Stripe Alternatives

August 1, 2025

5 min read

As businesses continue to move away from paper-based processes, digital payments are rapidly becoming the norm. Customers now expect the convenience of paying online using debit or credit cards, and expense management platforms are meeting that demand.

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Quick Read

Summary generated by AI, reviewed for accuracy.

Why look for alternatives: Stripe may freeze accounts or charge higher fees, which isn’t ideal for all businesses.

Better options available: Tools like Expense Tracker 365 offer real-time expense tracking and simple dashboards that help manage money better.

Stripe has emerged as a leading all-in-one payment solution, powering the backbone of digital commerce. Its flexible API enables small businesses around the globe to build custom payment experiences suited to their needs. In return, Stripe collects a small fee from each transaction processed through its system.

Recognized as a PCI Level 1 Service Provider, Stripe places a strong emphasis on transaction security. Well-known companies such as Instacart, Reddit, and Lyft rely on Stripe to manage their payments reliably.

Ideal for handling online credit card payments, Stripe supports major networks like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. The platform is highly scalable, easy to integrate, and compatible with a wide range of e-commerce tools—making it a trusted partner for growing digital businesses.

Key Features of Stripe

Instant Payouts: Access funds anytime — even on weekends and holidays — with real-time payout options available around the clock.

Recurring Billing & Invoices: Easily launch subscription services and automate invoicing to grow your recurring revenue streams.

Customizable Corporate Cards: Design, issue, and manage both virtual and physical cards for team spending through Stripe’s card platform.

Global Regulatory Coverage: Stripe is licensed to operate as a financial service provider in every region it supports, helping you stay compliant across borders.

Advanced Reporting Tools: Generate insightful financial reports instantly or seamlessly integrate data into your existing systems via the Stripe API.

Why Businesses Choose Stripe

There’s a reason so many startups and small businesses trust Stripe to handle their payments. Here are some standout benefits:

No Hidden Costs: Stripe keeps things simple—there’s no additional charge for PCI compliance or security features.

Developer-Friendly API: Highly customizable platform with open APIs that make it easy for developers to tailor the experience.

No Monthly Commitment: You only pay per transaction—there’s no need to worry about ongoing subscription fees.

Seamless Integrations: Works effortlessly with leading platforms and supports popular digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Potential Drawbacks of Using Stripe

While Stripe has plenty to offer, it’s not the perfect fit for every business. Here are a few challenges you might face:

Account Freezes & Fund Holds: Stripe may suspend accounts or delay payouts if it flags suspicious activity—even if you’re legitimate.

Limited to Online Use: It’s designed for online transactions and doesn’t offer a unified solution for in-person payments.

No PayPal Integration: Businesses that rely on PayPal won’t find any native support within Stripe’s ecosystem.

Flat-Rate Pricing Structure: The uniform transaction fees can get expensive for businesses processing large volumes or high-ticket sales.

When choosing a payment solution, remember—there’s no universal option that works for every company. Start by identifying your top five business priorities, then explore some of the best Stripe alternatives available today.

Expense Tracker 365 – Built for businesses that need real-time expense visibility, policy controls, and automated approval workflows—perfect for managing team spending efficiently.

Tipalti – Great for global payouts, automating accounts payable, and handling tax compliance—ideal for companies paying vendors or freelancers at scale.

PayPal – Simple to set up with wide customer trust and fast global transactions best for small businesses needing a plug-and-play payment gateway.

Trolley – Designed for automated payouts to freelancers and creators includes tax form collection and compliance features missing in Stripe.

Payoneer – Strong alternative for receiving international payments in multiple currencies—ideal for freelancers and businesses working across borders.

1. Expense Tracker 365

Expense Tracker 365 is a modern, cloud-based expense management solution designed to automate your business’s spending processes from start to finish. Built for teams looking to reduce manual effort, the platform can cut finance workload by up to 80% by automating approvals, capturing receipts, and syncing seamlessly with accounting tools.

With this platform, companies report up to a 65% drop in expense-related errors and a 30% faster month-end close, making it ideal for gaining better control over operational costs. Whether you’re handling domestic reimbursements or multi-currency expenses, Expense Tracker 365 is ready for scale.

The system supports global operations with multi-currency tracking, smart policy enforcement, and user-friendly dashboard. From setting custom spend rules to reviewing department-level budgets, it gives finance teams complete oversight.

Expense Tracker 365 stands out by combining ease of use with enterprise-grade features like real-time analytics, digital audit trails, automated reimbursements, card integration, and fraud flags—making it a standout alternative to Stripe for managing internal spending.

