Stripe Terminal is an excellent platform for businesses to integrate online and offline payment solutions to their web and mobile applications.
However, one must also understand that Stripe mainly focuses on online payment methods and has shortcomings in the offline system. Although the tool is developer-centric, it requires someone who knows coding aspects, too. Such factors like this allow businesses to look for alternatives to serve as a payment solution.
Let’s take a look at the top 8 Stripe competitors that any eCommerce development solutions can opt for in case Stripe is not a good match for your business needs.
Factors to Consider while Looking for Stripe’s Competitors
One can consider the Stripe alternatives based on the following factors:
- Feasibility of Usage – Firstly, you must realize that integrating Stripe to your application requires knowledge in coding plus the tool is not so easy to use. You can find Stripe helpful and easy to use only when you have a team of developers in your organization.
- Offline Payment and Sales – While this tool is incredible for online businesses, offline payment methods are still haywire. You can find many competitors if you are primarily looking for offline sales.
- Price – Stripe charges are reasonable for POS sales. But as a merchant, you must be aware of a few hidden costs, too. The Stripe radar has additional charges involved.
Top 8 Competitors to Stripe
PayPal Here
PayPal Here is a well-suited tool for small businesses. POS transactions for mid-sized companies are also seamless.
It is a low-cost payment processor specifically developed for medium and small businesses to thrive. If your business is looking to expand online, PayPal Here is an excellent option.
Extra Features include:
- Invoicing Services
- Inventory Management Services
- Customer Management Services
- Reporting
Square
If you plan to opt for a free payment processing system, Square should be your choice. It charges no other fee except the transaction charges.
It is specifically built for small and medium-sized businesses that include cafes and boutiques too.
Extra Features Include:
- Inventory Management Services
- POS Reporting Services
- Sales Analytics Report
- Offline Sales and Payment Methods
Shopify POS
The most popular eCommerce tool has POS services too. As an e-commerce development company, you must consider Shopify, as it is the perfect tool to blend online and offline payment methods for businesses of any size and niche.
The pricing factor is reasonable, and it is scalable too. There are packages available with different price plans and limitations in its usage too. For example, Shopify Lite charges $9 a month, but it can be used only by eCommerce stores, while the Basic Shopify package helps both online and offline businesses. Shopify charges $29 a month for the basic package.
Extra Features Include:
- Inventory Management Services
- Sales Analytics Report
- POS Data report
- Customer and Employee Management Services
Lightspeed POS
The two options that are available with Lightspeed help various kinds of businesses. One is the Lightspeed retail, and the other is Lightspeed Restaurant. It is observed that the retail package suits medium to large-sized businesses.
Though the name Lightspeed restaurant, it can be used by small and medium-sized businesses too.
Extra Features include:
- Inventory Management Services
- Menu Management Services
- Purchase Order Management
- Ingredient Tracking
Epos Now
Epos Now, an incredible competitor of Stripe, offers two significant packages; retail and hospitality. The omnichannel selling feature makes it an excellent tool for businesses of any size. The standard and premium packages are available, with the highest price package being $69 per month while the lowest is $39 a month. As a merchant, you must understand that both the packages offer similar features, with the premium users shall get customer support as an extra feature.
Extra Features Include
- Invoicing Services
- Inventory Management Services
- Promotion Management
- Booking System
Revel POS
Revel POS is for larger businesses, especially for larger restaurants. You must sign a contract for three years to obtain the services. The pricing is quite competitive at $99 a month. You will be billed annually for the services, though.
Extra Features Include
- Pre-authorized Payment System
- Digital Menu Boards
- Table Management Services
- Inventory Management Services
- Employee Management System
Clover POS
Though Clover POS is for retailers and restaurant owners, it is mainly used in the hotel and restaurant businesses. It is designed for medium to larger businesses. The higher entry cost might take you back, but it is worth it. If you are planning to use Clover, then you must be aware of the price plan. The card reader for one terminal shall be $69, and it might go up to $1,649. Further, there is a software subscription charge that ranges from $14 a month to $70 a month. It excludes the transaction charges.
Extra Features Include
- Order Management System
- Customer Management System
- Sales Reporting
ShopKeep
If you are a business owner of any food and beverage outlet, this can be the right pick for you. ShopKeep is best suited for small and medium-sized businesses. More importantly, it is designed for quick service outlets. The basic package starts at $49, and the advanced plan shall be charged at $179.
Extra Features Include
- Inventory Management Services
- Customer Marketing Services
- Offline Payment Methods
- Employee Management
Wrap Up
No matter which solution you choose, make sure that it suits your business needs and that your company operations that include payments are streamlined seamlessly.
**************************************************************************************************************************
Prashant Pujara is the CEO of MultiQoS Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a leading Web and Mobile App Development Company specialized golang web development services.