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Best Payment Processing Tools in 2026

Payment gateways and processing

181 tools evaluated · 10 top picks · Updated August 2026

Key Takeaways
  • Eventbrite is our #1 pick for payment processing in 2026.
  • We analyzed 181 payment processing tools to create this ranking.
  • 3 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
Eventbrite logo
Eventbrite
Best overall$15/mo4.5
Stripe logo
Stripe
Solid pickContact sales4.5
Lillio logo
Lillio
Solid pickContact sales4.6
Bill Com logo
Bill Com
Solid pick$49/mo4.5
Zeffy logo
Zeffy
Solid pickFree4.8
Toast POS logo
Toast POS
Solid pickFree + paid4.2
Emburse Spend logo
Emburse Spend
Solid pickContact sales4.4

How the Top Payment Processing Tools Compare

The payment processing category is highly competitive in 2026, with Eventbrite and Stripe both ranking among the top choices on Toolradar's assessment, followed closely by Lillio. 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 and Bill Com 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

Top Payment Processing tools

01
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.

+Easy event management
+Ticket sales
+Good for marketing
Fees on paid tickets
Limited customization

Value 75/100. Eventbrite's pricing for free events is excellent, as there are no fees.

Watch out: Payment processing fee (2.9%) on top of ticket fee

02
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
+Excellent developer experience
+Comprehensive feature set
+Strong documentation
Higher fees than some alternatives
Account holds can happen

Value 80/100. Stripe's 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction is the standard every payment processor is compared against.

Watch out: International card surcharge: +1.5% on top of the 2.9% base rate for cards issued outside your country. A US business charging a UK customer pays 4.4% + 30¢, not 2.9%

03
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
+Significantly reduces time spent on billing and administrative tasks.
+Drastically improves parent communication and satisfaction.
+Streamlines weekly planning and observations for educators, freeing up time for child engagement.
Specific pricing details are not publicly available and require a demo request.
No explicit mention of integrations with other common childcare tools or platforms.
04
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.

+AP/AR automation
+Good for accounts payable
+Approvals workflow
Expensive per user
Complex setup

Value 75/100. Bill.com's pricing, starting at $49/user/month for Essentials, is on the higher side compared to some basic AP automation tools, but fair given its comprehensive feature set.

Watch out: Per-user pricing can escalate quickly

05
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
+Truly 100% free with no hidden fees, platform fees, or transaction fees.
+Nonprofits keep 100% of all funds raised.
+Comprehensive suite of fundraising tools in one platform.
Relies on optional donor tips for its business model, which might not always cover all costs.
May not offer the same level of advanced features or integrations as some paid enterprise solutions.
06
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.

+Comprehensive all-in-one solution for restaurants
+Cloud-based access and real-time data
+Integrated online ordering and delivery capabilities
Can be a significant investment for smaller businesses
Proprietary hardware can limit flexibility
07
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
+Provides real-time visibility and control over spend, enabling proactive management.
+Purpose-built AI automates many tasks, reducing manual effort, errors, and fraud.
+Offers comprehensive solutions covering expenses, travel, invoices, and payments in one platform.
Pricing information is not readily available on the website, requiring direct contact.
The extensive feature set might have a learning curve for new users.
08
Tekmetric logo

Cloud-based platform for auto repair shop management, payments, and customer engagement.

Paid4.9/5564 ratings

Tekmetric is a comprehensive cloud-based software platform designed specifically for auto repair shops. It integrates various operational aspects into a single system, enabling shops to manage their entire business from one login. This includes running daily operations, processing payments, and engaging customers. The platform helps auto repair shops streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and enhance customer satisfaction. It offers tools for digital vehicle inspections, estimate building, parts and inventory management, and detailed reporting. Beyond shop management, Tekmetric also provides integrated payment processing solutions like Text-To-Pay and Buy Now, Pay Later options, as well as marketing tools for online booking, automated reminders, scheduled campaigns, and managing Google Reviews. It aims to simplify business operations, speed up cash flow, and foster repeat business for auto repair professionals.

Tekmetric UI screenshot
+Consolidates multiple business functions into one platform, reducing reliance on disconnected tools.
+Offers integrated payment solutions to speed up cash flow and automate reconciliation.
+Includes marketing features to help retain customers and generate repeat business.
No free trial explicitly mentioned, only a demo.
Pricing can be significant for smaller shops, starting at $199/month.

Value 75/100. Tekmetric's pricing is on the higher side compared to some basic shop management software, with the 'Start' tier at $199/month.

Watch out: Annual commitment for best pricing

09
Epos Now logo

A powerful, portable card terminal for businesses to accept payments anywhere, anytime.

