beat.
What we like- Powerful online checkout and APIs
- Subscriptions and invoicing
- Global currency support
Watch out for- Needs technical setup for custom features
- Support is mainly online for smaller accounts
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
PayPal Business suits businesses whose customers already have PayPal accounts. Checkout is familiar, invoicing and payment links are quick to set up, and PayPal Credit and Venmo options can help conversion for some US customers. The account is free to open, with fees charged per transaction, which suits seasonal or low-volume businesses.
Fees depend on transaction type, funding source, and currency, so read the fee schedule for your sales mix. New accounts and certain categories can face payment holds, so keep shipping and service records clear. For customer trust and ease of setup, PayPal remains a strong addition to any checkout, even alongside Square or Stripe.
What we like- Customers trust the PayPal brand
- Easy invoicing and payment links
- Buyer and seller protection policies
Watch out for- Fees vary by transaction type and currency
- Holds can apply to new or high-risk accounts
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Shopify Payments is the built-in payment processor for Shopify stores, and for a Shopify merchant it is usually the simplest choice. It removes the extra transaction fee that Shopify charges when you use a third-party processor, supports Shop Pay accelerated checkout, and shows payouts and fees inside the Shopify dashboard. Setup is a few steps inside the store admin, with no separate gateway account to manage.
The limit is clear. It only works for Shopify stores, so it does not help a business that also needs a separate in-person system outside Shopify's point of sale. For a Shopify-first business, however, the integration, checkout speed, and fee saving make it the natural pick.
What we like- Built into Shopify checkout
- No extra transaction fee on Shopify plans
- Supports Shop Pay
Watch out for- Only for Shopify stores
- Payout and fee terms follow your Shopify plan
#5Helcim
Best for: Lower cost interchange pricing3.9/5 on
G2 (19 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit helcim.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Helcim offers interchange-plus pricing, which passes the card network cost through plus a small markup, rather than charging one flat rate for all cards. For many businesses, especially those with higher average tickets, that model costs less than flat-rate pricing, and Helcim shows the fee breakdown clearly. Tools cover in-person payments, online checkout, invoicing, and subscriptions, with no monthly fee on the basic plan.
Brand recognition is lower than Square or PayPal, and the hardware and app ecosystem is narrower, so check that Helcim supports your exact setup. For a business that wants lower processing costs without a monthly subscription, Helcim is a strong, transparent alternative.
What we like- Interchange-plus pricing with no monthly fee on the basic plan
- In-person and online tools
- Clear fee breakdown
Watch out for- Less brand recognition than Square
- Hardware and feature range is narrower
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
Stax Payments, formerly Fattmerchant, uses a subscription model. Businesses pay a monthly fee plus interchange costs, rather than a percentage markup on every sale. That model can save a meaningful amount for businesses processing tens of thousands per month, since the markup does not grow with sales volume.
Very low volume businesses will not save enough to cover the monthly fee, so Stax suits established businesses with steady card sales. Setup and onboarding take more time than a free Square account, and dedicated support is part of the value. For a growing business that has outgrown flat-rate pricing, Stax deserves a quote comparison.
What we like- Flat monthly subscription plus interchange
- Can save money at higher volumes
- Dedicated support
Watch out for- Monthly fee does not suit very low volume businesses
- Setup is more involved than Square
#7Clover
Best for: Counter and restaurant payments3.8/5 on
G2 (108 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit clover.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Clover is a point of sale system built around counter hardware, with a screen for staff and an optional customer-facing display. Restaurants can manage menus, tables, and orders, while retailers can manage inventory, staff permissions, and sales reports from the same system. An app marketplace adds loyalty, gift cards, scheduling, and accounting integrations.
Pricing varies by hardware, software plan, and reseller, so two Clover quotes can look very different. Read the contract for monthly fees, processing rates, and hardware terms before signing. For a counter-based business that wants a polished, all-in-one terminal, Clover is a strong contender.
What we like- Purpose-built counter hardware
- App marketplace for menus, inventory, and staff
- Good for restaurants and retail
Watch out for- Hardware and software costs vary by reseller
- Contracts and fees need careful reading
#8Adyen
Best for: Global enterprise payments4.0/5 on
G2 (44 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit adyen.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Adyen is a global payments platform used by large retailers, marketplaces, and platforms. It offers online, in-app, and in-person payments from one system, with local payment methods in many countries, unified reporting, and risk management tools. That single platform view helps large businesses reconcile sales across channels and countries.
