10 Best Mobile Payment Solutions Shortlist
From digital wallets to mobile payment apps, cashless gateway solutions are essential for nearly any business. Some experts estimate that these apps will have over 4 billion users by 2025 and will enhance ecommerce versatility. Whether you’re part of a small business or a massive organization, a mobile payment solution could be the key to making more sales and increasing your revenue.
If you’re wondering which mobile payment solutions might be the best for your business, I’ve put together a list of some of the top options. Learn more about how these payment processing systems can offer safer transactions, appeal to a wider audience, and enhance your versatility.
What are Mobile Payment Solutions?
A mobile payment solution is a payment processing system that provides businesses the opportunity to accept secure payments from customers with enhanced location flexibility. Some of the most common mobile payment methods include credit cards and debit cards on swipe reader attachments, PayPal, Venmo, and digital wallets.
The key to a mobile payment solution is its portability, security, and flexibility.
How I Selected the Best Mobile Payment Solutions
Are you wondering how I chose the payment solutions for this list? When it came to rooting out the top 10 best ways to accept payments on the go, I compared and evaluated a massive range of mobile payment options with positive user ratings.
Once I narrowed down the list to include only the most popular solutions, I honed the list even more with a series of selection criteria, such as usability and pricing. With this criteria, I was able to easily compare the platforms one to the other. Drawing on my years of ecommerce experience also allowed me to pinpoint the features that added the most value.
Whether you simply want the overview of each mobile payment solution or you have general questions about mobile payments, this article can help with a summary of the top 19 from my list and a frequently asked questions section. Check out this comprehensive review to find what you need the most.
Selection Criteria
Here’s a short summary of the main selection and evaluation criteria I used to develop my list of the best mobile payment solutions for this article.
Usability
There is a lot to be said about usability when it comes to mobile payment solutions. Is the platform easy to learn and navigate? Is the app intuitive for both merchants and customers? Does it offer payment options that most of your customers actually want? I answered all of these questions and more to determine optimal usability.
Standout Features
All mobile payment systems have basic features that everyone expects, like mobile connectivity, security, and virtual terminals, but what about other tools that enhance your business processes and streamline your workflow? Many of the tools on this list showcase something special and unique to help your business thrive.
Software Integrations
Your business isn’t confined to accepting payments! There is so much data that needs to flow between different parts of your organization. To ensure you have a tool that syncs across every department and need, I chose mobile payment solutions that had multiple integrations that shared data with your CRM, marketing tools, and accounting software.
Pricing
It’s rare to find a one-size-fits-all solution for any business tool. Because organization sizes and budget availability differ so greatly, I explored solutions that offered scalability to fit your business needs. I also considered the most affordable applications with high-value features to ensure a cost analysis that made each system appropriate for your industry or business size.
The Ecomm Manager is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click through links on our site — learn more about how we aim to stay transparent.
Overviews Of The 19 Best Mobile Payment Solutions
You can use the simple overviews of each tool below to understand how each tool stands out from other mobile payment solutions.
QuickBooks Online
Best for small business accounting tools
QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based accounting software that you can use to process your payments, track your expenses, and manage your invoices. It's designed for small- and medium-sized businesses, and is available in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. You can access the platform from anywhere because it's cloud-based, making it possible to manage transactions on the go.
To automate your data entry, you can connect your bank feeds to the software. It calculates sales tax automatically for transactions, and allows you to charge clients and customers via invoice. The invoicing tool creates customizable invoices, which you can then send by email or by printing and mailing.
The software's expense tracking feature lets you categorize and track your business expenses, helping you keep clean and up-to-date financial records for your business. It has a detailed analytics and reporting dashboard to give you a comprehensive overview of where money is coming from, and where it's going.
QuickBooks Online integrates with over 450 business apps like Square, Stripe, Paychex, Insightly CRM, Mailchimp, Shopify, eBay, BigCommerce, Magento, Squarespace, and Etsys. Paid plans start from $30 per month, and a 30-day free trial is available.
Square
Best for bringing together all sides of your business
With Square, you have everything you need to take payments and grow your sales. This payment service allows you to sell in-person, over the phone, online, and even out and about when in the field. Square also allows you to track customer preferences, feedback, and inventory.
One of the best things about Square is the versatility it offers. You can charge credit cards by magstripe, chip cards, and contactless readers, as well as Google, Apple, and Samsung Pay. Businesses also have the option to enable virtual terminal payments, where you enter a card number and other details manually with no card reader required.
