5 Best Payment Gateways To Implement on Business

A payment gateway is a software application or service that allows merchants to accept and process electronic payments, such as credit card and debit card transactions. In this article, we’ll explore what payment gateways are and how they work.

What is a payment gateway?

A payment gateway is a technology that enables merchants to accept payments from customers online. It acts as a bridge between a merchant’s website and the payment processing network, allowing merchants to securely and efficiently process electronic payments. Payment gateways are essential for e-commerce businesses, as they enable merchants to sell products and services online and receive payment for them.

How do payment gateways work?

Payment gateways work by securely transmitting payment information from a customer’s device (such as a computer or smartphone) to the merchant’s payment processor. This process typically involves the following steps:

1. A customer initiates a purchase on a merchant’s website and enters their payment information, such as their credit card number and expiration date.
2. The payment gateway encrypts the payment information and sends it to the payment processor.
3. The payment processor verifies the payment information and sends a request to the customer’s bank to authorize the transaction.
4. The bank approves or denies the transaction and sends a response back to the payment processor.
5. The payment processor sends the response back to the payment gateway, which passes it on to the merchant’s website.
6. If the transaction is approved, the payment gateway processes the payment and sends a confirmation to the merchant and the customer.
7. Types of payment gateways

There are several types of payment gateways available, including the following:

1. Hosted payment gateways: Hosted payment gateways redirect customers to a secure payment page hosted by the payment gateway provider to enter their payment information. This type of payment gateway is easy to set up, but it may require merchants to pay additional fees for hosting and PCI compliance.
2. Integrated payment gateways: Integrated payment gateways allow merchants to process payments directly on their website without redirecting customers to a separate page. This type of payment gateway requires more setup and technical expertise, but it can offer a more seamless experience for customers.
3. Mobile payment gateways: Mobile payment gateways are designed for use on mobile devices and allow merchants to accept payments through their mobile app or website. This type of payment gateway is useful for businesses that sell products or services in person, such as at a retail store or event.
4. Advantages of payment gateways

Payment gateways offer several advantages to merchants, including the following:

1. Convenience: Payment gateways make it easy for merchants to accept payments online, enabling them to sell products and services to a global audience.
2. Security: Payment gateways use encryption and other security measures to protect payment information and prevent fraud.
3. Efficiency: Payment gateways can process payments quickly and efficiently, enabling merchants to receive payment for their products and services in a timely manner.
4. Integration: Payment gateways can be integrated with other business tools and systems, such as accounting software and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
5. Customer experience: Payment gateways can provide a seamless and secure payment experience for customers, increasing their confidence in making purchases online.
6. Payment gateway providers

There are numerous payment gateway providers available, each with its own features and pricing. Some popular payment gateway providers include PayPal, Stripe, and Square. When choosing a payment gateway provider, it’s important to consider factors such as fees, security, integration options, and customer support.

Here are the top 5 best payment gateways:

Authorize.net

Authorize.Net is a leading payment gateway and merchant services provider that enables businesses to accept online payments securely and efficiently. Founded in 1996, it has established itself as a trusted platform for processing credit card transactions and managing payment-related operations.

As a payment gateway, Authorize.Net acts as an intermediary between the merchant’s website or application and the financial institutions involved in processing the transaction. It securely transmits customer payment information, verifies the transaction details, and facilitates the transfer of funds.

Authorize.Net offers a range of features and services to support businesses in their payment processing needs:

1. Payment Acceptance: Authorize.Net enables businesses to accept major credit and debit cards, e-checks (ACH payments), and digital wallet payments. It provides easy integration options for websites, mobile apps, and point-of-sale (POS) systems.
2. Fraud Prevention: The platform includes robust fraud detection and prevention tools to help businesses mitigate the risk of fraudulent transactions. It employs features such as Address Verification System (AVS), Card Code Verification (CCV), and customizable fraud filters.
3. Recurring Billing: Authorize.Net supports recurring billing functionality, allowing businesses to set up automatic recurring payments for subscription-based services, memberships, and installment plans.
4. Payment Security: Security is a top priority for Authorize.Net. It adheres to stringent security standards, including Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance. It encrypts sensitive customer data and employs tokenization techniques to secure payment information.
5. Reporting and Analytics: Authorize.Net provides detailed reporting and analytics tools that give businesses insights into transaction data, sales trends, and customer behavior. These insights can help optimize business operations and make informed decisions.
6. Integrations and Partnerships: Authorize.Net integrates with a wide range of third-party applications, shopping carts, and software platforms, making it versatile and adaptable to different business needs. It also partners with banks and merchant service providers to offer comprehensive payment solutions.

Authorize.Net offers flexible pricing plans with options for businesses of all sizes, from small businesses to enterprise-level organizations. The pricing structure typically includes a setup fee, a monthly gateway fee, and transaction fees based on the volume of transactions processed.

Overall, Authorize.Net has established itself as a reliable and feature-rich payment gateway, enabling businesses to accept online payments securely and efficiently. Its comprehensive suite of services, fraud prevention measures, and flexible integration options have made it a popular choice for businesses looking to establish a robust online payment infrastructure.

