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Best Payment Processing Tools in 2026

Payment gateways and processing

172 tools evaluated · 10 top picks · Updated June 2026

Key Takeaways
  • PayPal is our #1 pick for payment processing in 2026.
  • We analyzed 172 payment processing tools to create this ranking.
  • 5 tools offer free plans, perfect for getting started.

Payment processing has consolidated around Stripe (developer-first SaaS), Adyen (enterprise global), Square (in-person + small business), and PayPal (consumer trust). The choice depends on the business model — Stripe wins for online subscriptions, Square for retail, Adyen for global enterprise.

7 top payment processing tools compared

Starting price, average user rating, and our pick for each category.

ToolOur takeStarting priceRating
PayPal logo
PayPal
Best overallContact sales4.5
Eventbrite logo
Eventbrite
Best free tierFree + paid4.5
Stripe logo
Stripe
Solid pickContact sales4.5
Lillio logo
Lillio
Solid pickContact sales4.6
Bill Com logo
Bill Com
Solid pickContact sales4.5
Square logo
Square
Solid pickFree + paid4.6
Brex logo
Brex
Solid pickFree + paid4.7

How the Top Payment Processing Tools Compare

The payment processing category is highly competitive in 2026, with PayPal and Eventbrite both ranking among the top choices on Toolradar's assessment, followed closely by Stripe. The tight competition reflects how mature this market has become.

Pricing varies significantly among the top picks: Eventbrite (freemium (free tier available)) offers free access, while Stripe and Lillio require a paid subscription. Teams on a budget should start with Eventbrite, which delivers strong value despite its free tier.

Computed from live tool ratings, review counts, and editorial scores.Editorial policy
01
PayPal logo

The original online payment system, still everywhere

Pay_per_use4.5/528,423 ratings

PayPal is a global digital payments platform that enables individuals and businesses to send, receive, and accept money online and in person. It supports credit and debit card processing, bank transfers, peer-to-peer payments, invoicing, and buy-now-pay-later options across 200+ markets. Businesses use PayPal Checkout to accept payments on websites and apps, while the point-of-sale system handles in-person transactions via card readers and tap-to-pay. With buyer and seller protection programs, fraud monitoring, and integrations with major e-commerce platforms, PayPal serves everyone from freelancers to enterprise merchants processing millions in transactions.

02
Eventbrite logo

Event management and ticketing

Freemium4.5/56,626 ratings

Eventbrite powers event discovery and ticketing for everything from local workshops to major concerts. Organizers create event pages, sell tickets, and manage check-ins while attendees discover experiences in their area. The platform handles payments, refunds, and analytics so event creators can focus on delivering great experiences.

03
Stripe logo

Payment infrastructure for the internet

Paid4.5/54,471 ratings

Stripe is a financial infrastructure platform for internet businesses. Accept payments from anyone, anywhere. Billing handles subscriptions and invoicing. Connect powers marketplace payments. Treasury provides banking as a service. The payments infrastructure that powers millions of businesses from startups to Fortune 500 companies.

Stripe UI screenshot
04
Lillio logo

The #1 rated childcare management solution for early childhood programs.

Paid4.6/53,702 ratings

Lillio, formerly HiMama, is a comprehensive childcare management software designed to streamline operations for daycare centers and early childhood programs. It helps directors and educators manage administrative tasks, simplify payment processing, and deliver developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with state standards. The platform aims to save time on manual processes, allowing staff to focus more on engaging with children and providing quality education. Lillio enhances communication between centers and families by providing tools for sharing daily updates, photos, and videos. This fosters greater parent satisfaction and engagement by offering insights into a child's day and developmental progress. The software is built to support the growth and quality of early childhood programs, offering features that benefit educators, directors, and parents alike. The platform is trusted by thousands of childcare centers and is known for its world-class customer support, including dedicated account managers and an award-winning onboarding team. It aims to improve efficiency, parent communication, and curriculum delivery within early learning environments.

Lillio UI screenshot
05
Bill Com logo

Business payments and AP automation

Paid4.5/53,598 ratings

Bill.com automates accounts payable and receivable for businesses. Invoices come in, get approved through workflows, and payments go out-without manual data entry or check writing. Vendor management centralizes supplier information. Approval workflows route to the right people. The audit trail shows who approved what. Finance teams drowning in manual payment processes use Bill.com to move money efficiently with proper controls and visibility.

