Best eCommerce Merchant Account Providers in 2025

Ecommerce businesses thrive online. Yes, they may have secondary streams of income: pop-ups, branded partnerships, white-label products, but their main platform will always remain online. That's why partnering with a payment processing platform that understands the niche needs of an ecommerce business is not only crucial, but a matter of survival.

Merchant service providers like Adaptiv Payments can help bypass those pesky transaction fees, perplexing mobile payments, and promote transparent pricing from one accessible place. While it might not be possible to completely avoid a lengthy underwriting process, our built-in tools can help put you in the right direction.

If you're looking to grow your business, start by looking at its foundation. Do you have a bulletproof way to promote cash flow? Does your current payment processor accept credit card payments from anywhere? If not, you might want to consider a specialized processor for your eCommerce business.

They can help minimize the rate at which common drawbacks like these occur:

• High Transaction Fees
• High Fraud Rate
• Frequent Chargebacks
• Cash Flow Strain
• Cross-Border Challenges

Choosing The Right Platform For Your Business

Online shopping carts shown as floating images over a few boxes.

Credit: Adaptiv Payments

Before you get started with a specialized provider, you need to know what your goals are. Are you looking for a way to process more credit card payments than before? Or, are you searching for payment solutions that match the unique needs of your new or mid-sized company?

Knowing what you're headed for can help determine what features you need, therefore limiting the number of issues you'll face in the underwriting process. Less barriers mean faster approval, and for your company specifically, greater cash flow with each tap or slide.

As experts in payment processing and merchant services, Adaptiv Payments recommends considering the following criteria when surveying processing platforms for your eCommerce business:

Features

Features often strongly determine the best merchant service providers for an eCommerce business. What one can't offer you, another will, so those who offer specialized tools have just the edge eCommerce merchants are looking for. Most offer unique features that standardized processors can't, such as advanced fraud detection tools or smart decline.

This way, you will still be able to accept various types of credit or debit card payments, and block transactions from parties with risky activity. The best part? You can choose a platform like Stripe that not only encourages cross-border transactions but also protects them by design.

Key features you'll want to look for as a specialized merchant account are:

• Advanced Data Security and Encryption Standards
• Broad Integrations and Secured Payment Gateways
• Fast Authorization and User Approval
• Global Payment Support
• Layered Fraud Protection
• Chargeback Management Tools

Speed

How quickly your transactions move matters, especially online. A slow transaction time can push customers to stop shopping with you because they know that there are businesses that can do it faster, and in some cases, better.

With a processor that's used to working quickly and on a larger number of transactions, you won't need to slow down and wait for your platform to speed up.

Even if you’re a high-volume business, you'll just get faster transactions, improved cash flow, and a growing reputation for bringing a positive shopping experience.

International Capabilities

The eCommerce world naturally lends itself to international payments. Everything exists on a single digital platform where users from all over the world can flock to view and purchase your products. And because most thriving eCommerce businesses experience rapid growth, their processing capabilities need to keep pace.

If your focus is on building a company that can serve customers from anywhere in the world, you need a platform that supports international payments. No monthly fees, hidden fees, or high processing rates when you choose a provider like PayPal.

Common Fee Types

Some companies can handle being hit with increased chargeback fees, even if they aren't in love with all merchant services. Why? The trade-offs of getting a specialized account are second to none. However, you need to watch out for common merchant fees such as:

• Transaction Fees
• Monthly Subscription Fees
• Interchange Fees
• Processing Fees
• Setup Fees

These may initially lower growth, but with the right plan, these fees can become a small part of your company's journey, rather than a defining aspect. Think of it as an investment. Adaptiv Payments can help see through.

Adaptiv Payments: Best for Specialized Accounts

Because eCommerce is a specialized industry, it's almost mandatory that merchants seek out a provider that understands what it takes to get approved. Adaptiv Payments, a leader in specialized merchant processing, lowers processing costs for companies through our strong relationships with multiple sponsor banks, as well as tailor-made technical solutions.

