PayPal is the most commonly used payment option on the web, and Stripe is the most popular gateway among developers and online-first businesses. The honest answer depends on whether you count websites, transaction volume or revenue. This guide explains the ranking, compares the ten most widely used gateways in the USA and shows how to pick the right one for your business.

Quick answer

● Most widely accepted: PayPal
● Most popular with developers and online businesses: Stripe
● In-store and online together: Square
● Shopify stores: Shopify Payments
● PayPal and Venmo buyers: Braintree
● Already have a merchant account: Authorize.net
● Enterprise and global scale: Adyen or Worldpay

“Most used” here is based on published market data from 2025 and 2026. Trackers count different things, so no single ranking fits every business.

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How “most used” is measured

1. Share of websites with a detectable payment provider
2. Share of online payment processing
3. Total payment volume
4. Number of businesses served
5. Market revenue

Each measure gives a different leader, so quote the source and the date with any figure.

What the data shows

By website count, PayPal was detected on about 7.28 million sites in September 2026, which is 53.6% of sites with a detectable payment provider. In the US, PayPal appeared on 70.8% of sites with a provider. That count includes wallet-style checkout buttons, not only gateways.

By online processing share, Statista data from October 2025 put PayPal first at 45.39% and Stripe second at 17.33%. 

Stripe leads on developer adoption and volume growth. It processed $1.9 trillion in 2025 and serves more than 5 million businesses. Its share figures vary widely, from 1.5% to 22.41%, because trackers count different software categories.

By revenue, one analyst report named Block (Square), FIS Global, Fiserv, PayPal and Stripe as the top five in the payment gateway market. 

Comparison table

Fee figures are indicative, based on published pricing in early 2026. Confirm current rates on each provider’s site.

The 10 most commonly used payment gateways in the USA

1. PayPal: best for wallet-friendly checkout

PayPal is one of the most widely used payment platforms and integrates with most shopping carts. It has no monthly fee and no PCI compliance fee.
● Limits: Deposits may take up to three days, and the product range can be confusing
● Suits: Merchants whose customers expect to pay with PayPal

2. Stripe: best for developers and online businesses

Stripe offers customizable checkout, payment links and invoicing, supports more than 135 currencies, and has no monthly fee or long-term contract.
● Limits: It does not sell full countertop POS setups, and deposits can take up to two business days
● Suits: SaaS, eCommerce, marketplaces, developer-led teams

3. Square: best for combined in-store and online sales

Square gives you gateway, processing, POS software and hardware in one place. The Free plan has no monthly fee and there are no termination, chargeback or PCI fees.
● Limits: Free plan rates are higher than many competitors
● Suits: Retail, cafes, service businesses

4. Shopify Payments: best for Shopify stores

Online rates fall as you move up Shopify plans, to as low as 2.5% plus 30 cents on higher tiers.
● Limits: Phone support is limited to the Plus plan, and business and American Express cards cost more on the Basic plan
● Suits: Online retailers already on Shopify

5. Braintree: best for PayPal and Venmo integration

Braintree is a PayPal service for web and mobile payments in the US and abroad, with a developer-friendly integration path.
● Limits: Pricing varies by setup, so model it on your own transaction data
● Suits: Online stores where a large share of buyers use PayPal

6. Authorize.net: best if you already have a merchant account

Authorize.net is long established in the US and is commonly used as a standalone gateway paired with an existing merchant account. It is a Visa solution that also offers processing.
● Limits: A monthly gateway fee applies, and features can feel dated next to newer platforms
● Suits: Businesses with an acquiring relationship they want to keep

7. Adyen: best for enterprise and global scale

Adyen offers global acquiring and risk management on interchange-plus pricing, aimed at larger and multinational merchants.
● Limits: Minimum fees can make it a poor fit for small businesses
● Suits: High-volume enterprises selling in many countries

8. Fiserv (Clover): best for POS-led setups

Fiserv has over 6 million merchant accounts globally, largely because more than 10,000 financial institutions resell its processing. It also owns Clover, one of the most popular POS systems for small businesses.
● Limits: Contract terms vary by reseller, so read them closely
● Suits: Retail and restaurant businesses that want POS and processing together

9. Chase Payment Solutions: best for bank-linked processing

Chase is both processor and acquiring bank, so deposit issues stay with one company. It has no PCI or cancellation fees.
● Limits: Some hardware pricing is not published, and its Business Complete checking account carries a $15 monthly fee for some merchants
● Suits: Businesses that already bank with Chase

10. Worldpay: best for larger merchants

Worldpay serves larger merchants that want a custom pricing agreement and enterprise support. Pricing is quote-based, so request a written schedule before comparing it with flat-rate providers.
● Limits: Setup is more involved than self-serve gateways
● Suits: Established merchants with significant volume

Payment gateway pricing models

● Flat rate: One rate covers all costs. It is simple, but can cost more at high volume.
● Interchange-plus: You see the card network cost on each sale plus a fixed markup. It is more transparent but less predictable.
● Quote-based: Pricing is negotiated, common for enterprise.

A common benchmark is about 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions. On a $100 sale that is $3.20.

How to choose the right gateway

1. Match your sales channel. Online only, in-person or both.
2. Check platform support. Make sure it works with your cart or CMS.
3. Model total cost. Include monthly, chargeback, international and refund fees.
4. Check payout speed and holds.
5. Review support hours and contract terms.
6. Plan for growth. Look at multi-currency support and volume pricing.

Common mistakes

● Choosing a gateway because it is the most popular, not because it fits your model
● Choosing on headline rate alone
● Ignoring refund and chargeback costs
● Forgetting that some gateways need a separate merchant account
● Overlooking account-hold policies for new accounts

Need a gateway for a high-risk business?

Mainstream gateways can decline or restrict some industries. In that case, review our guide to the best high-risk merchant account providers.

Verdict

PayPal is the most widely accepted, and Stripe is the most popular gateway for developers, but popularity is not the same as fit. Flat-rate platforms suit simplicity and lower volume, interchange-plus options suit scale, and enterprise providers suit global operations. Shortlist two or three, request written fee schedules and compare total monthly cost.

Recent News and Developments in Merchant Account Providers Market

● September 2025: Fiserv acquired CardFree and completed the purchase of the remaining stake in AIB Merchant Services, strengthening its Clover platform and eCommerce acquiring presence in Europe.
● September 2025: Airwallex acquired OpenPay, adding usage-based and multicurrency billing capabilities to its payments product suite.
● April 2026: FIS completed its acquisition of Global Payments’ Issuer Solutions business, leaving Global Payments focused on merchant solutions after its Worldpay deal.

Note: If you require specific details, provider comparisons, or insights that are not currently included in this overview, we are happy to accommodate your request. Please let us know your exact needs, and we will ensure the content is updated accordingly.

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