Best Payment Plugin for WordPress: Top 9 Secure Options for 2025

If you're selling products, memberships, courses, or accepting donations on a WordPress site, choosing the best payment plugin for WordPress is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Cart abandonment, failed transactions, and slow checkouts directly hurt conversion rates; so your payment stack must be fast, secure, and trusted by customers.

This guide walks through what payment plugins do, the selection criteria (fees, security, global support, recurring billing), and deep reviews of the top 9 payment plugins for 2025. You’ll also find a comparison table, step-by-step integration instructions (including How to integrate payment gateway in WordPress with WooCommerce).

Quick comparison table

What Is a WordPress Payment Plugin?

A WordPress payment plugin connects your WordPress site to a payment gateway and/or processor so you can accept money from customers. Plugins differ in scope:

• Gateway-only plugins (connect your site to Stripe, PayPal, Mollie, etc.).

• Processor + gateway (all-in-one) products (e.g., WooPayments integrates Stripe-like processing into the WordPress admin).

• Form-based payment plugins (WPForms, WP Simple Pay) — accept payments through forms without a full eCommerce store.

• Marketplace and multivendor plugins (WC Vendors) that manage vendor payouts and commissions.

• Crypto gateways (NowPayments) for accepting cryptocurrencies.

These plugins integrate differently: some are built for WooCommerce checkout, others for form builders (WPForms, Formidable). Your business model (store, donation, memberships, courses) guides which type you choose.

How to Choose the Best Payment Plugin for WordPress?

Choosing the right plugin requires weighing multiple factors. Below are the key criteria to evaluate.

Compatibility (WooCommerce, WPForms, Gravity Forms)

Check that the plugin supports your stack. If you're using WooCommerce, prefer a plugin with native WooCommerce integration (WooCommerce Payments, Stripe Payment Plugin for WooCommerce). If you're using forms, ensure compatibility with WPForms, Formidable Forms, or Gravity Forms.

Supported Payment Methods (cards, PayPal, Stripe, Apple Pay, crypto)

Offering a variety of methods (credit cards + wallets + local options) increases conversions. For EU stores, local methods (iDEAL, Bancontact) matter. For global stores, multicurrency and multi-method support are essential.

Transaction Fees & Pricing

Look beyond plugin price the processor’s transaction fees and monthly fees affect margins. Free plugins may still charge higher gateway fees; paid plugins often add features like subscription management.

Security Features (PCI compliance, tokenization, fraud prevention)

PCI compliance, tokenization, SCA (Strong Customer Authentication) support for European customers, and fraud detection are must-haves.

Subscription & Recurring Billing Support

If you sell subscriptions or memberships, ensure the plugin supports recurring billing and automated retries/dunning.

Ease of Use & Setup

A smooth onboarding and clear docs reduce implementation time. Setup wizards and test modes make life easier.

Global Support & Currencies

If you sell internationally, you need multiple currencies, payout settings, and localized payment options.

Best Payment Plugin for WordPress (Top 9 Picks for 2025)

Each of the following sections contains a short overview, key features, pros/cons, pricing, and best use case.

1) Stripe: Best for Credit Card Payments (Stripe WordPress Plugin)

Stripe has become the de facto choice for accepting credit card payments online. A variety of WordPress plugins and official integrations bring Stripe to forms and WooCommerce.

Key features:

• Accepts major cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and many local methods via Stripe Checkout.

• PCI compliance via tokenization.

• Advanced fraud detection (Radar).

• Subscription & billing via Stripe Billing.

• Pros: Developer-friendly, excellent documentation, global support, advanced features (invoices, subscriptions).
• Cons: Settling/currency fees for international cards; may require developer help for deep customizations.
• Pricing: Typical card rate example: 2.9% + $0.30 (varies by country & card). (Always confirm current rates with Stripe.)
• Best for: Stores that need a robust credit card processor; a top entry for best wordpress credit card payment plugin.

2) PayPal Payments: Best for Simple Checkout

Ubiquitous and trusted by buyers, PayPal reduces purchase friction; especially for international customers.

