Best International Merchant Processing Accounts

With a global merchant account, you can accept local currencies wherever your customer is located. Let’s check out the top international merchant account providers in the market today.

We'll also discuss Wise Business as a top option for managing your international business transactions.

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Best international merchant processing accounts

Before diving into the list, let's define what merchant processing is. Basically, you sign up with a merchant payment provider to accept payments through various means, including debit cards, credit cards, and more.

When speaking about international merchant processing, we are looking at providers that allow you to accept payments internationally. On a side note, the good ones will help you process payments without taking too much in fees. Let's dive in!

1. Wise Business: International Ecommerce Payments

After just a one-time fee, you can get account details in major currencies such as USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, CAD JPY, and more. Once you've received the funds, you can conveniently spend or send them in the original currency or convert them (often at lower cost than popular alternatives) to numerous other currencies as needed.

Known for its lower rates compared to other services, Wise Business provides not just attractive fees, but also handy features like seamless accounting software integration and pay-by-link functionality. And all of this is anchored with the mid-market rate, ensuring fairness and transparency.

Fees: After a one-time fee of 31 USD, receiving money in your Wise account is free, but there's a nominal fee for converting currencies.

Some key features of Wise Business:

Major local account details to receive international payments like a local (GBP, EUR, USD, CAD, JPY, and more) No monthly account fees just a simple one-off fee for account details Receive payments from ecommerce platforms (such as Amazon or via Stripe) Create invoices using the Wise invoice generator or invoice templates Accounting integrations, including a QuickBooks Bill Pay connection. Bill payments will be synced, matched, and categorized in QuickBooks for simple reconciliation. Batch payment options. Fast payment of up to 1,000 invoices.

Looking to save when sending and receiving overseas payments?

Receive money
with Wise Business >>

2. PayPal

Being such a recognized brand on a global scale, PayPal has built a strong reputation with its international merchant services. According to PayPal’s research, 74% of PayPal users are more likely to buy from a lesser-known seller if they offer PayPal as a means of checkout.¹

Features

• Available in 202 countries and 25 currencies.²
• A wide variety of payment methods, including installment payments, Apple Pay, Google Pay, debit and credit cards, QR codes, crypto, and more.
• Accepts card payments in 120+ currencies.³
• Country-specific payment options from all around the world.
• Automatic recurring payments for subscription sales.
• Seller Protection for eligible transactions.
• Integrations with ecommerce platforms like Shopify and accounting software like QuickBooks.

Fees

PayPal charges a percentage fee and fixed fee for domestic and international transactions that depend on the payment type. For example, receiving fees for PayPal Checkout are 3.49% plus a fixed fee depending on the currency, and there’s a 1.50% additional percentage-based fee for international commercial transactions. There is also a 3 - 4% currency conversion spread.⁴

3. Stripe

Stripe is best described as a plug-and-play financial services company that offers international payment processing services for all sorts of businesses. Their fully integrated suite of products means that businesses can handle all of their payment needs in one place – billing, invoicing, payments, and more.

Features

• 100+ payment methods (including all major US credit cards), 35+ languages, and 135+ currencies.⁵
• One-click and buy now, pay later options.
• Build a customized payment experience with UI building blocks.
• Embedded checkout payment form available
• Chargeback Protection
• Machine learning infrastructure to detect fraud
• Stripe Billing for subscriptions and usage-based billing.

Fees

Businesses with large payment volumes or unique business models can design a custom package with multi-product discounts, volume discounts, and more. However, standard pricing operates on a pay-as-you-go structure, with 2.9% + $0.30 per charge for domestic cards and wallets, an extra 1.5% for international cards, and +1% for currency conversions.⁶

4. Square

Square is famed for its point-of-sale solutions and dynamic suite of virtual terminals and online checkout options. Especially if you’re just dipping your toes into international markets, their software and hardware platform is a great place to start. It blends payment processing, inventory management, and customer relationship management together to help your business navigate the global marketplace properly.

Features

• Variety of payment options – online checkout, QR codes, buy now and pay later, Cash App Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more.
• Built-in reporting and analytics tools to monitor sales performance.
• Synchronize across online and in-store payments.
• Banking services, including a checking account, savings account, and loan options.
• Virtual terminal to take payments remotely, in-person, or through a desktop app.
• Loyalty program creation with Square Loyalty.
• Access to full-service payroll features.

Fees

Square has a simple, upfront processing fee structure. In-person payments come with a fee of 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction, online payments have a fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, and remote payments come with a fee of 3.5% + $0.15 per transaction. For buy now, pay later, the processing fee is 6% + $0.30 per transaction.⁷

5. Authorize.Net

Authorize.net is a well-established payment processing platform backed by Visa that has been simplifying payments since 1996.⁸ Rather than juggle every aspect of the payment ecosystem, they tunnel their focus to the core of streamlining the payment process itself.

Features

• Supports Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, PayPal, Discover, Apple Pay, and eCheck, among others.
• Recurring monthly payments and installment payments.
• Digital invoicing.
• Add a Buy Now or Donate button to your website with Simple Checkout.
• Pre-integrated solutions from a variety of partners, such as BigCommerce and Magento, using Authorize.net for payments.
• Store customer information and card on file.
• Supports multi-currency transactions in CHF, DKK, EUR, GBP, JPY, NOK, NZD, SEK, USD, AUD, ZAR, and CAD.⁹

Fees

If you don’t have a merchant account, Authorize.net offers an “All-in-One option” with no setup fee, $25 for the monthly gateway, and 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. For those with a merchant account, there’s also no setup fee, $25 for the monthly gateway, and just $0.10 per transaction and a daily batch fee of $0.10.¹⁰

6. FIS Global (Formerly Worldpay)

FIS Global has an even longer standing reputation than Authorize.net, helping businesses with payments, banking, and investments since 1968.¹¹ Their cloud-based fintech software lets all companies – from startups to leading brands – to take, make, and manage payments, as well as run advanced banking operations.

