Top payment processors for 2026 include Stripe, PayPal, Adyen, Square, and more. Compare fees, multi-currency support, and features to find the best fit for side-hustles, agencies, and global platforms.
The top payment processors for 2026? Stripe, PayPal, Adyen, and Square - fast, reliable, global payments for side-hustles, 7-figure businesses, agencies, and platforms.
These processors give you instant payouts, multi-currency support, and multiple payment methods, so your business can scale effortlessly, no matter your size.
Let's take a look at the full list of payment processors for 2026.
Top payment processors for every business type
Here’s a list of 10 top payment platforms for 2026, built for everyone from side-hustles to 7-figure businesses. Keep in mind that fees listed are indicative and can vary by region, account type, and payment method.
1. Whop
Best For: 7‑figure businesses, agencies, platforms, side‑hustles
If you’re looking for a payments service that actually gets creators, side-hustlers, agencies, and platforms, Whop’s built for you with faster payouts, lower fees, and more control over how you accept payments globally compared to other services.
Accept everything: credit & debit cards, crypto, stablecoins, digital wallets, and even Buy Now, Pay Later. Our multi-PSP orchestration automatically routes payments through the provider most likely to approve it (switching between multiple providers automatically), boosting successful charges by up to 11%.
“Through thousands of conversations, we’ve learned our customers really only care about two things: getting paid and paying out. Our mission is to be the best in the world at solving those problems.”
- Hunter Dickinson, Head of Partnerships at Whop
Whether you want to embed a checkout, send a simple link, or use Whop’s own store builder, we meet you wherever you sell. Add built-in tools like automatic dispute handling, affiliate programs, free trials, and products with chat, courses, or livestreams, and you’ve got everything a modern seller needs.
Fees:
- Card payments: 2.7% + $0.30 USD (typical, varies by region/currency)
- Setup/monthly fees: none
We are trusted by more than 27,000 businesses. Learn more about Whop Payments.
2. Stripe
Best For: Online stores, SaaS, subscription businesses
Stripe is a payment processor trusted by businesses worldwide, from small online stores to fast-growing SaaS platforms. Founded by Patrick and John Collison, it was built to make online payments simple, secure, and developer-friendly.
You can use Stripe for subscriptions, marketplace payouts, multi-currency transactions, and international payments, all through a flexible API that supports fully customizable checkout experiences. Stripe also provides tools for fraud prevention, analytics, and recurring billing, making it a solid choice for businesses that want both power and control.
Fees:
- Card payments: 2.9% + $0.30 USD
- International cards: +1%
- Currency conversion: +1%
- Instant Payouts: +1%
3. PayPal
Best For: Small businesses, international ecommerce, buyer‑trusted checkout
PayPal’s been around forever, and for good reason - it’s one of the most trusted ways to send and receive money online. Launched in 1998, it’s now a global payments platform used by millions of merchants, with tools for online stores, mobile apps, and even peer-to-peer payments like Venmo.
You can accept payments from domestic and international cards, digital wallets, and more, making it simple to sell anywhere in the world. Its checkout is widely recognized by buyers, which helps reduce friction at payment time.
Fees:
- Domestic online card payments: 2.9% + $0.30 USD
- International cards: up to +1%
- Currency conversion: up to +2.5%
4. Adyen
Best For: Enterprise marketplaces and global platforms
Adyen is a global payments powerhouse that supports businesses of all sizes, from online merchants to multi‑channel retailers. The company offers a unified platform for online, mobile and in‑store payments.
Adyen uses Interchange++ model, which means you'll pay three separate fees: the card's network wee, the card scheme fee (Visa/Mastercard), and Adyen's markup. You’ll typically see a fixed processing fee (e.g., ~£0.11 in the UK) plus a variable payment‑method fee (often ~0.60% or more) depending on card type and region.
There are no setup fees or monthly minimums for many accounts, but outbound fees and currency conversions can add up.
Fees:
- Fixed processing fee (UK): ~£0.11 per transaction
- Variable fee: ~0.60% + interchange & scheme fees (cards)
- Setup/monthly fees: None listed for standard accounts
5. Square / Block
Best For: Omnichannel retail, small‑to‑medium ecommerce, POS + online
Square, now officially called Block, started with a simple idea: let anyone accept card payments without a traditional merchant account. Now, it’s grown into a full financial ecosystem for small-to-medium businesses.
