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Braintree is a hosted payment processor with a sandbox, transaction-based pricing and support for several payment methods, including Venmo for US merchants. Replacing it is less about finding a universal gateway than matching the payment paths your product needs. Checkout.com covers multiple checkout options; Paddle takes on global payment operations; Dots and Thunes focus on payouts. Compare fees against your transaction mix, then isolate provider-specific flows behind your own interface before migrating payment workflows.
01Why people leave Braintree
Transaction costs need a volume check
Braintree uses transaction-based pricing. Compare its effective cost with alternatives using your payment mix, volume and any additional provider fees.
Payment needs can outgrow one processor
Teams adding global checkout, offramps or recipient payouts may need capabilities beyond Braintree’s several payment methods and US Venmo support.
Provider-specific flows complicate exits
A hosted processor ties payment flows to its integration. Keep provider-specific methods behind an interface you control and confirm migration requirements before switching.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Multi-market checkout
Checkout.comCheckout.comChoose Checkout.com when replacing a single processor with a unified payments API and multiple checkout options. The vendor lists a free plan, but that does not establish production costs; ask for terms based on your volume and payment mix. Keep payment-method routing behind your own interface, and confirm which checkout options your migration needs.
Trade-off: Pricing is opaque, and marketplace coverage needs investigation.
6.5/10from
Freefree plan - Global SaaS payments
PaddlePaddlePaddle fits digital product and subscription businesses that want the provider to take on global payment operations, tax and compliance, plus payment recovery. It starts at $0, but compare its charges with your current processing and operations costs at real usage. Treat its integrations as provider-specific and plan how you would exit before moving workflows.
Trade-off: Provider integration and exit planning remain necessary.
6.0/10from
Freefree plan - Global recipient payouts
DotsDotsDots is a fit when the replacement need is paying recipients rather than accepting customer payments. Its hosted API combines global payouts, branded recipient onboarding and tax workflows. The listed starting price is $19; confirm transaction costs and supported payout corridors at your expected volume. Keep recipient records and payout logic portable where your requirements allow.
Trade-off: It targets payouts, not general payment acceptance.
7.0/10from
$19/mo - Fiat ramp aggregation
OnramperOnramperOnramper suits wallets and apps that need multiple fiat ramps, offramps or swaps across countries. Its single integration can reduce the need to integrate each ramp separately. The listed starting price is $150, and provider-level fees also matter; model the combined cost for your transaction mix before replacing Braintree’s payment flows.
Trade-off: Provider-level fees add to plan costs.
7.0/10from
$150/mo - Cross-border payouts
ThunesThunesThunes is worth evaluating when your Braintree replacement must pay recipients across markets or support local payment methods. It offers access through API or Swift, so compare those integration paths with your existing stack. Commercial terms need confirmation; ask for fees, liquidity requirements and settlement details for the markets you intend to support.
Trade-off: Pricing and commercial terms need confirmation.
6.3/10from
Custom - Alternative payment methods
PaysafePaysafePaysafe may fit merchants expanding across countries or supporting alternative payment methods in retail, travel or gaming. Its listed starting price is $7.95, but that figure alone cannot establish total processing cost. Verify API details, payment-method coverage and fees against your expected volume before planning a migration from Braintree.
Trade-off: Confirm API fit and total processing costs.
5.8/10from
$7.95/mo
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Braintree Braintree (current) | 7.0 | Free | Yes | Businesses accepting several payment methods |
| Checkout.com Checkout.com | 6.5 | Free | Yes | Businesses expanding across markets |
| Paddle Paddle | 6.0 | Free | Yes | Digital product businesses selling globally |
| Dots Dots | 7.0 | $19/mo | No | Platforms paying recipients internationally |
| Onramper Onramper | 7.0 | $150/mo | No | Wallets adding multiple fiat ramps |
| Thunes Thunes | 6.3 | Custom | No | Businesses paying recipients across markets |
| Paysafe Paysafe | 5.8 | $7.95/mo | No | Merchants expanding across countries |
Questions people ask
What are the top 5 best payment gateways?
There is no single best five for every product. For general payment acceptance, compare Braintree, Checkout.com, Paysafe and CardPointe; Paddle is relevant for digital products and SaaS teams outsourcing global payment operations. Check supported payment methods, fees at your volume and integration requirements before choosing.
Are Braintree and Venmo the same?
No. Braintree is a hosted payment processor, while Venmo is a payment method Braintree supports for US merchants. If Venmo is important to your checkout, confirm availability and the integration requirements with the provider you are considering as a replacement.
Is Braintree still around?
Yes. Braintree remains a hosted payment processor with a sandbox, transaction-based pricing and support for several payment methods. Whether it fits your product depends on your payment mix, markets, costs and need for capabilities such as global payouts.