Whether it's a simplified payment terminal or quicker online payments you're seeking to achieve, Adaptiv Payments offers a landscape that many merchant service providers do not. Go through a quicker underwriting process because of built-in tools, or safely boost your transaction volume, all with Adaptiv Payment's specialized platform.

The Pros:

• Higher Approval Odds
• Specialized Fraud & Chargeback Support
• Easy eCommerce Integration
• Simplified Billing Practices

The Cons:

• Natural Higher Risk
• Higher Processing Costs
• Rolling Reserves and Cash Flow Impact

Stripe: Best For Global Online Stores

Stripe sets the stage for seamless international payments by working directly with local payment platforms, such as Klarna, iDEAL, and SEPA. These are what customers in various locations will use, so it makes sense that you'd want a processing partner that closes the gap between your business and the rest of the world.

Worried that you won't find your bank in other countries? Stripe handles that too by taking out the need to establish a local bank completely. No confusing conversions, just a larger customer base ready to explore your unique product.

The Pros:

• Local Payment Methods Accepted
• Built-In Compliance and Security
• Fast Onboarding
• Transparent Pricing and Payouts

The Cons:

• High Authorization Rates
• Higher Fees for High Volume Merchants
• Limited Payout Countries Compared To Other Local Providers

Shopify: Best For Quick Set-Up

Looking for a platform that can do it all? Shopify might be the way to go. With Shopify, you can establish a strong processing platform, have a designated place to host your storefront, and funnel transactions seamlessly.

Shopify doesn't bog down its users with high setup fees, making the switch from storefront to full digital marketplace simple and fast. Because it's a well-known platform, you can guarantee that most countries will have it, directly widening your customer base without a local bank partnership.

The Pros:

• Strong Platform Ecosystem
• No Setup or High Transaction Fees
• High Conversion Checkout

The Cons:

• Limited Underwriting Control
• Payout Delays
• Not The Best for High Volume Accounts / Shops

Square: Best For Small Sellers

Does your business have just as much of a presence in-store as it does online? Consider using a processing platform that supports both worlds, with Square being a great option. You won't deal with excess or hidden fees when you set up an account with Square.

Most accounts like apply actually experience a faster acceptance rate than with other platforms. The secret? Square's setup process is expedited by design, as you don't have to establish a new site, processing pattern, or online presence to get approved. Come with what you have, and Square will do the rest.

The Pros:

• Reliable Payouts
• Low Barriers for Multi-Channel Sales
• Integrated Growth Tools
• Fast Onboarding

The Cons:

• Customization Limits
• Frequent Flags
• High Volume Sellers May Pay More

Stax: Best for Growing or Mid-Sized Businesses

If your eCommerce business is in the middle of a major growth spurt, you may want to find a processing platform that supports a higher volume of transactions. Because your business may unexpectedly pose major risk factors, such as a spike in international transactions, your processing platform needs to be able to naturally distinguish between risk and reward.

Stax is designed by eCommerce brands that find themselves in this exact period, as its interchange-plus pricing was built for an increase in transactions (both local and international). Many mid-size companies consider Stax as the best merchant services provider for this reason, but there are some cons to consider, too.

The Pros:

• Specialized Payment Processing Solutions
• Integrated Inventory Management Tools (Inventory Tracking)
• No Hidden Markups
• Flexible or Seamless Integration

The Cons:

• Requires (Lengthy) Underwriting
• Contractual Commitment
• Early Termination Fees

Avoid Common Processor Holdups with Adaptiv Payments

Customer using an eCommerce merchant platform to make a purchase.

Credit: Adaptiv Payments

Want an improved merchant services landscape? Adaptiv Payments provides even the highest risk businesses with secure online transactions of all kinds, whether that be digital payments, international credit and debit types, or small businesses just starting out.

Your payment gateway will always be fast, safe, and rewarding for retail businesses. Even better, you can easily offer customer loyalty programs within the platform. So, if you're an established or mid-sized eCommerce company looking for a new processing home, consider Adaptiv Payments.