Best Payment Gateways for Nonprofits in 2026 (8 Options Compared)

‍

Tapping into the benefits of online donations is crucial for nonprofits, but how do you actually accept those funds? A reliable payment gateway is the essential piece connecting your supporters' generosity to your organization's mission.

Without a trusted gateway, verifying card details, processing payments, and finalizing contributions all become friction points that cost you donors. Below, you'll find honest comparisons of 8 payment gateways — with fees, features, and real user scores — so you can pick the right one for your nonprofit's size and goals.

‍

How we evaluated and selected these payment gateways

Not all payment gateways are created equal. For nonprofits operating on tight budgets, the wrong choice can quietly drain thousands of dollars in fees each year. To make this list genuinely useful, we applied a structured evaluation framework rather than ranking platforms by brand recognition or advertising relationships. Here's exactly what we measured and why.

‍

Our 7-point evaluation criteria

1. Fee transparency and true cost of use

We looked beyond headline transaction rates to calculate all-in costs: monthly platform fees, payout fees, chargeback fees, currency conversion markups, and any fees specific to nonprofit donation forms. A platform advertising "2.9% + $0.30" may cost significantly more once recurring giving fees and payout schedules are factored in.

2. Nonprofit-specific discounts and programs

We verified which platforms offer documented nonprofit pricing — including eligibility requirements, application processes, and whether discounts apply automatically or require manual approval. Platforms with vague "contact us for nonprofit pricing" policies were scored lower than those with published, accessible rates.

3. PCI DSS compliance level

Payment Card Industry compliance protects donors' card data. We noted each gateway's PCI compliance level SAQ A through SAQ D) and whether the platform handles compliance on behalf of the nonprofit or passes that burden and liability back to the organization.

4. Native nonprofit features

We evaluated whether the platform was built for nonprofits or adapted from a general e-commerce base. Key features scored include: donation forms, recurring giving, tax receipt automation, peer-to-peer fundraising, event ticketing, and donor management integrations.

5. Integration ecosystem

We counted verified integrations with CRMs (Salesforce Nonprofit, Bloomerang, Little Green Light), email platforms (Mailchimp, Constant Contact), and accounting tools (QuickBooks). Broader integration support reduces manual data entry and total operational cost.

6. User review scores (G2 and Capterra)

We aggregated weighted scores from G2 and Capterra, filtering specifically for nonprofit reviewer segments where available. Volume of reviews was weighted alongside average score to avoid platforms with strong ratings from a small, potentially skewed sample.

7. Support accessibility

We assessed whether nonprofits — particularly small organizations without dedicated finance staff — can access live support, and how responsive platforms are to disputes, donor refund requests, and onboarding questions.

‍

How platforms were ranked

Platforms were scored across all seven criteria and ranked with nonprofit use cases as the primary lens. A platform that excels for e-commerce but offers nothing specifically for charitable giving received a lower position regardless of general market reputation. "Best for" labels throughout this article reflect the specific nonprofit context where each platform performs strongest — whether that's small grassroots organizations, high-volume campaigns, or international fundraising.

‍

Payment gateways for nonprofits: top picks

• 1. Zeffy: Best Free Payment Gateway for Nonprofits

• 2. PayPal: Best Dedicated Payment Gateway Solution

• 3. Stripe: Best to Create a Custom Payment Solution

• 4. Helcim: Best for High Volume Donations

• 5. Stax: Best for Multiple Integration Options

• 6. Elavon: Best to Manage Donations and Set Up Recurring Donations

• 7. Adyen: Best for International Payments

• 8. Authorize.net: Best for Fraud Prevention

‍

Best payment gateways for nonprofits at a glance

‍

1. Zeffy: 100% free payment gateway for nonprofits

Overview

G2 Rating: 4.9

Capterra Rating: 4.8

Best for: Any nonprofit seeking a dedicated solution with zero fees and a built-in fundraising platform. Particularly strong for small-to-mid-sized US and Canadian nonprofits, community organizations, faith-based groups processing tithes and offerings, and grassroots nonprofits that cannot absorb per-transaction costs.

