Payment systems

Braintree Payments Review: Features, Pricing, and Alternatives

Irina Tsymbaliuk

In the realm of online payments, the choice of a payment processor can make a huge difference in achieving a business success. Among multiple options available, Braintree Payments pops up as a comprehensive solution with a suite of features tailored to meet the needs of modern e-commerce. 

In this Braintree Payments review, we delve into the core aspects of this system and see how it stacks up against other alternatives. 

Braintree at a Glance: Main Features

Subsided to PayPal, Braintree Payment Gateway stands out as a robust and versatile payment platform seamlessly integrating with various applications and websites. As such, it can serve as a one-stop shop for businesses of all sizes to efficiently accept and manage online payments.

Braintree payment processing system comes with a rich feature set:

  • Diverse payment methods: Similar to more popular processors like Stripe,  Braintree supports various payment methods, including major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), digital wallets (PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay), and local payment options, all in one single integration. This way, customers can make purchases without repeatedly entering payment details.
  • Advanced security: The platform emphasizes security with robust data and fraud protection tools to safeguard sensitive card data and reduce the risk of data breaches. Meanwhile, its complex fraud protection feature helps merchants effectively detect and prevent suspicious transactions and scams;
  • Recurring billing: With its recurring billing feature, Braintree comes in handy for subscription-based businesses. Merchants can set up recurring payment schedules, manage subscriptions, and seamlessly handle changes or cancellations. This is especially beneficial for streaming platforms or SaaS providers.

                          

  • Global reach with multi-currency support: The system accepts over 130 currencies, allowing merchants to process more payments, facilitating transactions for global customers, and reducing currency conversion complexities.
  • Developer-friendly API: The system’s API is renowned for its ease of integration and developer-friendly documentation. This API-first approach ensures smoother integration with various platforms and custom solutions. With that, the Braintree processing platform is an ideal choice for businesses seeking tailored payment solutions.

While less popular than industry leaders like Stripe and Square, Braintree is a feature-rich service with a lot of promising benefits for businesses looking for a secure, functional payment solution tailored to online transactions and global operations. 

Braintree Payments Pricing

Braintree employs a transparent and straightforward pricing model based primarily on flat rates. The standard transaction fee is typically around 2.59% + $0.49 per transaction for online and mobile payments in the United States. 

There are no setup or monthly fees for standard payment methods, making Braintree payment solution a cost-effective option for businesses starting out or processing occasional transactions.

While this vendor relies on a flat-rate system, it still offers specific discounts for bigger businesses. If you are a Braintree merchant processing over $80.000 monthly, you can expect to get custom, lower per-transaction fees. 

Pricing Aspect 

Details

Standard transaction fee for debit and credit cards and wallets

2.59% + $0.49

Transactions in non-US currencies

Standard fee +1%

Cards issued outside the US

Standard fee +1%

Chargeback

$15 flat fee

Venmo

3.49% + $0.49

ACH direct debit

0.75%, with maximum capped at $5

In terms of pricing, Braintree fees are slightly lower than those of Stripe at 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. At the same time, Stripe offers more customization in fees for specific services, allowing businesses to tailor their pricing structures more precisely. 

At 2.6% + $0.10, Square is a bit more affordable for online payments than Braintree. Yet, Square may charge additional fees for specific services or for transactions involving international credit cards.

Braintree Alternatives

Braintree stands out as a leading payment processing platform along with Stripe and Square. However, each of these systems has its unique features and caters to specific business needs. The Braintree payment solution excel in its e-commerce versatility and robust security measures. Stripe, with its developer-centric approach, offers extensive customization. Meanwhile, Square focuses on user-friendly point-of-sale solutions.

Aspect

Braintree

Stripe

Square

Payment methods

All types of online payments, including wallets

Online and point-of-sale payments

Online and point-of-sale payments with sophisticated POS solutions

API & Integration

Developer-friendly with robust API

Highly flexible API and documentation

User-friendly with easy setup

Standard Fees

2.59% + $0.49

2.9% + $0.30

2.6% + $0.10

Features

Multi-currency support

Recurring billing and subscription management

Strong integration capabilities

Access to the PayPal ecosystem

Availability in 45 countries

Available for payments via web or mobile apps only

Extensive payment support

Customizable checkout experiences

Integration capabilities

Invoicing, financing, and coupon collection

Subscription management

Multi-currency support

Diverse payment options

Top-notch POS payment solutions

Inventory management and analytics

Easy and straightforward setup

Ideal choice for businesses with physical storefronts

Choosing between these alternatives largely hinges on the nature of business operations, preferred API integrations, pricing structures, and whether businesses require some specialized features to match their specific needs.

Final Thoughts

Out of our Braintree Payments overview, it’s clear that this platform shines in security, versatility, and integration capabilities, not to mention smooth access to PayPal functionality. It favorably positions itself in a competitor landscape and is a perfect match for e-commerce businesses with well-defined growth trajectories.

FAQ

What is Braintree, and how does it work?

The Braintree payment gateway allows businesses to accept payments online or through mobile apps, serving as an intermediary between the merchant's platform and the financial institutions that process the transactions. In addition to payment processing, the system provides secure data storage, recurring billing, and fraud protection.,

What are the benefits of using Braintree as a payment processor?

Offering competitive flat-rate-based pricing, the Braintree payment processing platform is a choice for all types of enterprises, no matter their monthly transaction volume. Other benefits include diverse payment methods, strong integration capabilities, high-end security, and global reach.

What payment methods, currencies, and languages does Braintree support?

A Braintree merchant will have access to such payment methods as credit and debit cards, Venmo (for US customers), digital wallets, and a variety of local payment methods. Maintaining 130 currencies and available in 45 countries, it’s an international system.