Saving On Credit Card Processing Without Switching Providers
Merchant Cost Consulting analyzes your payment processing statements to find any hidden junk fees or exorbitant rates and estimate how much they can save you per month. They will renegotiate your agreement for you, so you don’t have to switch processors to get immediate savings.
The Best International Payment Processors For Selling Across Borders
Many payment services specialize in specific types of business, so find one that matches your risk profile and operates in the markets you're hoping to break into.
Chris has been writing about small business topics since 2003. He has been featured in Fox Business, ABC News, Yahoo Finance, GoBankingRates, Newsweek, BizJournals, and other publications. He has a Bachelor’s of Arts in English Writing Arts from SUNY Oswego, and a Masters of Science in Interactive Media from the University of Central Florida.
WRITTEN & RESEARCHED BY
Chris MotolaChris has been writing about small business topics since 2003. He has been featured in Fox Business, ABC News, Yahoo Finance, GoBankingRates, Newsweek, BizJournals, and other publications. He has a Bachelor’s of Arts in English Writing Arts from SUNY Oswego, and a Masters of Science in Interactive Media from the University of Central Florida.
Expert Contributor
Last updated onUpdated
Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
REVIEWED BY
Erica SeppalaErica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
Editor & Senior Staff Writer
Our content reflects the editorial opinions of our experts. While our site makes money through referral partnerships, we only partner with companies that meet our standards for quality, as outlined in our independent rating and scoring system.
Selling across borders can expand your business’s market exponentially, but if you want to be able to take a payment from thousands of miles away, you’re going to need an international payment processor.
Below, we’ll take a look at how international payment processing works and some of the best options for international merchant accounts.
An international merchant account allows a business to accept and process payments online using the local currencies of customers living in other countries worldwide.
For example, if you’re an American merchant selling to a British customer, an international merchant account would allow you to accept payment in pounds sterling in addition to US dollars. Depending on the gateway, it may convert the foreign currency for you or route it to a bank account specifically set up for that currency.
International Merchant Accounts As High-Risk Accounts
Businesses in high-risk industries sometimes seek international merchant accounts if their industry isn’t well-served by domestic merchant services. This is out of the scope of this particular article, but you can find what you’re looking for in our best offshore merchant account providers feature.
Best International Payment Processors
Here are the best international merchant services that provide international payment processing, international payment gateways, and international merchant accounts for a variety of circumstances.
PaymentCloud: Best for high-risk eCommerce businesses
Exclusive Promo: PaymentCloud will give you $200 if they can't beat your current rate. Get Your Quote
Pros
Supports high-risk merchants
Wide range of payment types
Reasonable rates and fees
Cons
No publicly-disclosed pricing
Limited support for point of sale
Why We Chose PaymentCloud
High-risk businesses can be in a tough spot when it comes to credit card processing, and international payments are no exception. PaymentCloud is a well-known provider in the high-risk space, with a reputation for transparent pricing and hands-on support.
It integrates with Authorize.Net as a payment gateway and works with a network of processing partners to support international transactions. PaymentCloud supports a wide range of card-not-present transactions, including eCommerce.
PaymentCloud Features
PaymentCloud’s features include:
Payment gateway (often via Authorize.Net)
Shopping cart integration
ACH and eCheck processing
Cryptocurrency payment integrations
Merchant cash advances
PaymentCloud Pricing
Because PaymentCloud is a high-risk processor, pricing is specific to the customer. However, PaymentCloud has developed a reputation for fair pricing in the high-risk niche. Just keep in mind you’re going to be paying a little bit more as a high-risk merchant.
Choose PaymentCloud If...
You run a high-risk eCommerce business and are struggling to get approved elsewhere
You need support for card-not-present payments, ACH/eCheck, or alternative payment types
You want hands-on help getting set up with a high-risk merchant account
Supports 135+ currencies and local payment methods
Cons
Account stability issues
Requires technical skill to get the most out of it
Why We Chose Stripe
Stripe’s global reach exceeds most of its competitors. It's available in dozens of countries, supports over 135 currencies, and supports many local payment methods, making it easy for customers to pay with their preferred method.
Stripe’s deep customization options can further work in your favor by helping reduce unnecessary currency conversion fees. For example, you can hold balances in multiple currencies and route payouts to supported bank accounts. If you don’t want to do that, Stripe can still handle the conversion for you, but it comes with an additional 1% fee.