• Key features: Express checkout, subscription support, buyer protection.
• Pros: Wide recognition increases trust, simple setup, many merchants already have accounts.
• Cons: Fees can be higher; user is redirected to PayPal in some flows (though in-site options exist).
• Best for: Sellers wanting fast trust & easy setup.

3) WP Simple Pay: Best Payment Plugin for WordPress Free

Overview: A Stripe-first plugin designed to accept one-time and recurring payments via simple forms, without a full eCommerce setup. WP Simple Pay is ideal for creators, tutors, and small businesses.

• Key features: Quick Stripe connection, readymade templates, recurring payments, buy-now-pay-later options.
• Pros: Extremely quick setup; wordpress payment plugin free lite version available; minimal overhead.
• Cons: Focused on Stripe; not multi-gateway.
• Best for: Sites needing a lightweight Stripe-based solution; and for anyone searching Best payment plugin for WordPress free.

4) WooCommerce Payments: Best for WooCommerce Stores

Built by Automattic, integrates payments directly into WooCommerce admin; powered by Stripe.

• Key features: Native dashboard for refunds, disputes, and revenue; integrates with WooCommerce Subscriptions and extensions.
• Pros: Full integration, in-dashboard workflows, easy refunds and dispute handling.
• Cons: Availability depends on country; fees based on transactions.
• Best for: Stores built on WooCommerce that want a seamless admin experience.

5) Payment Plugins for Stripe WooCommerce: Best Stripe Add-On

Many dedicated Stripe plugins for WooCommerce (e.g., WebToffee, FunnelKit Stripe) offer optimized checkout experiences and advanced capture/refund features.

• Key features: Prebuilt checkout pages, support for many payment methods, SCA and subscription tools.
• Pros: High flexibility and WooCommerce-specific features.
• Cons: Many plugins — pick reputable developers and check support.
• Best for: WooCommerce stores prioritizing Stripe features and conversions.

6) Square Payments: Best for Physical Businesses

Square links in-person POS and online payments, making it great for omnichannel sellers.

• Key features: Online and in-person payments, inventory sync, POS integration.
• Pros: Simple for brick-and-mortar + online combination.
• Cons: International availability is more limited than Stripe/PayPal.
• Best for: Retailers using Square’s POS who want integrated online payments.

7) Authorize.net: Best for High-Volume Card Processing

A long-time payment gateway favored by large merchants and enterprises.

• Key features: Reliable processing, virtual terminal, eCheck support, advanced security.
• Pros: Enterprise features, strong support options.
• Cons: Monthly gateway fee plus per-transaction costs; setup can be more complex.
• Best for: High-volume merchants and businesses needing enterprise-grade features.

8) CryptoPay (NowPayments, etc.): Best Crypto-Friendly WordPress Payment Plugin

Accept crypto directly with plugins like NowPayments. These services often convert crypto to fiat automatically.

• Key features: Multiple coin support, fiat payouts, WooCommerce integration.
• Pros: Attracts crypto-native buyers; low fee in some models.
• Cons: Volatility management (unless auto-converted), regulatory complexity.
• Best for: Businesses that want to accept crypto payments alongside fiat options.

9) Mollie: Best Multi-Gateway & EU-Friendly Payments

Mollie provides strong support for EU local payment methods (iDEAL, Bancontact, SEPA) and integrates with WooCommerce.

• Key features: Local payment methods, transparent pricing, centralized dashboard.
• Pros: Excellent for European merchants wanting local methods.
• Cons: Less global reach outside Europe.
• Best for: EU-based stores and businesses serving European customers.

Free vs Paid WordPress Payment Plugins

WordPress Payment Plugin Free Options

Many plugins offer free versions (WP Simple Pay Lite, WooCommerce core, Stripe Payment Plugin for WooCommerce, Mollie plugin). These cover basic transactions and are often enough for small stores or new sellers.

Limitations of Free Payment Plugins

Free versions may lack:

• Advanced subscription/dunning management

• Multi-gateway fallback

• Advanced fraud tools

• Priority support

When Paid Plugins Are Worth It?

