9 Best Payment Gateways for Creator Platforms: Compared and Reviewed

As the creator economy thrives in 2025, it’s critical to empower and build safe spaces for the creator tribe that fuels these platforms. Whether you’re building a subscription-based or crowdfunding platform, accepting digital payments are essential. 

Choosing the right payment gateway can streamline your revenue streams, improve user experience and maximize your revenue. In this blog, we explore the top payment gateways along with their features, pricing, integrations and drawbacks to make the right choice.

So, here’s our curated list to make your hunt quick and easy!

9 Top Payment Gateways for Creator Platforms

If you are falling short of time to read this guide, here’s our quick comparison that covers everything you need!

Payment Gateway	Features	Cons	Best For
Stripe	Recurring subscription billing, developer-friendly, marketplace split, flexible UI elements	Limited merchant acceptance, frequent account suspensions, payout delays	Subscription & membership platforms, e-commerce  & digital sales, marketplaces,
PayPal	Diverse payment methods, supports digital sales & subscription, chargeback & dispute resolution, fraud detection tools	Limited support for crypto transaction, high international fees	Multi-creator marketplaces, memberships , and donation-based platforms
Square	User-friendly UI, multiple payment methods,Square’s POS integration, recurring subscription billing	Limited customization options, lack of 24×7 customer support, basic inventory management features	Creator platforms with merchandise-selling options,  hybrid (online + offline storefront),  solo creators
Authorize.net	Subscription billing, advanced fraud detection tools, CIM, robust security features	Limited reach, no marketplace split payouts features, needs technical expertise	Subscription-based services, creators who want to embed simple checkout pages, tailored creator platforms
Payoneer	Ease-of-setup, multiple payment methods, PCI compliance, security and fraud detection tools	Not suitable for large businesses,annual account and card fees, high transaction charges	Freelance & gig platforms, crowdfunding , marketplaces, creator platforms, merchandise platforms
Adyen	Ease-of-payments,, PCI compliance, two-factor authentication,data encryption, fraud detection	High transaction fees, not suitable for complex payment requirements	Creator marketplaces, gig & crowdfunding platforms
Verifone (Previously 2Checkout)	Ease-of-use, analytics & reporting, broad range of hardware devices, robust security & compliance, versatile integration options	API integration complexity, lack of creator-specific payment features	Subscription-based digital sales, hybrid platforms
Braintree	Subscription & membership billing support, PCI-DSS compliant, developer-friendly	Complex integration, limited support for local payments, no native revenue split	Creator platforms, marketplace, e-commerce, apps & Saas
CCBill	Ideal for high-risk industries, transaction routing,subscription billing	No in-built creator payout split, older UI/UX, stringent location and onboarding restrictions	Adult platforms, subscription businesses, live cams, streaming media, e-commerce

1. Stripe 

Stripe is a widely used payment gateway by creator platforms and needs no introduction.

Popular platforms like Ko-Fi, Substack, and Gumroad have partnered with Stripe. Whether it’s subscriptions, tips, or ticket sales, Stripe offers new ways to monetize your creator platform.

The popular platform offers a centralized hub to manage everything: payouts, payments, refunds, and tax forms. With customized payment options and multiple payment methods, it’s a good choice for businesses. Ready-made solutions like Stripe Checkout and Payment Links make the gateway feasible for both creators and popular platforms.

Features:

• Global reach across 47+ countries & local payment options
• Supports multiple payment methods like cards, digital wallets,  bank transfers, Buy Now, Pay Later, etc.
• Powerful developer tool & API support
• Subscription & recurring billing 
• Strong security and fraud protection tools
• Flexible UI elements
• Stripe connect splits the payment between the marketplace and creators
• Real-time dashboard & business intelligence tools

Integrations:

• Stripe Checkout –  Pre-built, hosted page for streamlining payments
• Stripe Connect – For processing multiple creators’ payouts
• Quick Stripe Payment Links – Easy shareable payment links
• Stripe Billing – Subscription and billing tools
• Stripe Elements – Embed rich UI blocks for optimized conversions

