31 Aug, 2025
Choosing the right payment gateway is crucial for US startups and agencies in 2025. With so many options, selecting one that fits your business needs, budget, and customer preferences can either boost or block your growth. The big players Stripe, PayPal, and Square each bring unique strengths. Understanding their differences and overlaps helps you make an informed choice to optimize your payment process, protect your revenue, and deliver smooth experiences.
I’m Riten, founder of Fueler, a platform that helps freelancers and professionals get hired through their work samples. In this article, I’ll compare Stripe, PayPal, and Square to help you pick the best payment gateway in 2025. Just like showcasing your portfolio builds trust in hiring, picking the right payment gateway builds trust with your customers and helps your startup scale confidently.
Getting your payment system up and running quickly without technical roadblocks matters a lot. If your team lacks developer resources, a simple, intuitive setup speeds your launch. New users value straightforward interfaces and quick access to payment features.
Why it matters: Choosing a gateway that’s easy to implement accelerates your startup’s time to revenue. Simplicity leads to less frustration and faster payment acceptance, critical for growing agencies and online businesses.
Accepting multiple payment types and supporting international customers broadens your market and increases sales potential. The more flexible your platform is, the easier it is to capture diverse client preferences worldwide.
Why it matters: Extensive payment options and global reach reduce payment friction and chargebacks, helping your startup or agency expand internationally with fewer obstacles.
Having advanced features like subscription billing, fraud tools, and seamless integrations with your existing tech stack ensures efficient operations. Features that align with your business model save time and reduce costs.
Why it matters: Choosing a platform packed with the features you need improves workflow, customer experience, and security key to growing revenue without operational headaches.
Transparent, competitive pricing impacts your profit margins directly. Understanding transaction fees, setup costs, and hidden charges helps businesses budget accurately and avoid surprises.
Why it matters: Transparent pricing reduces unexpected costs, helping your startup control expenses and scale cost-effectively.
Protecting customers’ payment information is crucial for trust and regulatory compliance. Strong security also reduces chargebacks and fraud-related losses.
Why it matters: Robust security and fraud protection maintain customer trust and shield businesses from financial risks associated with cyber threats.
Reliable support minimizes downtime and resolves issues quickly, preventing lost sales and frustration.
Why it matters: Fast, knowledgeable support ensures your payment processes run smoothly and helps maintain uninterrupted cash flow.
Many startups succeed faster by hiring sales and finance experts proven via assignment-based portfolios on Fueler. Fueler helps you hire talent who understand payment gateway nuances and can optimize your transaction flows for maximum revenue.
Stripe, PayPal, and Square all have strong offerings in 2025, but the best choice depends on your business model, technical resources, and customer base. If you need flexibility and global reach, Stripe shines. For easiest setup and trusted wallet payments, PayPal leads. If you run a retail or hybrid agency-focused business, Square is powerful and user-friendly. Evaluate your priorities carefully, and pick a payment partner that grows with you seamlessly.
1. Which payment gateway is best for US startups?
Stripe tends to be best for technology-focused startups and international sales, while PayPal and Square suit more general or retail-focused needs.
2. How much do Stripe, PayPal, and Square charge per transaction?
Typically around 2.6% to 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction, with some variations for international cards and services.
3. Can I use multiple payment gateways simultaneously?
Yes, many businesses integrate multiple gateways to maximize payment options and reduce failures.
4. How important is PCI compliance for payment gateways?
PCI compliance is essential for security and legal reasons, ensuring your customers' payment data is protected.
5. How do payment gateways handle refunds?
Most gateways provide automated refund processes but terms and timelines vary; it’s good to check specifics before choosing one.
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