Authorize.net vs Braintree: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Authorize.net and Braintree side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Authorize.net leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Authorize.net
Secure and reliable payment gateway for businesses of all sizes.
Best for you if:
- • You want widely recognized and trusted brand in payment processing
Braintree
Accept payments globally with a unified platform
Best for you if:
- • You want PayPal integration
| At a Glance | Authorize.net | Braintree |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $25/mo, billed monthly Gateway only plan | Not published |
Category | E-commerce Payment Processing | E-commerce Payment Processing |
Rating | 4.2/5 G2 4.2 209 reviews | 3.4/5 G2 3.4 90 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Watch out for | eCheck 0.75% per transaction on Gateway + eCheck | Venmo payments are significantly higher at 3.49% + $0.49. |
Choose Authorize.net or Braintree?
Choose Authorize.net if
- You want widely recognized and trusted brand in payment processing
- You want robust fraud prevention tools
Choose Braintree if
- You want PayPal integration
- You want developer-friendly
In-Depth Analysis
Authorize.net
Secure and reliable payment gateway for businesses of all sizes.
Authorize.net's pricing is fair for established businesses needing a reliable gateway, with a flat $25/mo plus per-transaction fees that are standard for the industry.
Watch out
eCheck 0.75% per transaction on Gateway + eCheck
Strengths
- Pro: Widely recognized and trusted brand in payment processing
- Pro: Robust fraud prevention tools
- Pro: Good integration capabilities with many e-commerce platforms
- Pro: Supports various payment methods
- Pro: Reliable uptime and transaction processing
Weaknesses
- Con: Can be more expensive than some newer payment processors
- Con: Setup process can be complex for beginners
- Con: Customer service can sometimes be slow
Key features
Braintree
Accept payments globally with a unified platform
Braintree's Standard pricing at 2.59% + $0.49 per transaction is competitive for small to medium businesses, offering good value with no monthly fees.
Watch out
Venmo payments are significantly higher at 3.49% + $0.49.
Strengths
- Pro: PayPal integration
- Pro: Developer-friendly
- Pro: Transparent pricing
- Pro: Multiple currencies
Weaknesses
- Con: PayPal ecosystem lock-in
- Con: Support can be slow
- Con: Complex for simple needs
Key features
Plans and prices: Authorize.net vs Braintree
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Authorize.net |
| authorize.net/pricing read Nov 1, 2026 |
| Braintree |
| paypal.com/us/enterprise/paypal-braintree-fees read Oct 13, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Authorize.net pricing and Braintree pricing.
Key Takeaways
Authorize.net
- Higher user rating: 4.2/5 vs 3.4/5
Braintree
- Choose if you want accept payments globally with a unified platform
What the data shows
On the data below, Authorize.net leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Authorize.net has the higher user rating (4.2/5 from 209 reviews for Authorize.net, 3.4/5 from 90 reviews for Braintree).
- Authorize.net starts at $25/mo, billed monthly; Braintree has no public paid plan price on file.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Authorize.net and Braintree compare in 2026?
On the data below, Authorize.net leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Authorize.net has the higher user rating (4.2/5 from 209 reviews for Authorize.net, 3.4/5 from 90 reviews for Braintree). Authorize.net starts at $25/mo, billed monthly; Braintree has no public paid plan price on file.
What are Authorize.net and Braintree used for?
Authorize.net: Secure and reliable payment gateway for businesses of all sizes. Braintree: Accept payments globally with a unified platform.
What does Authorize.net cost vs Braintree?
Authorize.net's cheapest paid plan is Gateway only at $25/mo, billed monthly. Braintree has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Authorize.net and Braintree?
Authorize.net's main strength: widely recognized and trusted brand in payment processing. Braintree's main strength: PayPal integration.