Best For: 

Subscription & membership platforms, e-commerce  & digital sales, marketplaces,

Pricing:

• 2.9% + $0.30 per credit card transaction
• 0.8% on ACH direct debit with $5.00 cap
• BNPL starts at 5.99% + $0.30 per transaction

Cons:

• Limited Merchant Acceptance
• Frequent Account Suspensions
• Customer Support Concerns
• Payout Delays

2. PayPal

Whether you envision a single-creator site or a multi-creator marketplace, PayPal is ideal for setting up a global business. The gateway offers a full suite of tools and services to manage and receive payments. From Direct PayPal checkout to PayPal Commerce, there are multiple ways to integrate PayPal into your creator platform. 

Over the last years, PayPal has emerged as a convenient and robust payment system. It supports multiple payments like credit cards, debit cards and PayPal balances. 

Being a trusted name in the industry, security is definitely top-notch. The platform’s robust security measures include encryption,  fraud monitoring, authentication, etc.

Features:

• Global reach across more than 200 countries and 25 currencies
• Multiple payment methods like credit/debit cards, bank transfers, PayPal balances, Buy Now, Pay Later options.
• Features to support digital sales & subscription 
• Manages chargeback and dispute resolution 
• Security features like fraud detection, two-factor authentication, and advanced encryption

Integrations:

• Direct PayPal Checkout – One-time payments with PayPal buttons, Pay Later, Venmo, Debit/Credit card
• PayPal subscriptions –  Manage recurring payments, membership tiers
• PayPal Commerce Platform (For marketplaces) – Split payments, compliance management, fraud detection
• PayPal.me Links – Quick payment links for tips, donations, or one-off payments
• Invoicing – Create and send professional invoices  

Best For:

Multi-creator platforms and marketplaces, memberships, and a donation-based platform

Pricing:

• Card processing starts at 2.89% + $0.29 per transaction
• PayPal and Venmo start at 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction
• Pay Later at 4.99% +$0.49 per transaction
• 2.99% +$0.49 fixed fee for domestic payments
• 4.4 % + an additional 1.5% for cross-border transactions

Cons:

• Limited support for crypto transactions
• High international fees around 3%-4% and a service fee
• PayPal account to receive money

3. Square

With over $200 billion in payments annually, Square is one of the popular payment processors for building your creator platform. Subscription support, creator dashboards, and mobile responsiveness make Square an excellent choice. From in-person, online or transactions on the go, Square accepts all kinds of payments.

The payment gateway company was founded in 2009 and is known for the first mobile card reader. Like other payment gateways, Square supports both one-time and recurring payments. It’s perfect for small businesses for credit card processing for in-person transactions. 

Features:

• User-friendly interface and easy setup
• Flexible and diverse payment methods, such as cards, mobile payments,
• Real-time analytics and insights on sales, inventory, and customer behaviour
• Transparent and industry-competitive pricing
• Mobile responsive interface
• Integration with Square’s Point of Sale ecosystem
• Industry-standard security measures  like login monitoring, authentication, and data encryption 
• Preferred payment processor across industries and countries
• Quick payouts within 1-2 business days
• Recurring billing support for subscriptions and memberships

Integrations:

• Web payments & In-app payments SDK – Integrate different payment methods in your application workflow
• Checkout API– Pre-built payment page with tipping, custom fields,
• Subscriptions API – Integrate recurring subscriptions

Other integrations include Payments API, Cards API, and Invoices API.

Best For:

Creator platforms with merchandise-selling options,  hybrid (online +offline storefront),  solo creators looking for complete suite of payment tools

Pricing:

• 2.6% + 15¢ per tap, dip or swipe 
• 2.6% + 15¢ per remote transaction
• 3.5% + 15¢ per keyed-in transaction

Cons:

• Limited customization options to fit your platform design
• Poor customer support
• Basic inventory management features

4. Authorize.net

With over 20 years of experience in payment gateway and backed by VISA, Authorize.net is a recognizable name in the industry. The platform has simplified the complex landscape of payment processing. From advanced fraud detection to simple checkout, Authorize.net helps creator platforms to meet their diverse needs.

