Updated for 2026.
Choosing the best payment processor for your business can feel overwhelming, with countless options and constantly changing features. The good news is that there is no single best payment processor, only the best one for how your business actually sells. To help you decide, this guide compares the top payment processors for online businesses, walks through the factors that matter most, and shows how UltraCart lets you connect the processor you want and switch later without starting over.
Best payment processors at a glance
Here is a quick comparison of the payment processors UltraCart supports natively, so you can match one to your business before reading the details below.
| Processor | Best for | Subscriptions | International | Dual vaulting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal | Fast setup and buyer trust | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stripe | Modern stores and developers | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Authorize.net | Established businesses that want a proven gateway | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| QuickBooks Payments | Businesses already running QuickBooks | Yes | Yes | No |
UltraCart also connects to other processors and gateways, including Braintree and BlueSnap. You can see the full list on the payment integrations page.
Which payment processor is best for your business?
The right choice depends on your business model, your customers, and your growth plans. Here is a simple way to narrow it down:
- Best for fast setup and buyer trust: PayPal, thanks to broad acceptance and familiar checkout options like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Venmo.
- Best for modern and subscription stores: Stripe, with strong recurring billing and a wide range of digital wallets.
- Best for established businesses that want a proven gateway: Authorize.net, a long-trusted option for secure card processing.
- Best for businesses already on QuickBooks: QuickBooks Payments, which keeps payments and accounting in one place.
- Best for selling internationally: any of the above, as long as you confirm multi-currency support and transparent conversion rates.
What do we mean when we say payment processor or payment gateway?
While a payment processor typically only handles moving money between banks and cannot authorize transactions on its own, a payment gateway provides both the secure authorization and processing capabilities, acting as the bridge between merchants and processors. In simpler terms, the gateway is the secure "front door" that collects and protects payment data, while the processor is the "delivery service" moving money between accounts.
PayPal has a helpful breakdown: What is a payment gateway and how does it work?
Key factors to consider when choosing a payment processor
Selecting the right payment processor is essential for any eCommerce business. Beyond accepting payments, the ideal provider should support smooth transactions, build customer trust, and adapt to your business needs. Here are the critical factors to evaluate for your online store:
PCI DSS compliance
PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance ensures that businesses handle credit card information securely, reducing the risk of fraud and data breaches. Choosing a payment processor that is PCI compliant is essential for protecting customer data and maintaining trust.
Dynamic card updates and dual vaulting
To avoid disruptions with subscriptions or recurring payments, some processors support dynamic card updates. This feature automatically refreshes a customer's expired or updated credit card information, keeping billing uninterrupted. Dual vaulting means card data is securely stored both within UltraCart and the payment processor's system. This lets you switch payment providers without collecting customer payment details again, which protects both your recurring revenue and your flexibility.
Alternative payment solutions
Offering a range of payment methods can significantly increase conversions. Look for processors that support alternatives like:
- Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Buy now, pay later services (for example, PayPal Pay Later)
- One-click or express checkouts (for example, Fastlane by PayPal)
- Digital wallets like Venmo and Link by Stripe
International processing
If you sell internationally, make sure your payment processor supports global transactions. Look for multi-currency support and transparent currency conversion rates to reduce added costs.
Subscriptions
If your store offers subscription products or services, confirm that your processor and its alternative payment methods support recurring billing. Not every alternative payment method can handle subscriptions, so choose a provider that covers the payment methods your subscribers actually use.
Choosing the right payment provider for your business
Finding the best payment provider depends on your business model, customer preferences, and growth goals. Each provider offers features that shape how you manage payments, subscriptions, and international sales. Here is a closer look at the top payment processors to help you make an informed decision.
PayPal
PayPal offers one of the most comprehensive payment solutions available. It supports smooth checkout with major credit cards, PayPal accounts, and popular digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Venmo. PayPal also provides Pay Later options such as PayPal Credit and Fastlane for quicker checkouts. Its broad acceptance and flexible payment options make it a strong fit for businesses targeting both domestic and international customers.