Key Features

Smart automation for approvals, receipt matching, category tagging, and custom policy enforcement

Global expense tracking with support for multiple currencies and team-based reporting

Quick integrations with platforms like QuickBooks, Zoho Books, and NetSuite

Mobile-first experience with digital capture, submission, and mileage tracking

White-labelled interface for customized branding and embedded submission options

Cost

Expense Tracker 365 offers affordable and transparent plans built for startups and scaling teams. Pricing starts as per request, with add-ons for card integrations, multi-entity support, and analytics dashboards.

Pros

In-app chat support and email assistance that respond quickly

Intuitive dashboard for finance teams and employees alike

Multiple reimbursement options—bank transfers, card refunds, and digital wallets

Cons

May be too advanced for early-stage freelancers or solopreneurs

Limited invoice features compared to dedicated AP systems

Advanced budgeting tools require the higher-tier plan

2. Tipalti

Tipalti is a comprehensive payables automation platform designed to simplify complex finance operations for growing businesses. It streamlines every part of the payment workflow—from onboarding vendors to issuing payments across the globe—helping companies reduce manual effort and improve accuracy.

Organizations using Tipalti have seen a 66% drop in payment errors and a 25% improvement in monthly financial close time. The system is tailored for high-volume payouts, especially for businesses managing international supplier networks or global affiliate payments.

With support for over 200 countries and 120 currencies, Tipalti enables secure, fast cross-border transactions. The platform is ideal for scaling businesses that need to maintain tax compliance, prevent fraud, and automate recurring payment tasks.

Tipalti stands apart with built-in FX capabilities, strong tax compliance workflows, supplier self-service portals, and deep ERP integrations—making it a solid choice for businesses looking for a Stripe alternative for global financial operations.

Key Features

End-to-end AP automation covering invoice capture, purchase orders, approvals, and reconciliation

Cross-border payments via 6 payment methods across 196+ countries in 120+ currencies

ERP integrations with NetSuite, QuickBooks, Sage Intacct, and other major systems

Global compliance with tax ID collection (W-9, W-8), OFAC screening, and VAT validation

Customizable branding options with white-label support and embeddable payment experiences

Cost

Tipalti offers pricing plans based on business needs. The Starter plan begins at £119/month, with options to upgrade for features like multi-entity payables, FX management, and advanced compliance tools.

Pros

Seamless communication with vendors through integrated chat and notifications

Easy-to-navigate supplier portal for data entry and document submission

Supports a wide range of payment methods including ACH, wires, local bank transfers, and PayPal

Cons

Reporting tools could be more comprehensive for certain use cases

May be overly complex for startups or teams with low payment volume

Some limitations reported with purchase order (PO) syncing in specific ERP setups

3. PayPal

PayPal remains one of the most trusted names in digital payments, with a long-standing presence in the e-commerce and financial space. Known for its ease of use and global reach, it gives businesses a fast, secure way to collect payments from customers around the world.

Whether it’s sending invoices, accepting payments on a website, or managing in-person sales, PayPal provides a versatile set of tools. Users can benefit from quick transactions, currency conversions, and strong fraud protection—all supported through its web portal or mobile app.

In addition to standard online payments, PayPal offers in-store processing through PayPal Zettle, making it a great solution for hybrid or retail businesses. With a free business account and no monthly commitment, it’s a flexible choice for many.

Key Features

Advanced fraud detection and data encryption for secure payments

Online checkout integration with shopping carts, donation buttons, and invoicing

Barcode scanning and inventory tools for small business retail operations

Saved customer cards for faster repeat purchases

Pre-built invoice templates and integrations with leading platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce

Cost

PayPal uses a transaction-based pricing model. For standard online payments, businesses are charged 2.9% plus a country-based fixed fee. In-store payments come with lower fees—around 1.2% plus a fixed fee. QR code transactions under £10 are charged at 2%, while those over £10 incur a 1.5% fee, each with a small additional charge depending on location.

Pros

Accept payments worldwide instantly using only an email address

In-person payments made easy with PayPal Zettle (formerly PayPal Here)

Offers promotional discounts and incentives to eligible startups and partners

Cons

Doesn’t offer a free trial or easy tools for recurring billing and subscription plans

Some currencies, including INR, are not supported for sending or receiving funds

Fees for non-PayPal payments or currency conversions can add up quickly

4. Trolley

Trolley is a powerful international payment solution built for businesses that need to handle global payouts. Designed with flexibility in mind, Trolley lets you send payment links via email, SMS, or WhatsApp and embed checkout buttons or micro-carts onto your website with ease.

The platform supports payments to over 215 countries, offers multilingual support in 36 languages, and provides competitive FX rates. Trolley goes beyond just transfers—it simplifies recipient onboarding, manages tax compliance, and tracks every transaction in a unified control panel.

