The Best Payment Processor for Small Business

This guide highlights the best payment processors for small businesses by comparing options that balance convenience, affordability, and ease of use. Whether you’re a freelancer, solo entrepreneur, or startup owner, this resource is built to help you choose a solution that fits your workflow, supports your growth, and aligns with your budget, without getting bogged down in technical complexity or hidden fees.

Why Choosing the Right Payment Processor Matters

For small businesses, freelancers, and solopreneurs, selecting the right payment processor is more than just a technical decision — it’s a strategic one. A payment processor directly impacts your cash flow, customer experience, and operational efficiency. The wrong fit can result in high fees, frequent account holds, or a poor checkout experience that drives customers away. This guide focuses specifically on processors ideal for low-volume users who prioritize simplicity, transparency, and minimal overhead.

Key Features to Consider

When evaluating payment processors, it’s critical to look beyond just the headline transaction fees. The true value of a processor includes ease of use, technical integration, customer support, and scalability as your business grows. Below are the most important features we evaluated:

• Pricing Model: Flat-rate, interchange-plus, or subscription-based pricing can significantly impact long-term costs depending on your volume.
• Ease of Setup: Quick, user-friendly setup without requiring technical expertise is essential for solopreneurs and first-time users.
• Integration Options: Ability to sync with accounting platforms (QuickBooks, Xero), e-commerce stores (Shopify, WooCommerce), and CRM or marketing tools.
• Supported Payment Types: Credit/debit cards, ACH transfers, Apple Pay/Google Pay, Buy Now Pay Later, crypto, and international support.
• Customer Support: Availability and effectiveness of human support when problems arise (especially critical for account holds or technical issues).
• Account Stability: Some PSPs are known to freeze funds or close accounts without much notice, which is a serious risk for small businesses reliant on daily cash flow.
• Scalability: Will this provider still make sense when your transaction volume grows or your business model evolves?

Below is a summarized overview of the top payment processors evaluated in this guide. We’ve ranked each based on ease of use, fees, features, and support. Use this as a jumping-off point before diving into the detailed breakdowns below.

The Best Payment Processors for Small Businesses Based on Convenience & Low Volume

Finding the right fit for low-volume and simplicity can be challenging. If your business processes a smaller number of transactions each month, the last thing you need is a bloated, overcomplicated payment system. What matters most is ease — a platform that’s fast to set up, simple to use, and doesn’t eat into your profit with hidden fees or rigid contracts. Whether you’re sending a few invoices a week or handling occasional in-person payments, this guide zeroes in on providers that offer real-world convenience without locking you into unnecessary commitments or tech-heavy processes.

PayPal

PayPal remains one of the most recognized names in digital payments. For small businesses just starting or operating part-time, its user-friendly dashboard and global reach make it an attractive option. It offers tools like invoicing, subscriptions, mobile payments, and even crypto acceptance. However, it does come with some baggage: fund holds, limited customer support, and higher costs for microtransactions. It’s a solid pick if you’re looking for speed and familiarity, but not the cheapest long-term option.

Stripe

Stripe is a developer’s dream — highly customizable and built for scaling tech-forward businesses. It also offers no-code tools like Payment Links and Stripe Checkout that allow non-developers to launch quickly. Stripe supports virtually every payment type imaginable and is great for online-first or SaaS businesses. Just note that if you don’t need advanced customization, its additional features may go unused while still costing more than simpler platforms.

Square

Square is ideal for retail or service-based businesses that need an all-in-one system. It’s free POS, simple hardware setup, and competitive in-person fees make it a favorite for salons, food trucks, and pop-up vendors. It offers additional tools for marketing, loyalty programs, and inventory management — many of which come at a cost. While fantastic for getting started quickly, Square’s flat-rate pricing may not be as competitive once your volume increases.

Shopify Payments

Shopify Payments is the go-to choice for anyone using Shopify to run an online store. By using its native processor, you avoid Shopify’s added gateway fees and gain seamless integration across checkout, inventory, and order management. However, you’re tied to the Shopify ecosystem; switching platforms means switching processors. Ideal for serious e-commerce sellers already embedded in Shopify’s platform.

Amazon Pay

Amazon Pay is best used as an additional checkout method to improve trust and convenience for customers who already have Amazon accounts. Its fast checkout process can reduce cart abandonment. But it isn’t a standalone processor and lacks in-person tools, virtual terminals, or broad reporting features. Reserve policies and cash flow delays are other drawbacks. Use Amazon Pay to boost conversions, not as your main processor.

QuickBooks Payments

If you already use QuickBooks for accounting, their payment solution makes sense. You’ll benefit from automatic reconciliation, embedded payment links in invoices, and consolidated reporting. However, be cautious of flat-rate pricing, limited flexibility, and the absence of advanced features such as Level 2/3 processing. This option is best for B2B services that invoice clients directly and value simplicity over cost optimization.

Wave Payments

Wave (Waave) offers one of the only truly free accounting platforms, and its integrated payments tool allows small service providers to send invoices and accept card payments without a monthly fee. While attractive at first glance, Wave has major downsides: no phone support, frequent technical issues, and high fixed per-transaction fees. Best used by freelancers who send occasional invoices and are comfortable with self-service platforms.

Helcim

Helcim stands out for offering full interchange-plus pricing with no monthly fees — a transparent, cost-efficient model usually reserved for higher-volume merchants. Add in their excellent customer support, free POS and invoicing tools, and automatic volume discounts, and you’ve got a true long-term partner. While not as simple as Square or PayPal for initial setup, it’s an ideal choice for growing businesses that want to scale without switching processors later.

SumUp

SumUp is a solid Square alternative with ultra-simple hardware and no monthly costs. It’s best for on-the-go businesses like mobile stylists, tradespeople, or vendor booths that process occasional in-person payments. You won’t get deep customization or advanced features, but for basic card acceptance with no strings, SumUp does the job affordably and reliably.

PaymentCloud

PaymentCloud is best known for supporting high-risk industries or unique business models that traditional processors decline. If you sell supplements, CBD, or work in industries like firearms or debt repair, PaymentCloud may be your best (or only) option. They assign a dedicated rep and can match you with a compatible backend processor. Just be aware: pricing is not public and may require negotiation, so do your homework before signing anything.

Easy Pay Direct

Easy Pay Direct specializes in high-risk merchant accounts, offering fast approvals, chargeback protection, and smart transaction routing to keep businesses running, even if one account gets flagged. With support for 250+ platforms and tailored underwriting, it’s ideal for e-commerce, coaches, CBD, and other “hard to place” industries.

Paysafe

Paysafe is a global payment platform offering card processing, e-wallets (like Skrill and Neteller), and prepaid solutions. Known for serving industries like iGaming and eCommerce, Paysafe supports 260 payment types in 48 currencies and is backed by strong fraud tools and regulatory compliance.

How to Choose the Best Payment Processor

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best payment processor for your business depends on your transaction volume, sales channels, technical needs, and long-term goals. If you’re just getting started and want simplicity, Square or PayPal may be ideal. If you’re planning to scale or value transparent pricing, Helcim or Stripe might be a better investment. And if your business model is considered high-risk, PaymentCloud is worth a closer look.

Make sure to test the onboarding experience, evaluate support responsiveness, and understand the fine print. Try these payment processors and take advantage of any welcome bonuses or hardware discounts.