Upgrade when you need:

• Advanced subscription features

• Multi-currency local payment support

• PCI-level security add-ons and advanced fraud detection

• Developer APIs and enterprise SLAs

So do you have to pay for plugins on WordPress?
No; you don’t have to pay for plugins on WordPress, but transaction fees with payment processors still apply. Paid plugins add features and support that often justify their cost.

Best WordPress Credit Card Payment Plugins

When searching for the best wordpress credit card payment plugin, the following are top picks:

• Stripe (various WP plugins)

• Authorize.net

• WooCommerce Payments

• Square

These plugins excel at credit card acceptance, tokenization, and recurring billing.

Best Payment Gateway Plugin for WordPress (2025 Guide)

Major gateways to compare:

• Stripe — excellent developer tools, subscriptions, global card support.

• PayPal — trusted brand and buyer protection.

• Square — great for POS + online commerce.

• Authorize.net — enterprise-grade gateway.

• Mollie — strong EU/local methods.

• NowPayments/crypto — crypto acceptance.

What makes a gateway “best” depends on:

• Your primary customer geography (local EU methods vs global cards)

• Volume and average order value

• Need for in-person payments

• Subscription complexity

How to Integrate a Payment Gateway in WordPress

Below are typical integration routes.

With WooCommerce

1. Install WooCommerce: Plugins → Add New → Search “WooCommerce” → Install & Activate.

2. Choose a gateway plugin: e.g., “Stripe Payment Plugin for WooCommerce” or “Mollie Payments for WooCommerce”.

3. Install the gateway plugin and activate it.

4. Connect your gateway account: In WooCommerce → Settings → Payments → enable the gateway → click Setup/Manage → follow the OAuth/API key connection steps (test mode first).

5. Test transactions in sandbox/test mode.

6. Configure webhooks (Stripe/PayPal require webhooks for subscription events).

7. Go live: switch to live keys and run a real transaction to confirm.

This section answers the requirement How to integrate payment gateway in WordPress with WooCommerce explicitly.

Without WooCommerce (forms, donation systems, invoices)

• Use WPForms, Formidable, or WP Simple Pay for simple payments.

• Install the form plugin, add payment fields, connect Stripe/PayPal, and embed via shortcode or block.

• For donations, use WPCharitable or GiveWP.

Setting Up Stripe

• Create a Stripe account.

• Retrieve API keys (Publishable & Secret).

• Install the Stripe plugin for your platform and paste keys into settings.

• Enable webhooks and SCA / 3DS if required for your region.

• Switch to live keys after test transactions.

Choosing the right payment options for your site

• Small local stores: Square or Stripe + local bank transfer.

• EU shops: Mollie or Stripe with local methods.

• Global marketplaces: Stripe + PayPal + multi-currency support.

• Memberships: MemberPress + Stripe or Authorize.net for recurring billing.

Pros & Cons of WordPress Payment Plugins

Pros

• Increase conversions with fast checkout

• Support for many payment methods (cards, wallets, local)

• Recurring billing & subscription management

• Security features (tokenization, SCA, PCI)

• Extensive integrations with forms, CRM, accounting

Cons

• Fees (processor + plugin) can add up

• Complexity when you need multiple gateways or global coverage

• Some free plugins lack advanced features or support

• Keeping plugins updated is essential to avoid security risks

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selecting Payment Plugins

• Focusing only on fees and ignoring conversion UX

• Ignoring PCI compliance and SCA requirements

• Choosing a plugin without global currency support

• Not verifying compatibility with your theme, hosting, or PHP version

• Using outdated or unsupported plugins

Conclusion

Choosing the best payment plugin for WordPress comes down to matching features to your business: if you need the best wordpress credit card payment plugin, Stripe and its WooCommerce/Forms addons are excellent. If you want a Best payment plugin for WordPress free to start with, WP Simple Pay (lite) or WooCommerce with free gateway plugins are ideal starting points. 

If you’re ready to scale and want hosting that won’t become a bottleneck for performance or security, consider hosting your WordPress store on a fast, managed environment. For reliable uptime, global data centers, and instant server setup, check out 1Gbits’ WordPress VPS, perfect for stores that need speed, 24/7 support, and cost-effective scaling.