If you’re selling online, whether it’s products, services, or bookings, you need a payment gateway so customers can pay you securely with cards, wallets, and other methods. The right payment gateway helps you get paid faster and makes checkout easy for your customers.
Here are some of the best options for small businesses in 2025:
1. Stripe – Powerful and Flexible
Best for: Online stores and growing businesses
Stripe is one of the most popular payment gateways for small business websites because it’s:
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easy to integrate with most websites and platforms
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supports multiple payment methods (cards, digital wallets, local payments)
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strong tools for subscriptions and recurring billing
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supports international sales
Stripe doesn’t charge setup fees, you pay per transaction (typically a small percentage plus a fixed amount) and only when you sell something.
Why it’s great: Flexible, modern, and scales as you grow.
2. PayPal – Trusted & Recognisable
Best for: Businesses that want quick setup and high customer trust
PayPal is known worldwide and customers often feel more confident paying with it. It’s:
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easy to set up
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recognised by millions of buyers
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available in many countries
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usable for both online stores and invoices
PayPal’s fees are typical for small businesses, and it works with most e-commerce platforms.
Why it’s great: Customers trust the PayPal brand, which can help conversions.
3. Square – Simple All-in-One Payments
Best for: Hybrid businesses (online + in-person) and local shops
Square is ideal if you sell both online and in person (e.g., at markets or in a shop). It offers:
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online payment processing
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point-of-sale (POS) tools
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free card reader hardware
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easy mobile app for sales
Square has flat fees on transactions and no monthly subscription for basic use.
Why it’s great: Combines online and in-person payments in one system.
4. Braintree – Flexible and Feature-Rich
Best for: Businesses that want PayPal-owned reliability with added features
Braintree (owned by PayPal) lets you:
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accept cards, digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), and more
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handle recurring billing
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support multiple currencies
It’s a step up in flexibility from basic PayPal setups and works well with growing online stores.
Why it’s great: More advanced options without losing global reach.
5. Authorize.net – Trusted for Security
Best for: Merchants who want strong fraud prevention
Authorize.net is one of the oldest gateways and is known for:
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robust fraud-detection tools
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secure payment processing
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recurring billing support
There’s usually a small monthly fee plus transaction costs, but many businesses find the extra security worth it.
Why it’s great: Excellent security and reliability.
6. Helcim – Competitive Fees
Best for: Businesses with higher sales volume
Helcim offers:
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transparent interchange-plus pricing
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tools for subscriptions and invoicing
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fast processing
It can be cheaper overall for businesses with lots of transactions.
Why it’s great: Potentially lower cost for busy stores.
What to Consider When Choosing a Gateway
When picking a payment gateway, think about:
✔ Transaction Fees
Most gateways charge a percentage plus a small fee per sale, e.g., 2.9% + €0.30. Consider how this adds up with your average sale size and volume.
✔ Integration With Your Website
Make sure the gateway works with your platform (WooCommerce, Shopify, custom site).
✔ Customer Experience
Familiar checkout options (like PayPal) can improve conversions.
✔ Security
Choose PCI-compliant gateways with fraud protection built in.
Final Thoughts
There’s no “one-size-fits-all” gateway, it’s what’s best depends on your business model, how you sell, and your geographic market. For many small businesses, Stripe and PayPal are excellent starting points, while Square shines for mixed online/in-person sales.
At SwiftSites, we help our clients choose and set up the right payment gateway for their needs, so your customers enjoy a smooth checkout experience and you get paid quickly and securely.
