Stripe vs. Adyen: Which payment gateway is right for your business?

In the fast-paced world of eCommerce, selecting the right payment gateway is crucial. Two leading contenders, Stripe and Adyen, stand out for their robust features, global reach, and merchant-focused solutions. But which one is the best fit for your business? In this article, we will break down their key features, strengths, and potential drawbacks, helping you make an informed choice. The facts below are also based on our multi-year experience, some first-party data and communication with merchants who use them.
Stripe overview
Founded in 2010 in San Francisco, and now headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Stripe primarily serves startups, small to medium-sized enterprises, and large corporations looking for a flexible, developer-friendly payment solution. The platform is known for its advanced APIs and extensive customization options, making it a top choice for businesses aiming to integrate various payment methods into their online stores.

Key features:
  • Global reach: Available in over 45 countries and supports 135+ currencies.
  • API and integrations: Highly customizable, APIs are perfect for developers.
  • Security: PCI DSS Level 1 compliant, with advanced fraud detection tools.
  • Advanced features: Offers tools like subscription billing, one-click checkout, and financial reporting.
Adyen overview
Established in 2006 and based in Amsterdam, Adyen is designed for global enterprises and large-scale retailers. It offers comprehensive payment solutions across various channels, including online, mobile, and in-store transactions. Adyen's robust infrastructure supports a wide range of payment methods, making it ideal for businesses handling high transaction volumes and complex international operations.

Key features:
  • Global payments: Supports more than 200 local and alternative payment methods across 150+ countries.
  • Unified commerce: Integrates in-person, online, subscription and mobile payments.
  • Advanced fraud protection: Uses AI-driven risk management tools.
  • Reporting and analytics: Provides detailed insights for better business decisions.

Stripe’s pros:
  • Easy integration with developer tools
  • Transparent pricing
  • Extensive documentation and support
  • Annual revenue of $0-1M - any business is welcome
Stripe’s cons:
  • Complex for non-technical users who will need to rely on embedded solutions, like Checkify.pro, Checkoutpage co, others, to sell effectively
  • Limited in-person payment options compared to Adyen
Adyen’s pros:
  • Excellent for global enterprises: sell almost in every country and receive payments almost in every currency that exists
  • Robust in-person and online payment integration
  • Strong fraud prevention and risk management
Adyen’s cons:
  • Hard to manage without a proper tech team
  • Annual revenue of $1M+ is required just to be considered for the service (not approved)
  • Custom pricing can be less transparent
Conclusions & recommendations
Both Stripe and Adyen are powerful payment gateways, each offering distinct advantages. Stripe’s flexibility and developer-centric approach make it ideal for startups and mid-sized businesses looking for customization and transparent pricing. Meanwhile, Adyen’s extensive global reach and unified commerce solutions cater well to large enterprises managing complex, multi-channel payments.

Regardless of which payment gateway suits your business best, Checkify is a perfect companion for both. Stripe and Adyen can be embedded easily on a customizable, one-page checkout, ensuring amazing customer experience, multi-currency payments, upselling and, as a result, a higher conversion.

By combining a robust payment gateway with Checkify's proven checkout solutions, merchants can create a frictionless buying experience that drives both immediate sales and long-term growth. With Checkify, you are not just accepting payments; you are creating a great environment for customer loyalty and business success.


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