Square has the power to support individuals and small businesses with simple tools, as well as massive organizations with custom plans. This platform works for food and beverage, retail, beauty, services, and much more.
Square Standout Features and Integrations
Features include mobile card reader, near-field communication, ACH payment processing, POS system, fraud detection, bank transfers, electronic payments, subscription billing, reporting and analytics, partial payments, receipt management, offline access, and SSL security features.
Integrations include Mailchimp, Wix, FreshBooks, Weebly, WooCommerce, Paymo, QuickBooks, Make, Zoho Invoice, and Book Like A Boss.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Summaries of every transaction
- No monthly fee for small businesses
Cons
- No geo-mapping capabilities
- Bluetooth connectivity issues
Stripe
Best for a technology-first approach to payment processing
Stripe is an online payment processing tool that’s targeted towards internet businesses. It allows users to set up a marketplace, accept payments with a global payment platform, and bill customers on a monthly or recurring basis.
One of the best things about Stripe is its technology-first approach, which encourages developers to build integrations into the system with real-time webhooks. Using the developer platform means businesses spend less time on maintenance for legacy systems and more time focusing on the customer experience.
As an online tool for internet retailers, Stripe is scalable for businesses of every size. Its versatility allows business owners to accept payments in over 135 currencies and global transfers, manage a subscription service, or create a crowdfunding platform. Using Stripe, you can ensure you have a variety of payment options for your customers.
Stripe Standout Features and Integrations
Features include an embeddable UI toolkit, authentication, in-person payments, authorization, payment links, online and recurring payments, iOS and android compatibility, financial reporting, and payout management.
Integrations include Magento, Shopware, WordPress, Drupal, WooCommerce, PrestaShop, Afterpay, Klarna, Shopify, and Rippling.
Pros
- No monthly fee, only transaction fee
- Reliable and intuitive
- Automated fraud detection
Cons
- No real-time payment deposits
- Developer needed for some features
Braintree
Best for leveraging the PayPal service to drive conversions
No matter what types of payments you need to process, Braintree by PayPal offers you the power of an online payment gateway with the reliability and security of an established brand.
Because Braintree is a PayPal company, they make it easier for customers to pay through web and mobile shopping carts. Braintree offers a seamless payment experience with the most popular payment methods for a streamlined process that improves brand affinity and customer loyalty.
Braintree is a solution for everyone, including single-person operations, medium-sized businesses, and massive enterprise organizations. They offer transaction-based fees for basic checkout needs, as well as customized pricing that’s tailored for your transaction volume and business model.
Braintree Standout Features and Integrations
Features include fraud tools, data security, diverse payout options, instant bank validation, 24/7 dedicated payment management, 3DS2 authentication, activity monitoring and testing, transaction searches, decline analysis, global payment options, and web and mobile optimization.
Integrations include 3dcart, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Primer, Demandware, Magento, NetSuite, Salesforce, Miva, and UltraCart.
Pros
- Versatile solutions for all companies
- Integrates flawlessly with websites
- Comprehensive analytics
Cons
- Navigation is a little clunky
- Limited customer support
Shopify POS
Best for powering your retail business with more tools
The Shopify POS mobile payment solution offers businesses software that can streamline their entire purchase process in a centralized platform, from recording customer data and managing loyalty programs to tracking inventory, processing payments, and distributing commissions to staff.
With Shopify POS, you get all the essential features of a traditional POS system, as well as unique solutions for scalability and growth. With omnichannel options that manage online and retail stores, you don’t need to track multiple inventories, payment systems, and catalogs separately. This all-in-one solution syncs data across the entire platform for easier management.
Shopify is for businesses of all sizes, but they especially excel in supporting retail and wholesale businesses. Whether you’re just starting your business or trying to grow it with a robust marketing strategy, Shopify POS offers a place to sell, market, and manage everything associated with your organization.
Shopify POS Standout Features and Integrations
Features include contactless NFC, electronic payments, mobile access, POS, pricing management, customer history, email marketing, accounting integrations, employee management, return tracking and management, forecasting, multi-location, and sales reports.
Integrations include Shopify, Meta for Business, DataFeedWatch, TapMango, Extensiv Order Manager, Sling, Better Reports, Marsello, SendCloud, and Glew.
Pros
- All-in-one platform for business management
- Modern and intuitive navigation
- Convenient for customers
Cons
- No variable or custom pricing
- Minimal customer support
Apple Pay
Best for protecting customers’ personal data
Apply Pay is a mobile payment solution for businesses and consumers that provides more versatility for all through real-time payments, data tokenization, fraud protection tools, and customized fields for branded checkout.
