The Best Payment Processors for Growing E-Commerce Brands
As your e-commerce brand scales, choosing the right payment processor becomes critical. The best ecommerce payment processors don’t just handle transactions; they streamline your checkout, reduce friction, support global growth, and integrate easily with the tools you already use.
Below, we break down the top contenders and show how they stack up for growing online businesses in 2025.
1. Stripe
Why it stands out: Stripe is a developer’s dream. With robust APIs, in-depth analytics, and support for subscriptions and marketplaces, it’s a flexible choice for brands that want complete control. It supports 135+ currencies and integrates with most major platforms.
Growth momentum: Stripe privately processed $1.4 trillion in payment volume in 2024—a 38% year-over-year increase—while expanding into crypto and AI-driven finance.
2. PayPal (including Braintree & PayPal Open)
Why it's relevant: PayPal is instantly recognizable and easy to set up, giving your customers a trusted checkout experience. The one-click branded checkout drives 30% of all transaction volume and generates 80% of PayPal’s profits.
Latest enhancements: With its new unified merchant platform “PayPal Open,” plus Braintree, Complete Payments, and Fastlane rolled out across Europe, PayPal offers a powerful ecosystem that supports global and mobile-first commerce.
3. Shopify Payments & Shop Pay
Why it's compelling: If you’re already using Shopify, its native payment solution is hard to beat. Shopify Payments removes the need for third-party gateways, while Shop Pay offers a lightning-fast one-click checkout and flexible installment payments, all designed to boost conversions.
4. Square
Why choose it: Perfect for brands that operate both online and in-store, Square offers seamless integration across retail and digital channels. There are no monthly fees, pricing is transparent, and the all-in-one system is built for omnichannel brands.
5. Adyen
Why it’s powerful: Used by enterprise giants like Spotify and eBay, Adyen offers extensive global payment options, real-time data, and world-class fraud prevention. It’s built for scale and trusted by businesses operating across multiple markets.
6. Airwallex
Why it’s key for scale: For businesses expanding internationally, Airwallex handles multi-currency payments with ease. Its powerful financial infrastructure avoids costly FX fees and simplifies cross-border transactions, making it ideal for global growth.
7. Helcim & Payment Depot
Why pick them: These processors are known for transparency and cost-efficiency. Helcim uses interchange-plus pricing with no hidden fees and supports recurring billing. Payment Depot is a great fit for high-volume merchants looking to save on transaction costs.
| Business Priority | Best Match | Why It Counts |
| Technical customization | Stripe, Adyen | Rich APIs, full checkout control |
| Brand trust & ease of use | PayPal, Shopify Payments | Instant consumer confidence |
| In-store + online functionality | Square | POS + web in one |
| Global sales + multi-currency | Airwallex, Adyen | Saves on FX, international support |
| Volume pricing & billing tools | Helcim, Payment Depot | Cost-effective for high volume |
Why Checkout Champ Completes the Picture
Once you've chosen the best ecommerce payment processor, the next step is making integration smooth and scalable. That’s where Checkout Champ comes in.
Checkout Champ integrates effortlessly with Stripe, PayPal, Square, Authorize.net, and many more. It offers advanced cart optimization, subscription management, and multi-step checkout features—all designed to reduce cart abandonment and maximize your revenue.
Whether you’re running a fast-growing DTC brand or managing multiple storefronts, Checkout Champ turns your payment setup into a competitive advantage.