In today’s global marketplace, selecting the right payment processor is crucial for merchants looking to expand their reach and offer seamless transactions to customers around the world. The ideal payment processor should facilitate secure, fast, and cost-effective transactions while accommodating various payment methods and currencies. Here’s a look at some of the best international payment processors for merchants.

PayPal

Overview

PayPal is one of the most well-known and dependable payment processors in the world because of its user-friendliness, security features, and widespread customer appeal. It serves as an all-in-one payment solution for online and in-person transactions, making it a popular choice for businesses of all sizes. PayPal offers a range of services, including merchant accounts, invoicing, and mobile payment options, making it a versatile solution for businesses that operate across borders.

Features

• Global Reach: PayPal is present in more than 200 markets and enables businesses to take payments in over 100 different currencies. This makes it a fantastic choice for foreign retailers wishing to reach a worldwide market with low entry hurdles.
• Multiple Payment Options: Merchants can accept payments via credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal balances. Customers may pay using the ways of their choice thanks to this flexibility, which helps boost conversion rates.
• Integration: PayPal easily integrates with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and many custom-built websites. This makes it simple to add PayPal as a payment option to your existing checkout process.
• Buyer Protection: PayPal’s buyer protection policy provides customers with peace of mind, covering eligible purchases for issues like unauthorized transactions or items that don’t arrive as described. This might assist you gain the trust of your clientele, especially in untapped marketplaces.

Pros

• Easy Setup and Use: PayPal is incredibly easy to set up, even for merchants with limited technical expertise. You can start accepting payments almost immediately after creating an account.
• Strong Security Measures: PayPal employs advanced encryption and fraud monitoring tools, ensuring that transactions are secure. The platform also complies with PCI-DSS, the industry standard for payment processing security.
• High Consumer Trust: As one of the most recognized payment brands in the world, customers tend to trust PayPal, which can help improve conversion rates and reduce cart abandonment.

Cons

• High Fees for International Transactions: PayPal’s transaction fees for international payments can be higher compared to other processors. Usually, merchants pay a predetermined fee in addition to a percentage of the transaction, which can add up for higher sales volumes.
• Currency Conversion Fees Apply: PayPal charges additional fees for currency conversion, which can make it more expensive for businesses dealing with multiple currencies. These fees can reduce profitability for cross-border transactions.

Stripe

Overview

Stripe is a leading payment processor, particularly favored by online businesses and developers for its powerful API and flexibility. With a focus on delivering a seamless, customizable payment experience, Stripe offers a wide range of tools that cater to various business models, including e-commerce, SaaS, and subscription-based businesses. It is particularly suited for tech-savvy companies that want full control over their payment process.

Features

• Multiple Currencies: Stripe enables companies to take payments from clients all around the world in more than 135 currencies. The platform automatically handles currency conversions, making it easy for businesses to offer localized payment options without additional complexity.
• Recurring Payments: Stripe is especially strong in handling recurring billing, making it an ideal solution for subscription-based businesses. It offers customizable billing intervals, automatic retries for failed payments, and customer management tools, which streamline subscription operations.
• Integration: Stripe has extensive integration capabilities, supporting a wide range of e-commerce platforms such as WooCommerce, Shopify, and BigCommerce, as well as custom-built websites. Its flexible API allows businesses to create bespoke payment flows tailored to their specific needs.
• Advanced Features: Stripe offers advanced features like machine learning-based fraud detection (Stripe Radar), in-depth analytics and reporting, and support for various payment methods, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and ACH transfers. This robust feature set allows businesses to enhance their payment systems with minimal additional effort.

Pros

• Developer-Friendly with Extensive Documentation: Stripe’s API is known for being well-documented and developer-friendly, making it a favorite among businesses that want a highly customizable payment solution. The platform allows for easy implementation of various features, from one-click checkouts to multi-currency support.
• Transparent Pricing: Stripe operates with a clear and straightforward pricing model. Merchants are charged a flat percentage fee per transaction, with no hidden costs, which makes it easy to understand and predict payment processing expenses.
• Strong Security Features: Stripe prioritizes security with PCI-DSS compliance, encryption, and robust fraud detection tools. Its advanced security measures ensure that both the merchant and customer are protected from potential threats.

