Adyen vs Braintree: The ultimate 2025 comparison guide for global payments

For global businesses, choosing a payment processor isn’t just about accepting credit cards. It’s about finding a solution that aligns with how you scale, what markets you serve, and how much control you want over your payment flow.

In the Adyen vs Braintree debate, both platforms are strong contenders, but for different reasons. Adyen is built for enterprise-level global reach with full-stack acquiring and unified data. Braintree, a PayPal-owned platform, brings flexibility, strong PayPal support (Venmo not supported in Australia), and interchange-plus pricing for high-volume merchants.

This comparison breaks down their strengths, fees, global reach, and integration experience. We’ll also show how Airwallex compares as a modern, global-first alternative that bridges the gap between flexibility and transparency.

What is Adyen?

Adyen is an enterprise-grade payments platform headquartered in the Netherlands. It serves businesses in over 100 countries and offers in-house acquiring, fraud prevention, and real-time data through a single platform.

Key features:

• Unified commerce across online, in-person, and in-app payments

• In-house acquiring in 40+ markets

• Support for 250+ local payment methods

• Real-time reporting and risk management

• Embedded finance tools like issuing and capital

Adyen is best known for offering large-scale businesses complete visibility and control over their payments infrastructure – ideal for global retailers, marketplaces, and platforms that want one provider across all touchpoints.

What is Braintree?

Braintree is a full-stack payment platform owned by PayPal. It operates in 45+ countries and supports over 130 currencies, with native PayPal integrations that make it especially attractive to merchants focused on US and marketplace sales.

Key features:

• Accepts PayPal, credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay (Venmo not available in Australia)

• Interchange-plus pricing for eligible merchants

• Built-in recurring billing and fraud tools

• Support for marketplace payouts via PayPal

• Developer-friendly SDKs and drop-in UI

Braintree gives businesses access to a flexible payments toolkit, particularly if they’re already in the PayPal ecosystem or targeting customers in the US. It’s commonly used by eCommerce brands and subscription services looking for a balance between flexibility and simplicity.

Adyen vs Braintree: A head-to-head comparison

Data current as of July 2025

Detailed fee comparison table

Data current as of July 2025

Adyen fees explained

Adyen's pricing is custom based on volume, industry, and location. It generally uses interchange++ pricing.

• Transaction fees: Vary by card type and market, with acquiring and scheme fees layered in.

• Currency conversion: Uses market FX rates with a small markup, depending on the currency pair.

• Chargebacks: Around €25 per dispute, though this varies by region.

• Other costs: Additional fees may apply for less common payment methods or advanced features.

There are no setup or monthly fees, but merchants should budget for variable costs that can be harder to predict upfront.

Braintree fees explained

Braintree starts with flat-rate pricing, which works well for smaller businesses, but can scale to interchange-plus for high-volume merchants.

• Domestic transactions:1.75% + A$0.30 (inclusive of GST)

• ACH transfers: 0.75% capped at $5 (US only).

• Refunds: Processing fees are returned, which is useful for businesses with high return rates.

• Chargebacks: A$25 per dispute

• International payments: 3.9% + A$0.30 (cross-currency, inclusive of GST)

• Currency conversion: 3.5%–4% FX margin, processed via PayPal

• Volume discounts: Available to businesses processing over $80K/month.

Braintree’s pricing is transparent and appealing for merchants in the PayPal ecosystem, especially those who want access to both card and PayPal payments without extra layers.

Who is Adyen best for?

Adyen is ideal for large, global businesses that want a high degree of control and scale. It’s designed for merchants with complex operations across multiple regions, channels, and customer types.

• Enterprise retailers looking for unified in-store and online payments

• Global platforms and marketplaces that need in-house acquiring in key regions

• Businesses prioritising security, scalability, and compliance

• Finance teams that want consolidated data and real-time insights

If you're operating across multiple countries and want a single platform to handle cards, wallets, and local payment methods, all while managing risk and compliance, Adyen is one of the few all-in-one enterprise options.

Who is Braintree best for?

Braintree works best for businesses that need flexibility, straightforward setup, and strong integration with PayPal or Venmo. It appeals to companies with US-focused customers and those already in the PayPal ecosystem.

• SMBs and mid-market eCommerce brands

• Subscription services that benefit from built-in recurring billing

• Merchants targeting US buyers with PayPal and Venmo usage

• Teams with limited developer resources, thanks to drop-in UIs and SDKs

If you're starting out, scaling within North America, or want PayPal and card support without extensive customisation, Braintree is a solid option.

Beyond the basics: Key differences between Adyen and Braintree

Onboarding and setup: Adyen involves a more formal process tailored to enterprise deployment, often including underwriting and onboarding support. Braintree is faster to launch, especially if you're already in the PayPal ecosystem.

Integration flexibility: Adyen supports API-first setups with enterprise SDKs and plug-ins. Braintree leans on drop-in UIs and simple SDKs – ideal if you want speed over full customisation.

Payment methods: Adyen supports 250+ payment options, including regional methods like iDEAL, Alipay, and SEPA. Braintree covers major cards and wallets but lacks local methods in many regions.

