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The online payment gateway landscape, including Braintree and Authorize.net, has a plethora of options for merchants. This variety demands careful consideration of the leading players in the field. A payment gateway should provide top-notch payment processing at a reasonable price with features allowing you to facilitate your business operations further.
We’ll delve into the intricacies of Braintree vs Authorize.net, two stalwarts in digital transactions. Specifically, we’ll introduce them, look at their pricing & fees, pros & cons, and help you decide which one fits your business needs more.
An Introduction to Braintree vs Authorize.net
Of course, we can’t have a proper comparison without getting to know both providers. Below is an introduction to both payment gateways.
What is Authorize.net?
Authorize.net, acquired by Visa in 2010, is a payment gateway provider with roots dating back to 1996. It specializes in facilitating card-not-present transactions. Authorize.net’s comprehensive services enable businesses to accept credit card payments online or over the phone. This means that it’s compatible with various payment processing services and eCommerce platforms.
Authorize.net is available in the United States, Canada, and Australia and allows your business to accept payments in any global currency. Besides its global accessibility, it’s praised for its developer-friendly approach, robust security measures, support for recurring billing, and cost-effective solutions.
What is Braintree?
Braintree is a payment gateway that has established itself as a leader in the industry, particularly in managing online transactions. Comparing Braintree vs Authorize.net, you might notice that Braintree isn’t acquired. Founded in 2007 by Bryan Johnson, Braintree initially focused on facilitating credit card payments for online and mobile merchants. It gained significant recognition with the introduction of its Vault technology in 2011, allowing secure storage of customer payment information to expedite transactions.
Braintree is available in over 45 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia and can process almost 130+ global currencies. It’s praised for its top-tier security, advanced fraud protection, and integration ease, making it popular among developers and business executives.
What is the difference between Braintree and Authorize.net?
Braintree and Authorize.net are prominent payment gateway services, yet they differ in various aspects. Braintree, acquired by PayPal, focuses on a user-friendly interface and advanced security. In contrast, Authorize.net is an independent service with a stronger industry presence, emphasizing reliability, developer-friendly tools, and security measures. The ownership structure, integration tools, security features, company background, global reach, and pricing models distinguish these platforms.
Authorize.net vs Braintree: Dissecting Key Features
Authorize.net offers a seamless payment processing system that integrates easily into diverse platforms. The platform supports various payment options, including credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, PayPal, and Visa Checkout, ensuring businesses can cater to a broad range of customer preferences. With robust security measures, including PCI/DSS compliance and a clean security record, Authorize.net prioritizes the protection of user data. Businesses can also leverage customization features to design personalized invoices and efficiently manage customer information.
The Advanced Fraud Detection Suite (AFDS) is equipped with customizable filters to counteract risky payments and reduce chargebacks. The platform also facilitates recurring payments, simplifying the setup of scheduled payments for subscription-based revenue models. The Customer Information Management (CIM) tool enhances customer experience by securely managing payment information. Through API connections, businesses can create secure profiles for individual customers, enabling faster payment processing during return transactions. In Braintree vs Authorize.net, Authorize.net is in the lead for the number of features it offers.
Braintree excels in payment processing, accommodating major credit/debit cards, digital wallets, and localized options. It prioritizes mobile payments, supports mobile wallets, and emphasizes security through advanced technology, employing machine learning and data analysis to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions and chargebacks. Like PayPal, it has seamless integration, featuring a plug-and-play interface through its Drop-in UI, making payment acceptance straightforward for merchants. For customization while ensuring PCI compliance, Braintree provides the Hosted Fields tool.
Braintree vs Authorize.net: Pricing and Fees
| Fee Type | Braintree | Authorize.net |
| Setup fee | None | None |
| Monthly fee | None | $25 |
| Credit card transactions | 2.59% + $0.49 per transaction | 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction |
| ACH transactions | 0.75% per transaction, capped at $5 | 0.75% per transaction |
| Venmo transactions | 3.49% + $0.49 | Not specified |
| Nonprofit pricing | 1.99% + $0.49 | Not specified |
| Currency conversion fee | 1% | 1.5% |
| Chargeback fee | $15 | $25 |
| Enterprise | Businesses processing monthly transactions exceeding $80,000 can discuss customized interchange-plus rates. | N/A |
Authorize.net offers two primary plans to merchants: an all-in-one payment processing plan and a payment gateway-only plan, each with distinct fee structures. In the all-in-one plan, where Authorize.net serves as both the payment processor and gateway, there is no setup fee, a monthly gateway fee of $25, and a per-transaction fee of 2.9% plus $0.30. On the other hand, the payment gateway-only plan incurs no setup fee, a $25 monthly gateway fee, a per-transaction fee of $0.10, and a daily batch fee of $0.10. It’s crucial to note that integration with a compatible payment processor is necessary with the payment gateway-only plan. One should also consider additional costs from the chosen merchant account provider alongside Authorize.net’s gateway fees.