It’s compatible with multiple e-commerce and LMS tools. The “account updater” feature keeps an up-to-date record of all the card details. This ensures there are no payment glitches in your platform.

Be it micro-transactions, recurring subscriptions, or payouts, Authorize.net is your complete payment solution.

Features:

• Recurring or installment payments are ideal for subscription platforms
• Advanced fraud detection to handle chargebacks and suspicious payments
• Customer Information Manager for storing customer data
• Supports multiple payment methods, such as Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, American Express, etc.
• Robust security features like PCI DSS compliance, encryption, or tokenization
• Simple checkout with payment options like Buy Now or Donate buttons
• Send professional invoices via email
• 24/7 support through phone and chat
• Easy setup and digital invoicing

Integrations: 

• Recurring Billing API–  For subscriptions & membership payments
• Accepted Hosted/Unified Checkout – Mobile optimized checkout form
• Restful API & Customer Information Manager (CIM) – Custom payment workflows

Best For: 

Subscription-based services, creators who want to embed simple checkout pages, tailored creator platforms

Pricing:

The gateway offers a transparent and flat-rate pricing with monthly fees. It offers two pricing plans: all-in-one and payment gateway only.

• All-one-plan – 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction; monthly fees
• Gateway-only plan – $0.10 + $0.10 daily batch fee per transaction plus; $25 (merchant account required)
• ACH Payments – Billed separately at 0.75% per transaction

*Monthly Gateway Fees – $25

Cons:

• Availability restricted to the US, Canada, UK, Europe and Australia
• No marketplace split payouts features; requires third-party integrations
• Demands more technical expertise for setting up the API
• A comprehensive set of tools could be overwhelming

5. Payoneer

Are you looking for a solid cross-border payment gateway? Then Payoneer makes a strong option with its strong suite of tools and flexibility. From Patreon to TikTok, top creator platforms leverage the power of Payoneer for payment processing.

Payoneer has a massive global reach across 190 countries and 70+ currencies. It supports local currencies, such as USD, EUR, CAD, SGD, etc. The payment gateway is integrated with over 2,000 marketplaces including eBay, Airbnb, Fiverr, etc.

Features:

• Ease of payment
• User-friendly and easy to set up
• International payments and local banking support
• Diverse payment methods like credit/debit cards, bank transfers, ACH Debit, PayPal, etc.
• 24/7 customer support
• Security features like PCI compliance, two-factor authentication, data encryption, and fraud detection
• Real-time currency conversion, minimizing exchange rates

Integrations:

• Mass Payout API – For multi-creator payouts
• Payoneer Collect – Debit from Payoneer’s balance

Best For:

Freelance & gig platforms, crowdfunding , marketplaces, creator platforms, merchandise platforms

Pricing:

• 3% for sending to a recipient without Payoneer
• $1.50 for payments in the same local currency
• 3% credit card fee
• 1% ACH Debit fee
• Annual Fee of $29.95
• Payoneer-to-payoneer transactions free

Cons:

• Not suitable for large businesses
• Annual account, card fees and high transaction charges
• Limited currency risk management tools
• Payment issues like blocked accounts and funds
• Poor customer support

6. Adyen

Whether you’re starting a streaming service or membership platform, Adyen has something for every business. The payment gateway offers tools for seamless payment integrations and customer journeys.

The upside is that the gateway comes with no setup or monthly fees. Moreover, it offers a unified payment system across multiple channels. It supports about 27 local and international payment methods, including ACH Direct Debit, cards, and digital wallets. 

Adyen’s “delayed capture” feature authorizes a payment but delays the capture of funds. This is beneficial for fraud detection, reducing the impact of chargebacks, and optimizing operations.

