As your business grows, relying on manual payment methods can lead to unnecessary costs and inefficiencies. Manual payments are slow, prone to errors, and can cause delays when data entry mistakes require costly corrections. On top of that, record-keeping becomes a tedious, time-consuming process that only adds more friction to your operations.
That’s where payment processing platforms come into play. They help you maintain transactions, reduce errors, and save time by automating many processes that manual payments can’t handle properly. Stripe is one of the most popular solutions, but it’s not the only option. In fact, several alternatives may suit your business even better, depending on your needs.
This article will cover:
- A brief overview of Stripe and its role in payment processing
- Key features that make Stripe stand out
- 5 alternative platforms that offer additional benefits
- How these platforms can help you improve your payment systems
- What to look for when choosing the right payment processor for your business
Let’s explore these options to find the best fit for managing your payments and improving your billing workflows.
What is Stripe?
Stripe is a payment processing platform that lets businesses accept payments online through their website, mobile app, or e-commerce platform. It’s used by over 2.8 million websites, making it one of the most widely adopted payment solutions worldwide.
Stripe stands out for its simplicity. If you’re a developer, you can easily integrate Stripe with just a few lines of code. But even if you’re not technical, Stripe is designed to work seamlessly with most platforms, offering no-code integration that gets you up and running fast. It acts as the middleman, connecting your customers’ payment methods to your business’s bank account, and allows businesses to start accepting payments almost instantly.
How Much Does Stripe Cost?
When it comes to fees, Stripe operates on a straightforward model. Most businesses pay a flat rate per transaction, with the exact cost varying depending on the payment method your customers use at checkout. This makes Stripe an attractive option for companies looking for transparency in pricing while scaling their payment infrastructure.
Stripe Key Features
Stripe offers a powerful set of features that make it an attractive option for businesses managing payments at scale.
- Seamless Integration with CRMs: Stripe easily integrates with your existing CRM, automating everything from subscription management to invoicing. This means you can close deals faster by automating subscription setups and invoice creation right after a sale.
- Advanced Fraud Detection: Using a combination of AI-based algorithms and know-your-customer (KYC) policies, Stripe quickly validates payment details, helping protect your business from fraud. This is especially important for businesses selling software products or digital game assets where fraud risks are high.
- No-Code Invoicing: Stripe lets you create and manage invoices without needing any coding skills.
- Subscription Billing and Migration: For subscription-based businesses, Stripe Billing allows you to manage upgrades, downgrades, and renewals effortlessly. If you’re switching from another billing system, Stripe’s migration toolkit simplifies the process of uploading and validating existing subscriptions.
- Smart Payment Reminders: Stripe helps you stay on top of payments by automating reminders for expiring credit cards, upcoming renewals, and free trials that are about to end.
- Real-Time Performance Tracking: Stripe provides detailed insights into key subscription and invoicing metrics. You can track trends, identify performance bottlenecks, and even export your data for further analysis.
Stripe Pros
- Online and Offline Payments: You can use Stripe terminals in-store to accept payments, which means you can handle both online and offline transactions using the same platform.
- Simple Setup: For online businesses, it’s often as easy as adding a payment link to your website. And if you’re a software company, integrating Stripe into your app usually takes just a few lines of code. This makes Stripe ideal for businesses that need to get up and running fast without heavy technical work.
- Global Payment Processing: Stripe supports over 135 currencies across 46+ countries, making it an excellent choice for businesses looking to expand internationally.
Stripe Cons
- Vendor Lock-In: If you start using multiple Stripe products, like Stripe Billing for subscriptions and Stripe Payments for transactions, it can become difficult to branch out to other platforms. This can limit your flexibility as your business evolves.
- Limited Merchant Categories: Stripe only supports specific Merchant Category Codes (MCCs). If your business doesn’t fall under one of these categories, Stripe may stop processing your credit card transactions.
- Learning Curve: While Stripe is known for its developer-friendly setup, integrating it into a complex system can still take some time to learn.
Top 5 Stripe Alternatives to Consider in 2025
Looking for a reliable payment processing solution beyond Stripe? Here are the top 5 Stripe alternatives in 2025 that offer unique features to fit your business needs and help you scale.