Braintree and Authorize.net Integrations
Comparing Braintree vs Authorize.net, the former offers around 200 integrations while the latter offers about 500. Below is a short description of some of their integration capabilities.
Braintree stands out with its versatile integration options, providing a robust API for seamless direct payment processing integration into websites or applications. The platform also offers pre-built SDKs that simplify the incorporation of payment functionalities. This flexibility extends to effortless integration with major eCommerce systems and mobile apps. As part of the PayPal product family, Braintree not only connects to the broader PayPal ecosystem but also allows the processing of PayPal transactions independently of PayPal’s distinct branded service. The platform’s extensive third-party integrations span various areas, including shopping carts, recurring billing, and analytics, fostering collaborations with platforms such as 3dcart, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce. For larger enterprises, Braintree extends integrations to advanced systems like Demandware, Adobe Commerce, and Salesforce.
Authorize.net offers an array of integration options that cater to diverse merchant needs. Among the notable integrations is PayPal, which provides a comprehensive solution for various business requirements. Additionally, Authorize.net integrates seamlessly with FreshBooks, catering to the accounting needs of business owners. The integration with Jotform, an online form building and editing technology, enables efficient task completion with secure payment processing through Authorize.net. Moreover, Authorize.net integrates with Xero, offering accounting software designed for small and medium-sized businesses. Further integrations include Emburse Certify Expense for streamlined expense report management and Shippo, a leading multi-carrier e-commerce shipping platform.
Pros and Cons of Braintree vs Authorize.net
Braintree
Pros
- Provides compatibility with digital wallets such as PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Venmo.
- Emphasizes security through advanced fraud prevention utilizing machine learning.
- Facilitates smooth integration via APIs and SDKs, ensuring user-friendly adoption.
- Well-suited for subscription models with recurring billing.
- Enables global currency support for seamless cross-border transactions.
- Maintains transparent pricing structures.
- Efficient money management and fair price splitting for businesses of any size.
Cons
- Robust features may overwhelm smaller businesses.
- Integration challenges for those lacking specialized technical expertise.
- Limited support for specific local payment options in certain regions.
- Possible cash flow hurdles arise from security measures like transaction holds.
- Mixed reviews regarding the quality of customer service.
Authorize.net
Pros
- Transparent, flat-rate pricing.
- No contracts or early termination fees.
- Tailored fraud protection addressing specific business needs.
- 24/7 customer support is available through phone, chat, or online form.
- Streamlined transaction processes with digital invoicing and easy setup.
- The all-in-one option includes a third-party merchant account.
Cons
- Signing up directly through Authorize.net may be more expensive than going through your merchant services provider.
- Cost may be a barrier for smaller businesses
- Merchant account isn’t directly with Authorize.net.
- Occasional technical glitches were reported, impacting transactions for some users.
Which is Best for your Business, Braintree or Authorize.net?
Braintree stands out for its versatility in accommodating various payment methods, including major credit/debit cards and digital wallets, making it particularly suitable for businesses focusing on innovation. The platform’s emphasis on mobile payments, advanced security measures utilizing machine learning, and transparent pricing structures contribute to its appeal for seamless cross-border transactions and subscription models.
In contrast, Authorize.net distinguishes itself with transparent, flat-rate pricing and an all-in-one option that includes a third-party merchant account. Its commitment to tailored fraud protection and 24/7 customer support enhances security and accessibility while catering to businesses seeking efficiency with streamlined transaction processes, digital invoicing, and easy setup.
Ultimately, the choice between Braintree vs Authorize.net hinges on the specific needs and priorities of your business. Factors such as transaction volume, global reach, security preferences, and budget considerations should be carefully weighed to determine which platform aligns best with your unique requirements and growth objectives. Teaming up with an experienced merchant services provider can help you consider your payment gateway options and choose a service that fits your business perfectly.
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