With Square, you can accept in-person, online, and mobile payments, manage inventory, run loyalty programs, and even handle payroll. It’s especially popular with retail and food businesses that need omnichannel solutions in one platform.
Fees:
- Card payments (in-person, swipe/dip/tap): 2.6% + $0.10 USD
- Online transactions: 2.9% + $0.30 USD
- ACH / bank transfers: 1% per transaction
6. Checkout.com
Best For: Digital‑native enterprises, global online merchants
Checkout.com is built for global online sellers who need speed, flexibility, and multi-currency support. It handles payments across 150+ currencies and dozens of local payment methods, making it a solid choice for merchants selling internationally.
Its platform includes real-time analytics, fraud protection, and customizable payment flows, which is why fast-growing ecommerce brands and marketplaces rely on it to manage complex global payments.
Fees:
- Standard card payments: 2.3%–2.9% + $0.30 USD
- FX / currency conversion: variable, depends on contract
- No flat monthly or setup fees; pricing is usually customized per merchant
7. Worldline
Best For: European enterprises, merchant infrastructure, large‑scale terminal networks
If you’re operating in multiple European markets and need a payments partner with serious scale and legacy credibility, Worldline checks that box.
Worldline excels in merchant acquiring, terminal networks, multichannel payments, and cross‑border flows, including support for local European payment methods, A2A (account-to-account) solutions, and complex enterprise integrations. Its fee structures tend to lean enterprise‑grade, often using Interchange + ++ models and requiring tailored contracts.
For example, its UK “Full Service Online Payments” model lists a monthly fee (£29) plus translated domestic/ regional rate details.
If you’re scaling across Europe, handling multiple currencies, or require enterprise‑grade merchant services with local presence, Worldline is a valid contender. Just expect a more complex pricing model and potentially longer contracts than smaller‑scale processors.
Fees:
- Online gateway model (UK example): £29/month + first 300 transactions free; then £0.10 per transaction + ~1.00% domestic and ~2.50% regional fee.
- European merchant schedule: Interchange + Scheme model with complex variables; public “Indicative Card Scheme Fee Rates” show base scheme fees (e.g., 0.0009 € per transaction, up to 0.0200% for some card types) for EEA domestic.
8. PaymentCloud
Best For: High‑risk merchants, underserved verticals
PaymentCloud is built for businesses that get told “no” by most payment processors. This includes CBD shops, travel sites, adult businesses, and other high-risk verticals. PaymentCloud specializes in custom merchant accounts, chargeback mitigation, and flexible underwriting, so you can start accepting payments quickly without jumping through endless hoops.
It’s all about giving high-risk sellers a path to scale safely, with support for card payments, ACH, and international options where possible. Their team knows these industries inside and out, which makes onboarding faster and less stressful than with mainstream providers.
Fees:
- Card processing: typically 2.99%–4.99% + $0.25–$0.30 USD per transaction, depending on risk level and industry
- ACH / bank transfers: around 1% per transaction
- Monthly fees / setup fees vary per merchant account and industry
9. PayKings
Best For: High‑risk merchants requiring fast onboarding and tailored support
PayKings thrives where standard payment processors hesitate. If your business falls into a high‑risk category (CBD, adult, vape, firearms, travel, or online gaming), PayKings has built the framework to keep you moving. With over 15 years of experience and more than 10,000 merchants served, PayKings offers tailored underwriting, advanced fraud protection, and flexible gateway options designed for complex industries.
Expect a processing model that adapts to your risk profile: you’ll often see higher rates but with the trade‑off of approval when others won’t. Inventory support for crypto, ACH, mobile payments and virtual terminals adds to its flexibility.
Fees:
- Rates often start around 2.49%+ for accepted merchants, but can vary widely depending on vertical and volume.
- Set‑up fee: typically $0 for many merchants.
- Contract term: could run 2‑3 years depending on the acquiring bank.