Adyen is not a small business starter tool. Onboarding, pricing, and integration are enterprise level, and smaller businesses will find Square or Stripe faster and cheaper to start. For a business expanding internationally with high volume, Adyen offers scale and payment method coverage that smaller processors cannot match.
What we like- Global acquiring and local payment methods
- Unified online and in-person platform
- Strong reporting
Watch out for- Built for larger businesses
- Setup and pricing are enterprise level
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Lightspeed Payments is built into Lightspeed's point of sale for retail and restaurants. Payments, inventory, customer data, and reporting live in one system, so a sale updates stock, records the customer, and shows in reports without extra reconciliation. Online ordering and ecommerce options extend the same system beyond the counter.
The value is highest for businesses already using, or planning to use, Lightspeed point of sale. As a standalone payment app, it is less flexible than Square or Stripe. For a retailer or restaurant that wants payments tied directly to inventory and reporting, Lightspeed Payments is a coherent choice.
What we like- Integrated with Lightspeed point of sale
- Inventory and reporting in one system
- In-person and online options
Watch out for- Best value inside Lightspeed
- Standalone payment use is limited
How we chose
We compared payment apps on transaction fees, monthly costs, hardware, online and in-person coverage, payout speed, support, and ease of setup for small and mid-sized businesses. We used vendor pricing and fee pages, public reviews, and merchant discussion about holds, payouts, and contract terms. We favoured apps that are actively offered now in the US and that cover a clear business type, rather than listing every processor on the market.
How to choose a payment app for your business
Start with where you sell. If you sell mainly in person, prioritise hardware, counter software, and in-person fees. If you sell mainly online, prioritise checkout conversion, subscriptions, and global payment methods. If you sell both ways, choose a system that unifies online and in-person sales, so reporting and inventory stay in sync.
Next, model your real fees. A flat rate is easy, but interchange-plus or subscription pricing can be cheaper at higher volumes or larger tickets. Use three months of real sales, including average ticket size, card mix, and refund rate, and ask each processor for a total cost estimate on that volume. Also check payout timing, chargeback fees, contract length, and early termination terms before you sign.
Fees, holds, and cash flow
Payment holds and payout delays affect cash flow more than a small fee difference. Keep clear records for orders, shipping, and services, respond quickly to processor requests, and avoid sudden spikes in sales without warning the processor if you can. A processor with slightly higher fees but reliable payouts is often better than the cheapest processor with frequent holds.
Frequently asked questions
Which payment app is best for a small business overall?
Square is the best overall pick for most small businesses, because it covers in-person, online, and invoice payments from one free account. Stripe is better for online-first businesses, and PayPal is a strong addition for customer trust.
Is Stripe or Square better for online sales?
Stripe is better for custom online checkout, subscriptions, and platforms, while Square is easier for a simple online store or payment link. Many businesses use Stripe for their website and Square for in-person sales, though unifying on one system simplifies reporting.
What is interchange-plus pricing?
Interchange-plus pricing passes the card network interchange fee through at cost, plus a fixed markup from the processor. It is often cheaper than flat-rate pricing for larger tickets, but the monthly bill varies with card mix, so it needs a volume comparison.
Do payment apps charge a monthly fee?
Some do, some do not. Square, Stripe, PayPal, and Helcim offer free basic accounts with per-transaction fees, while Stax charges a monthly subscription plus interchange, and Clover and Lightspeed plans vary by hardware and software.
How fast do businesses receive payouts?
Payout timing varies by processor, business type, and risk profile, and is often one to two business days after a sale for established accounts. New accounts may face longer initial payout times, so confirm the schedule before you launch.
Sources we checked (9)
- https://squareup.com
- https://stripe.com
- https://www.paypal.com/us/business
- https://www.shopify.com/payments
- https://www.helcim.com
- https://staxpayments.com
- https://www.clover.com
- https://www.adyen.com
- https://www.lightspeedhq.com/payments/
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.