Features:

• Global reach across 200 countries and 150 currencies (including US, UK, Germany, and 18 Eurozone countries) 
• Supports multiple payment methods, such as credit/debit cards, ACH Direct Debit, and digital wallets (Apple Pay, PayPal)
• Advanced data analytics & reporting tools
• Ease-of-setup and user-friendly interface
• Manage creator payouts with marketplace split
• Delayed payout or escrow
• Subscription billing feature to manage memberships & subscriptions
• Security features include PCI DSS compliance, tokenization, fraud prevention, encryption, etc.
• Transparent pricing structure with interchange++ pricing model
• Integrations:
• APIs and SDKs for web & mobile
• Recurring Payments API for enabling auto-renewal of subscriptions
• Plugin support for Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.
• Custom dashboard to track real-time revenue and payout insights

Best For:

Creator marketplaces, gig platforms, crowdfunding

Pricing:

Operates on the unique interchange ++ pricing model.  Transparent pricing and depends on the interchange rate, scheme fees, and acquiring bank markup. 

• Starts at $0.13 + 0.60% over interchange plus for Visa and Mastercard
• 3.3% + $0.23 for American Express
• 3%-12% + $0.13 for other payment methods, based on the transaction type
• $0.40 per transaction for ACH direct payment

Other miscellaneous fees include refund fee, chargeback fees($5-$100), chargeback reversal, authentication service fee, etc.

Cons:

• High transaction fees take away profits of small businesses
• Variable pricing for different payment methods is complex compared to Stripe’s flat-rate pricing
• Not a great choice for businesses with complex payment requirements
• Needs a certain level of technical expertise for setup and integration

7. Verifone (Previously 2Checkout)

Launched as a pioneer of cashless payment, Verifone has processed over $8 trillion transactions. Its modern payment grid combines its payment expertise and open integrations to offer a seamless payment experience.

Previously known as 2Checkout, the payment gateway offers versatile integrations for your creator platform. From quick pay-by-link to customized UI workflows, Verifone offers a tailored payment integration for your platform.

The payment gateway offers its solution in over 185 countries, offering seamless access to a global audience. Its core security features include tokenization, encryption and fraud detection.

Features:

• Ease-of-use, intuitive user experience
• Mobile-compatible interface
• Global payment coverage across 185 countries and diverse payment methods
• Supports multiple payment methods, such as cards, digital wallets, BNPL, cryptocurrencies, etc.
• Versatile integration options, including the eCommerce API, the Checkout API
• Robust security & compliance measures with encryption, built-in tokenization, and real-time fraud scoring
• Offers a range of hardware devices like mobile POS, PIN pads, countertops, etc
• Comprehensive analytics and reporting capabilities to track and monitor performance
• Supports third-party integrations like Magento, Salesforce, Shopify, etc.

Integrations:

• Hosted payments, Pay-per-links, server-to-server APIs
• E-commerce API & Checkout APIs
• Plugins compatible with Magento, Shopify, and WooCommerce 

Best For:

Subscription-based digital sales, hybrid platforms combining in-person and online experiences

Pricing:

Verifone offers three pricing models:

• 2SELL – 3.5% + $0.35 per sale
• 2SUBSCRIBE (Most Popular) – 4.5%  + $0.45 per sale
• 2MONETIZE (For selling digital goods) – Custom pricing
• 4Enterprise – Custom pricing for specific business needs

For detailed pricing, look at Verifone’s official pricing page.

Cons:

• Lacks features for creator-specific platforms, such as marketplace payout splits or KYC workflows
• API Integration complexity for small businesses and creators
• Challenging to adhere to PCI requirements

 8. Braintree

A full-stack payment gateway owned by PayPal, Braintree is a win-win for your creator platform. Like PayPal, Braintree prioritizes offering easy and secure payment processing. It has a global reach of over 45 countries and 135 currencies. 

So, why choose Braintree for your creator platform? First off, it offers a wide range of payment products, including Braintree Marketplace, recurring billing API, and one-time payments.

