Why look beyond Adyen

Adyen specializes in a unified commerce platform designed for global enterprises managing complex payment needs across online and in-store channels. Its strengths include extensive payment method support, advanced risk management tools, and a customizable API for tailored payment flows (Adyen). However, its enterprise-focused model means it may not be the optimal fit for all businesses.

Smaller businesses or those with less complex payment requirements might find Adyen's comprehensive feature set and custom pricing model to be more than they need. The platform's complexity, while beneficial for customization, can also lead to a steeper learning curve and more involved integration processes compared to simpler alternatives. Businesses seeking transparent, fixed-rate pricing, or those primarily focused on specific niches like subscription billing or e-commerce for SMBs, may find other providers offer a more streamlined experience or a better cost-value proposition.

Top alternatives ranked

  1. 1. Stripe — Developer-focused global payment infrastructure

    Stripe provides a suite of APIs and tools for building and managing online businesses, specializing in developer-centric payment processing. It supports a wide array of global payment methods, subscription billing, and marketplace solutions. Stripe's platform is known for its extensive documentation and SDKs for popular languages such as Java, Python, and Node.js, facilitating integration for developers (Stripe). While it began with a strong focus on online payments, Stripe has expanded its offerings to include in-person payment solutions and financial services, aiming to provide a comprehensive platform for internet commerce. Its flexible API allows for significant customization, making it suitable for businesses ranging from startups to large enterprises that value control over their payment experiences.

    Best for:

    • E-commerce platforms and marketplaces
    • SaaS businesses requiring subscription billing
    • Developers seeking extensive API control and documentation
    • Businesses prioritizing rapid international expansion
  2. 2. Checkout.com — Cloud-based global payment processing for enterprises

    Checkout.com offers a cloud-based payment platform designed for large enterprises with complex, global payment processing needs. It focuses on providing a unified platform that supports a wide range of payment methods and currencies, emphasizing high authorization rates and advanced fraud detection. The platform aims to simplify global payments by offering direct connections to card schemes and local payment methods, which can reduce latency and improve performance (Checkout.com). Checkout.com positions itself as a partner for businesses looking to optimize their payment infrastructure, offering bespoke solutions and dedicated support. Its architecture is built to handle high volumes and complex routing, making it suitable for companies operating across multiple geographies and business models.

    Best for:

    • Large global enterprises with high transaction volumes
    • Businesses requiring direct card scheme connections
    • Companies focused on optimizing authorization rates and fraud prevention
    • International e-commerce and unified commerce operations
  3. 3. Worldpay — Comprehensive payment solutions for diverse business sizes

    Worldpay, now part of FIS, offers a broad portfolio of payment processing solutions catering to businesses of all sizes, from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to large corporations. Its services encompass online, in-store, and mobile payments, along with advanced analytics and fraud protection. Worldpay leverages a global network to support a wide range of payment methods and currencies, facilitating international commerce (Worldpay). The company emphasizes its ability to provide tailored solutions and dedicated support, drawing on decades of experience in the payments industry. Worldpay's infrastructure is designed for reliability and scale, handling billions of transactions annually, making it a viable option for businesses looking for a well-established and robust payment partner.

    Best for:

    • Businesses needing both online and in-person payment solutions
    • Companies seeking a long-standing, experienced payment processor
    • Large enterprises with varied payment capture requirements
    • Merchants needing broad international payment method support
  4. 4. NetSuite — Integrated ERP with native payment processing

    Oracle NetSuite is a comprehensive cloud-based business management suite that includes ERP, CRM, professional services automation, and e-commerce functionalities. Its native payment processing capabilities are integrated directly within the ERP system, allowing businesses to manage financials, orders, and payments from a single platform (NetSuite Help Center). This integration streamlines operations, automates reconciliation, and provides a unified view of financial data, which can be particularly beneficial for businesses looking to consolidate their systems. NetSuite's payment module supports various payment methods and currencies, and its extensibility allows for customization to fit specific business processes. While primarily an ERP, its embedded payment features make it a relevant alternative for businesses prioritizing system consolidation.