06
Square logo

Payment processing and POS systems

Freemium4.6/53,010 ratings

Square processes payments for businesses. The payment solution that started with a card reader-payments that work everywhere. The simplicity defined the category. The features have grown. The ecosystem is complete. Businesses accepting payments often consider Square for complete commerce solution.

07
Brex logo

Corporate cards and spend management for startups

Freemium4.7/51,647 ratings

Brex provides corporate cards and spend management designed for startups and tech companies. No personal guarantee required. Rewards earn on categories startups actually spend on. Controls prevent expense policy violations. The software handles expense management, bill pay, and travel booking. Real-time visibility shows where money goes. Integrations connect to accounting systems. Startups tired of traditional corporate cards with personal liability choose Brex for modern financial tools built for how they operate.

08
Zeffy logo

All-in-one fundraising platform with zero fees for nonprofits.

Free4.8/5880 ratings

Zeffy is a comprehensive, 100% free fundraising software designed specifically for nonprofits. It offers a wide array of tools to manage various fundraising activities, including donations, event ticketing, raffles, auctions, online stores, peer-to-peer campaigns, and memberships. The platform aims to maximize the funds raised by nonprofits by eliminating all transaction and platform fees, ensuring that organizations keep 100% of every dollar donated. This platform is ideal for any nonprofit organization looking for a robust and cost-effective solution to manage their fundraising efforts. It simplifies the process of collecting payments, tracking donor information, and automating administrative tasks like tax receipts. Zeffy's unique business model relies on optional tips from donors to cover its operational costs, making it a truly free solution for charities of all sizes.

Zeffy UI screenshot
09
Toast POS logo

All-in-one restaurant management platform for front-of-house, back-of-house, and guest engagement.

Freemium4.2/51,832 ratings

Toast POS is a comprehensive, cloud-based point-of-sale system specifically designed for restaurants. It offers a wide range of functionalities that go beyond basic transaction processing, aiming to streamline operations for various restaurant types, from quick-service to fine dining. The platform integrates front-of-house tools like order entry, payment processing, and table management with back-of-house features such as kitchen display systems (KDS), inventory management, and employee management. Beyond core POS functions, Toast provides integrated solutions for online ordering, delivery management, loyalty programs, and gift cards, helping restaurants expand their reach and enhance customer engagement. It also offers reporting and analytics tools to give owners and managers insights into sales, labor costs, and other key performance indicators. Toast is built on an Android-based hardware ecosystem, providing durable and purpose-built devices for the demanding restaurant environment. It caters to a broad spectrum of restaurant businesses looking for a unified platform to manage their entire operation.

10
Emburse Spend logo

Real-time AI-powered spend management for expenses, travel, invoices, and payments.

Paid4.4/51,162 ratings

Emburse Spend is a comprehensive spend management platform that leverages purpose-built AI to provide real-time visibility and control over an organization's expenses, travel, invoices, and payments. It automates critical financial processes from receipt creation to reimbursement, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and proactive fraud prevention. The platform is designed for finance teams and organizations of all sizes, offering solutions tailored for small to mid-size companies, mid-size to large companies in Europe, and global enterprises. The core functionality of Emburse Spend revolves around its AI-driven intelligence, which automatically captures, categorizes, and validates spend, enforces policies before submission, and adapts to global tax and currency rules. This transforms spend management from a reactive process to a strategic one, enabling smarter forecasting, risk reduction, and data-driven decision-making. The platform offers a unified mobile experience for managing all aspects of travel and expense, making it convenient for employees and providing finance teams with end-to-end visibility and control.

Emburse Spend UI screenshot

Why these payment processing tools didn't make our top 10.

We evaluated 172 payment processing tools and these 20 ranked 11 through 30. They're solid options that fell short on one or two axes (review depth, pricing transparency, feature parity), but worth a look if the leaders don't fit your stack or budget.

