Top 7 payment gateway providers and services in the US in 2026

Key takeaways

• Approximately 70% of online shopping carts are abandoned, underscoring the importance of a frictionless payment gateway for capturing revenue.¹

• Choosing a payment gateway comes down to card processing fees, supported payment methods, settlement currencies, and integrations with existing systems.

• The best payment gateway providers in the US are Airwallex, Adyen, PayPal, Shopify Payments, Square, Helcim, and Authorize.net.

When a potential buyer is ready to make a purchase, a payment gateway ensures the transaction processes successfully. Businesses have many payment gateways to choose from, which makes selection a challenge for scaling companies. This article explores seven leading payment gateway providers by fees and use case to help businesses make an informed choice.

What is a payment gateway provider or service?

A payment gateway provider offers technology that enables merchants to accept and securely process customer payments made via credit card, debit card, digital wallet, or other electronic methods.

Payment gateways handle the behind-the-scenes payment processing that occurs after a customer completes a transaction. They encrypt and transmit sensitive financial information to the appropriate parties, helping ensure the transaction is verified, approved, and settled securely. While the term most often refers to eCommerce payments, payment gateways can also support in-person transactions through point-of-sale (POS) systems.

Regardless of company size, a reliable payment gateway is crucial for providing a secure checkout experience and ensuring timely payments. Selecting the right payment provider goes beyond basic payment acceptance. The right partner reduces costs, facilitates global expansion, and simplifies operations by consolidating payment, treasury, foreign exchange, and reporting into one platform.

How does a payment gateway provider work?

A payment gateway provider ensures that customer funds transfer safely from a credit card, debit card, or digital wallet to a merchant bank account.

The provider's payment gateway encrypts and securely transmits customer payment information to the payment processor. The payment processor then facilitates the verification and approval of the transaction, ensuring funds are transferred to the merchant account. Learn more about online payment processing services. Many gateways also handle fraud detection and chargeback processing, protecting both the merchant and the consumer.

Here is how payment gateways function behind the scenes after a customer initiates a payment:

1. The customer submits payment by entering card details or selecting a local payment method, such as iDEAL or Alipay. The gateway collects this information and encrypts it for security purposes.

2. The gateway requests authorization: The payment data routes through the payment processor's network, which contacts the customer's bank or card issuer to check the details and confirm funds are available.

3. The transaction is approved or declined: The customer's bank responds. If the bank approves the transaction, the gateway confirms it in real time and the customer receives notification that the payment succeeded.

4. Funds are settled to the account: Once approved, the funds move from the customer's account to the merchant account. Depending on the gateway and setup, this takes a few hours or days.

The top 7 payment gateway providers at a glance

Top features to look for in a payment gateway provider

Comparing digital payment providers requires examining specific functionality. The most important features to evaluate include:

• Processing location: Some gateways process transactions directly on the merchant website while others redirect customers to a separate payment page. For the smoothest checkout experience, gateways with on-site transactions perform best.

• Security: The gateway must be PCI DSS compliant and use the latest end-to-end encryption technology and fraud prevention tools to protect customer data.

• Integrations: The gateway should integrate easily (no code required) with existing systems, such as accounting software or eCommerce platforms.

• Cost: Pricing varies across different platforms. Businesses must evaluate setup fees, transaction fees, and any long-term contracts associated with the service. The top payment gateways offer flexible pricing plans and transparent costs.

• Reporting: Software that offers insights into transaction data and customer behavior helps optimize sales strategy and forecasts.

• Breadth of service: Some providers offer only a basic payment gateway while others bundle additional financial tools, such as multi-currency accounts, cross-border transfers, expense management, and payout capabilities. Choosing a platform with these built-in features reduces reliance on multiple systems, centralizes financial operations, and lowers costs.

• Global reach and LFL settlement: For international sales, gateways with broad global coverage and support for like-for-like (LFL) settlement are critical. This allows merchants to collect payments in a local currency and settle into domestic accounts in that same currency, avoiding forced conversions and reducing foreign exchange costs.

Best payment gateway providers in the US

Best for cross-border payments: Airwallex Payments

Our take

Airwallex Payments lets businesses accept major card schemes and 160+ local payment methods in 180+ countries.⁴ Domestic cards cost 2.8% + US$0.30 per transaction and international cards cost 4.3% + US$0.30.² Businesses that want cost transparency can choose Interchange++ (IC++) pricing for card payments instead.⁶

Airwallex settles funds in the currency customers pay in, across 20+ currencies, which avoids forced conversion at checkout. Settled funds sit in multi-currency accounts alongside FX, transfers, and spend management on one platform. Converting major currencies costs 0.5% above the interbank rate and other currencies cost 1%.

Airwallex is a fintech company, not a bank. Airwallex holds US customer funds with FDIC-insured partner banks, including Evolve Bank & Trust, where they are eligible for FDIC pass-through insurance of up to US$250,000 per qualified customer account and banking institution.

