Alternatives to Stripe and PayPal are gaining in popularity with businesses looking for high-performance online payment systems. There are many reasons for this: high fees, geographical restrictions or limited functionality. Finding the right platform for your needs can improve transaction management and reduce costs. With the market constantly evolving, what are the best options for your business?
Why look for an alternative to Stripe or PayPal?
Stripe and PayPal have revolutionized the online payments sector, becoming the undisputed leaders. However, their model doesn’t always suit all businesses. Their limitations are prompting many organizations to explore more suitable solutions.
The main limitations of Stripe and PayPal include
Although PayPal and Stripe are mainstays of the online payments industry, their business models may not be suitable for all businesses.
One of the main constraints concerns transaction fees, often set at 2.9% $0.30 per transaction. For example, a company making 1,000 monthly sales at €50 each could see its monthly costs exceed €1,500, putting a considerable strain on margins. These costs are sometimes compounded by additional subscriptions to access advanced features.
In addition, the geographical restrictions imposed by these platforms limit their availability in certain countries or complicate cross-border payments. These limitations create obstacles for companies looking to expand into international markets.
What’s more, customization features are sometimes inadequate, particularly when it comes to reporting tools or options for integrating complex systems.
Finally, funds transfer times can reach several working days, compromising cash management for companies with immediate liquidity needs.
Alternative payment methods
Faced with these limitations, numerous platforms are emerging to meet the needs of fintech companies and offer tailored, flexible and competitive solutions.

By assessing your specific needs and the weaknesses of these platforms, you can find an alternative better aligned with your objectives.
Payment solutions comparison
Adyen: a powerful solution for large companies
Adyen is another popular alternative, designed for large companies looking for a robust, omnichannel solution. With optimized management of international transactions and advanced analytical tools, Adyen is well suited to companies operating in multiple markets.

Mollie: simplicity and flexibility for SMEs

Adyen’s Mollie platform is designed primarily for small and medium-sized businesses, offering a simple, affordable and intuitive solution. Unlike other platforms, Mollie only charges for transactions, with no fixed fees or additional subscriptions. Its user-friendly interface and integrations with PrestaShop or WooCommerce make it an ideal choice for novice users.
Square: ideal for both physical and online businesses
Square combines solutions for online payments and physical points of sale, meeting the needs of both local businesses and online stores. With an intuitive interface and tools adapted to small businesses, Square is a wise choice for local structures.

Payment.net: an alternative to Paypal

Payment.net stands out for its low fees and high flexibility. This platform is equally suited to SMEs and large corporations, thanks to its advanced customization options and seamless integration with e-commerce tools such as WooCommerce or Shopify. What’s more, its enhanced security tools ensure reliable, fraud-proof transactions.
Wise: for cost-effective international transactions

Wise (formerly TransferWise) focuses on low-cost cross-border payments. With its transparent and competitive exchange rates, Wise is ideal for companies handling international transactions.
However, this solution is primarily oriented towards bank transfers and is not designed for high-volume e-commerce
How to choose the best solution for your business?
Finding the ideal payment method for your business can transform the way you manage your transactions. However, this choice requires a methodical approach.
By assessing your needs and testing the available options, you can ensure a successful transition.
Assess your specific needs
Every business has unique payment needs. Identifying these priorities is the first step to making an informed choice.
To get started, ask yourself the right questions
✅What is your transaction volume? Platforms with fixed or variable fees are not always suitable for high volumes.
✅Are your customers mainly local or international? If you’re targeting foreign markets, a solution that supports multiple devices is essential.
✅Do you need specific functionalities? Like subscription management, personalized pages or detailed reporting tools.
✅What’s your budget priority? A model with competitive and transparent fees is crucial to preserving your margins.
📊 Answering these questions will give you a clear view of your priorities. This will enable you to narrow down the field of available solutions and focus your efforts on those that meet your expectations.
Test the options before committing yourself
Once you’ve identified your needs, it’s essential to test potential platforms before making a final choice. The trial period is a crucial step in assessing whether a solution truly meets your expectations.
Here’s what you need to test:
📌Ease of integration: Check that the solution integrates easily with your existing tools, such as your e-commerce or CRM site. A well-documented API simplifies this process.
📌User experience: Test the interface to make sure it’s intuitive and easy to use on a daily basis.
📌Payment speed: Observe the time it takes to transfer funds to your bank account. A fast payment platform can significantly improve your cash flow.
📌Real costs: Test a few transactions to check that the costs displayed are actually those charged. This avoids unpleasant surprises.
📌Customer support: Contact the help desk to assess its responsiveness and availability in the event of a problem.
Finally, ask for feedback from other users or consult online reviews to validate your choice. A platform that offers high-performance solutions and good support is always an asset.
👉 Choosing the best payment gateway doesn’t stop at selecting a popular platform. By carefully assessing your needs and testing the available options, you increase your chances of finding an alternative that’s perfectly suited to your business.
Find the ideal payment solution for your business
Choosing an alternative to Stripe and PayPal gives you access to features better suited to your business.
With solutions like Payment.net, which offer optimized conversion rates, deferred payment management and enhanced security thanks to 3D Secure. This enables you to turn transaction management into a competitive advantage.
Take the time to assess your needs, test the options available and integrate high-performance tools like Amazon Pay to meet your customers’ expectations.