It offers convenience to fans with multiple payment methods like credit/debit cards, PayPal, Venmo, digital wallets, etc. The recurring billing API makes managing subscriptions a breeze. 

Once you integrate the feature, creators can make monthly and yearly subscription plans via the dashboard. Users choose their preferred plans and also upgrade or cancel the plans through webhooks.   

Features:

• Easy setup and integration
• Supports multiple payment methods like debit/cards, PayPal, Venmo, and digital wallets
• Offers payment solutions across 45 countries and 130 currencies
• Provides recurring billing subscription & memberships for creator platforms
• PCI-DSS and industry-compliant
• Robust security and fraud protection tools like 3D Secure and risk tools
• Integrate with PayPal payouts to split creator payouts at the marketplace
• Developer-friendly and offers SDKs for Node.js, JavaScript, Ruby, JAVA, etc.
• Optimized for mobile experience and wallets for convenience
• Transparent pricing with no setup fees
• Extensive third-party integration support into shopping carts, recurring billing, analytics, etc.
• 24/7365 customer support on email and phone channels

Integrations:

• Recurring Billing API – Supports recurring subscriptions & memberships
• Paypal Payouts API–   Splits creator revenue in the marketplace
• One-time payments – Include drop-in UI and hosted fields for individual purchases in your creator platform
• Braintree Extend – Track real-time payment insights and trends 

Best For:

Creator platforms, marketplace, e-commerce, apps & Saas

Pricing:

Transparent pricing structure, with no setup, monthly or early termination fees.

• 2.59% +$0.29 per transaction for credit cards
• 3.49% + $0.49 for ACH transactions 
• 3.49% + $0.49 for Venmo 
• 2.19% + $0.29 for non-profit pricing 
• Enterprise pricing for high-volume transactions
• Chargeback fees – $15
• Currency conversion fee – 1%

Cons:

• Complex integration and developer-heavy than PayPal or Stripe
• Limited support for local payments in specific regions
• Doesn’t offer native revenue split; needs PayPal Payouts for creator payouts

9. CCBill

If your subscription platform involves “high-risk” businesses like adult entertainment, cryptocurrency, CCBill is a trusted payment provider. High-risk merchant accounts involve potential issues like chargeback and fraud. This makes them susceptible to high transaction fees and strict contracts.

Robust security measures, scalability, and regulatory compliance are the key concerns of such businesses. CCBill offers a dedicated payment gateway that offers easy transactions, secures consumer data, and supports long-term business growth. It powers popular platforms, such as OnlyFans, Fansly, and Chaturbate.

Features:

• Ideal for high-risk industries like adult businesses, subscription businesses, streaming businesses, etc.
• Supports multiple payment methods, such as debit/credit cards, ACH, digital wallets, etc.
• Transaction routing for a better checkout experience
• Subscription management system and reimbursement 
• Empowers diverse content monetization options like subscriptions, individual purchases, live session tickets, etc.
• CCBill’s proprietary VScrub and Web Verify systems to prevent fraud and malicious intent
• Fraud protection tools to minimize the risk of account freeze
• Provides tools for PCI-DSS compliance and EU PSD2/SCA (like age-verification) 

Integrations:

• Payment forms – Built-in, hosted checkout pages 
• Flexforms – Customized payment forms for upsells, cross-sells, or geo-targeting
• Restful API integrations – For customized payment flows
• Third-party platform plugins for Shopify, WooCommerce, etc

Best For:

Adult platforms, subscription businesses, live cams, streaming media, and E-commerce

Pricing:

CCBill offers different pricing models based on PSP or ISO offerings. The pricing is further tailored based on transaction volume, industry, region, etc.

