Selecting the best payment processor for your online business can be a daunting task given the myriad of options available. Two leading contenders that frequently emerge in such discussions are Braintree vs Worldpay. This article aims to provide an in-depth comparison between these two leading payment gateways to help British businesses make an informed decision.
Braintree vs Worldpay
| Braintree | Worldpay | |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction Fees (UK-based cards) | 1.9% + 20p per transaction | Varies (tailored pricing) |
| Transaction Fees (Non-EU cards) | 2.9% + 20p per transaction | Varies (tailored pricing) |
| Customer Support | Email, online help library | Phone, online help centre, live chat |
| Security | Level 1 PCI Compliance, fraud protection tools | Varies based on specific business requirements |
| Payment Methods | Major credit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Bitcoin | Major credit and debit cards, varies based on specific market |
| POS System | No | Yes |
| Developer-Friendly | Yes | Depends on specific business requirements |
| Currencies Supported | 130+ | 120+ |
| Countries Supported | Wide global reach | 200+ countries |
| Analytics | Basic | Advanced |
Please note that Worldpay offers tailored services based on specific business requirements, so it’s best to contact them directly for detailed information.
Braintree – A brief overview
Braintree, a subsidiary of PayPal, is a US-based company known for its robust payment gateway services. Founded in 2007, it has evolved to become a leading player in online payment processing, offering a suite of features such as the ability to accept payments in over 130 currencies, an easy-to-use interface, and strong customer service.
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Key features of Braintree
Flexible payment methods
One of Braintree’s most notable features is the breadth of payment methods it accepts. Businesses can process major debit and credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and even Bitcoin. This vast array of options makes it easier for customers to transact, leading to increased conversion rates.
Robust security measures
Braintree is committed to maintaining high-security standards. It provides Level 1 PCI Compliance, the highest level available, and employs sophisticated fraud protection tools, ensuring that both businesses and their customers are well-protected against potential threats.
Developer-friendly environment
Braintree’s APIs are developer-friendly and comprehensive. This means that companies with technical expertise can customise the payment gateway to meet specific business requirements, creating a seamless user experience.
Worldpay – A brief overview
Worldpay, established in the UK in 1989, is one of the longest-serving payment processors. It was acquired by FIS in 2019, further solidifying its status as a global payment giant. Worldpay caters to businesses of all sizes and provides extensive coverage across different markets.
Key features of Worldpay
Wide geographical reach
Worldpay prides itself on its global footprint, supporting payments in over 120 currencies and 200 countries. This makes it an excellent choice for businesses aiming to expand internationally.
Advanced analytics
Worldpay provides insightful analytics that can help businesses track sales, understand customer behaviour, and identify potential opportunities. This data-driven approach can be incredibly beneficial for businesses looking to optimise their revenue streams.
Integrated point-of-sale (POS) system
Worldpay’s POS system allows businesses to integrate online and offline sales channels. This can be particularly useful for businesses with physical stores or those considering adopting a multi-channel sales strategy.
Comparing Braintree vs Worldpay
When it comes to choosing between Braintree and Worldpay, the decision often depends on the specific needs of your business. Here’s a side-by-side comparison:
Transaction costs
Both Braintree and Worldpay offer competitive transaction fees. Braintree charges a standard fee of 1.9% + 20p per transaction for UK-based cards. For cards outside the EU, the fee is 2.9% + 20p.
On the other hand, Worldpay’s pricing is less straightforward, as it provides tailored pricing based on the business’s specific needs. Businesses will need to contact Worldpay to get a detailed quote. While this can be a bit more complicated, it can also mean more favourable rates for larger businesses or those with high transaction volumes.
Customer support
While both companies offer round-the-clock customer support, their methods vary. Braintree provides support through email and an extensive self-help library but lacks a direct phone line, which can be inconvenient for urgent queries.
Conversely, Worldpay offers a 24/7 phone support line in addition to an online help centre and live chat services. For businesses that prefer to have immediate access to help, Worldpay might have the edge.