Note: #1 on our list is our platform, Fungies. We are proud of the features Fungies offer to help businesses grow their revenue. And have ensured we present a fair review of all the platforms. If you want to learn more about our product, see how it works or book a demo.
| Platform | Pros | Cons | Pricing |
| Stripe | – Simple integration for developers | – Vendor lock-in with multiple products | Flat rate per transaction: 2.9% + $0.30 for card transactions in the U.S. |
| – Supports over 135 currencies | – Limited Merchant Category Codes | ||
| – No-code invoicing and smart payment reminders | – Learning curve for complex systems | ||
| Fungies.io | – Merchant of Record handling payments & compliance | – Relatively new platform with fewer user reviews | 5% + $0.50 per transaction; free store setup, no credit card required |
| – Developer-friendly API | |||
| – Daily payouts | |||
| – Global reach & multi-language support | |||
| Adyen | – Intuitive, user-friendly interface | – Shows pre-authorization fees, not final charges | Fixed processing fee + payment method fee; other services priced separately |
| – Full visibility of transactions | – Long implementation time | ||
| – Strong customer support | |||
| Merchant One | – Quick setup (24 hours) | – No live chat or knowledge base | 0.29% – 1.55% swiped rate- 0.29% – 1.99% keyed-in rate- $13.95 monthly fee |
| – Multiple APIs & SDKs for integration | – No longer offers free POS hardware | ||
| – Virtual terminal and shopping cart integrations | |||
| Square | – Easy to set up | – Occasional glitches and crashes | Free plan: no setup fees, pay per transactionPlus: $29/monthPremium: custom pricing |
| – Flexible payment scheduling | – Some security concerns reported | ||
| – Scalable features for business growth | |||
| GoCardless | – Supports payments from 30+ countries | – Confusing dashboard for managing payment plans | Standard: 1% + £/€0.20 per transactionPro: 1.4% + £/€0.20 per transactionAdvanced: 1.25% + £/€0.20 per transaction |
| – Easy recurring billing options | – Customer service lacks authority to resolve issues | ||
| – Supports bank payments over credit cards |
#1 Fungies.io
Best for: SaaS developers, game creators, and digital product sellers needing an all-in-one payment and subscription solution.
How it works
Fungies.io operates as a Merchant of Record (MoR), meaning it takes on the financial and legal responsibilities of processing payments, handling taxes, and ensuring regulatory compliance. By integrating Fungies, you can offload the complexity of managing payments and subscriptions, allowing you to focus on growing the business.
For example, if you’re a SaaS company offering subscription-based services, Fungies simplifies the entire process—from payment collection to tax calculation so you remain compliant with global regulations.
What Makes Fungies Unique
Here are some elements that make Fungies a unique choice:
- Storage and Security: Fungies goes the extra mile in securing personal information with features like pseudonymization and encryption. These measures protect sensitive data and reduce the risk of unauthorized access or breaches.
- Webhook Integration: Fungies provides robust webhook functionality, enabling your systems to receive real-time notifications and automate actions based on events in your account. This can be valuable for your business if it needs automated workflows triggered by specific user interactions.
Key Features
Fungies.io offers a range of features designed to simplify processes associated with payment processing.
Here’s a deeper look at how these key features can help you:
Comprehensive Tax and Compliance Handling
Fungies.io takes the complexity out of tax management and compliance, which is crucial for businesses selling digital products globally. When your business sells to customers in different regions, like the EU or the U.S., it’s essential to comply with each region’s unique tax laws.
Fungies automatically calculates and applies the correct VAT or sales tax based on the customer’s location, ensuring you meet regulatory requirements without manual effort.
This not only saves time but also reduces the risk of errors that could lead to costly penalties or fines. Additionally, Fungies manages other financial responsibilities, such as fraud prevention, chargebacks, and merchant fees, making it a full-service solution for your global transactions.
Subscription Management via API
Fungies offers a comprehensive API for managing subscriptions, which is particularly valuable for if your business relies on recurring revenue models. Through the API, your developers can update, retrieve, and cancel subscriptions with ease.
The endpoints allow you to automate the subscription lifecycle, from customer onboarding to renewals and cancellations, which provides you flexibility by offering monthly or yearly subscriptions.
For instance, if you run a subscription-based game asset marketplace, you can use the API to update a user’s subscription status in real-time or send notifications when a subscription is about to expire. This level of automation helps reduce manual work, increases customer retention, and ensures a smooth subscription experience for your users.
Accessing the API is simple, and Fungies provides a “Getting Started” guide to help developers generate the necessary API keys and integrate them into their existing systems quickly.
Overlay Checkout
Fungies’ Overlay Checkout feature is designed to provide a seamless purchasing experience. This allows you to embed a fully functional checkout anywhere on your website or app without disrupting the user experience.
When customers are ready to purchase, the Overlay Checkout opens in a pop-up window, allowing them to complete the transaction without being redirected away from your platform.
For SaaS companies or game developers, this feature is particularly useful because it keeps the customer within your branded environment. You can even customize the HTML and CSS to match your brand’s design, ensuring a cohesive experience for your users.
