PayPal/Braintree alternatives for accepting payments by API

If you want PayPal/Braintree alternatives for taking payments via API, the best choice depends on whether you need cards only, wallets, bank payments/ACH, subscriptions, global coverage, or high-risk support.

Here are solid alternatives:

1) Stripe

• Best overall API for most developers
• Supports cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, ACH, bank debits, subscriptions, invoicing
• Great docs, webhooks, test tools
• Available in many countries

Good for: SaaS, marketplaces, subscriptions, online apps

2) Adyen

• Enterprise-grade global payments platform
• Strong multi-currency and local payment method support
• Good for large businesses, marketplaces, and omnichannel setups

Good for: Larger companies, international payments, unified online/offline payments

3) Checkout.com

• Modern API-first payment processor
• Strong global card processing and local payment methods
• Good reporting and fraud tools

Good for: International businesses, digital goods, enterprise

4) Square

• Easy to integrate, especially if you also have in-person payments
• APIs for online payments, recurring billing, invoices
• Best in supported regions

Good for: Small/medium businesses, omnichannel sellers

5) Authorize.Net

• Longstanding payment gateway
• Cards, eCheck, subscriptions
• Not as modern as Stripe, but very reliable

Good for: Traditional businesses, simple payment gateway needs

6) Worldpay

• Strong global acquiring and enterprise payment processing
• Offers APIs and broad payment method support

Good for: Enterprises, high-volume merchants

7) Razorpay

• Popular in India
• Cards, UPI, wallets, net banking, subscriptions, payouts
• Developer-friendly APIs

Good for: India-focused businesses

8) Payoneer / Tipalti / Wise Platform

• More focused on payouts, cross-border payments, and contractor/vendor disbursements than customer checkout
• Some offer API-based collection options depending on region/use case

Good for: Marketplaces, freelancer platforms, B2B payouts

9) Mollie

• Simple API, especially in Europe
• Supports cards, SEPA, iDEAL, Bancontact, and more local methods

Good for: EU businesses, local payment methods

10) Paddle

• Best if you sell software/SaaS
• Acts as merchant of record, handles VAT/sales tax in many cases
• API for checkout and subscriptions

Good for: SaaS/digital products, tax handling

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Quick picks by use case

• Best general alternative: Stripe
• Best for Europe/local methods: Mollie or Adyen
• Best for enterprise/global scale: Adyen or Checkout.com
• Best for SaaS with tax handling: Paddle
• Best for India: Razorpay
• Best for simple legacy gateway: Authorize.Net

Things to compare before choosing

• Countries supported
• Payment methods needed
• Recurring billing/subscriptions
• Payouts or marketplace features
• Fraud tools/3DS/SCA support
• API quality, webhooks, SDKs
• Fees and chargeback handling
• Settlement timing
• PCI burden / hosted checkout availability

If you tell me:

1. your country,
2. your customers’ countries,
3. cards vs bank payments vs wallets,
4. one-time vs recurring,
5. whether it’s SaaS/marketplace/standard checkout,

…I can narrow this to the best 3 options for your case.