Features

• Accepts most credit and debit cards and over 300 payment types in person.¹²
• Online payment processing with Worldpay from FIS.
• All-in-one ecommerce solution from Commerce360.
• Omnichannel payment solution to create a multichannel shopping experience.
• SoftPOS for in-person payments.
• Make and receive payments in multiple languages and currencies.
• Accepts more than 120 currencies, with automatic currency conversion in 146 countries.¹³

Fees

Pricing is unavailable to the public.

7. Helcim

Helcim is laser-focused on helping small-business merchants accept credit or debit cards online or in person. Their solution comes with a range of other tools and software options to make it easier for businesses to get paid, as well as extras like inventory management and customer management.

Features

• Automatic volume discounts.
• End-to-end ecommerce store creator with Helcim Online Checkout.
• Automated subscription plans and recurring payments with Helcim Subscription Manager.
• Invoicing software with customization options and flexible payment options.
• Tablet, desktop, and mobile-friendly POS system.
• Pass on credit card fees to customers or clients when sending invoices.
• Sync accounting software such as QuickBooks Online.

Fees

Helcim runs on a tiered fee structure, where the higher your monthly credit card volume, the lower your fees. The first tier ($0 - $50,000) incurs a fee of 0.40% + $0.08 for in-person payments and 0.50% + $0.25 for keyed and online payments.¹⁴ For international credit card payment processing, Helcim has their own interchange rate plus fees, but payments will also be subject to international interchange rates set by the card issuer, which can be costly.¹⁵

8. Braintree

Braintree is a PayPal service that is dedicated to accepting online payments. With their many tools and features, you can expand your reach, increase efficiency with your business operations, and sell successfully to customers. While PayPal tackles all sorts of online payments, Braintree focuses on ecommerce.

Features

• Operates in over 45 countries and regions and handles over 130 currencies.¹⁶
• Supports 3D Secure and global payment methods.
• Recurring billing and subscription-based payments.
• Robust reporting features for transaction insights.
• End-to-end payments solution with ready-made UI or customizable make-your-own.
• Offer rewards and loyalty programs.
• Advanced fraud protection tools.

Fees

Braintree’s standard pricing includes a fee of 2.59% + $0.49 for every transaction made with card and digital wallet. Venmo incurs a 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction. There’s also an added 1% fee for transactions in non-USD currency and cards issued outside of the U.S., as well as a $15 fee for each chargeback.¹⁷

9. PaymentCloud

What makes PaymentCloud stand out among international payment processing companies is its emphasis on high-risk merchant accounts. Unlike many merchant services, PaymentCloud accommodates low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk businesses and helps them start process payments in no time at all.

Features

• Accept Bitcoin and crypto payments.
• Chargeback protection with automatic detection.
• EMV, magstripe, and NFC-capable in-person payments.
• Zero-fee credit card processing option with month-to-month terms.
• 200+ compatible integration services, including Shopify, Sage, and Oracle.¹⁸
• Supports a wide variety of industries, including firearms, CBD, and bail bonds.
• All-in-one mobile payment solutions, including text-to-pay and QR codes.

Fees

PaymentCloud fees aren’t available to the public.

10. National Processing

National Processing is a reputable international credit card processor geared towards a range of industries – ecommerce, enterprise businesses, retail and service, and high-risk sectors. Their goal is to help companies save on merchant service fees and enjoy competitive rates. In fact, they even offer $500 if they can’t beat your current rates.¹⁹

Features

• Offers a range of point-of-sale systems and terminals.
• A variety of integrations, including CRMs, accounting tools, and website and ecommerce platforms.
• Accommodates high-risk businesses.
• Customized solutions for different sectors, including retail, food and beverage, and health and wellness.
• ACH/eCheck payments to save time and money.
• Premium Plan with custom pricing for those making over $30k in monthly sales.²⁰

Fees

National Processing has four types of plans: Basic In-Person Plans (2.5% + $0.10), Basic eCommerce (2.9% + $0.30), Advanced Plans (2.41% + $0.10), and Premium Plans with custom pricing. The In-Person and eCommerce plans are $12/month, and the Advanced is $19/month+.²¹

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Sources:

1 - PayPal Business
2 - PayPal Merchant
3 - PayPal Checkout
4 - PayPal Merchant Fees
5 - Stripe Elements
6- Stripe Pricing
7 - Square - Payments
8 - Authorize.net - About
9 - Authorize.net - Knowledge Base
10 - Authorize.net - Pricing
11 - FIS Global - Business
12 - FIS Global - In-person Payments
13 - FIS Global - Global Acquiring Ecom
14 - Helcim - Pricing
15 - Helcim - International Credit Card Processing
16 - Braintree - Global
17 - Braintree - Pricing
18 - PaymentCloud Inc. - Integrations
19 - National Processing
20 - National Processing - Pricing
21 - National Processing - Pricing