Automatic Payouts
Fungies simplifies payouts by providing automatic daily transfers directly to your bank account or credit card. The platform’s dashboard allows you to easily track your earnings in real-time, offering transparency into your total balance, recent transactions, and order history.
This feature makes sure that your revenue flows consistently, and you never have to manually initiate payouts.
For example, if you’re managing a SaaS platform with recurring subscriptions, Fungies ensures that your earnings are processed and transferred to your account every 24 hours.
This automatic system reduces the need for manual intervention and provides peace of mind knowing your funds are on their way.
Pros
- Merchant of Record: Fungies takes care of payment distribution, handling the transfer of funds from end-users to your Stripe account via Stripe Connect.
- Developer-Friendly Integration: The platform supports both APIs and webhooks, with clean documentation to help developers easily integrate it into their existing systems.
- Global Reach: The platform offers multi-language and regional pricing support allowing your business to cater to international markets effortlessly.
- Daily Payouts: Fungies offers you automatic payouts every 24 hours so there is a consistent flow of revenue.
Cons
- Newer Platform: Fungies is a relatively new product in the payment processing space, which means there may be fewer user reviews or community resources compared to more established platforms. However, they offer a free demo to help potential users explore the platform before committing.
Review
“Fungies.io is a game-changer! They’re carving a niche as the premier solution for indie devs seeking a personalized storefront and asset marketplace. Their team’s commitment to continuous improvement and openness to feedback is unparalleled. With user-friendly features and value-packed subscription options, Fungies.io is the ace in the deck for any game development journey.” – Gatis Parlos
Pricing
Fungies follows a simple pricing model—5% plus 50¢ per transaction. There are no hidden fees, and you can create and publish your store for free, with no credit card required. This makes it a cost-effective solution if you are looking to get started quickly without upfront costs.
#2 Adyen
Best for: Large enterprises looking for an end-to-end payment solution with global reach
How it works
Adyen is a comprehensive payment platform that connects directly with Visa, Mastercard, and many other globally preferred payment methods. It provides your business with seamless payment processing across online, mobile, and in-store channels.
By offering end-to-end payment capabilities alongside financial products and data-driven insights, Adyen supports businesses in scaling quickly. Trusted by global companies like Facebook, Uber, and Spotify, Adyen’s infrastructure simplifies payments while providing deep visibility into transactions.
Pros
- The platform is praised for its intuitive, easy-to-navigate interface, making it simple for you to search for transactions and manage payments efficiently.
- Adyen offers full visibility into transactions and provides robust reporting capabilities, which is particularly helpful when you are tracking payments or dealing with potential fraudulent activity.
- Users have reported positive experiences with Adyen’s customer support, which is responsive and helpful in resolving issues.
Cons
- The search results show pre-authorization fees instead of the final amount charged, which can create unnecessary hassle when reviewing transaction details.
- Some users have reported that implementing Adyen’s system can take weeks, which may be a drawback for businesses looking for a quicker setup.
Review
“The best thing about Adyen is how easy it is to process refunds directly to customers’ credit cards or PayPal accounts through the interface.” – Axel H.
Pricing
Adyen charges a fixed processing fee per transaction, along with an additional fee based on the payment method used. Other Adyen products and services are priced separately, allowing you to choose only what you need.
#3 Merchant One
Best for: Businesses seeking flexible pricing and fast setup for credit card processing
How it works
Merchant One offers a full-service credit card processing solution, providing your business with the ability to process all major credit cards, next-day funding, and custom pricing plans. The platform tailors its services to each business, rather than using a standard pricing model, making it a flexible choice for companies with varied transaction needs.
Pros
- Merchant One supports various APIs and SDKs, making it easy to integrate payment processing across different channels, whether in-store, mobile, or online.
- Your business can get up and running within 24 hours, making Merchant One an excellent choice for companies needing quick deployment.
- Merchant One has over 175 shopping cart integrations and the payment gateway covers a wide range of e-commerce platforms. Additionally, the virtual terminal lets you accept both card and ACH payments.
Cons
- Merchant One lacks live chat and a knowledge base, so customers must rely on phone support when issues arise. This could be a downside if you prefer online support.
- Despite the website’s claims, Merchant One no longer offers free POS hardware. You will need to either purchase the devices or set up a payment plan to cover the costs.
Review
“I have been a Merchant One customer for 3+ years, and their customer service goes above and beyond.” – Jay Wilson
Pricing
Merchant One offers a $0 setup fee, with competitive rates ranging from 0.29% to 1.55% for swiped transactions and 0.29% to 1.99% for keyed-in transactions. There’s a monthly fee of $13.95, and flexible lease terms are available for equipment.