Paid4.4/5860 ratings

Epos Now Payments Lite provides businesses with a mobile card terminal designed for fast and hassle-free payment processing. It enables merchants to accept EMV Chip & PIN and contactless transactions, including digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, directly through a Bluetooth connection to an Android device. The system focuses on transparency with flat-rate pricing, no monthly fees, and quick payouts, ensuring businesses receive their earnings within two business days after the initial settlement period. It caters to small businesses seeking a reliable, secure, and easy-to-use solution for managing sales and tracking performance. This payment solution is built for mobility and efficiency, allowing businesses to operate on the go without being tied to a fixed location. It includes features for digital receipt management, simple sales reporting, and robust security measures like PCI 6 and EMV compliance with end-to-end data encryption. The Epos Now Payments Lite terminal is ideal for businesses that require flexibility in accepting payments and value straightforward financial operations.

+Highly portable and flexible for on-the-go payments
+Transparent pricing with no hidden fees or monthly contracts
+Fast access to funds with two-business-day payouts
Currently only supports Android devices (iOS support coming soon)
Does not include a built-in printer for physical receipts

Value 75/100. Epos Now Payments Lite at €29 upfront offers a fair entry point for businesses needing a basic, portable payment solution.

Watch out: Requires an Android device for Bluetooth connection.

10
Spendesk logo

Centralized spend management for businesses, offering control, efficiency, and real-time insights.

Paid4.6/5636 ratings

Spendesk is an all-in-one spend management platform designed to help businesses gain complete control and overview of their company expenses. It centralizes procurement, expense management, and payment processes, enabling finance teams to streamline operations, reduce costs, and save time. The platform offers smart corporate cards with customizable limits, automated invoice management, budget tracking, virtual cards for secure online payments, and simplified expense reporting. Spendesk is ideal for finance teams, managers, and employees across various industries, including agencies, education, technology, hospitality, and healthcare. It aims to eliminate manual tasks, reduce errors, and provide real-time visibility into spending, allowing finance professionals to focus on strategic tasks rather than chasing receipts. The platform integrates seamlessly with existing financial and business tools and emphasizes security with ISO27001 certification, end-to-end encryption, and multi-factor authentication. Key benefits include up to 90% savings in invoice processing costs, 7% reduction in subscription costs, and 4 days faster monthly closings. Spendesk also fosters a healthy spending culture by empowering employees with easy payment methods while maintaining control through pre-approvals and budget dashboards. Their support is highly rated, offering quick response times, personalized onboarding, and multilingual assistance.

+Spend management for teams
+Virtual cards
+Expense tracking
Limited regions
Per-user pricing

Value 65/100. Spendesk's pricing model, lacking public dollar amounts and requiring custom quotes for all tiers, makes it difficult to assess fairness directly.

Watch out: No public pricing, requiring custom quotes

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

We evaluated 181 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.

GoCardless logo
GoCardless
Collect one-off and recurring payments directly from bank accounts, globally and without card fees.
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.
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.
Mangomint logo
Mangomint
The complete platform for salon and spa booking, payments, and management.
Square Appointments logo
Square Appointments
Manage appointments, staff, and services with free online booking and scheduling software.
ProfitWell logo
ProfitWell
Automate payments, tax, and compliance to accelerate your SaaS and app growth.

Popular payment processing comparisons

See how the leading payment processing tools stack up head-to-head.

Payment Processing pricing, compared

Real plans and the hidden costs for each tool.

Browse all payment processing tools

181 tools
PayPal logo
PayPal
The original online payment system, still everywhere
pay_per_use· 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
Nickel logo
Nickel
Unify accounts receivable, accounts payable, and trade credit on one intuitive platform.
freemium· Web
Paddle logo
Paddle
Payments infrastructure for SaaS
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
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
Razorpay logo
Razorpay
The best payment solution for online payments in India, offering advanced financial operations.
freemium· 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

Showing the top 24 of 181. Filter to narrow down.

In-depth: why these tools made the cut

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.

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
181
With free tier
31%
Last updated
August 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best payment processing tool in 2026?

Based on our analysis of 181 payment processing tools, Eventbrite ranks #1 on Toolradar's assessment. The runners-up are Stripe, Lillio, Bill Com. Our rankings are based on features, pricing, user reviews, and real-world testing across 181 products.

What are the top 3 payment processing tools?

The top 3 payment processing tools in 2026, ranked by Toolradar, are: 1) Eventbrite, Event management and ticketing. 2) Stripe, Payment infrastructure for the internet. 3) Lillio, The #1 rated childcare management solution for early childhood programs..

Are there free payment processing tools?

Yes: 3 out of our top 10 payment processing tools offer free or freemium plans. The top free options are Eventbrite, Zeffy, Toast POS. 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. Eventbrite is the top-rated option overall. For budget-conscious teams, Eventbrite offers strong value. Compare all 181 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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