Published on September 22, 2025
4 min read
Top 10 Payment Processing Platforms for Small Businesses in 2025
For small businesses, choosing the right payment processing platform is essential to ensure smooth transactions, cost efficiency, and security.
With a wide range of options available in 2025, businesses can select a solution that best suits their needs, whether for in-store, online, or mobile payments.
This guide highlights the top 10 payment processing platforms for small businesses, outlining their features, pricing, and why they stand out in the market.
Everything You Need to Know About Payment Processing for Small Businesses
Square
- Best For: Retail stores, restaurants, and service-based businesses.
- Features: Free POS system, mobile payments, invoicing, and online checkout.
- Pricing: 2.
6% + $0.
10 per swipe, dip, or tap.
PayPal
- Best For: E-commerce businesses and freelancers.
- Features: One-touch checkout, international payments, and PayPal Credit.
- Pricing: 2.
99% + fixed fee per transaction.
Stripe
- Best For: Online businesses and developers needing a customizable payment solution.
- Features: API-based payments, subscription billing, and global currency support.
- Pricing: 2.
9% + $0.
30 per transaction.
Shopify Payments
- Best For: E-commerce stores using Shopify.
- Features: Integrated payments, fraud prevention, and multi-currency support.
- Pricing: Starts at 2.
4% per transaction.
Authorize.
Net
- Best For: Businesses needing advanced fraud protection and recurring billing.
- Features: Customer information manager, subscription payments, and security tools.
- Pricing: 2.
9% + $0.
30 per transaction + $25 monthly fee.
QuickBooks Payments
- Best For: Small businesses using QuickBooks for accounting.
- Features: Seamless QuickBooks integration, invoicing, and mobile payments.
- Pricing: 2.
4% to 3.
5% per transaction, depending on the plan.
Clover
- Best For: Brick-and-mortar businesses looking for an all-in-one POS system.
- Features: Customizable POS, contactless payments, and loyalty programs.
- Pricing: Starts at 2.
3% + $0.
10 per transaction.
Stax
- Best For: Businesses with high transaction volumes.
- Features: Subscription-based pricing, unlimited transactions, and analytics tools.
- Pricing: Starts at $99/month with no percentage fees on transactions.
Helcim
- Best For: Businesses looking for transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
- Features: Volume-based discounts, virtual terminals, and invoicing tools.
- Pricing: Starts at 1.
92% + $0.
08 per transaction.
Venmo for Business
- Best For: Small businesses and freelancers accepting peer-to-peer payments.
- Features: QR code payments, social media integration, and instant transfers.
- Pricing: 1.
9% + $0.
10 per transaction.
How to Choose the Best Payment Processor
- Consider your business type (e-commerce, retail, or service-based).
- Compare transaction fees and monthly costs.
- Check for integrations with your existing software.
- Evaluate security features and fraud protection.