Tekmetric logo
Tekmetric
Cloud-based platform for auto repair shop management, payments, and customer engagement.
Epos Now logo
Epos Now
A powerful, portable card terminal for businesses to accept payments anywhere, anytime.
Spendesk logo
Spendesk
Centralized spend management for businesses, offering control, efficiency, and real-time insights.
Lightspeed logo
Lightspeed
Manage and operate every part of your business from one highly configurable system.
Paystand logo
Paystand
Automate B2B Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable with zero-fee, blockchain-powered payments.
Payoneer logo
Payoneer
Global payment solutions for businesses, freelancers, and marketplaces to pay, get paid, and grow globally.
Tipalti logo
Tipalti
Finance automation that puts you in charge of accounts payable and mass payments.
GlossGenius logo
GlossGenius
All-in-one software for salon, spa, and medspa businesses to manage bookings, payments, and client care.
GoCardless logo
GoCardless
Collect one-off and recurring payments directly from bank accounts, globally and without card fees.
Vcita logo
Vcita
All-in-one platform for service businesses
Vagaro logo
Vagaro
Book your next salon, spa, or fitness appointment with ease.
SpotOn Restaurant logo
SpotOn Restaurant
A comprehensive restaurant POS system designed to boost efficiency and profitability.
BookedIN logo
BookedIN
Effortless online booking and payment system for small businesses.
Booker logo
Booker
All-in-one software for spa and salon management, handling booking, payments, client management, and marketing.
LawPay logo
LawPay
Secure and compliant payment processing and financial management for law firms.
Authorize.net logo
Authorize.net
Secure and reliable payment gateway for businesses of all sizes.
PaySimple logo
PaySimple
All-in-one payment processing and business management for service-based businesses.
HiMama logo
HiMama
The #1 rated childcare management software for early childhood programs.
SpotOn logo
SpotOn
Integrated point-of-sale systems and business software solutions for restaurants and small businesses.
Regpack logo
Regpack
All-in-one online registration and payment software for managing clients, events, and services.

