Best Payment Gateway for E-Commerce in 2025
Choosing the right payment gateway is one of the most important decisions for your e-commerce business. The wrong choice can mean lost sales, high fees, and frustrated customers. This guide compares the top 8 gateways to help you decide.
Quick Answer
There’s no single “best” gateway — the right choice depends on your business:
| Business Stage | Recommended Gateway |
|---|---|
| Beginners (up to $2K/month) | PagSeguro or Mercado Pago |
| Growing ($2K–$20K/month) | Stripe or Pagar.me |
| High volume ($20K+/month) | Cielo or Rede (negotiate rates) |
| International sales | PayPal + Stripe |
Always have 2 gateways configured to never lose sales if one goes down.
Complete Comparison Table
| Gateway | Transaction Fee | Monthly Fee | Best For | Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PagSeguro | 3.99%–4.99% | Free | Beginners | Instant |
| Mercado Pago | 3.49%–4.99% | Free | Marketplace sellers | Instant |
| Stripe | 3.99% + $0.39 | Free | Developers, SaaS, global | 2–5 days |
| Pagar.me | 2.99%–3.49% | From $99 | Marketplaces, complex splits | 3–7 days |
| Cielo | 2.39%–3.49% | From $49 | High-volume businesses | 5–10 days |
| Rede | 2.49%–3.39% | From $39 | Mid-size companies | 5–10 days |
| PayPal | 4.99% + $0.60 | Free | International sales | Instant |
| Asaas | 2.99%–3.99% | Free | Recurring billing | 1–3 days |
Detailed Analysis
1. PagSeguro
The most popular gateway in Brazil with instant approval and no monthly fee.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Instant approval, no monthly fee, transparent checkout, payment splitting, card reader included |
| Cons | Higher fees, limited support, dated interface, complex API |
| Best for | Small businesses starting out, no formal business registration needed |
| Transaction fee | 3.99%–4.99% per sale |
2. Mercado Pago
Strong integration with the MercadoLibre marketplace ecosystem.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Marketplace integration, competitive rates, QR Code/PIX support, seller protection, modern API |
| Cons | Frequent holds, strict analysis, initial limits, sudden account blocks |
| Best for | MercadoLibre sellers or businesses wanting quick start |
| Transaction fee | 3.49%–4.99% per sale |
3. Stripe
The developer’s choice with the best API and documentation in the industry.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Best API, excellent documentation, global coverage (195+ countries), reliable webhooks, modern checkout |
| Cons | No cash advance, slower approval, English-only support, higher flat rate |
| Best for | Developers, SaaS products, international sales |
| Transaction fee | 3.99% + $0.39 per sale |
GoConverso uses Stripe as its payment processor, giving you access to Stripe’s global reach, modern checkout experience, and reliable webhook infrastructure for your e-commerce store.
4. Pagar.me
Premium gateway with excellent API and advanced payment splitting capabilities.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Excellent API, antifraud included, advanced split payments, good documentation |
| Cons | Strict approval process, complex setup, high monthly fee ($99+), B2B focused |
| Best for | Marketplaces, platforms with complex revenue splits |
| Transaction fee | 2.99%–3.49% per sale |
5. Cielo
Brazil’s largest payment acquirer — best rates for high-volume businesses.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Largest acquirer in Brazil, volume-based rate negotiation, strong credibility, national coverage |
| Cons | High bureaucracy, outdated API, difficult integration, high initial rates |
| Best for | Large companies with volume to negotiate custom rates |
| Transaction fee | 2.39%–3.49% per sale |
6. Rede
Traditional Brazilian acquirer with good acceptance and loyalty programs.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Market tradition, good card acceptance, loyalty program, payment splitting, multi-acquiring |
| Cons | Confusing interface, slow support, complex setup, poor documentation |
| Best for | Established mid-size companies |
| Transaction fee | 2.49%–3.39% per sale |
7. PayPal
Global trust and buyer protection — essential for international sales.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Global recognition and trust, buyer protection, instant approval, one-click checkout |
| Cons | Highest fees, account freezes, complex dispute process, limited local payment methods |
| Best for | International sales, cross-border e-commerce |
| Transaction fee | 4.99% + $0.60 per sale |
8. Asaas
Excellent choice for recurring billing and subscription-based businesses.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Built-in recurring billing, boleto + PIX + card, automatic retries, invoice generation |
| Cons | Less known brand, limited international support, basic checkout UI |
| Best for | Subscription services, recurring payments, professional services |
| Transaction fee | 2.99%–3.99% per sale |
How to Choose the Right Gateway
Consider these factors when making your decision:
| Factor | What to Evaluate |
|---|---|
| Sales volume | Higher volume = better negotiating power for lower rates |
| Average ticket | Flat fees hurt more on small transactions |
| Payment methods | PIX, boleto, credit card, international cards |
| API quality | Important if you need custom integrations |
| Support quality | Critical when issues arise during checkout |
| Settlement time | How quickly you receive your money (D+1, D+14, D+30) |
| Fraud protection | Built-in antifraud vs. third-party solutions |
Start with a gateway that has instant approval (PagSeguro, Mercado Pago, or PayPal), then add a second gateway (Stripe) as your business grows. This gives you redundancy and better rates.
Using GoConverso for E-Commerce Payments
GoConverso integrates with Stripe for payment processing, giving you:
- Credit and debit card acceptance worldwide
- PIX payments (for Brazilian customers)
- Automatic checkout flow with your branding
- Webhook-based order status updates
- Secure PCI-compliant payment handling
To set up payments on your GoConverso store, see the Stripe Payments and E-Commerce documentation.
Related
- E-Commerce — Set up your online store with GoConverso
- Checkout — Customize your checkout experience
- Stripe Payments — Configure Stripe integration