Not long ago, handling money meant keeping cash in your wallet and waiting in lines at the bank. But as the internet began to be widely adopted, the idea of moving money digitally chipped in. That was how we saw a glimpse of the future of payments in Text-to-pay services, which let people make basic transactions via SMS. 

The launch of smartphones transformed payments in ways few could have predicted. Companies like PayPal led the charge, and soon, others followed (from local mobile money services in emerging markets to global giants like Apple Pay and Google Wallet).

Mobile payments are now a competitive industry packed with options and innovation, with each gateway having its own story and strengths and built for a world that craves instant, secure, and flexible transactions. 

But with so many mobile payment gateways out there, how do you know which one to trust? And more than that, how do you pick the one that’s right for your business, your customers, and maybe even your peace of mind?

This blog explores the top mobile payment gateways redefining the way we exchange value.

What is a Mobile Payment Gateway?

Simply put, a mobile payment gateway is what makes buying stuff with your phone possible by paying online right from your device. The gateway handles the exchange between you, your bank, and the merchant when you hit “Pay.” It ensures you pay to the right person or place and do not expose your information to threats. A mobile payment gateway makes sure the whole transaction happens fast and safely, without you even needing to think twice.

11 Best Payment Gateways for Mobile Apps

We have curated a list of payment gateways that are trustworthy to integrate into your mobile app.

1. Stripe

Key Features:

• Stripe is the go-to for developers who want full control over their payment setup. It processes credit cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay and also keeps transactions secure with anti-fraud tech (Stripe Radar). 
• Its biggest appeal is Flexibility. It can scale up from a small startup to an international operation without a lag.

Pros: 

• Stripe’s openness and customization are a dream for developers. 
• Plus, it’s loaded with payment options, covering plenty of currencies.

Cons: 

• For those who are less technical, Stripe’s feature-packed setup can feel complicated. 
• The international fees are higher if most of your customers are abroad.

2. PayPal

Key Features:

• It offers a range of payment options for businesses of any size. 

Pros: 

• PayPal’s name recognition is its superpower in helping brands improve conversions. 
• It’s also easy to set up.
• Supports multiple currencies.

Cons: 

• High fees on some transactions can be a thorn for smaller businesses. 
• It’s not the most flexible when it comes to personalizing the checkout experience.

3. Square

Key Features:

• A point-of-sale (POS) system in a box for businesses that want a blend of in-person and mobile payments. 
• It connects with Square hardware for credit card swipes, taps, and digital wallet payments.

Pros: 

• Transparent pricing and no monthly fees make it ideal for small businesses. 
• Its POS works well for merchants handling physical payments.

Cons: 

• For businesses with plans to go global, Square’s limited reach outside certain regions can be a drawback. 
• The per-transaction fees can start adding up fast with high volumes.

4. Authorize.Net

Key Features:

• Authorize.Net is for those who want a solid gateway with a strong emphasis on security. 
• It supports credit cards, eChecks, and wallets.
• It’s built with fraud detection tools to keep your transactions safe. 
• The mobile SDKs make integration into apps straightforward.

Pros: 

• If security is your priority, Authorize.Net’s fraud prevention and dependable support are big pluses.

Cons: 

• Monthly fees and limited customization options can make it less appealing for smaller businesses or those wanting a unique payment flow.

5. Adyen

Key Features:

• Adyen is designed to handle transactions from almost anywhere. 
• Used for both online and offline payments. 
• It has fraud detection tech backed by machine learning.

Pros: 

• Supports currencies worldwide.
• Has in-depth analytics.

Cons: 

• Small businesses might find Adyen’s enterprise-level focus and complex pricing hard to navigate.

6. Braintree

Key Features

• Gives businesses flexible payment options and support for wallets like PayPal and Venmo. 
• It’s known for handling subscriptions for SaaS and other recurring billing models.

Pros: 

• Braintree’s flexibility and integration with PayPal add credibility and options for users. 
• It’s perfect for businesses that deal in subscriptions.

Cons: 

• If you’re new to development, the setup might feel a bit tech-heavy. 
• The transaction fees can add up quickly.

7. 2Checkout (Verifone)

Key Features:

• It’s built for international transactions, accepting multiple currencies 
• Supports recurring billing, which is a plus for subscription businesses.

Pros: 

• Easy integration and multi-currency support make it a solid option for digital-focused companies aiming for international markets.

Cons: 

• Limited checkout customization and higher fees for high transaction volumes might not suit larger businesses.