User experience
Braintree is lauded for its clean, user-friendly interface, which makes setup and ongoing management of transactions relatively easy. The developer-friendly environment also ensures seamless integration with a business’s existing operations.
On the flip side, some users find Worldpay’s user interface less intuitive. However, it’s worth noting that Worldpay offers a more comprehensive range of services, including POS systems and detailed analytics, which may account for its more complex interface.
The verdict – Braintree vs Worldpay
Both Braintree and Worldpay offer compelling solutions for online payment processing, but the choice ultimately comes down to your business’s unique needs.
If you’re looking for a user-friendly system with flexible payment options and robust security, Braintree could be an excellent choice. Alternatively, if your business requires a more comprehensive service with POS systems, extensive global reach, and in-depth analytics, Worldpay might be the better option.
As always, it’s crucial to take the time to understand your business’s specific requirements, consider your growth plans, and thoroughly evaluate the options available to you. In doing so, you’ll be better equipped to select a payment processor that not only meets your needs today, but also supports your business as it grows and evolves in the future.
FAQ
Worldpay and Braintree both support major credit and debit cards. Additionally, Braintree supports PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Bitcoin, while Worldpay’s supported methods can vary depending on the market.
Braintree accepts over 130 currencies, while Worldpay supports payments in more than 120 currencies.
Braintree charges a standard fee of 1.9% + 20p per transaction for UK-based cards and 2.9% + 20p for non-EU cards. Worldpay provides tailored pricing, so the transaction fees can vary depending on the business’s needs.
Braintree offers support via email and an online help library, while Worldpay provides phone support, an online help centre, and live chat services.
Braintree provides Level 1 PCI Compliance and fraud protection tools. Worldpay’s security measures can vary depending on the specific business requirements.
Worldpay offers an integrated POS system, while Braintree does not.
Braintree is generally considered more developer-friendly due to its comprehensive APIs, which allow for more customisation.
Both Worldpay and Braintree have a wide global reach. Braintree allows businesses to accept payments in multiple countries, while Worldpay supports payments in over 200 countries.
Worldpay offers more advanced analytics compared to Braintree, helping businesses track sales and understand customer behaviour.
Braintree is known for its clean, user-friendly interface. In contrast, some users find Worldpay’s user interface less intuitive, though it offers a more comprehensive range of services.
Bitcoin payments are supported by Braintree, but not by Worldpay.
Both have extensive global reach, but Worldpay supports payments in more countries than Braintree, making it potentially a better choice for businesses with an international customer base.
Both platforms offer robust features for e-commerce businesses, but the choice would depend on specific business needs. Braintree may be better for those seeking a simple, user-friendly solution, while Worldpay may be a better fit for businesses needing a more comprehensive suite of services.
Both platforms cater to businesses of all sizes. The decision would depend on the specific needs of the business, such as the required payment methods, the importance of customer support, and the need for advanced analytics.
Both Worldpay and Braintree have procedures in place to handle chargebacks. Businesses should contact the respective customer service teams to understand how each platform manages this process.
Yes, both Worldpay and Braintree offer customisable checkout experiences, though Braintree is often praised for its developer-friendly APIs, which allow for more extensive customisation.
Worldpay and Braintree both integrate with many popular e-commerce platforms, such as Magento, WooCommerce, Shopify, and BigCommerce.
Both Worldpay and Braintree offer recurring billing options, making them suitable for subscription-based businesses. The best choice would depend on the specific requirements of the business.
The choice between Worldpay and Braintree depends on several factors, including your business size, global reach, required payment methods, the importance of customer support, your need for advanced analytics, and your preference for a user-friendly interface.
Major differences include the types of payment methods supported, the level of customer support offered, the user interface, the presence of a POS system, and the extent of analytics provided. Braintree tends to be more developer-friendly and user-friendly, while Worldpay provides more comprehensive services, including a POS system and advanced analytics.