Stripe Isn’t the Only Payment Processor—Why Larger Businesses Should Explore Alternatives

When businesses start out, Stripe is often the go-to payment processor. It’s easy to integrate, developer-friendly, and offers a seamless experience. But as your company grows, so do your transaction fees—and at some point, you need to ask: Am I paying too much?

Why Sticking With Stripe Could Be Costing You

Stripe charges 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction on standard pricing. While this is convenient for startups, businesses processing high volumes (think $500K+ annually) should not be paying retail rates. At scale, those fees can eat into margins fast.

What Are the Alternatives?

Once you’re processing a significant amount of transactions, you have negotiating power. Here are a few options worth exploring:

1. Merchant Accounts & Direct Processing

Instead of using a third-party aggregator like Stripe, consider working directly with a merchant provider like Chase Payment Solutions, Elavon, or Worldpay. These providers often offer interchange-plus pricing, which can be far more cost-effective at scale.

2. Adyen

Many enterprise-level businesses prefer Adyen because of its global reach and customizable pricing. Unlike Stripe, Adyen often tailors rates based on volume and risk level.

3. Braintree (Owned by PayPal)

Braintree offers competitive rates and has great integrations with PayPal, Venmo, and credit cards, making it an excellent choice for businesses expanding their payment options.

4. Stax (Formerly Fattmerchant)

Stax offers a subscription-based model, which can be a game-changer for businesses processing high volumes. Instead of a per-transaction fee, you pay a monthly rate and save on percentage-based fees.

How to Negotiate a Better Payment Processing Deal

If you’re processing over $500K per year, you can (and should) negotiate with payment processors. Here’s how:

✅ Shop around – Get quotes from multiple providers.

✅ Ask for interchange-plus pricing – Avoid bundled pricing that hides true costs.

✅ Leverage your volume – The more you process, the better rates you can secure.

✅ Consider hybrid solutions – Some businesses use Stripe for ease and another provider for lower rates on high-volume transactions.

Final Thought: Take Control of Your Processing Fees

Stripe is great, but it’s not your only option. If you're scaling, review your payment processing costs now—you could be leaving thousands on the table.

Need help optimizing your payment setup? Let’s connect!