PSP Model 

• It comes with flat-rate pricing  — predictable costs and no monthly fees. 
• Offers merchant account, customer support, onboarding and management
• Perfect for simple businesses and those with variable transaction volumes

ISO Pricing Model

• More ownership and freedom over the merchant account, gateway and merchant services
• Provides 3 pricing models — interchange plus, tiered and discount plus

Payment Rates

• Standard Online Businesses – 3.9% + $0.55 per transaction
• High-Risk Businesses – 5.9% + $0.55 per transaction
• Adult Industry – 10.85% -14.5% per transaction

Cons:

• No in-built creator payouts for the marketplace 
• Older UI/UX compared to other payment gateways
• Stringent location and onboarding restrictions

Local Payment Gateways & Regions

Local Payment Gateways	Country/Region
Paystack	Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa
Iugu, Zoop	Brazil
Payfast	South Africa
Another Lane	Japanese Region
Verotel	EU Region

Is your creator platform targeting a specific country or market? We at Fanso.io can have premium add-ons and expertise integrating these local gateways for our clients. Check out our premium add-on page for details. 

What Features to Consider When Choosing Your Payment Gateway?

Choosing the right payment gateway is not just about accepting payments – it’s about trust and scalability. The right payment solution reduces card abandonment, ensures PCI-DSS compliance and supports cross-border payments.

So, here’s a list of features for choosing the right payment gateway:

• Global Reach and Multi-Currency Support

Creators and fans from all over the world interact with your platform. Hence, your payment gateway must accept both international and local payments. Besides, ensure currency conversion options.

• Subscription and Recurring Billing

Subscription-based businesses involve a monthly or yearly recurring billing. Choose a payment gateway with recurring billing for managing subscriptions and memberships.

• Support Multiple Payment Methods

Today, flexibility and convenience aren’t just luxuries — they are non-negotiables. Including multiple payment methods doesn’t limit your customers to a few options. Ensure your gateway supports credit/debit cards,  digital wallets, Buy Now, Pay Later options (Affirm, Klarna), etc.

• Security and Fraud Detection 

Even if you own a small creator business, it’s critical that users complete your platform transactions safely. Choosing a PCI-DSS compliant gateway ensures secure handling of sensitive card information. Tokenization. Data encryption,3D secure, and AI-driven fraud detection are a few features worth considering. 

• Mobile Optimized and User-Friendly

A mobile-first design ensures a seamless checkout experience and reduced cart abandonment. If your platform hosts one-click payments like tips or PPVs, look for gateways with custom-branded UI. 

• Developer-Friendly and Extensive Integrations

API flexibility ensures a smooth and tailored payment experience for your creator platform. Look for restful APIs and SDKs, sandbox environments, and clear documentation. The majority of gateways offer plugin support for platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento.

Final Verdict

There are several payment gateways out there designed for different industries, transaction volumes, business sizes, and needs. You won’t find a one-size-fits-all solution that works for all kinds of creator platforms. So, start with identifying your unique business needs. 

Choose a payment gateway that caters to your current and future plans and technical capabilities. Lastly, prioritize user-friendly workflows and seamless payment experience! This eventually wins trust and supports long-term platform growth!

Whether you need help choosing the right payment gateways, or development approach, book a free 15-min consultation with us! We at Fanso know everything your business needs to thrive in the creator landscape!

FAQ-Related to The Best Payment Gateways for Creator Platforms

1. Which are the best payment gateways for creator platforms?

Stripe, Adyen, PayPal, Authorize.net, Payoneer, and CCBill are the top payment gateways for your creator platform. Factors like industry, transaction volume, subscription billing,  payment methods, and security affect your decision.

2. Which payment gateway does OnlyFans use?

OnlyFans uses multiple payment processors to handle platform transactions. Stripe is the primary gateway given the high volume of transactions. CCBill, Merrick, and Harris are other payment processors.

3. Which payment processor is best for adult content?

For adult businesses, look for payment gateways that can handle “high-risk” transactions. CCBill, Segpay, Corepay, PayKings, and Epoch are a few trusted names in the adult space.

4. Can I integrate multiple payment gateways in my creator platform?

Yes, it’s recommended to integrate multiple payment gateways in your creator platform. This offers a broader coverage of payment methods across countries and currencies. Thus, you can maximize your sales and enhance customer satisfaction.