10. Durango Merchant Services
Best For: High‑risk merchants needing custom processing, gateway integration and high‑risk underwriting
Durango Merchant Services is another payment processor built specifically for high-risk businesses that standard processors might reject. From adult content and CBD to travel and gaming, Durango offers tailored merchant accounts, gateways, and underwriting solutions that standard processors often won’t touch.
Their platform supports credit/debit cards, ACH, and virtual terminals, with options for multi-currency processing and international payouts. They also provide dedicated support for onboarding, chargeback management, and compliance, making it a reliable option for high-risk verticals that need hands-on guidance.
Fees:
- Card processing: 2.99%–4.99% + $0.25–$0.30 USD depending on risk and industry
- ACH / bank transfers: typically 1% per transaction
- Setup / monthly fees: vary by account and vertical
How to choose the right payment processor for your business
Pick a processor that has fast payouts, supports your business type, and scales with you.
Know your business type
Are you a side-hustle, a 7-figure agency, or a platform? Some processors are built for high-risk verticals, others for global marketplaces. Pick a processor that can scale with you, not hold you back.
Check payout speed
Faster payouts = better cash flow. If you want to get paid today instead of waiting days, look for processors with instant or same-day payouts.
Multi-currency support
Selling internationally? Make sure your processor supports the currencies your customers use and handles FX smoothly.
Payment method flexibility
Credit cards, digital wallets, stablecoins, BNPL… the more you accept, the fewer sales you leave on the table.
You need payments, you need to accept payments, and you need to pay out payments. And if you can't do that, you can't run a business.
- Hunter Dickinson, Head of Partnerships at Whop
Fees and transparency
Always remember: listed fees are indicative, not concrete. Dig into hidden charges, FX markups, and extra costs for cross-border payments. A slightly higher fee can be worth it if it means fewer declines and faster payouts.
Ease of integration
You don’t want to spend weeks coding just to start accepting payments. Check if the processor works with your website, store, or platform out of the box.
Support and reliability
When something breaks, you need fast, competent help. Look at uptime stats, support channels, and real-world reviews.
Don't just choose one payment processor: get multi-PSP orchestration with Whop
Instead of choosing just one payment processor, you can use Whop Payments to tap into many.
If you’re looking for a solution built for creators, side-hustlers, agencies, and platforms, Whop was made for you. We have fast payouts, low fees, and more control over how you accept payments globally - with card fees typically around 2.7% + $0.30 USD (varies by region/currency) and no setup or monthly fees at all.
Accept everything: credit and debit cards, crypto, digital wallets, and even Buy Now, Pay Later. Our multi-PSP orchestration automatically routes each transaction through the provider most likely to approve it, boosting successful charges by up to 11%.
Through thousands of conversations, we’ve learned our customers really only care about two things: getting paid and paying out. Our mission is to be the best in the world at solving those problems.
— Hunter Dickinson, Head of Partnerships at Whop
Whether you want to embed a checkout, send a simple link, or build your business on Whop, we meet you wherever you sell.
Get paid faster, smarter, and on your terms with Whop
Choosing the right processor isn’t just about fees. It’s also about speed, flexibility, and reliability. You want your money moving when it should, your customers’ checkout to be smooth, and a platform that grows with you.
But with Whop, you don't have to choose just one. Whop Payments powers 27,000+ businesses, including Shelby Sapp’s She Sells, Iman Gadzhi, and Bad Marketing. Accept cards, crypto, stablecoins, wallets, and BNPL - all with multi-PSP routing for faster, more reliable payouts.
Get paid smarter. Get paid faster. Get Whop.
Payment processor FAQs
What makes a payment processor “top-rated”?
Top-rated processors combine speed, reliability, multi-currency support, flexible payment options, and solid customer support. Basically, they keep your money moving and your business running smoothly.
Can I use Whop if I sell globally?
Absolutely. Whop supports over 241 countries, multiple currencies, and a huge range of payment methods, from cards to crypto and digital wallets.
Are the fees listed for each processor fixed?
No, all fees are indicative. They vary by region, account type, payment method, and volume. Always double-check before committing.
Which processor is best for high-risk businesses?
Processors like PaymentCloud, PayKings, and Durango Merchant Services specialize in high-risk industries such as CBD, adult content, travel, or gaming. They provide custom underwriting and flexible merchant accounts.