In-person payments: Adyen offers unified commerce – seamless support for POS terminals, mobile readers, and countertop devices in 40+ markets. Braintree depends on PayPal’s in-person terminals and lacks cohesive omni-channel functionality.

Acquiring structure: With built-in acquiring in dozens of markets, Adyen removes intermediaries and gives full visibility into settlements. Braintree processes payments via PayPal’s network, which can add complexity and delay.

Fraud and risk tools: Adyen’s RevenueProtect offers ML-driven detection, device fingerprinting, and velocity checks. Braintree relies on basic fraud controls embedded in PayPal’s systems.

Refunds and chargebacks: Braintree refunds processing fees on returned payments, which helps businesses with common returns. Adyen does not.

Currency and FX handling: Adyen handles 150+ currencies and uses interchange++ with added FX margin. Braintree supports 130+ currencies, but FX costs are less transparent and may vary.

Embedded finance and issuing: Adyen includes value-add services like branded card issuance and revenue advances. Braintree doesn’t offer embedded finance.

Reporting and analytics: Adyen delivers enterprise-level analytics and unified reporting across online, mobile, and physical channels. Braintree offers straightforward dashboards most suited to small or medium merchants.

Market reputation & satisfaction: Adyen holds roughly 8–8.1% of the global payments infrastructure market and scores around 8.5–8.7/10 on TrustRadius. Braintree holds under 1% share and scores around 5.8–7.4.

Customer support & access: Adyen provides enterprise-level onboarding and dedicated account teams. Braintree supports via email and documentation, with limited live help.

Why Airwallex is a powerful alternative (and how we compare)

Adyen and Braintree each serve specific use cases – but if your business operates across borders and wants control, speed, and transparent pricing, Airwallex is built for you.

Airwallex offers a modern global financial platform built to simplify international growth. Compared to Adyen and Braintree, Airwallex offers more flexibility and transparency for multi-currency management, faster setup, and real cost savings on FX.

Key Airwallex advantages include:

• Like-for-like settlement in 14+ currencies: Accept payments and settle funds in the same currency – no forced conversions or hidden markups.

• Fast global account setup: Open foreign and domestic currency accounts in minutes and start accepting local payments in over 60 countries.

• Local bank details in 70+ countries: Receive funds like a local business without needing a local entity.

• Live FX pricing and interbank rates: Trade in 90+ currencies at real-time rates with full visibility.

• Up to 80% lower FX fees: Reduce international transaction costs compared to banks, Adyen, or Braintree.

• Fast, reliable global payouts: Send to 200+ countries with 95% of transfers settling the same day – or instantly in 52% of cases.

• All-in-one financial stack: Accept payments, manage FX, issue virtual cards, and track expenses – all from one platform.

Airwallex is ideal for Australian businesses looking to scale across borders without paying extra for enterprise features or complex integrations.

Final verdict: Choosing the right payment platform

Choosing between Adyen and Braintree depends on your business needs, size, and future plans.

Choose Adyen if you:

• Run a global business and want full control over acquiring

• Need enterprise-grade features and omnichannel capabilities

• Prioritise deep analytics, fraud controls, and scalability

Choose Braintree if you:

• Are a growing eCommerce business or subscription service

• Need PayPal and Venmo support out of the box

• Prefer a fast setup and refund-friendly pricing

Choose Airwallex if you:

• Want a modern platform built for international scale

• Need transparent FX, global accounts, and real-time financial tools

• Value ease of use without sacrificing developer power or control

Airwallex offers a streamlined alternative that covers what Adyen and Braintree do separately – plus more.

Adyen vs Braintree: frequently asked questions

Who is Adyen's biggest competitor?

Stripe is considered Adyen’s closest global competitor. Both platforms offer developer-first payments infrastructure and enterprise-scale acquiring. Airwallex is another strong competitor to Adyen for growing international businesses.

Is Adyen a good payment processor?

Yes. Adyen is widely regarded as one of the most robust payment processors for enterprise merchants. It supports online and offline payments, 250+ local payment methods, and provides in-house acquiring in over 40 countries.

Who does Braintree compete with?

Braintree competes most directly with Stripe, Square, Airwallex, and other payment and financial platforms aimed at SMBs and eCommerce brands.

Is Adyen better than Stripe?

It depends on your needs. Adyen is ideal for enterprise-grade omnichannel operations. Stripe offers more flexible APIs and tools for startups and SaaS platforms. Both are powerful in different ways.

Does Braintree support international payments?

Yes. Braintree supports 130+ currencies and is available in over 45 countries, but its international tools are limited compared to Adyen or Airwallex.

Does Adyen offer POS systems?

Yes. Adyen provides its own POS hardware and unified reporting across online and offline sales.

Is Airwallex cheaper than Adyen or Braintree?

Airwallex offers competitive pricing, transparent FX with interbank rates, and no monthly fees – making it more cost-effective for many global businesses, especially those with multi-currency needs.

Can I use PayPal with Adyen?

No. Adyen does not support PayPal payments. If PayPal is a key channel for your business, Braintree may be the better choice.

Does Braintree refund processing fees?

Yes. Braintree returns the processing fees for refunded transactions, which is helpful for businesses with frequent returns.

Sources:

https://stripe.com/pricing

https://www.paypal.com/au/enterprise/paypal-braintree-fees