    Best for:

    • Businesses already using or planning to adopt NetSuite ERP
    • Companies seeking integrated financial and payment management
    • Mid-market to enterprise-level businesses with complex accounting needs
    • Organizations aiming for a single source of truth for business data
  5. 5. Microsoft Dynamics 365 — Business applications with embedded payment integrations

    Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a suite of enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) applications that can integrate with various payment gateways. While not a payment processor itself, Dynamics 365 offers robust frameworks for connecting to third-party payment services, enabling businesses to manage sales, finance, and operations with integrated payment workflows (Microsoft Dynamics 365 Documentation). This allows organizations to leverage their existing payment providers or choose new ones that best fit their specific needs, while still benefiting from the comprehensive business management capabilities of Dynamics 365. The flexibility to integrate with a range of payment solutions makes it a strong contender for enterprises already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem or those requiring a highly customizable approach to their payment infrastructure.

    Best for:

    • Enterprises operating within the Microsoft ecosystem
    • Businesses requiring deep integration between ERP/CRM and payments
    • Organizations that prefer flexibility in choosing payment gateway partners
    • Companies needing scalable business applications with global reach
  6. 6. Zoho Payments — Integrated payment processing within the Zoho ecosystem

    Zoho Payments is part of the broader Zoho suite of business applications, offering integrated payment processing primarily for businesses using Zoho Books, Zoho Invoice, and Zoho CRM. It facilitates online payments, automates reconciliation, and helps manage subscriptions and recurring billing within the Zoho ecosystem (Zoho Payments). While it may not offer the same depth of global payment methods or the extensive customization options as enterprise-grade payment gateways, its strength lies in its seamless integration with other Zoho products. This makes it a practical choice for small to medium-sized businesses that are already using or considering adopting Zoho's comprehensive suite for their operational needs, providing a unified platform for managing finances and customer interactions.

    Best for:

    • Small to medium-sized businesses using Zoho Books or Zoho Invoice
    • Companies seeking integrated accounting and payment solutions
    • Service-based businesses requiring recurring billing
    • Organizations prioritizing ease of use within an existing software ecosystem
  7. 7. FreshBooks — Accounting software with payment processing for small businesses and freelancers

    FreshBooks is primarily an accounting software designed for small business owners, freelancers, and self-employed professionals, but it also includes integrated payment processing capabilities. It allows users to accept online payments directly through invoices, simplifying the billing and collection process (FreshBooks). While its payment features are more basic compared to dedicated payment gateways, they are tailored to the needs of its target audience, focusing on ease of use and quick payment acceptance. FreshBooks aims to streamline financial management by combining invoicing, expense tracking, and payment collection into a single, intuitive platform. This makes it a practical option for very small businesses or individuals who need a straightforward way to get paid without managing complex payment gateway integrations.

    Best for:

    • Freelancers and sole proprietors
    • Small businesses focused on simplified invoicing and payment collection
    • Service-based businesses with straightforward billing needs
    • Users prioritizing an all-in-one accounting and payment solution
  8. 8. HubSpot Payments — Payment processing integrated with CRM and marketing automation

    HubSpot Payments is an integrated payment solution designed for businesses already using HubSpot's CRM platform. It allows users to accept payments directly within HubSpot's ecosystem, connecting transactions to customer records, marketing campaigns, and sales pipelines (HubSpot Developer Documentation). This integration aims to streamline the customer journey from lead generation to payment, providing a unified view of customer interactions and financial data. HubSpot Payments supports various payment methods and offers features like recurring billing, making it suitable for businesses that want to link their sales, marketing, and payment processes directly. Its value is particularly high for companies deeply embedded in the HubSpot platform, seeking to consolidate their tech stack and improve data visibility.