8. WePay

Key Features:

• WePay is for platform-based businesses already within Chase’s network. 
• Designed with marketplaces in mind, it’s developer-friendly and provides low fees for Chase customers.

Pros: 

• Affordable for Chase users and ideal for businesses needing platform-based payments.

Cons: 

• Limited global reach.
• The brand doesn’t have strong recognition outside the U.S.

9. Amazon Pay

Key Features:

• Amazon Pay allows customers to use their Amazon accounts to check out, adding an extra level of trust to the payment process. 
• Known for fraud prevention and a smooth customer experience, it’s a great add-on for businesses looking to leverage Amazon’s brand.

Pros: 

• Amazon’s name recognition helps boost customer confidence.
• The checkout process is quick and straightforward.

Cons: 

• Limited functionality outside the Amazon ecosystem.
• The fees can be a bit higher than some other options.

10. Apple Pay

Key Features:

• Apple Pay gives iOS users a convenient way to pay. 
• Complete with security features like Face ID. 
• There’s no extra fee for merchants.
• Its privacy protections are top-notch.

Pros: 

• Apple Pay is a frictionless, secure option for businesses with a strong iOS customer base.

Cons: 

• It’s exclusive to iOS users, which limits the reach for businesses with a broader user demographic.

11. Google Pay

Key Features:

• Google Pay is an Android-friendly solution that offers a fast, secure checkout process for users. 
• With no additional fees for merchants, it’s a straightforward option for Android-centric businesses looking to provide contactless and in-app payment options.

Pros: 

• Google Pay is free for merchants.
• It’s a trusted option among Android users.

Cons: 

• Like Apple Pay, it’s limited by platform, so it may not work for businesses needing cross-platform payment solutions.

The table below compares the 11 payment gateways for mobile apps.

Choosing the Right Mobile App Payment Gateway

Choosing the right mobile app payment gateway is a decision that can shape your customer experience, influence your revenue, and even define your brand’s relationship with trust and convenience. There are a few things to think about before you pick one.

1. Know Your Audience and Their Preferences

Think about where your customers are, how they prefer to pay, and what kind of devices they use. If your audience leans toward iOS, Apple Pay’s seamless integration makes sense.

If they’re mostly Android users, a payment gateway for Android applications, Google Pay could be a natural choice. For a mixed audience, it’s worth considering cross-platform options like Stripe or PayPal that cater to both.

2. Transaction Fees and Long-Term Costs

Fees add up. A lower per-transaction fee can make a big difference over thousands of purchases. Square’s fee structure, for instance, works well for small businesses, while Stripe and PayPal offer flexibility for companies handling international transactions.

Do the math on potential monthly costs, and weigh them against the revenue you’re bringing in.

3. Global Reach and Currency Support

If you’re running a global operation, you need a gateway that can handle multiple currencies and has wide country support. Adyen and 2Checkout (Verifone) offer extensive international options, letting you reach customers wherever they are.

Localised payment options also give customers confidence in international transactions.

4. Security and Compliance Standards

Security isn’t optional, it’s essential. Each gateway brings its own level of fraud protection, but if you’re handling a large volume or sensitive customer data, look for options with advanced fraud detection.

Authorize.Net, for example, offers strong fraud tools, while Stripe’s fraud prevention is highly customizable.

5. Customer Experience and Ease of Use

A streamlined checkout can make or break a sale. Look for gateways that offer customizable checkout experiences if branding is essential to your app.

PayPal and Amazon Pay make checkout easy by using existing accounts, but options like Stripe let you design a more on-brand experience. A gateway should feel natural within your app, blending with its overall design and functionality.

6. Future Growth and Scalability

Your payment gateway should grow with you. If you’re a startup, Square’s simplicity might be ideal. But if you’re looking to expand internationally or add advanced features like subscriptions or multi-currency support, Stripe or Braintree’s scalable options could be better in the long run.

Think about where your business is headed and if your gateway can keep up.

FYI, We at ScaleupAlly provide seamless Stripe Integration Solutions. Just letting you know, in case you ever seek.

7. Customer Support and Assistance

When things go wrong, you need a responsive support team and Authorize.Net and PayPal are known for reliable support, while some other gateways are better suited for self-service or tech-savvy teams. Reliable support is invaluable, especially when processing high volumes or handling critical transactions.

How to Integrate a Mobile Payment Gateway?

Integrating a mobile payment gateway can seem like a complex task, but breaking it down step-by-step makes it easier to manage. Here’s a practical guide to get you started.

1. Choose the Right Gateway and Set Up Your Account

The first step is choosing a payment gateway that aligns with your app’s needs. Once you’ve selected one, set up an account and verify any documentation they require.