Stripe Features
Stripe is a developer-centric payment processor that also boasts exhaustive support for foreign currencies and payment methods.
Stripe’s features include:
Integrated payment gateway
Checkout pages and payment links
ACH processing
Invoicing
Subscription billing
Business management tools
Financing available to some customers
Global tax tools
Stripe Pricing
Stripe’s online transaction fees start at 2.9% + $0.30. International transactions add 1.5% to your transaction fees, and currency conversion adds an additional 1%.
Helcim does something extremely rare: it offers transparent interchange-plus pricing and a full merchant account with no monthly fee or long-term contract. Helcim’s pricing structure includes automated volume discounts, meaning your rates decrease as your sales volume increases.
Helcim, a Canadian company, is well-suited for businesses operating in the US and Canada, as it primarily supports transactions in USD and CAD, with limited multi-currency capabilities.
Helcim Features
Notable features include:
Payment gateway
Online store
Hosted payments page
Product and inventory manager
Helcim Pricing
Interchange-plus pricing is the most transparent way to bill for payment processing, letting you know exactly where your fees are coming from and how much you’re paying for each swipe. Helcim offers interchange-plus pricing and more, making it well worth your consideration as an international processor.
Helcim’s pricing decreases the higher your transaction volume is. Rates start at interchange + 0.50% + $0.25 for online transactions.
Choose Helcim If...
You want transparent interchange-plus pricing with no monthly fee
You primarily operate in the US or Canada and don’t need advanced multi-currency support
Airwallex is built specifically for businesses operating globally, offering a unified platform for payments, business accounts, and foreign exchange. Unlike traditional processors, Airwallex allows you to hold, send, and receive funds in multiple currencies without forced conversions, helping reduce unnecessary FX costs.
With Airwallex, you can open local currency accounts in 20+ currencies, accept payments using 160+ local payment methods, and send transfers to 150+ countries, making it a strong option for international businesses looking to streamline operations and lower costs.
Airwallex Features
Airwallex is a full financial platform designed for global operations.
Airwallex’s features include:
Multi-currency business accounts
Global payment acceptance (checkout, payment links, plugins)
FX and international transfers (with interbank rates)
Multi-currency corporate cards
Expense and spend management tools
Subscription billing and invoicing
Integrations with accounting platforms
Airwallex Pricing
Airwallex pricing varies based on usage, but it’s generally structured to reduce cross-border costs. There’s no monthly fee for standard business accounts, while foreign exchange fees typically start around 0.5% above interbank rates for major currencies.
Payment processing fees vary depending on the payment method and region, and additional fees may apply for certain international transfers or premium features.
Choose Airwallex If...
You run a global or eCommerce business and want to reduce cross-border payment and FX costs
You need multi-currency accounts, global payouts, and local payment methods in one platform
Corepay supports both eCommerce and MOTO businesses, offering a range of payment gateways, offshore account options, and MOTO-only accounts for companies that exclusively process mail or telephone orders.
For high-risk businesses operating in markets like the US and UK, Corepay can offer relatively fast approvals and flexible setup options. Its integrations with gateways like Authorize.Net, NMI, and others also help extend its international capabilities.
Corepay has no application or account setup fees. As is typical for high-risk processors, Corepay does not disclose transaction fees and maintenance fees.
Choose Corepay If...
You run a high-risk business that relies on mail or phone (MOTO) orders
You need offshore or flexible merchant account options with gateway integrations
Durango Merchant Services specializes in high-risk accounts and offers a range of solutions designed to support businesses that may struggle to get approved elsewhere. While it isn’t necessarily the cheapest option, it provides flexible account options with international capabilities.
Durango offers most of its customers month-to-month contracts with no early termination fees, though especially high-risk businesses may be required to sign longer-term agreements. It also offers a proprietary gateway, often included as part of its eCommerce solutions.
Durango provides international and offshore merchant accounts with currency conversion services in select global markets, along with additional fraud prevention tools.
Durango Features
Notable features include:
Integrated payment gateway
High-risk merchant accounts
Offshore merchant accounts
Shopping cart integration
eCheck processing
Cryptocurrency payment integrations
Durango Pricing
As is typical for high-risk processors, Durango Merchant Services does not publicly disclose rates. These are generally negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
Choose Durango If...
