Best Stripe Alternatives in 2026
Stripe (Free / $0/mo) not the right fit? Here are 1 alternatives we tested and compared — from free options to enterprise-grade tools.
Last updated: February 2026 · 1 alternatives reviewed
Stripe
Full-stack payment infrastructure for internet businesses. Accept payments, send payouts, and manage everything in between.
- 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction adds up at scale
- Account holds/freezes with little warning reported by some users
- No phone support on standard plan
📝 Why People Look for Stripe Alternatives
Stripe remains the gold standard for developer-first payment processing. The API is so well-designed that it's become the benchmark other fintech APIs are measured against. Their free tier is genuinely free — no monthly minimums, no hidden fees. The catch: at high volume, 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction becomes significant, and negotiating custom rates requires substantial volume.
Migrating from PayPal? Export subscription data first. Stripe's migration tools handle card tokenization for most processors. Budget 2-4 weeks for a full payment stack migration including webhook rewiring.
Top 1 Alternatives to Stripe
Wise (TransferWise)
International money transfer and multi-currency business account with real exchange rates.
- Mid-market exchange rate — no hidden markup (saves 3-5% vs banks)
- Hold and convert 40+ currencies in one account
- Not a full bank — no lending, credit, or overdraft
- Large transfers (>$100K) may trigger compliance delays
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free alternative to Stripe?
The best free alternatives to Stripe include Wise (TransferWise). Each offers a free plan with varying feature limits.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Stripe?
Yes. Stripe starts at Free / $0/mo. Several competitors offer lower pricing.
Why do people switch from Stripe?
Common reasons include: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction adds up at scale, Account holds/freezes with little warning reported by some users, No phone support on standard plan. Each alternative addresses different pain points, so the best choice depends on your specific needs.
Can I migrate my data from Stripe?
Most alternatives offer import tools or CSV migration paths. The complexity depends on your data volume and workflow complexity. We recommend running both tools in parallel for 1-2 weeks during transition.