Cons

• Requires Technical Knowledge for Setup: While Stripe offers unmatched customization and flexibility, setting it up may require a certain level of technical expertise. For businesses without an in-house development team, the initial setup and integration can be challenging.
• Not Available in All Countries: Although Stripe supports payments in numerous currencies, it is not available in every country. Merchants in certain regions may have to explore alternative payment processors.

Square

Overview

Square is widely recognized for its simplicity, making it a top choice for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that need a straightforward, all-in-one payment solution. Initially known for its card readers and point-of-sale (POS) systems, Square has expanded its services to include e-commerce solutions, invoicing, and payment processing for both online and in-person transactions. Its ease of use and transparent pricing make it especially appealing to businesses that want to get started quickly without technical complexity.

Features

• Point of Sale (POS) System: Square offers one of the most comprehensive POS systems, allowing businesses to manage sales, inventory, customer data, and employee tracking from a single platform. The POS system is easy to set up and is highly intuitive, making it ideal for retailers, restaurants, and service-based businesses.
• International Sales: Although Square’s primary market is the U.S. and Canada, it does offer international payment acceptance through its online services. With certain regional limitations, the platform enables enterprises to sell to clients worldwide and facilitates transactions in different currencies.
• E-commerce Integration: Square integrates seamlessly with popular e-commerce platforms like WooCommerce, Wix, and BigCommerce. Additionally, it has a built-in online shop function that eliminates the need for extra tools or platforms and enables companies to establish and maintain an online presence. This is particularly useful for small businesses looking to sell both in-store and online using a single system.

Pros

• Simple Pricing Structure with No Hidden Fees: Square offers transparent, flat-rate pricing, making it easy for merchants to predict costs. For small firms with tight resources, the lack of setup, monthly, or hidden expenses is enticing.
• Easy to Set Up and Use: Square is incredibly easy to set up and use, even for business owners with minimal technical experience. Its user-friendly interface allows businesses to start accepting payments quickly, whether in-person or online.
• Great Customer Support: Square provides consistent customer support via live chat, phone, email, and other channels. Additionally, the platform offers extensive online resources, including tutorials, guides, and a vibrant community forum.

Cons

• Limited Availability Outside the U.S. and Canada: Although Square offers international payment acceptance, its core services, particularly its physical POS system, are limited to businesses operating in the U.S. and Canada. For companies with a sizable client base of foreign clients, this can be a serious constraint.
• Might Not Be Ideal for Bigger Companies with Complex Needs: Square works great for small and medium-sized companies, but it might not be the best option for bigger companies with intricate payment requirements or those seeking for highly customized features. It is devoid of some sophisticated features and adaptability that larger businesses frequently require.

Adyen

Overview

Adyen is a global payment processing powerhouse, offering a unified commerce experience across online, mobile, and in-store channels. With its ability to support an extensive range of payment methods and currencies, Adyen is favored by large enterprises and multinational companies that require scalability and a seamless payment experience for their customers worldwide. Adyen’s robust analytics, fraud detection, and global reach make it a popular choice for businesses looking to expand into international markets while maintaining control over risk and operations.

Features

• Comprehensive Payment Solutions: Adyen supports over 250 payment methods and 150 currencies, making it a versatile solution for businesses looking to accept payments from a global customer base. Whether customers are paying with credit cards, mobile wallets, or alternative payment methods like local bank transfers, Adyen ensures a frictionless experience.
• Data-Driven Insights: One of Adyen’s standout features is its robust analytics tools, which provide merchants with deep insights into customer behavior, transaction trends, and payment performance. This data can help businesses optimize their payment processes, reduce cart abandonment, and tailor experiences to specific customer needs.
• Risk Management: Adyen’s advanced risk management tools are designed to help businesses mitigate fraud and reduce chargebacks. Businesses may fine-tune their approach to fraud protection based on their own risk profiles thanks to the platform’s configurable risk rules, which combine machine learning and real-time fraud detection and prevention capabilities.