You run a high-risk business that needs international or offshore merchant account options
You want flexible approval and fraud protection tools for cross-border sales
2Checkout has an impressive international reach, with availability in over 200 countries and the ability to process over 100 currencies. Few services offer that level of global coverage.
What sets 2Checkout apart is its positioning as a “monetization platform.” Following its merger with Avangate, which specialized in digital goods, 2Checkout now includes a range of tools designed to optimize online sales. These include features like A/B testing, cart abandonment prevention, and conversion optimization. Many of these tools are available as add-ons depending on your plan.
2Checkout Features
2Checkout is an eCommerce-only payments platform with a well-developed set of tools designed to monetize digital sales.
Just be aware that 2Checkout doesn’t offer any support for card-present transactions at all, so it’s not a good solution for businesses that also engage in brick-and-mortar retail. Also, keep in mind that 2Checkout is a third-party processor, so it’s not a good fit for high-risk merchants.
Features include:
Integrated payment gateway
Shopping carts
Monetization features
Cart abandonment prevention
Recurrent billing
Global tax tools
Invoicing
2Checkout Pricing
2Checkout transaction fees start at 3.5% + $0.35.
Choose 2Checkout If...
You sell digital products or subscriptions and want built-in tools to optimize conversions
You need a global eCommerce platform with strong international reach and payment options
Can be used with many different merchant accounts providers
Broad support for international transactions
Month-to-month billing
Cons
Usually cheaper when bundled with another service
Currency support is regionally limited
Why We Chose Authorize.Net
eCommerce requires both a payment processor and a payment gateway. Many payment processors include gateway functionality, but Authorize.Net takes the opposite approach. It’s a standalone payment gateway that offers optional merchant account services through its partners.
Authorize.Net is available to merchants based in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the EU, and Australia, and supports multiple currencies depending on your region and processor. As long as you’re based in a supported country, you can accept payments from customers worldwide. Currency support is typically tied to your merchant account and processing setup.
Authorize.Net Features
Authorize.Net’s features include:
Standalone payment gateway
Simple checkout
Recurring billing
Customer information manager
ACH and eCheck processing
Authorize.Net Pricing
As a standalone gateway, Authorize.Net charges $0.10 per transaction and a $25/month gateway fee. These fees may vary when bundled with merchant services.
Choose Authorize.Net If...
You already have (or want) a separate merchant account and need a standalone payment gateway
You want a reliable, customizable checkout solution for online or international sales
PayPal can process transactions in over 130 currencies and is available in dozens of countries. It also offers its own branded payment method, which is widely used for online purchases. Businesses that can handle some coding, or that prefer a dedicated merchant account, may find Braintree more appealing. Those looking for simplicity and fast approval may prefer PayPal’s third-party processing service (with the usual cautions about account stability).
Between the two services, most businesses can find a solution that fits their needs, though companies looking for a traditional merchant account without technical setup may need to look elsewhere.
PayPal/Braintree Features
When it comes to online payments, no brand has the name recognition and reach of PayPal. While it has few unique qualities, Braintree has been owned by PayPal since 2013, so we’re grouping the two branded services into one entry. Features include:
Integrated payment gateway
Native eCommerce integrations
Online checkout and payment links
Pay In 4
Cryptocurrency support (via PayPal)
Contextual checkout buttons
Recurring billing
ACH processing
PayPal/Braintree Pricing
Online transaction fees typically start around 2.9% + $0.30, though pricing varies by product, region, and payment type.
As PayPal’s fee structure can be complex, you can read more in our full breakdown of PayPal fees.
Choose PayPal/Braintree If...
You want maximum global reach with a widely recognized payment option
You need flexibility — simple setup with PayPal or more customization with Braintree
Adyen is used by global companies such as McDonald’s, Microsoft, and eBay. These businesses have significant international processing needs, which Adyen is built to support.
One of Adyen’s biggest strengths is its ability to support a wide range of global and local payment methods. Unlike some processors, it allows businesses to accept payment methods outside their typical regions. For example, you can accept options like Alipay even outside their primary markets.
