Stripe is your best option for selling wares or services around the globe using your website. No other payment processor even comes close to what Stripe offers in worldwide online sales.
This is why Stripe has a higher processing fee than some of our other recommendations. There’s no monthly fee, which does offset some of the cost. Stripe knows it’s a little more expensive, and that’s why it offers features you can’t get anywhere else.
Here are a few key features of Stripe’s payment platform:
- Global payment acceptance. Adding a single stripe API to your website will allow you to accept payments in over 135 currencies.
- Checkout optimization. Design a custom checkout interface that maximizes flow across desktop and mobile interfaces.
- Easy website embedding. All you need is a single line of JavaScript to embed a checkout box on your website.
- Worldwide security licensing. Your payments will be safe, legal, and compliant all over the world thanks to Stripe obtaining and renewing licenses across the globe.
- Programmed dispute handling. This automates evidence submissions for chargebacks using the Disputes API.
You can also choose to use some optional add-ons. Stripe offers in-person processing if you buy one of their terminals and allows you to build custom checkout flows.
Stripe also offers credit card terminal processing. This isn’t its specialty, but its rate is pretty reasonable at 2.7% + 5¢ per successful charge. Still, if you’re looking for a fully featured point-of-sale solution, Stripe’s terminal and cloud management software probably won’t make the cut.
Also, be aware that to implement Stripe, you need a website and access to a programmer or web developer. Stripe is an online application that you have to integrate into your website. The only way around hiring a programmer is by designing a website on a web development platform that integrates with Stripe—like Squarespace.
You can start using Stripe for free today. You only pay when you make sales.