Pros

• Global Presence and Scalability: Adyen’s global reach makes it ideal for large enterprises and businesses looking to expand internationally. Its ability to handle transactions across multiple channels and currencies with a single integration makes it scalable for businesses with significant growth ambitions.
• Unified Commerce Experience: Adyen enables businesses to unify their online, mobile, and in-store payment experiences under a single platform. This allows for seamless customer journeys, whether they begin online and finish in-store or vice versa, and provides merchants with a centralized view of all transactions.
• Transparent Pricing Model: Adyen offers a transparent pricing structure based on transaction volume, payment method, and currency. This transparency helps businesses better predict costs and avoid unexpected fees.

Cons

• Complexity in Setup for Smaller Merchants: Adyen’s extensive features and customization options can make the setup process more complex, particularly for smaller merchants who may not have the technical resources needed for full integration. Unlike more plug-and-play solutions, Adyen may require some technical expertise to implement.
• Higher Fees for Smaller Transactions: Adyen’s pricing structure may not be as favorable for smaller merchants with low transaction volumes, as it tends to cater more to larger enterprises. For businesses with fewer transactions or smaller average order values, the costs can add up.

WorldPay

Overview

WorldPay is a well-known payment processor that has been in the financial technology business for many years. It has a strong global presence, serving businesses of all sizes—from small enterprises to large corporations. With its extensive range of payment solutions, WorldPay offers services that cater to both online and in-person sales, making it an all-in-one solution for merchants looking to scale internationally.

Features

• Multi-Currency Support: WorldPay supports over 120 currencies, enabling businesses to offer local payment options to international customers. This feature lets businesses take consumer payments anywhere in the world and finish transactions in the currencies of their choosing, resulting in more personalized and easy shopping experiences.
• Fraud Protection: WorldPay provides robust fraud prevention tools and chargeback management systems, helping businesses protect themselves from fraudulent transactions. The platform uses machine learning to identify suspicious activity and offers customizable risk settings to minimize chargebacks and fraud-related losses.
• Integration: A multitude of shopping carts, point-of-sale systems, and e-commerce platforms are all easily integrated with WorldPay. This versatility ensures that businesses can incorporate WorldPay into their existing operations with ease, regardless of the software they use.

Pros

• Comprehensive Payment Options: WorldPay offers a wide range of payment ways in addition to credit and debit cards, mobile wallets, and other payment choices. Businesses may more easily accommodate a wide range of client requests for payment methods because to this flexibility.
• Strong Customer Support: WorldPay provides solid customer support, with dedicated account managers for businesses that require personalized assistance. Its support team is available via multiple channels, including phone, email, and live chat.
• Established Reputation: As one of the pioneers in payment processing, WorldPay has built a strong reputation over the years for reliability and security. Merchants using WorldPay benefit from its industry experience and robust infrastructure.

Cons

• Pricing Can Be Complex: WorldPay’s pricing model is not as transparent as some other payment processors, with varying fees depending on transaction volume, currency conversion, and the type of payments processed. This may make cost prediction more difficult for smaller enterprises.
• Customer Service May Vary by Region: While WorldPay generally offers good customer support, the quality and responsiveness of service can vary depending on the region, potentially leading to inconsistent experiences for some businesses.

2Checkout (now Verifone)

Overview

2Checkout, now operating under the Verifone brand, is a global payment processor designed to facilitate online and mobile transactions. Known for its user-friendly platform, 2Checkout supports businesses selling digital products, services, and subscriptions, making it a go-to option for e-commerce merchants looking for flexibility and ease of use. Its wide range of features, including recurring billing and localization, makes it a popular choice for companies operating internationally.

Features

• Multi-Currency Transactions: 2Checkout allows businesses to accept payments in multiple currencies, enhancing the customer experience by offering localized payment options. Since it lessens the complexity involved in currency translations and international transactions, this functionality is essential for companies looking to expand internationally.
• Recurring Billing: One of 2Checkout’s standout features is its recurring billing capabilities, which are ideal for subscription-based services or businesses that require regular, automated payments. The platform makes it easy for merchants to set up and manage recurring payment plans, reducing the administrative burden associated with invoicing.
• Integration Options: 2Checkout integrates with a wide range of e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce. Its customizable API also allows businesses to tailor the payment process to their specific needs, providing greater flexibility for developers.