Pros

• 160+ local payment methods across 180+ countries

• Settlement in the currency customers pay in, across 20+ currencies

• Automatic Currency Conversion shows prices in each customer's local currency

• FX at 0.5% above interbank for major currencies

• Payments, FX, transfers, and spend management on one platform

Cons

• No physical branches or in-person support

• No cash deposits

Best for unified commerce: Adyen

Our take

Adyen is a global payments platform that processes online, in-app, and in-person payments through one integration. Adyen charges a fixed US$0.13 per transaction plus a payment method fee.³ Visa and Mastercard payments cost US$0.13 + Interchange++ + 0.6%. American Express payments cost US$0.13 + 3.3% + US$0.10 in North America.

Adyen charges no setup fee or monthly fee, although it sets a minimum invoice that depends on industry or business model. Adyen earns revenue from per-transaction processing fees and payment method fees. Its platform also includes risk management, authentication, and card issuing tools.

Pros

• Full POS suite for in-person payments

• No setup fee or monthly fee

• Built-in risk management and authentication tools

Cons

• Minimum invoice set by industry or business model

• Interchange++ pricing makes card costs vary by transaction

Best for digital wallet checkout: PayPal

Our take

PayPal accepts PayPal, Venmo, and credit and debit card payments, with invoicing and subscription payments built in. PayPal Checkout costs 3.49% + US$0.49 per domestic transaction and standard card payments cost 2.99% + US$0.49.⁵ International commercial transactions add 1.5% to the domestic rate.

PayPal earns revenue from transaction fees and from optional services such as Payments Pro, which costs US$30 per month. In-person QR code payments cost 2.29% + US$0.09. PayPal usually holds funds for up to 21 days when it places a hold, for example on new sellers or accounts with multiple disputes.¹²

Pros

• PayPal and Venmo wallet checkout

• No monthly fee for a standard merchant account

• Integrations with eBay, Shopify, and WooCommerce

Cons

• Fund holds of up to 21 days for new or higher-risk sellers

• Seller Protection excludes Significantly Not as Described claims¹³

Best for Shopify stores: Shopify Payments

Our take

Shopify Payments is the built-in payment gateway for Shopify stores, with checkout online and in person. Shopify's Basic plan costs US$39 per month (US$29 billed yearly) and charges 2.9% + US$0.30 for online standard card payments.⁷ International cards add 1% on every plan.

Shopify's Grow plan costs US$105 per month and lowers the online card rate to 2.7% + US$0.30. Stores that use a third-party payment provider pay an extra 0.2% to 2% transaction fee, depending on the plan. Shopify earns revenue from plan subscriptions and card processing fees.

Pros

• Native integration with Shopify checkout

• In-person payments with Shopify POS

• Lower card rates on higher plans

Cons

• Only available to Shopify store owners

• Extra 0.2% to 2% fee for third-party payment providers

Best for integrated POS: Square

Our take

Square combines POS software, hardware, and online payments in one system. Square Free has no monthly fee. It charges 2.6% + US$0.15 for in-person payments and 3.3% + US$0.30 for online payments.⁹ Manually entered cards cost 3.5% + US$0.15 on every plan.

Square's Plus plan costs US$49 per location per month and lowers the online rate to 2.9% + US$0.30. Square's Premium plan costs US$149 per location per month and lowers in-person payments to 2.4% + US$0.15. Square earns revenue from processing fees and software subscriptions.

Pros

• Free POS software on Square Free

• No monthly fee on the Free plan

• In-person and online payments in one system

Cons

• Online payments cost 3.3% + US$0.30 on the Free plan

• Afterpay payments cost 6% + US$0.30

Best for interchange-plus pricing: Helcim

Our take

Helcim uses interchange-plus pricing, which passes through card network costs and adds Helcim's own margin.¹⁰ Helcim charges no monthly account fee, setup fee, or cancellation fee. Its margin starts at 0.4% + US$0.08 for in-person payments and 0.5% + US$0.25 for keyed and online payments, on up to US$50,000 in monthly card volume.

Helcim lowers its margin automatically as monthly volume grows, based on the average of the last three months. Every account includes a payment gateway, virtual terminal, online invoicing, recurring payments, and POS software. Helcim earns revenue from its margin on each transaction and from hardware sales.

Pros

• No monthly fee or contract

• Automatic volume discounts

• Payment gateway and virtual terminal included

Cons

• Recurring payments add 0.4% per transaction

• Total card cost varies with interchange rates

Best for existing merchant accounts: Authorize.net

Our take

Authorize.net is a payment gateway that connects a business's website or POS to a merchant account. Authorize.net's All-in-One plan costs US$25 per month plus 2.9% + US$0.30 per transaction.¹¹ The All-in-One plan includes a merchant account. Authorize.net's Gateway Only plan, for businesses with an existing merchant account, costs US$25 per month plus US$0.10 per transaction and a US$0.10 daily batch fee.