#4 Square
Best for: Small businesses looking for a easy-to-use payment processing solution
How it works
Square Payments offers a comprehensive payment processing solution that integrates easily with Square hardware and POS software. Designed specifically with small businesses in mind, it allows merchants to accept a variety of payment methods with minimal hassle.
The platform’s online checkout and modern hardware make it simple to start accepting payments quickly. Businesses can also secure customer commitments with upfront deposits and flexible payment schedules.
Pros
- Square is incredibly easy to set up, making it perfect for small businesses that need to get started quickly without technical hurdles.
- The platforms gives you the ability to request deposits and set due dates for balances. This provides flexibility in managing customer payments, which is especially useful for service-based businesses.
- Square’s simple setup can be expanded with additional features as your business grows, allowing it to scale with your needs.
Cons
- Some users have reported issues with account compromises and fraudulent activity, raising concerns about the platform’s security measures.
- There have been complaints about occasional technical issues, such as glitches or system crashes, which can disrupt business operations.
Review
“Been using Square for over a year now without having any issues whatsoever. No delayed or short payments and no chargebacks or reconciliation.” – Review on Trust Pilot
Pricing
Square offers a free plan with no setup or monthly fees, where businesses only pay when they take a payment. For businesses with more specific needs, Square Plus starts at $29 per month and includes advanced features tailored for restaurants, retailers, and appointment-based businesses. Custom pricing is available for larger businesses through their Premium plan.
#5 GoCardless
Best for: Businesses needing easy collection of recurring and one-off payments
How it works
GoCardless simplifies the process of collecting payments, whether they are one-time or recurring. This also saves time and money by streamlining payment processes, reducing stress for you, and ensuring payments are collected on time. The platform’s add-ons enhance fraud protection without disrupting the customer experience, making it a comprehensive solution for companies dealing with domestic and international payments.
Pros
- GoCardless supports payment collection from 30+ countries and allows you to deposit funds into either a local or UK account with in-built foreign exchange at real market rates.
- The platform offers multiple subscription options for you, making recurring billing much easier for businesses and customers alike.
- Many customers prefer using their bank account over credit cards, and GoCardless provides an automated billing option that accommodates this preference.
Cons
- Some users report that the dashboard can be difficult to navigate, especially when tracking multiple payment plans.
- There are complaints that customer service representatives lack the authority to resolve issues and cannot escalate problems to higher management.
Review
“GoCardless has brought flexibility to our payment and billing systems. It has streamlined our cash flow and aligned departments on the same page regarding expenses.” – Joel O.
Pricing
GoCardless offers several pricing tiers based on the features and transaction volume a business needs:
- Standard: 1% + £/€0.20 per transaction, capped at £/€4 per transaction. An additional 0.3% is applied to transactions over £2,000. International transactions are charged at 2% + £/€0.20.
- Advanced: 1.25% + £/€0.20 per transaction, capped at £/€5 per transaction. Similar additional charges apply to transactions over £2,000, with international rates at 2.25% + £/€0.20.
- Pro: 1.4% + £/€0.20 per transaction, capped at £/€5.60 per transaction, with international rates at 2.4% + £/€0.20.
- Custom: A tailored pricing plan is available for businesses with high transaction volumes or specialized needs, offering dedicated support and customizable features.
How To Choose The Right Payment Processing Platform For Your Business
Choosing the right payment processor is crucial for business growth and operational efficiency. Here are the key factors to consider when selecting a platform:
- Customer Service: Reliable customer support is essential, especially when things go wrong. Platforms like GoCardless offer global assistance, while Square is user-friendly but lacks flexibility in support escalation. Fungies, however, provides personalized support with a dedicated account executive, ensuring you have the help you need.
- Security and Compliance: Protecting your customers’ data is a top priority. Adyen offers strong fraud protection and PCI DSS compliance, while Fungies ensures security with encryption and data pseudonymization. Choosing a processor with robust security measures is key, especially for businesses handling sensitive transactions.
- Ease of Integration: Seamless integration can save you time and money. Square is known for its simplicity, but Fungies offers more flexibility with its Overlay Checkout and API-driven subscription management, making it ideal for SaaS companies needing custom payment solutions.
- Payment Speed: Quick access to your funds is vital for cash flow. Platforms like Merchant One offer next-day funding, while Fungies provides automatic daily payouts, ensuring consistent cash flow for your business.
What is the Best Stripe Alternative?
If you’re looking for a secure, flexible, and user-friendly solution, Fungies stands out as the top choice for SaaS developers and digital product sellers. With seamless integrations, robust security, and daily payouts, Fungies is built to help your business grow efficiently.
Ready to take your payment processing to the next level? Book a free demo with Fungies today and discover how our platform can fine-tune your operations and assist you at every step of the way.