In addition to the essential features of EMV and mobile wallets, Apple Pay takes their platform a step further with additional data protections to ensure consumers feel secure. With device-specific numbers and unique transaction codes, nobody has access to consumer credit card numbers without direct authorization.
Apple Pay is another solution that truly is for everyone. You can use it anywhere that supports contactless payment for just a couple of transactions per day or hundreds of transactions per hour. Whatever support your business needs, Apple Pay is there with extra tools, features, guidance, and support.
Apple Pay Standout Features and Integrations
Features include recurring billing, instant payment, contactless payments for credit and debit cards, reporting and dashboard, user role and access management, manual payment entry, fraud protection, and data tokenization.
Integrations include IBM, BigCommerce, GoDaddy, Salesforce, Shopify, Squarespace, ACI Worldwide, Nuvei, Stripe, and Freedompay.
Pros
- User friendly and secure
- Captures consumer details
- Lots of payment options
Cons
- Contactless payment only works with iPhones
Google Pay
Best for easy integration with whatever you’re already using
Google finally has an answer to platforms like PayPal and Venmo: Google Pay. This payment solution is all about mobility with easy integration with a number of partners for online checkout, ticket sales, and ecommerce platforms.
Because of their brand power, Google Pay has one of the largest selections of options for integration. They’ve partnered with other mobile payment solutions, ecommerce platforms, banks, and major retailers to provide businesses with everything they need to thrive, including global reach, enhanced security, and no fees whatsoever.
Google Pay is for everyone. People can send money to friends and family, small businesses can make sales on the go, and massive organizations can connect to consumers worldwide. This platform offers users a more mobile credit card and provides businesses the opportunity to offer multiple payment types.
Google Pay Standout Features and Integrations
Features include NFC payments, mobile access, location-based engagement, data security, mobile alerts, transaction history and monitoring, customer accounts, chat and messaging, and electronic payments.
Integrations include Blackhawk Network, Fortress, Captain Wallet, Clover, Square, BigCommerce, Magento, Shopify, WooCommerce, and 3dcart.
Pros
- Completely free
- Extra security features
- Intuitive user experience
Cons
- Service interruptions for partners affect the app
PayPal
Best for reducing cart abandonment
In addition to offering point-of-sale systems and invoicing, PayPal Checkout also provides an online checkout solution that businesses can integrate with any of their ecommerce marketplaces or websites. With versatile payment options that include crypto, this tool can increase conversions and reduce cart abandonment with a more streamlined checkout.
One of my favorite tools from the PayPal solution is the Smart Payment Buttons that allow you to embed multiple payment options into your site quickly and easily. Whether it’s credit cards, Venmo, or their PayPal account, you’re providing your customers with more options and one-touch functionality for faster payments. PayPal even sends automated emails to customers when they abandon their cart with automatically added cash offers to recover a transaction.
PayPal offers solutions for individuals and businesses of all sizes. Whether they need a simple checkout solution, invoicing option, or recurring billing management, they can get it all with one platform — without any setup fees or monthly costs.
Paypal Standout Features and Integrations
Features include ecommerce management, abandoned cart saver, tax management, refund management, activity dashboard, cataloging and categorization, discount management, credit card processing, reporting and statistics, and crypto integrations.
Integrations include Venmo, Sisense, BigCommerce, Heights Platform, Selldone, SportsPlus, Launch Cart, VINYL, Zoho Marketing Automation, and Cortex.
Pros
- Responsive design for web and mobile
- No downtime for updates
- Knowledgeable support team
Cons
- May hold money before depositing
- Higher fees for non-US transactions
Authorize.net
Best for credit card processing for small and medium businesses
An online payment gateway system that enables small and medium-sized businesses to thrive, Authorize.net offers payment processing online and in-store through credit card and electronic payments that are processed online and deposited automatically in merchant bank accounts.
Authorize.net offers both ecommerce processing and retail store solutions with compatible card readers that can turn any computer, tablet, or phone into a POS system that accepts payments through your integrated app while on the go. This platform also allows you to accept payments from mobile phones, manually, and even through eChecks.
Because they offer such versatile solutions for SMBs, Authorize.net is applicable for nearly every ecommerce and in-store application. It’s an especially useful tool for omnichannel stores that need to support multiple payment styles, including recurring billing, mail orders, and telephone orders.