Ideal for digital businesses, freelancers, and marketplace models, Trolley gives you the tools to build a fully compliant and scalable payment system.

Key Features

Complete payout automation with custom workflows and real-time tracking

Developer-friendly API and SDKs to reduce setup time and integrate faster

Built-in tax compliance with support for forms like 1099 and 1042-S (IRS, DAC7 compliant)

Flexible plans that scale with your business as your payout volume increases

Extensive international network with support for ACH, SWIFT, IACH, and EFT payments

Cost

Trolley’s pricing varies based on transaction method and volume. Their entry-level Standard Plan begins at £49/month, with fees calculated per transaction type. Custom pricing is available for high-volume businesses.

Pros

Quick setup and integration using developer tools and embeddable widgets

Streamlined tax form collection and management during payouts

Clean dashboard with real-time payout status and strong customer service

Cons

Must rely on Trolley’s FX infrastructure, which can include additional charges

Some payout destinations may experience slower processing times

No detailed visibility on final recipient deposit status after processing

5. Payoneer

Payoneer delivers a comprehensive global payment platform designed to help businesses send and receive money internationally with ease. It supports a multi-currency account setup, giving users the flexibility to manage payments across borders efficiently. The platform also offers a point-of-sale (POS) card reader and checkout system, setting it apart from competitors like Tipalti.

Trusted by over 5 million users worldwide, Payoneer supports transactions in 70 currencies and offers services in 22 languages. Payments can be made via Payoneer balance, credit cards, or ACH debits. Additionally, Payoneer provides extensive customer resources, including a knowledge base and online support for e-commerce sellers.

Key Features

Manage payments on the go with the Payoneer mobile app

Make batch payments with up to 1,000 recipients simultaneously

Access to over 2,000 marketplaces and networks for seamless online transactions

Affordable international transfers with competitive rates

Integrates smoothly with accounting software like QuickBooks for easier bookkeeping

Cost

Creating a Payoneer account and receiving funds from another Payoneer user is free of charge. The fees vary by transaction type:

Payoneer-to-Payoneer transfers: No fee

Credit card payments: 3%–5%

ACH bank debits: 1%

Withdrawals to local bank accounts: 1%–3.5%

eCheque payments: £1.50 to £10

Mass payouts: 1%–2%

Pros

No setup fees or monthly charges, making it more affordable than many alternatives

Quick and straightforward account registration process

No business entity documentation required for account creation

Cons

Customer support can sometimes be slow to respond

Not accepted on all platforms despite its large user base

Physical card availability is limited in certain regions

6. Revolut

Revolut stands as a strong alternative to Stripe, serving over 40 million customers across more than 140 countries. Through its platform, businesses can hold balances in up to 25 different currencies and send money in over 150 currencies worldwide—offering far greater currency support compared to competitors like Wise.

Backed by a dedicated team of 2,500 professionals working around the clock, Revolut prevented over £200 million in fraudulent transactions in 2022 alone. Its suite of services ranges from multi-currency accounts and point-of-sale (POS) systems to API-driven payouts, currency exchange, and savings features.

Revolut’s flexible offering includes five-tiered payment plans tailored to various business needs, enabling companies to send and receive international payments quickly and efficiently—almost as easily as sending a message.

Key Features

Multi-currency wallet allowing management of multiple currencies within a single account

Global money transfers with low fees and competitive exchange rates

Budget management tools such as spending categories, customizable budgets, and instant notifications

Savings vaults for setting aside money and automating recurring payments

Contactless physical and virtual debit cards for convenient everyday spending

Cost

Revolut provides a range of subscription plans to suit different business sizes and requirements:

Standard: Free

Plus: £3.99/month

Premium: £7.99/month

Metal: £14.99/month

Ultra: £45/month

Each tier includes a unique set of features, from basic in-app support to premium travel benefits.

Pros

Streamlines money transfers with enhanced categorization and tracking

User-friendly and visually appealing interface

Transparent fee structure with no hidden charges

Cons

Certain types of businesses may face account restrictions

Customer support can be slow and difficult to access at times

Some users report occasional syncing problems with specific banks

Conclusion

Why Expense Tracker 365 Stands Out Among Stripe Alternatives

While there are several strong alternatives to Stripe for payment processing and expense management, Expense Tracker 365 truly leads the pack for businesses seeking real-time expense tracking and powerful financial oversight. Its extensive, user-friendly dashboard provides instant insights into spending patterns, approvals, and budget compliance—empowering finance teams to make smarter decisions quickly.

For companies focused on gaining complete control over expenses with automated workflows and transparent reporting, Expense Tracker 365 is the industry’s top choice.