Paypal

PayPal is a widely used online payment system that allows individuals and businesses to send and receive money electronically. It provides a secure platform for making payments, transferring funds, and conducting e-commerce transactions. PayPal enables users to link their bank accounts, credit cards, or debit cards to their PayPal accounts, providing a convenient and seamless way to make online payments. Users can also store their payment information securely within their PayPal accounts, eliminating the need to repeatedly enter payment details for each transaction. PayPal offers buyer and seller protection, helping to safeguard transactions and resolve disputes if any issues arise. It is accepted by numerous online retailers, making it a popular and trusted payment method for online shopping. Additionally, PayPal has expanded its services to include features like international money transfers, invoicing, and even peer-to-peer payments through its Venmo platform.

Braintree

Braintree is a payment platform that allows businesses to accept and process online payments. It provides a range of payment solutions and features for merchants, making it easier to integrate and manage online transactions. Braintree was founded in 2007 and was acquired by PayPal in 2013.

One of the key features of Braintree is its ability to accept payments through various methods, including credit and debit cards, digital wallets like PayPal and Venmo, and alternative payment methods. It supports major credit card networks such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

Braintree offers a developer-friendly API and software development kits (SDKs) for multiple programming languages, making it easier for businesses to integrate payment functionality into their websites or mobile applications. It provides a secure and streamlined payment process, handling tasks such as card verification, data encryption, and fraud protection.

In addition to payment processing, Braintree offers features like recurring billing, subscription management, and advanced reporting and analytics. It also supports international payments, allowing businesses to accept payments from customers around the world in various currencies.

Overall, Braintree provides businesses with a flexible and robust platform for accepting online payments, making it a popular choice for e-commerce merchants, mobile app developers, and businesses looking to expand their payment options.

Stripe

Stripe is a technology company that provides a suite of payment processing tools and services. It enables businesses to accept and manage online payments securely and seamlessly. Stripe was founded in 2010 and has become a popular choice for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises.

Stripe offers a developer-friendly platform with a comprehensive set of APIs and software development kits (SDKs) that allow businesses to integrate payment processing into their websites, mobile applications, and other digital platforms. The APIs provide flexible customization options and support various programming languages, making it easier for developers to incorporate Stripe’s payment functionality.

With Stripe, businesses can accept payments from customers using different methods, including major credit and debit cards, digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, and alternative payment methods specific to certain regions. It supports multiple currencies, allowing businesses to accept payments from customers worldwide.

Stripe emphasizes security and compliance, handling sensitive customer data and ensuring secure transactions. It provides built-in security features such as tokenization and encryption to protect payment information. Stripe also assists businesses with meeting regulatory requirements, including PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance.

In addition to payment processing, Stripe offers a range of services such as subscription billing, fraud prevention tools, customizable checkout flows, invoicing, and detailed analytics and reporting. It also supports features like recurring payments, one-time payments, and refunds.

Stripe has gained popularity for its ease of use, developer-friendly tools, and extensive documentation and support resources. Its services are widely used by e-commerce businesses, online marketplaces, subscription-based platforms, and businesses looking to streamline their payment processes.

Overall, Stripe provides businesses with a robust and reliable payment infrastructure, enabling them to accept payments online efficiently and securely while offering a seamless experience to their customers.

Square

Square is a financial technology company that offers a range of products and services to help businesses manage their payments and operations. It was founded in 2009 by Jack Dorsey and has since grown into a widely recognized and utilized platform.

One of Square’s primary offerings is its point-of-sale (POS) system, which includes hardware and software solutions for accepting in-person payments. The Square POS system includes a variety of devices, such as card readers, terminals, and registers, which can be used to process credit and debit card payments. It also provides features like inventory management, sales reporting, and customer relationship management (CRM) tools.

Square has expanded beyond in-person payments and offers an array of services for online transactions as well. Its e-commerce solutions enable businesses to create online stores and accept payments through websites or mobile apps. Square provides tools for building websites, integrating payment processing, managing inventory, and tracking sales across both online and offline channels.

In addition to payment processing, Square offers a range of complementary services. Square Capital provides small businesses with access to funding through business loans, helping them to grow and expand. Square Payroll simplifies payroll management by automating calculations, tax filings, and direct deposits for employees. Square also offers Square Appointments, which allows businesses to manage their scheduling and appointments seamlessly.

Square’s services are known for their user-friendly interfaces and transparent pricing. It caters to businesses of all sizes, from sole proprietors to larger enterprises. Square charges transaction fees for processing payments, but its pricing structure is often straightforward and easy to understand.

Square has gained popularity among small businesses and entrepreneurs for its accessibility, versatility, and ease of use. Its integrated ecosystem of payment solutions and business management tools has helped many businesses streamline their operations and improve their payment processes.

Overall, Square provides a comprehensive suite of services to empower businesses with tools for accepting payments, managing operations, and facilitating growth. Its range of products and services makes it a popular choice for businesses across various industries.