Zeffy is a zero-fee payment processor built exclusively for nonprofit organizations. It processes donations, membership fees, event ticket sales, and recurring payments without charging nonprofits a single cent. The platform is funded entirely by optional donor tips at checkout, so 100% of what your supporters give goes directly to your cause.

Zeffy stands out on G2 and Capterra as the highest-rated platform among small nonprofit teams. Users consistently highlight the zero-fee model alongside the extra capabilities: donor management, event tools, tax receipts, and a point-of-sale system that works directly from your phone without a card reader.

‍

Standout features

• 100% free end-to-end fundraising platform

• In-person POS system from your phone (no card reader required)

• Accepts all major credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay

• Quick withdrawals of online donations

• One-time and recurring donation options

• Automated tax receipts sent to donors instantly

‍

Price and fees

100% free. No payment processing fee, no platform fee, no hidden charges.

‍

‍

What do users say?

The best thing about Zeffy is that it allows the total donation to go to our small nonprofit, and we share this fact so that our donors can feel good about giving. Also, I like that I can export the data record of all our donations, which has allowed me to build a donor database.
— Mary T

‍

‍

2. PayPal: best dedicated payment gateway solution

Overview

G2 Rating: 4.4

Capterra Rating: 4.7

Best for: Nonprofits looking for a well-known, trusted payment platform with hosted and customizable gateway options. A solid fit for organizations whose donors expect PayPal as a checkout option, including faith communities and alumni associations with older donor bases who prefer familiar payment methods.

PayPal is a familiar name, making it approachable for donors and staff alike. It offers a payment processor called Payflow, which is included in its online payment tools and available as a standalone gateway for organizations already using other credit card processors.

Payflow offers two options. Payflow Link is a free checkout hosted by PayPal. Payflow Pro adds checkout customization with a monthly fee, letting you offer PayPal Credit options on your own site. Both include built-in fraud protection.

With strong user ratings reflecting familiarity and broad reach, PayPal may be ideal for nonprofits prioritizing donor convenience and brand recognition, even if transaction fees are higher than some alternatives.

‍

Standout features

• Hosted and customizable gateway options

• Built-in fraud protection

• Accepts PayPal, PayPal Credit, and major credit cards

• Compatible with most processors

‍

Price and fees

PayPal charges 2.2% + $0.30 per transaction for eligible nonprofits. Payflow Pro adds $25.00 per month.

‍

‍

What do users say?

PayPal is the oldest and largest fintech-like company in the world. It has many 3rd party sites where you can use it to pay. It's very flexible considering implementation. Also PayPal has very good customer support which can take care of any problem the client may approach.
— Mateusz L

‍

‍

3. Stripe: best to create a custom payment solution

Overview

G2 Rating: 4.3

Capterra Rating: 4.6

Best for: Tech-savvy nonprofits seeking to build a custom, integrated donation experience across online and in-person platforms. Also a strong fit for organizations already on the Google for Nonprofits program, since Stripe integrates natively with Google Pay and supports the payment infrastructure behind many nonprofit tech stacks.

Stripe is a prominent payment service provider best known for its overall payment processing solutions, and it also offers a full payment gateway. Stripe Terminal integrates with in-person payment solutions so you can track all offline and online transactions in one place, making it easy to report donations across channels.

Stripe's wide range of APIs lets you tailor your payment gateway to your exact needs. It's praised for its developer-first approach, but smaller teams without dedicated developers may find the technical setup challenging. That said, Stripe's nonprofit discount program makes it one of the most cost-effective paid options available.

‍

Standout features

• Extensive developer tools and APIs

• Supports multiple currencies and payment types

• Online and in-person integration with Stripe Terminal

‍

Price and fees

Stripe offers a discounted rate to eligible nonprofits that process 80% or more of donation payments on the platform: 2.2% + $0.30 per transaction, instead of the standard 2.9% + $0.30 for businesses. With Zeffy, nonprofits can access Stripe's infrastructure at no cost, as Zeffy covers all fees.