Browse all payment processing tools

172 tools
PayPal logo
PayPal
The original online payment system, still everywhere
pay_per_use· Web
Eventbrite logo
Eventbrite
Event management and ticketing
freemium· Web
Stripe logo
Stripe
Payment infrastructure for the internet
paid· Web
Lillio logo
Lillio
The #1 rated childcare management solution for early childhood programs.
paid· Web, iOS, Android
Bill Com logo
Bill Com
Business payments and AP automation
paid· Web
Square logo
Square
Payment processing and POS systems
freemium· Web, iOS, Android
Brex logo
Brex
Corporate cards and spend management for startups
freemium· Web
Zeffy logo
Zeffy
All-in-one fundraising platform with zero fees for nonprofits.
free· Web
Toast POS logo
Toast POS
All-in-one restaurant management platform for front-of-house, back-of-house, and guest engagement.
freemium
Emburse Spend logo
Emburse Spend
Real-time AI-powered spend management for expenses, travel, invoices, and payments.
paid· Web, iOS, Android
Tekmetric logo
Tekmetric
Cloud-based platform for auto repair shop management, payments, and customer engagement.
paid· Web
Epos Now logo
Epos Now
A powerful, portable card terminal for businesses to accept payments anywhere, anytime.
paid· Web, iOS, Android
Spendesk logo
Spendesk
Centralized spend management for businesses, offering control, efficiency, and real-time insights.
paid· Web, iOS, Android
Lightspeed logo
Lightspeed
Manage and operate every part of your business from one highly configurable system.
paid· Web
Paystand logo
Paystand
Automate B2B Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable with zero-fee, blockchain-powered payments.
paid· Web
Payoneer logo
Payoneer
Global payment solutions for businesses, freelancers, and marketplaces to pay, get paid, and grow globally.
paid· Web
Tipalti logo
Tipalti
Finance automation that puts you in charge of accounts payable and mass payments.
paid· Web
GlossGenius logo
GlossGenius
All-in-one software for salon, spa, and medspa businesses to manage bookings, payments, and client care.
paid· Web
GoCardless logo
GoCardless
Collect one-off and recurring payments directly from bank accounts, globally and without card fees.
paid· Web
Vcita logo
Vcita
All-in-one platform for service businesses
paid
Vagaro logo
Vagaro
Book your next salon, spa, or fitness appointment with ease.
paid· Web
SpotOn Restaurant logo
SpotOn Restaurant
A comprehensive restaurant POS system designed to boost efficiency and profitability.
freemium· Web
BookedIN logo
BookedIN
Effortless online booking and payment system for small businesses.
freemium· Web
Booker logo
Booker
All-in-one software for spa and salon management, handling booking, payments, client management, and marketing.
paid· Web
LawPay logo
LawPay
Secure and compliant payment processing and financial management for law firms.
paid· Web
Authorize.net logo
Authorize.net
Secure and reliable payment gateway for businesses of all sizes.
freemium· Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
PaySimple logo
PaySimple
All-in-one payment processing and business management for service-based businesses.
paid· Web
HiMama logo
HiMama
The #1 rated childcare management software for early childhood programs.
paid· Web, iOS, Android
SpotOn logo
SpotOn
Integrated point-of-sale systems and business software solutions for restaurants and small businesses.
freemium· Web
Regpack logo
Regpack
All-in-one online registration and payment software for managing clients, events, and services.
paid· Web
Nickel logo
Nickel
Unify accounts receivable, accounts payable, and trade credit on one intuitive platform.
freemium· Web
Mangomint logo
Mangomint
The complete platform for salon and spa booking, payments, and management.
paid· Web, iOS, Android
Square Appointments logo
Square Appointments
Manage appointments, staff, and services with free online booking and scheduling software.
freemium· Web
Paddle logo
Paddle
Payments infrastructure for SaaS
paid· Web
Razorpay logo
Razorpay
The best payment solution for online payments in India, offering advanced financial operations.
freemium· Web
ProfitWell logo
ProfitWell
Automate payments, tax, and compliance to accelerate your SaaS and app growth.
paid· Web
FundraiseUp logo
FundraiseUp
The nonprofit digital fundraising platform for online giving, optimizing conversions and donor experiences.
paid· Web
Plooto logo
Plooto
Streamline and simplify your business payments with all-in-one accounts payable and receivable automation.
paid
Kindrid logo
Kindrid
Empower your church's vision with instant, easy digital giving and event registration.
paid· Web
Rainforest logo
Rainforest
Embedded payments purpose-built for vertical SaaS platforms to drive revenue and optimize margins.
paid· Web
Revel Systems logo
Revel Systems
Supercharge your restaurant or bar with next-gen POS, mobile, and contactless technology.
paid· Web
Gingr logo
Gingr
Streamline pet-care business operations, boost revenue, and build lasting customer relationships.
paid· Web
Checkout.com logo
Checkout.com
Payment processing built for the digital economy
paid· Web
Bookafy logo
Bookafy
Automate appointment scheduling, payments, and reminders with AI-powered efficiency for any team size.
freemium· Web
Zuora logo
Zuora
Subscription management and billing platform
paid· Web
Vetstoria logo
Vetstoria
Automate veterinary online booking, website management, and payments to grow your practice.
paid· Web
Sezzle logo
Sezzle
Shop now and pay later in 4 interest-free installments over 6 weeks.
free· iOS, Android
Stayntouch logo
Stayntouch
Re-imagining the guest and staff experience with a cloud-native hotel management platform.
paid· Web
Phreesia logo
Phreesia
Automated patient intake, access, and payment solutions for healthcare organizations.
paid· Web
Frazer logo
Frazer
Comprehensive digital solutions tailored for the funeral industry.
paid· Web
SmartCare logo
SmartCare
Simplified, secure online payment and donation processing for K-12 schools and community programs.
paid· Web
BlueSnap logo
BlueSnap
Simplify global payments and increase revenue with a comprehensive orchestration platform.
paid· Web
Schedulicity logo
Schedulicity
Smarter scheduling, integrated business management, and growth tools for wellness and beauty professionals.
paid· Web
easyTithe logo
easyTithe
Empower discipleship and streamline church operations with integrated giving, management, and mobile engagement.
paid· Web
Parting Pro logo
Parting Pro
The all-in-one business solution for funeral homes to streamline cremation arrangements and boost revenue.
paid· Web
Bepoz logo
Bepoz
Redefining Point of Sale with powerful, scalable solutions for diverse businesses.
paid
Molo logo
Molo
Powerful management software for marinas, yacht clubs, and boatyards.
paid· Web, iOS, Android
ActiveNet logo
ActiveNet
Intelligent activity management software for communities and organizers to streamline operations and grow.
paid· Web
Primer logo
Primer
Unify, optimize, and grow global payments
paid
Wise Business logo
Wise Business
The only business account you need to go global, making international payments and finances easy.
freemium· Web, iOS, Android

Showing the top 60 of 172. Filter to narrow down.

