Introduction
Crowdfunding has become an extremely popular way for entrepreneurs, startups, nonprofits, and creative professionals to raise money. By 2025, the global crowdfunding market is expected to reach $28.77 billion. A key component that any crowdfunding platform needs is an easy and secure way to process payments from backers and donors. That's where payment gateways come in.
Payment gateways allow payments to be processed online by way of credit card, debit cards, bank transfers, or digital wallets. They provide a secure connection between the payment portal on the crowdfunding platform's website and the payment processor and card networks to facilitate the transaction. Using a payment gateway that seamlessly integrates with your crowdfunding platform ensures a smooth, quick, and trustworthy funding process for your users.
There are a variety of payment gateway solutions available to crowdfunding platforms in the United States. When evaluating options, some of the key factors to consider include pricing models, integration options, supported payment methods, security measures, reporting capabilities, and customer support. This article will explore ten leading payment gateway providers that crowdfunding platforms utilize in the US along with the key features and offerings of each.
Payment Gateways for Crowdfunding Platforms
Stripe is one of the most widely used payment gateways among crowdfunding platforms and e-commerce companies. Key features include:
• Pricing: Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 per successful credit card transaction in the US. No monthly fees.
• Integration: Stripe offers pre-built integrations and APIs for most web development platforms and languages. Easy checkout integration.
• Payment Methods: Accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB, and debit cards. Also supports ACH bank transfers.
• Security: Uses TLS and 256-bit AES encryption. Is PCI Service Provider Level 1 compliant.
• Reporting: Robust real-time reporting through online dashboard. Export reports as CSVs.
• Support: 24/7 chat, email, and phone support. Extensive documentation.
Popular crowdfunding platforms using Stripe include Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and GoFundMe.
Braintree, a division of PayPal, is another very popular choice. Features include:
• Pricing : Interchange-plus pricing model starting at 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. Higher pricing for AmEx cards. No monthly fees.
• Integration: Offers a range of SDKs and APIs for integrating into websites, apps, marketplaces. Supports most platforms.
• Payment Methods: Accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo. Limited support for cryptocurrencies.
• Security: PCI DSS Level 1 compliant. Uses encryption, tokenization, fraud detection tools.
• Reporting: Robust reporting available through Control Panel. Export reports to Excel, PDFs. API access available.
• Support: Standard technical support hours with email, chat and phone options. Developer community and documentation available.
Crowdfunding platforms using Braintree include Indiegogo, Patreon, Teespring and Deposit a Gift.
PayPal pioneered online payments and is also widely used by crowdfunding platforms. Features include:
• Pricing: PayPal charges crowdfunding platforms 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. Micropayment pricing available. No monthly fees.
• Integration: Provides APIs and SDKs for all major platforms and languages. Also offers turnkey hosted payment pages.
• Payment Methods: Accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover cards, debit cards. Also supports bank transfers and PayPal account balances.
• Security: Uses industry- leading security tools like encryption, tokenization, machine learning. Is Level 1 PCI DSS compliant.
• Reporting: Detailed transaction history and sales reports available on the PayPal website with some API access.
• Support: Standard support hours with email and phone help. Extensive online documentation and developer community.
Popular crowdfunding platforms using PayPal include GoFundMe, Crowdfunder, and Fundable.
Amazon Pay leverages Amazon’s customer base and offers the convenience of paying with existing Amazon account details. Features include:
• Pricing: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. No monthly fee. Discounted nonprofit pricing available.
• Integration: Offers a range of APIs and SDKs for platforms like Javascript, iOS, Android, PHP, and others.
• Payment Methods: Customers pay using their Amazon account through stored cards/bank details. Limited to Amazon customers only.
• Security: Leverages Amazon’s security. Includes encryption, multi-factor authentication, machine learning tools to fight fraud.
• Reporting: Sales reports are limited. Offers order management and notifications via SNS.
• Support: Email and contact form customer service. Some developer documentation available.
Crowdfunding platforms using Amazon Pay include Music Dealers and Patreon.
CardConnect focuses on providing secure payment processing tailored for crowdfunding sites and marketplaces. Features include:
• Pricing: Interchange-plus pricing starting at 1.99% per transaction for crowdfunding platforms. $79 monthly gateway fee.
• Integration: APIs for all major languages and platforms including PHP, Java, Ruby, iOS, Android, JavaScript.
• Payment Methods: Accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, debit cards.
• Security: Specialized security tools focused on crowdfunding including Velocity Rules, Tokenex tokenization, ACH verification and background checks available. PCI Level 1 compliant.