Adyen Features
Adyen’s features include:
Integrated payment gateway
One-click checkouts
Recurring billing
Omnichannel sales tools
Currency conversion
Adyen Pricing
Adyen primarily uses an interchange++ pricing model, where you pay the underlying interchange and network fees plus Adyen’s markup.
Pricing varies by payment method, region, and volume, and flat-rate pricing may be available in some cases.
Choose Adyen If...
You run a large or enterprise-level business with high international volume
You need advanced global payment methods and omnichannel capabilities
Merchant Maverick has been researching the payment processing industry since 2009. Our writers have reviewed hundreds of credit card processors, merchant account services, and mobile payment apps, evaluating each provider carefully on several different metrics.
Weighted Rating Breakdown
Fees & Rates 35%
Contract 20%
Products & Services 15%
Sales & Advertising Transparency 15%
Customer Service 10%
User Reviews 5%
When comparing different payment processing companies and applications to one another, we consider numerous data points. Our experts start by comparing credit card processing rates, the presence of additional fees, contract length, sales practices, and the presence or absence of additional features and services, like point of sale software. Each provider is judged on its own merits and how well it stacks up to industry standards; then it is weighed against the other providers on the list.
We spend an average of 10-15 hours researching and updating each one of our lists, making sure every company or application included meets our internal standards for quality and reputation. Any list of recommended payment processors on our site might contain a mix of standard merchant accounts, third-party payment processors, mobile payment devices, and high-risk payment processors, depending on what our expert feels is the best fit for certain scenarios or business types.
For additional details about Merchant Maverick’s review and rating processes, please refer to any or all of the following methodology pages:
While Visa and Mastercard are fairly ubiquitous throughout the world, other payment methods and systems have developed independently. That means that the international payments scene is largely fragmented, with narrow bridges connecting all of these systems. Traditionally the solution has been wire transfers, a fairly quick but expensive way of sending money long distances, and one generally not suited for high-volume payment processing.
For example, the United States uses a system called the automated clearing house (ACH) to handle bank-to-bank transfers. Within the States, it’s a nearly ubiquitous part of settling transactions ranging from credit cards to moving money in and out of your digital wallet. Meanwhile, much of Europe uses a system called SEPA. In China, it’s a system called CNAPS. And that’s just bank-to-bank transfers.
Some payment processors and peer-to-peer payment methods (such as PayPal and Wise) can serve as a bridge between the underlying payment systems in different countries. You’ll often be charged a markup for international transactions and currency conversions, but this will usually be significantly less than the fee for wiring money.
Why You Need A Great International Payment Gateway
When you’re dealing with eCommerce, you’re going to run into the concept of a payment gateway. While they sound similar, they are not the same thing as payment processors.
Payment Processors
A payment processor is required to complete any card-based transaction. The processor transmits the sale and card information from the point of sale (you, the merchant) to and between the issuing bank (the cardholder’s bank) and the acquiring bank (your bank). The processor will provide a merchant account or aggregate you into a collective merchant account in the case of a third-party processor, which will temporarily hold the payment and deduct all applicable fees from it.
You never directly access your merchant account. Instead, funds will be transferred to your bank account from your merchant account automatically once all the background processing is complete.
Payment Gateways
A payment gateway adds another step to this process. It securely transmits data to the payment processor and communicates to the customer whether the transaction has been accepted or declined. Gateways can also do substantially more, such as provide support for multiple currencies and allow you to do business overseas. You can think of a gateway as being the “online” portion of your payment services. While a gateway is optional for an in-person card transaction, it’s necessary for any online purchase.
If you’re doing business overseas without a physical retail location in that market, you’ll need a gateway with international capabilities.
Some payment services companies are “full-stack” service providers, meaning they combine the functionality of a payment processor and a payment gateway into a single service. This includes companies such as Square and Stripe. It also means you can’t mix and match your merchant account and your gateway; they’re joined at the hip.
10 Concerns For International Credit Card Processing
Some additional things to keep in mind when you’re accepting international payments include:
Exchange Rates
Exchange rates can be confusing, especially if you’re trying to optimize them. They’re in a constant state of flux, and that’s before you factor in service fees from banks or services that make the exchange for you. Make sure you know who is exchanging currency in your payment pipeline, what they’re using to determine the exchange rate, and how much they charge for making the exchange.
