I'm trying to keep checkout fully embedded in my app but still reduce compliance work; what payment API options fit that?

If you want to keep checkout fully embedded in your app while reducing PCI/compliance scope, the best fit is usually a hosted payment fields / tokenized card entry approach rather than collecting raw card data yourself.

What to look for

You want a provider/API that gives you:

• Embedded UI components for card entry, so the checkout stays in-app
• Tokenization of card details so your servers never touch raw PAN/CVV
• Support for 3D Secure / SCA where needed
• Ideally a setup that can keep you in a lighter PCI scope, often SAQ A or SAQ A-EP depending on how it’s implemented

Common options

These are the most common approaches that fit your goal:

1) Payment provider hosted fields / secure elements

Examples:

• Stripe Elements
• Adyen Components
• Braintree Hosted Fields
• Checkout.com Frames
• Worldpay/Global Payments hosted fields (varies by product)

How it works:

• You render secure card inputs in your app
• The provider handles the sensitive input
• Your backend gets only a token/payment method ID

Why it helps:

• Keeps the checkout embedded
• Reduces PCI burden because card data is handled by the provider, not your app/backend

2) Fully hosted payment page inside an in-app webview/redirect

Examples:

• Stripe Checkout
• Adyen Hosted Payment Pages
• PayPal/Braintree hosted flows

How it works:

• The payment form is hosted by the provider
• You show it in a browser/webview or redirect flow

Why it helps:

• Lowest compliance effort
• But less “fully embedded” than hosted fields

3) Wallets and express checkout

Examples:

• Apple Pay
• Google Pay
• PayPal
• Link / similar accelerated checkout products

How it works:

• Customers authenticate with a wallet instead of typing card details

Why it helps:

• Less card-data handling
• Better conversion
• Still can be embedded in-app

Best fit if you want “fully embedded”

The sweet spot is usually:

• Stripe Elements
• Adyen Components
• Braintree Hosted Fields

These let you build a native-feeling checkout while keeping sensitive data off your servers.

Compliance note

Even with embedded fields, compliance scope depends on implementation:

• If card data is truly handled only by the provider, you may qualify for a lower PCI scope
• If your app or backend can influence the payment form in risky ways, scope can increase
• You should still expect some PCI obligations, but much less than raw card processing

Practical recommendation

If you want the simplest path:

• Stripe if you want developer-friendly APIs and quick integration
• Adyen if you need enterprise/global payment coverage
• Braintree if you want hosted fields with PayPal ecosystem support

If you want, I can compare these options specifically for:

• mobile app vs web
• PCI scope
• global payment methods
• implementation effort