• Reporting: Offers Gateway Enterprise reporting tool. Real time transaction management, reconciliation, and reporting dashboard. Custom reporting integrations available.
• Support: Standard US support hours via phone, email and chat. Developer documentation and specialized crowdfunding resources available.
Crowdfunding platforms using CardConnect include Givebutter, Plumfund, Hatchfund and Chuffed.
Authorize.Net, owned by Visa, is one of the longest running payment gateways. Features include:
• Pricing: Interchange-plus pricing estimated at 2.9% and up per transaction. $25 monthly gateway fee.
• Integration: Offers APIs and SDKs for platforms and languages including PHP, Ruby, iOS, Android, JavaScript and more. Also provides hosted payment forms.
• Payment Methods: Accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB cards plus debit cards.. Limited support for PayPal, Venmo and Apple Pay.
• Security: Is PCI Level 1 compliant. Uses tokenization, encryption and other tools and protocols like 3DSecure to secure transactions.
• Reporting: Provides transaction reports and history through the Merchant Interface and APIs. Export reports to multiple file formats.
• Support: Email and 24/7 phone support for merchants and technical issues plus developer documentation.
Crowdfunding platforms that use Authorize.Net include Fundly, Crowdfunder and Bonfire.
2Checkout focuses on global and high-risk payment processing. Features include:
• Pricing: US pricing starts at 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. Lower rates for nonprofits. No gateway fees. No monthly minimum fees. Currency conversion included.
• Integration: Offers APIs, widgets, plugins for platforms like WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento, PHP, Ruby on Rails, etc.
• Payment Methods: Accepts cards from all major brands internationally - Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, JCB, etc. Also supports PayPal, debit cards, Google Pay, andApple Pay.
• Security: PCI DSS Level 1 compliant. Uses AI and machine learning to combat fraud. 3D Secure services like Verified by Visa supported.
• Reporting: Robust reporting includes KPI dashboard, volume reports, chargeback and decline analyses, payment method usage. Exportable as CSVs.
• Support: 24/7 customer support via live chat, email and phone. Extensive documentation and onboarding help included.
Crowdfunding platforms using 2Checkout include Rockethub, Experiment and Wishberry.
WePay specifically targets platforms like crowdfunding sites, marketplaces and on demand service providers. Features include:
• Pricing: Interchange-plus pricing estimated at 2.9% per transaction. $30 monthly fee per site. Discounted rates for K-12 schools and nonprofits.
• Integration: APIs available for integration into custom web and apps. Also offers embeddable hosted payment pages.
• Payment Methods: Accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, debit cards plus ACH bank transfers and PayPal balances. Limited support for Apple and Google Pay.
• Security: Is PCI DSS Level 1 compliant. Uses tokenization to protect card data. Partners with security leaders like RSA.
• Reporting: Provides transaction activity reports including sales trends and payment methods through online portal or via API.
• Support: Standard support hours with email and phone help. Developer documentation with SDKs for Ruby, Java, PHP and .NET.
Popular crowdfunding platforms using WePay include GoFundMe, Maximum Fun, Funraise and Fundly.
Worldpay from FIS provides global payment processing including robust fraud prevention. Features include:
• Pricing: US pricing estimated at 2.6% to 2.9% per transaction depending on card type and nonprofit status. Gateway fees of $15 to $30 per month.
• Integration: Offers Client SDKs, hosted payment forms, REST APIs. Integrates with various platforms and languages.
• Payment Methods: Accepts major credit and debit cards like AmEx, Discover, Visa. Limited support for alternate methods like cryptocurrency, Apple Pay or PayPal.
• Security: Is certified PCI DSS Level 1 compliant and leverages AI and machine learning to identify fraudulent transactions.
• Reporting: In depth reports on payments, disputes, reconciliation and more via online Business Center. APIs available to extract report data.
• Support: Online and phone support generally on weekdays. Resources like documentation, community forums and FAQs available.
Crowdfunding platforms using Worldpay include YouCaring and Tiltify Crowdfunding.
Conclusion
The right payment gateway partner is critical for any crowdfunding site to gain credibility among backers and ensure secure, seamless transactions. Choosing a gateway that can grow alongside your platform and provide transparent pricing, flexible integrations, comprehensive reporting, and strong security measures will set you up for long-term success.
Providers like Stripe, Braintree, PayPal, WePay, and Authroize.Net offer specialized tools and services ideal for crowdfunding platforms in addition to general purpose options from leading companies like Amazon and Worldpay. Evaluate all the core offerings and features that map to your business objectives before selecting your payment technology provider.