Cross Border Fees
Many payment methods charge additional fees for international purposes. Visa charges the Visa International Service Assessment (ISA) fee, while Mastercard charges an International Cross Border Fee and an Acquirer Program Support Fee. Banks may also charge ISA fees whenever a foreign card is used for a transaction.
Most popular payment types have similar fees. If possible, you’ll want to minimize these.
Conversions On Dispute
If you thought chargebacks and disputes were fun on domestic charges, international disputes add in another factor: the exchange rate. Because exchange rates fluctuate, the amount that’s refunded may be more or less than what was originally paid. In most cases, you’ll be expected to refund the exact amount of the purchase to the customer, so you may end up eating (or benefiting from) the second conversion.
Multiple Merchant Or Bank Accounts
Depending on the service you use and your accounting preferences, you may prefer to use multiple accounts to separate sales in different markets. This can add cost and complexity but can also save you money that you’d otherwise lose by changing currencies. Talk with your accountant to get a sense of the best way to optimize your payment infrastructure.
Your Risk Profile
Many payment services consider doing business internationally to be a risk factor. This shouldn’t be a problem if you’re working with payment services that specialize in international sales, but if you’re mixing and matching your services, be aware that it could trigger some flags.
Additional Functionality
Does the payment processor play nice with your company’s accounting software? If you’re moving physical goods, does it help you track and move your inventory? Whether it offers these features as part of its platform or through integrations, a good payment processor will provide a smooth pipeline for your sales channels.
Enhanced Security
You’re going to be doing business in more than one system, possibly in multiple currencies. The last thing you need is to have customer info exposed.
Handling Multiple Currencies
There are a lot of perks to being the world’s reserve currency — US dollars are exchanged all over the world. However, the ability to accept payment in local currencies will save your customers some headaches and will probably increase your sales in foreign markets overall. This includes being able to display the cost of your product in the local currency on your shopping cart.
Support For Foreign Payment Methods
Visa and Mastercard can take you pretty far in foreign markets, but if your gateway supports local payment methods that are popular in those markets, you’ll have an edge. These methods include Alipay, which is popular in Asia and also used in Australia and parts of Europe (some American retailers also accept it). It also can’t hurt to have support for digital wallets (such as Apple Pay and Google Pay).
Global Tax Support
Have you heard of a VAT (value-added tax)? Turns out, the US is one of a minority of UN member nations that don’t have one. The short of it is that it’s a tax levied on each stage of production but generally collected by the end retailer. Having your gateway service worry about this for you will save you a lot of grief.
How To Choose The Best International Payment Processing For Your Business
Choosing the best small business payment processing for small business can pretty complicated decision. Choosing one that offers excellent support for international commerce doubly so. Many payment services specialize in handling a specific type of business, so you’ll want to pick one that matches your risk profile and operates in the markets you’re hoping to break into. Consider any other perks they offer that will make it easier for you to present and sell your particular product. And finally, pay as little as necessary for the features you need.
In the meantime, we can offer more information about specific topics we were only able to touch on in this post. Want to know more about what to expect from cross-border fees? Curious about what other payment types you might encounter out in the wild? We can teach you everything you need to know about alternative payment methods.
Chris has been writing about small business topics since 2003. He has been featured in Fox Business, ABC News, Yahoo Finance, GoBankingRates, Newsweek, BizJournals, and other publications. He has a Bachelor’s of Arts in English Writing Arts from SUNY Oswego, and a Masters of Science in Interactive Media from the University of Central Florida.
View Chris Motola's professional experience on LinkedIn.
Want to help shape the future of the Merchant Maverick website? Join our testing and survey community!
By providing feedback on how we can improve, you can earn gift cards and get early access to new features.
Our Experts Recommend PaymentCloud ?PaymentCloud can help almost any business get approved for payment processing.Whether you're looking to save money on processing or to get approved for a merchant account, PaymentCloud can help.Get StartedAt PaymentCloud
We Want Your Feedback!
Help us to improve by providing some feedback on your experience today.
The vendors that appear on this list were chosen by subject matter experts on the basis of product quality, wide usage and availability, and positive reputation.
Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone.
Our Experts Recommend PaymentCloud ?PaymentCloud can help almost any business get approved for payment processing.Whether you're looking to save money on processing or to get approved for a merchant account, PaymentCloud can help.Get StartedAt PaymentCloud