Every plan includes the Advanced Fraud Detection Suite, Customer Information Manager, Automated Recurring Billing, and digital invoicing. Authorize.net charges no setup fee and no early termination fee. Authorize.net earns revenue from monthly gateway fees and per-transaction fees.

Pros

• Works with an existing merchant account

• Advanced Fraud Detection Suite included

• eCheck processing at 0.75% per transaction

Cons

• US$25 monthly gateway fee on every plan

• Daily batch fee on the Gateway Only plan

Methodology for ranking the best payment gateway providers

This ranking compared each provider's pricing page, fee schedule, and published product information. Each provider was scored on the criteria below. Airwallex publishes this article and scored Airwallex Payments against the same criteria as every other provider here.

• Processing costs: published card rates, fixed fees, monthly fees, and extra charges such as third-party provider fees

• Payment methods: the cards, digital wallets, and local payment methods each provider accepts

• Cross-border support: international card fees, settlement currencies, and FX costs

• Integrations: eCommerce plugins, POS systems, and APIs

• Risk and security: PCI DSS compliance, fraud tools, and fund hold policies

Questions to ask when onboarding a payment gateway provider

Evaluating providers requires asking specific questions before finalizing an agreement:

Does the provider support preferred payment methods?

Merchants must determine if the gateway accepts the payment methods customers prefer, including credit cards, Apple Pay, or Klarna.

What currencies and countries are supported?

Multi-currency support, cross-border payment capabilities, and currency conversion fees are vital considerations for companies operating or expanding internationally.

What is the full fee structure?

Requesting a comprehensive breakdown of all possible fees, including transaction fees, monthly fees, and foreign transaction fees, provides transparency and helps prevent hidden costs.

How well does the gateway integrate with existing architecture?

The payment gateway should connect directly with the company website, shopping cart, and accounting software to streamline operations and reduce manual workflows.

Can the system scale with business growth?

Choosing a provider equipped to support growth ensures the business will not need to switch platforms or renegotiate contracts during expansion phases.

Does the platform support like-for-like (LFL) settlement?

For companies collecting payments in multiple currencies, settling funds in the received currency is highly advantageous. LFL settlement reduces forced conversions and lowers foreign exchange costs.

What additional features or services exist?

Beyond basic payment acceptance, leading providers offer end-to-end financial tools, including foreign exchange, international transfers, same-day settlement, and spend management. These features centralize financial operations, reduce costs, and streamline the flow of money. Fraud protection, analytics, and financial reporting tools also represent essential value-adds.

What security measures and certifications are in place?

The provider must meet industry standards, such as PCI DSS, utilizing robust fraud prevention tools and data protection protocols.

Why choose Airwallex as an online payment gateway solution for cross-border businesses

Selling internationally shouldn't mean losing margin to forced conversions or losing customers at checkout. Airwallex provides one global financial infrastructure to accept, hold, convert, and spend money in multiple currencies.

Customers can pay with 160+ local payment methods they already use, through no-code Payment Links, eCommerce plugins, or a fully customizable API. Optimize 360, the platform’s AI-powered payment optimization engine, works across fraud prevention, smart retries, and routing, and can deliver up to 2.6% higher approval rates.⁸

Businesses spend less time stitching together payment, FX, and treasury tools and more time growing globally.

Frequently asked questions about top payment gateway providers and services

What factors should be considered when selecting a payment gateway solution?

Businesses selecting a payment gateway solution should consider security credentials, supported payment methods, fees, currency support, integration with current systems, transaction success rates, scalability, and the quality of customer support available. 

How much does it cost to onboard a payment gateway solution?

Pricing varies widely across providers. Factors such as setup fees, monthly subscription charges, transaction fees, and currency conversion fees will impact the overall cost. 

How safe are payment gateway services?

Most payment gateway services are safe. The best payment gateway services use advanced end-to-end encryption tools and comply with security standards such as PCI DSS to prevent unauthorized access or fraud.

Sources 

1. https://baymard.com/lists/cart-abandonment-rate

2. https://www.airwallex.com/en-us/pricing

3. https://www.adyen.com/pricing 

4. https://www.airwallex.com/en-us/payments

5. https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/merchant-fees 

6. https://www.airwallex.com/docs/payments/about-airwallex-payments/fees-and-pricing-models

7. https://www.shopify.com/pricing

8. https://www.airwallex.com/en-us/payments/optimize-360

9. https://squareup.com/us/en/payments/our-fees

10. https://www.helcim.com/pricing/

11. https://www.authorize.net/sign-up/pricing.html

12. https://www.paypal.com/us/brc/article/funds-availability 

13. https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/security/seller-protection