Pros

• User-Friendly Dashboard: 2Checkout offers an intuitive, easy-to-navigate dashboard that allows merchants to manage their transactions, track performance, and generate reports with minimal effort. Because the platform is user-friendly, individuals with different degrees of technical ability may utilize it.
• Global Reach with Localization Features: 2Checkout’s ability to localize payment options based on the customer’s region makes it an attractive option for businesses with international clients. It supports local payment methods, multiple languages, and currency conversions, enhancing the global shopping experience.
• Good for Digital Goods and Services: 2Checkout is particularly well-suited for businesses selling digital goods, such as software, online courses, or digital downloads. Its features are optimized for merchants offering non-physical products, with a focus on smooth transactions and minimal friction for digital purchases.

Cons

• Transaction Fees May Be More Than Those of Certain Rivals: While 2Checkout offers a wide range of features, its transaction fees are higher than those of some competitors, especially for international payments. This could affect profit margins, particularly for smaller businesses.
• Limited Customer Support Options: Although 2Checkout provides a user-friendly platform, its customer support options are more limited compared to other payment processors. Businesses may encounter slower response times or fewer support channels, which can be a drawback for those needing prompt assistance.

Comparison Table of International Payment Processors

Payment Processor	Key Features	Best For
PayPal	• Global reach in over 200 markets • Supports various payment options • Strong buyer protection	Small to medium-sized businesses looking for brand recognition
Stripe	• Over 135 currencies supported • Advanced fraud prevention • Customizable API for developers	Tech-savvy businesses needing flexible payment solutions
Square	• Comprehensive POS system • Simple pricing structure • User-friendly interface	Small businesses and brick-and-mortar stores
Adyen	• Supports 250+ payment methods • Unified commerce experience • Robust analytics tools	Large enterprises seeking scalability and global reach
WorldPay	• Supports 120+ currencies • Advanced fraud protection • Established reputation	Businesses of all sizes requiring reliable service
2Checkout (Verifone)	• Ideal for digital goods • Multi-currency support • Recurring billing capabilities	E-commerce businesses selling digital products and subscriptions

Conclusion

Choosing the best international payment processor depends on various factors, including the nature of your business, target markets, and specific payment needs. Businesses searching for worldwide reach and user-friendliness might consider PayPal and Stripe as great options. Square is ideal for smaller businesses, while Adyen and WorldPay cater well to larger enterprises with more complex requirements. Lastly, 2Checkout is a solid option for digital products and services.

By carefully evaluating each option’s features, pros, and cons, merchants can select a payment processor that aligns with their business goals and enhances the customer experience.

Key Takeaways:

• Ease of Use: PayPal and Stripe are excellent choices for businesses seeking user-friendly interfaces and global reach.
• Business Size: Square is particularly well-suited for small businesses, while Adyen and WorldPay are better for larger enterprises with complex requirements.
• Digital Products: 2Checkout (now Verifone) stands out for businesses focused on selling digital goods and services.

FAQs

What is an international payment processor?

A service that helps companies to take payments from clients in several currencies and countries is known as an international payment processor. These processors facilitate online transactions, ensure security, and often provide features like currency conversion and fraud protection.

How can I pick my company’s best payment processor?

Think about things like your company’s size, your target market, the kinds of goods or services you sell, the amount of transactions you do, and your preferred means of payment. Evaluate the fees, supported currencies, ease of integration with your e-commerce platform, and customer support offered by each processor.

What are the usual costs connected to foreign payment processors?

Fees can vary significantly among processors but typically include transaction fees, currency conversion fees, and monthly service fees. Some processors may also charge additional fees for chargebacks or other services. It’s important to review the pricing structure to understand the total cost of using each processor.

Can I use multiple payment processors for my business?

Indeed, in order to give clients a variety of payment alternatives and to reduce the risks involved in depending only on one supplier, many firms have decided to employ numerous payment processors. However, managing multiple processors may require additional effort in terms of integration and customer support.

What security measures should I look for in a payment processor?

Seek processors with robust encryption, buyer protection policies, fraud detection capabilities, and compliance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards. These features aid in defending against any fraud and data breaches for both your company and your clients.