Most providers will walk you through this setup process and provide access to a developer dashboard.

2. Get Familiar with the SDK or API Documentation

Most gateways offer an SDK (Software Development Kit) for mobile app integration, along with thorough API documentation.

Download the SDK for the relevant platform (iOS or Android), and review the API documentation to understand how each endpoint and function works. Stripe, for example, has comprehensive guides for its SDKs and APIs, which include examples and best practices.

3. Install the SDK in Your Project

Add the SDK to your project’s dependencies. For Android, you’d typically include it in your build.gradle file, and for iOS, you’d use a dependency manager like CocoaPods.

Many SDKs also support frameworks like React Native or Flutter, so look for specific instructions if your app uses these platforms.

Example (Android with Stripe SDK):

implementation ‘com.stripe:stripe-android:20.8.0’

Example (iOS with CocoaPods for Stripe SDK):

pod ‘Stripe’, ‘~> 21.0’

4. Set up API Keys and Environment

Your payment gateway will provide API keys that you’ll need to connect your app with the gateway’s server. There’s usually a public key (for frontend transactions) and a secret key (for backend operations).

Set up these keys in a secure way, ensuring the secret key stays on your server, not the app itself. Most gateways offer a test mode for development, so you can safely try out transactions without real money.

5. Implement the Payment Flow

Decide how you want the payment flow to look if you would want to embed it directly into the app, or if you would prefer a pop-up. Each gateway has its own methods, but the basic steps usually involve collecting payment details and passing them securely to the gateway.

Common steps:

• Collect Payment Details: Use the SDK’s built-in UI components to collect payment info or customize your own forms. Stripe, for example, offers prebuilt UI elements that handle card info.
• Create a Payment Intent (Backend): To verify and authorize payments, you’ll need to create a “payment intent” on your server. This is an authorization that holds payment details and prepares the transaction.
• Complete Payment (Frontend): The app sends the payment details to the gateway. The gateway then responds with a success or failure message.

6. Handle Transaction Responses

After completing a payment, you’ll receive a response from the gateway’s API. Use this to inform the user of the transaction’s status (if it succeeded, failed, or is pending).

Most SDKs also provide error handling for cases like insufficient funds or declined cards, so you can display appropriate messages to the user.

7. Implement Security Measures

Ensure all sensitive information like card details is encrypted and handled only by the SDK or API. Most gateways are PCI-DSS compliant, but it’s essential to follow all provided security guidelines. Additionally, you can use tools like tokenization, which replaces sensitive data with unique tokens.

8. Test Thoroughly in Sandbox Mode

Most gateways offer a sandbox or test mode where you can simulate payments without using real money. Use this to test all scenarios like successful transactions, declined payments, expired cards, etc.

It’s a chance to detect any issues before they impact real users.

9. Go Live and Monitor Transactions

Once testing is complete, you can switch to live mode. Make sure you’ve set up monitoring tools or alerts to keep track of transaction volumes, failed payments, and any unusual activity. Monitoring is essential to identify issues early, prevent fraud, and ensure smooth operation.

Conclusion

Choosing and integrating a mobile payment gateway is a statement about how you value your customers’ trust, time, and experience. This choice affects more than just how payments are processed; it shapes the confidence customers feel every time they hit that “Pay” button.

So, as you select and integrate your gateway, think beyond the code.

Ask yourself, “How does this make life easier for my customers? What kind of relationship am I creating with every transaction?”

Because in the end, the right gateway is one that leaves the feeling that your app is trustworthy, intuitive, and worth coming back to again and again.

At ScaleupAlly, we specialize in mobile payment gateway integrations for your app. As a trusted partner for Razorpay and other top providers, we ensure a smooth, secure setup. Do you need an integration for your app? Connect with us today to discuss your integration needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which is the best mobile app payment gateway?

There’s no one-size-fits-all gateway; the best choice depends on your app’s needs, customer base, and budget.

Q: Can I integrate a mobile payment gateway into any app?

Yes, most modern mobile payment gateways offer SDKs and APIs compatible with iOS, Android, and even cross-platform frameworks like React Native, which makes integration possible for almost any app.

Q: How much does it cost to integrate a payment gateway into a mobile app?

Costs depend on the gateway and developer rates. Most gateways have per-transaction fees, though initial integration costs depend on development time and potential customization.

Q: Which mobile payment gateway is best for small businesses?

Square and PayPal are generally recommended for small businesses due to their transparent pricing and straightforward setup. Stripe is also a good option for scalability and flexibility as businesses grow.