Authorize.net Standout Features and Integrations
Features include AHC processing, credit and debit card processing, customizable branding, access controls and permissions, PCI compliance, real-time data, restaurant and retail POS, transaction history and monitoring, ecommerce management, and discount management.
Integrations include PayPal, FreshBooks, Xero, Emburse Certify Expense, Jotform, Shippo, CounSol.com, Breeze, PandaDoc, and Xola.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Comprehensive customer support
- Simple to change processors
Cons
- Transaction fee in addition to gateway fees
- Dated user interface
Venmo
Best for supercharged word-of-mouth marketing
Venmo is another PayPal company that offers simple, streamlined checkout solutions for any business through a platform that connects credit cards and banks to user accounts, which they can then use as a quick and easy payment option.
Part of what makes Venmo a unique mobile payment solution is the social media and sharing aspect of the platform. Whenever users make a purchase, friends and connections can see their actions and commentary. With an intuitive user experience and ultra-fast checkout system, users are excited to share purchases, add emojis, and create unique payment descriptions.
Venmo is an ideal tool for freelancers, solo business owners, SMBs, and large companies. It’s versatile and offers low overhead, which allows you to keep more of your money. This platform even allows you to accept tips and categorize them separately from your other business earnings.
Venmo Standout Features and Integrations
Features include customer engagement, social media-style payment platform, ACH payment processing, debit and credit card processing, security and fraud protections, mobile payments, partial payments, in-person payments, POS system, mobile access, and data storage.
Integrations include Meta for Business, PayPal Commerce Platform, SpotOn, GiveButter, Classy, Buzz to the Rescues, DreamClass, BigCartel, GreatPages, and Advance.
Pros
- Intuitive user interface for customers
- Lowest transaction fees
- Social media-style engagement
Cons
- Can take several days to process payments
- Inaccurate business handle searching
The Best Mobile Payment Solutions Summary
Tool | Trial Info | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | QuickBooks Online Best for small business accounting tools | 30-day free trial | From $30/month | Website |
2 | Square Best for bringing together all sides of your business | Free plan available | From $36/month plus 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction | Website |
3 | Stripe Best for a technology-first approach to payment processing | Contact Sales for more info | From 2.9% + 0.30 per transaction | Website |
4 | Braintree Best for leveraging the PayPal service to drive conversions | No free trial or demo | Plans start at 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction | Website |
5 | Shopify POS Best for powering your retail business with more tools | The first month is free and the following three months are only $1/month | Plans start at $31/month | Website |
6 | Apple Pay Best for protecting customers’ personal data | No demo or free trial available | Contact Apple for pricing | Website |
7 | Google Pay Best for easy integration with whatever you’re already using | Not available | Free for everyone | Website |
8 | PayPal Best for reducing cart abandonment | No free trial or demo available | From 2.9% + $0.49 per transaction | Website |
9 | Authorize.net Best for credit card processing for small and medium businesses | No information available | Plans start at $25/month, plus transaction fees | Website |
10 | Venmo Best for supercharged word-of-mouth marketing | No free demo or trial | Plans start at 1.9% + $0.10 per transaction | Website |
Other Options
Here are a few more options that didn’t make the best mobile payment solutions list:
- Amazon Payments
Best for optimizing customer checkout experiences
- WePay
Best for scaling with your business as it grows
- Fondy
Best for cross-border commerce and marketplaces
- PayPal Zettle
Best for retailers and manufacturers to bill and accept payments
- Chase for Business
Best for flexible payment options with fortress-level security
- Boku
Best for a wide selection of international payment types
- Adyen
Best for an omni-channel solution to international payments
- PaySimple
Best for service-based freelancers and SMBs
- Mobiyo
Best for an ROI-centric approach to mobile payments
People Also Ask
Here are a few popular questions answered for your convenience!
What are mobile payments?
What are the key features of mobile payment solutions?
What other ecommerce software should I use?
Other Payment Software Reviews
These software review lists may complement your search for mobile payment solutions. I focused on software reviews for payment or payment-adjacent technologies, like fraud prevention or BNPL.
- Point-of-Sale (POS) Software
- Ecommerce Sales Tax Software
- Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) Platforms
- Ecommerce Fraud Prevention Software
- Ecommerce Accounting Software
Get More Out of The Ecomm Manager
Running a business can be intense, especially when you need to keep up with the newest consumer trends. If you’re looking for better ways to stay on top of all your business needs, it’s time to turn to the experts at The Ecomm Manager for additional advice and guidance. Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop and learn more about great tools that can help your business succeed.