Key features:
- PCI compliance: Yes
- Dynamic card updates and dual vaulting: Yes
- Payment solutions: Credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, PayPal, PayPal Pay Later, Fastlane by PayPal
- Subscriptions: Supported for all payment methods
- International payment processing: Yes (Fastlane by PayPal is US only)
LEARN MORE ABOUT ULTRACART'S INTEGRATION WITH PAYPAL
Stripe
Stripe is a robust payment platform designed for modern eCommerce. It supports a wide range of payment methods, including credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Link by Stripe, and Amazon Payments. With built-in PCI compliance, dynamic card updates, and dual vaulting, Stripe delivers security and smooth recurring billing for subscriptions. Its global reach makes it well suited for international sales.
Key features:
- PCI compliance: Yes
- Dynamic card updates and dual vaulting: Yes
- Payment solutions: Credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Link by Stripe, Amazon Payments
- Subscriptions: Supported
- International payment processing: Yes
LEARN MORE ABOUT ULTRACART'S INTEGRATION WITH STRIPE
Authorize.net
Authorize.net is a trusted payment gateway offering secure credit card processing. It supports recurring billing for subscription services and features PCI compliance, dynamic card updates, and dual vaulting for added security. With international payment processing, Authorize.net suits businesses that want a reliable and secure payment infrastructure.
Key features:
- PCI compliance: Yes
- Dynamic card updates and dual vaulting: Yes
- Payment solutions: Credit cards
- Subscriptions: Supported
- International payment processing: Yes
LEARN MORE ABOUT ULTRACART'S INTEGRATION WITH AUTHORIZE.NET
UltraCart + Authorize.net Docs
QuickBooks Payments
QuickBooks Payments simplifies payment management by integrating directly with QuickBooks accounting software. It supports credit card payments with PCI compliance, though it does not offer dynamic card updates. Its international payment processing makes it a good fit for businesses already using QuickBooks for their finances. If QuickBooks is your system of record, see our QuickBooks Merchant Services integration for the full picture.
Key features:
- PCI compliance: Yes
- Dynamic card updates and dual vaulting: No
- Payment solutions: Credit cards
- Subscriptions: Supported
- International payment processing: Yes
LEARN MORE ABOUT ULTRACART'S INTEGRATION WITH QUICKBOOKS PAYMENTS
UltraCart + QuickBooks Payments Docs
How UltraCart works with any payment processor
The processor you pick today may not be the one you want in two years, and that is fine. UltraCart connects to every processor above, so you are free to choose on features and fit rather than lock-in. Because UltraCart supports dual vaulting, your customers' card data is stored securely in both UltraCart and your processor. If you ever switch providers, your subscriptions and saved cards come with you, so you keep your recurring revenue and your customers never have to re-enter their details.
You can review every option on the payment integrations page, or learn more about built-in processing with UltraCart Payments. For a look at how shopper preferences are shifting and where UltraCart fits, see your customer's favorite ways to pay.
Payment processor FAQ
What is the best payment processor for a small business?
For most small businesses, PayPal and Stripe are the easiest to start with because they set up quickly, are widely trusted by shoppers, and support popular wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. The best choice still depends on whether you sell subscriptions, sell internationally, or already use tools like QuickBooks.
What is the difference between a payment processor and a payment gateway?
A payment processor moves money between banks. A payment gateway securely authorizes the transaction and passes the payment data along. Many providers offer both, which is why the terms are often used together.
Can I use more than one payment processor?
Yes. With UltraCart you can connect more than one processor and route payments based on your needs, which is useful for redundancy, for specific payment methods, or for international sales.
What fees do payment processors charge?
Most processors charge a percentage of each transaction plus a small flat fee, and some gateways add a monthly fee. Rates vary by provider, business type, and volume, so confirm current pricing directly with the processor before you commit.
Can I switch payment processors without losing my customers' saved cards?
Yes. Because UltraCart uses dual vaulting, your card data is stored in UltraCart as well as your processor. That means you can switch providers without asking customers to re-enter their cards, and your subscriptions keep billing without interruption.
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