In-depth: why these tools made the cut

PayPal logo

PayPal's value isn't processing fees — it's consumer trust at checkout. For B2C e-commerce, offering PayPal as an option consistently lifts conversion compared to card-only. The buyer protection brand alone moves the needle.

For B2B or subscription billing, PayPal is rarely the primary processor. Pair PayPal (for consumer checkout) with Stripe/Square (for everything else). Don't run a business on PayPal-only.

Stripe logo

Stripe's developer-first API, clean documentation, and broad product range (payments, billing, identity, treasury, climate) made it the default for online businesses. For SaaS, marketplaces, and digital products, Stripe is the rational starting point. The expanded product line (Atlas, Issuing, Capital) adds reasons to stay.

Stripe gets criticized for support quality at the SMB tier and pricing creep on newer products. For high-volume merchants negotiating rates, Adyen often offers better economics. For most internet businesses below $50M GMV, Stripe is the right default.

Square logo

Square's strength is the bundling of payment processing, POS hardware, online store, invoicing, and now banking. For physical retail, restaurants, and small service businesses, Square's all-in-one offer is friendlier than stitching together Stripe + a separate POS.

For online-only businesses, Stripe's developer ecosystem is more capable. Square shines when physical-first or physical+online; less compelling for pure online operations.

How to choose payment processing software

  1. Match to business model

    Online subscriptions/SaaS: Stripe. Physical retail + small online: Square. Global enterprise (multi-currency, multi-PSP routing): Adyen, Worldpay. Marketplaces: Stripe Connect, Adyen MarketPay. P2P/consumer: PayPal, Venmo.

  2. Audit fees deeply

    Headline rates (2.9% + 30¢) are similar across processors. The differences are in international cards, currency conversion, dispute fees, and volume discounts. For high-volume merchants, negotiate; for SMB, fees vary modestly.

  3. Plan for fraud and chargebacks

    Stripe Radar, Adyen RevenueProtect, and Sift handle fraud differently. For high-fraud verticals (digital goods, ticketing), fraud capability matters more than processing fee. Test fraud handling with realistic patterns before scaling.

Honorable mentions

Tools that didn't crack the headline list but deserve a look depending on what you optimize for.

  • Shopify logo
    ShopifyBest payment processing if you're on Shopify

    Shopify Payments (powered by Stripe) avoids Shopify's third-party transaction fee. For Shopify stores, it's the rational default unless you have a strong reason otherwise.

Best Payment Processing for

How we ranked these payment processing tools

We rank by real-world signal: verified user ratings aggregated from G2, Capterra, and our own community, the volume and recency of media coverage, and hands-on editorial review for the tools we cover in depth. Pricing is re-checked and the ranking refreshed monthly. We do not sell placement in this list.

Tools reviewed
172
With free tier
30%
Last updated
June 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best payment processing tool in 2026?

Based on our analysis of 172 payment processing tools, PayPal ranks #1 on Toolradar's assessment. The runners-up are Eventbrite, Stripe, Lillio. Our rankings are based on features, pricing, user reviews, and real-world testing across 172 products.

What are the top 3 payment processing tools?

The top 3 payment processing tools in 2026, ranked by Toolradar, are: 1) PayPal, The original online payment system, still everywhere. 2) Eventbrite, Event management and ticketing. 3) Stripe, Payment infrastructure for the internet.

Are there free payment processing tools?

Yes: 5 out of our top 10 payment processing tools offer free or freemium plans. The top free options are Eventbrite, Square, Brex. Free plans typically include core features with usage limits.

How do I choose the right payment processing tool?

Start by defining your team size, budget, and must-have features. PayPal is the top-rated option overall. For budget-conscious teams, Eventbrite offers strong value. Compare all 172 options side-by-side on Toolradar, where we evaluate features, pricing, ease of use, and user reviews.

For payment processing vendors

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