‍

‍

What do users say?

Not only is their system intuitive, but the customer service agents ACTUALLY like to help you! No fake smiles over the phone or loud exhaling and strained voices... NEVER have I experienced this with Stripe. They have a beautiful online system, they have happy employees.
— Nayeli

‍

‍

4. Helcim: best for high volume donations

Overview

G2 Rating: 4.2

Capterra Rating: 4.2

Best for: High-volume nonprofits that qualify as registered charities and want automatic discounts as transaction volume increases. Particularly useful for larger community foundations, healthcare-adjacent nonprofits, and established religious organizations processing significant monthly donation volume.

Helcim serves as both a credit card processing service and a payment gateway, with a variety of tools that make collecting donations easier. Whether you're creating a donation page, running online fundraising, or adding a donation widget to your website, Helcim can help. It allows you to customize your payment gateway with a wide variety of APIs.

Helcim is favored by larger nonprofits for its interchange-plus, high-volume discount structure. But organizations should confirm they qualify as registered charities to access reduced fees — the discount doesn't extend to all nonprofit types.

‍

Standout features

• Donation page creator

• Variable rate discounts that scale with volume

• API and payment widget options

‍

Price and fees

Helcim offers competitive credit card processing rates to select qualified charities. These are:

• Visa Canada: 0.98% to 2.00%

• MC Canada: 0.92% to 1.80%

• Visa US: 0.65% + $0.15 to 1.35% + $0.05

• MC US: 1.45% + $0.15 to 2.00% + $0.10

‍

‍

What do users say?

The software is an integral part of my business and is reliable, well thought out and has an easy-to-understand interface for myself and for my customers when they are paying.
— Paul

‍

5. Stax: best for multiple integration options

Overview

G2 Rating: 4.9

Capterra Rating: 3.5

Best for: Nonprofits with diverse tech needs looking to integrate donations into productivity tools and CRMs. Mid-sized organizations that run high monthly transaction volumes will find the flat-fee model more cost-effective than per-transaction pricing. Not well-suited for small orgs with low monthly volume.

Stax is a software company and payment facilitator providing a range of payment processing solutions, including a payment gateway. It supports accepting payments via debit and credit cards, ACH transfer, cash, paper checks, e-checks, money orders, and digital payments.

It offers a RESTful API for custom integrations and connects with HubSpot CRM, Xero, Zoho, Mailchimp, QuickBooks, and several third-party apps and social channels. Stax earns top scores for integrations and reliability, particularly among mid-sized nonprofits that prioritize predictable monthly costs over per-transaction fees.

‍

Standout features

• No transaction fees, flat monthly rate only

• Text-to-donate and ACH support

• RESTful API and CRM integrations

• 24/7 customer support

‍

Price and fees

Starts at $99 per month plus $0.08 to $0.15 per transaction.

‍

‍

What do users say?

Stax provides efficient solutions for ecommerce integration and payments processing. It is easy to use and rich in features. Supports credit card processing and is a no-contract solution.
— Willis M

‍

6. Elavon: best to manage and set up recurring donations

Overview

G2 Rating: N/A

Capterra Rating: 3.4

Best suited for: Nonprofits that prioritize recurring donations and hybrid online and in-person fundraising events. A particularly good fit for organizations running regular giving programs, including membership-based nonprofits and faith communities with predictable weekly or monthly contribution cycles.

Elavon is a notable payment gateway offering three flexible gateway products. While its Fusebox and CenPOS gateways suit specific industries, its Converge solution works well for nonprofits. Converge accepts payments from debit and credit cards, digital wallets, PayPal, and electronic checks.

Features like donation buttons or links, billing and invoicing, and a product catalog make donating easier while letting you track the performance of specific fundraising campaigns. Elavon also enables donors to set up regular contributions on a frequency that suits them, and proactively manages recurring donations by flagging cards nearing expiration.