    Best for:

    • Businesses using HubSpot CRM and marketing automation
    • Companies looking to align sales, marketing, and payment data
    • SaaS and subscription-based businesses within the HubSpot ecosystem
    • Organizations prioritizing a unified customer experience platform

Side-by-side

Feature Adyen Stripe Checkout.com Worldpay (FIS) NetSuite Microsoft Dynamics 365 Zoho Payments FreshBooks HubSpot Payments
Primary Focus Enterprise unified commerce Developer-first internet commerce Enterprise global payments All-size global payments ERP with integrated payments ERP/CRM with payment integrations Zoho ecosystem payments Small business accounting/payments CRM-integrated payments
Target Business Size Large Enterprise SMB to Large Enterprise Large Enterprise SMB to Large Enterprise Mid-market to Large Enterprise Mid-market to Large Enterprise Small to Medium Business Small Business/Freelancer SMB to Mid-market
Core Offering Unified payments (online/POS) Payment APIs, billing, fraud Unified global payment processing Full-suite payment processing ERP with native payment module Business apps with payment connectors Integrated payment gateway Invoicing and payment acceptance Payments within CRM
Global Reach High High High High Medium (via integrations) Medium (via integrations) Medium Medium (via integrations) Medium
Developer Focus High (API customization) Very High (extensive APIs/SDKs) High (API-driven) Medium Medium (for ERP integration) Medium (for platform extensibility) Low to Medium Low Medium (within HubSpot API)
Pricing Model Custom enterprise Per-transaction + custom Custom enterprise Custom, volume-based Subscription (ERP) + transaction Subscription (ERP/CRM) + transaction Per-transaction Subscription (accounting) + transaction Per-transaction
Key Strengths Unified commerce, risk management Developer experience, global scale High auth rates, direct connections Established reputation, broad services ERP integration, financial automation Microsoft ecosystem, app flexibility Zoho ecosystem, ease of use Simple invoicing, expense tracking CRM data integration, sales alignment

How to pick

Selecting the right payment processing solution involves assessing your business's specific needs, scale, and existing technology stack. Consider these factors when evaluating Adyen alternatives:

  • Business Size and Transaction Volume:
    • For large enterprises with high transaction volumes and global reach, options like Checkout.com or Worldpay offer robust infrastructure and advanced features comparable to Adyen. Stripe also scales effectively for large operations, particularly those with a strong developer focus.
    • Mid-market businesses requiring integrated solutions might benefit from platforms like NetSuite or Microsoft Dynamics 365, which combine payment processing with broader ERP or CRM functionalities.
    • Small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and freelancers looking for straightforward, integrated solutions could consider Zoho Payments, FreshBooks, or HubSpot Payments, especially if they are already using these ecosystems.
  • Integration Requirements and Developer Resources:
    • If your team has strong development capabilities and requires deep customization, Stripe offers extensive APIs and documentation. Adyen itself is strong in this area, but Stripe provides an alternative with a similar developer-first approach.
    • For businesses looking for out-of-the-box integrations with their existing CRM or ERP, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Zoho Payments, and HubSpot Payments offer native or highly integrated solutions, reducing the need for custom development.
  • Payment Methods and Geographic Coverage:
    • Businesses with a significant international presence or a need to support a wide array of local payment methods should prioritize providers with strong global reach and comprehensive payment options, such as Stripe, Checkout.com, or Worldpay.
    • If your operations are primarily domestic or focused on specific regions, a simpler provider might suffice.
  • Pricing Model and Cost Structure:
    • Adyen typically uses a custom enterprise pricing model. Alternatives like Stripe offer transparent, per-transaction pricing with volume discounts, which can be more predictable for some businesses.
    • Solutions integrated with accounting or CRM platforms often combine subscription fees for the core software with per-transaction charges for payments. Evaluate the total cost of ownership, including setup fees, transaction fees, chargeback fees, and any monthly minimums.
  • Industry-Specific Needs:
    • If your business operates in a specialized industry (e.g., subscription services, marketplaces), look for alternatives that offer specific features or optimizations for those models. For instance, Stripe's billing capabilities are well-suited for SaaS.