‍

Standout features

• Converge gateway tailored for nonprofits

• Tokenization and encryption for security

• Mobile-friendly donation tools and free app for in-person events

‍

Price and fees

Elavon has not disclosed its pricing. You'll need to contact them directly to learn about costs and fees.

‍

‍

What do users say?

Elavon has the best rates for nonprofit long-time customers, any time an issue has arisen contacting customer service is a breeze.
— Stevie C.

‍

7. Adyen: best for international payments

Overview

G2 Rating: 3.3

Capterra Rating: 4.9

Best for: Nonprofits with international supporters who want to donate in their native currency. Particularly strong for international relief organizations, global faith-based nonprofits, and humanitarian organizations that regularly accept donations from donors across multiple countries and currencies.

Adyen is a financial technology platform with payment gateway functionality that supports international payments. It offers dynamic currency conversion (DCC) at checkout for 36 different currencies, allowing international supporters to pay in their own currency. Integration into your website is straightforward.

Adyen's high Capterra rating reflects its value to international nonprofits accepting multi-currency donations. However, reviewers on G2 caution that its complex pricing and feature set may overwhelm smaller domestic teams or organizations without a dedicated finance staff member to manage it.

‍

Standout features

• Dynamic currency conversion in 36 currencies

• Unified in-person and online payments

• Risk and fraud management tools

‍

Price and fees

Adyen has a fixed processing fee of $0.13 plus a variable fee determined by the payment method.

‍

‍

What do users say?

Adyen is very good for international merchants and the excellent customer service is very pleasing. Adyen does not have setup or application fees that attracts everyone.
— Thomas A

‍

8. Authorize.net: best for fraud prevention

Overview

G2 Rating: 4.2

Capterra Rating: 4.4

Best for: Nonprofits concerned about fraud and looking for strong, customizable security features. A practical choice for organizations that have experienced fraudulent transactions or operate in higher-risk fundraising contexts, such as online auctions or large-scale crowdfunding campaigns.

Authorize.net offers a payment gateway that excels in fraud detection and prevention. It comes with an Advanced Fraud Detection Suite (AFDS) featuring 13 customizable fraud filters tailored to your specific needs. You can set payment velocity settings, geographic limitations, minimum transaction thresholds, and more.

Beyond advanced fraud detection, the platform supports recurring payments, an account updater, and major credit cards. The robust fraud prevention comes with layered fees, so it's worth talking through pricing with a representative before committing.

‍

Standout features

• 13 customizable fraud filters

• Recurring donation support

• Invoice customization tools

• Works with a range of merchant account providers

‍

Price and fees

Available in three plans:

• All-in-one: $25/month + 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction

• Payment gateway and eCheck: $25/month + eCheck 0.75%, credit card $0.10 + daily batch fee $0.10

• Payment gateway only: $25/month + $0.10 per transaction + daily batch fee $0.10

‍

‍

What do users say?

Authorize.net is an easy system to install and use. You can customize invoices or checkout pages to fit your company branding. It's also very easy to create and send invoices.
— Thomas W

‍

Additional gateways worth considering

The eight platforms above cover the strongest options across most nonprofit use cases. But several other gateways appear regularly in nonprofit conversations and deserve a mention, particularly for organizations comparing options across a wider field.

‍

Square

Square is a well-known payment processing option that many small nonprofits already use for in-person events, bake sales, and merchandise tables. It charges 2.6% + $0.10 for in-person transactions and 2.9% + $0.30 for online payments. Square doesn't offer a dedicated nonprofit pricing program, but its ease of use and free card reader make it accessible for volunteer-run organizations that need a quick in-person solution. It's not built for donation management or recurring giving, so it works best as a supplementary tool rather than a primary fundraising platform.

‍

Givebutter

Givebutter is a fundraising platform with built-in payment processing. It offers a free tier that passes platform fees to donors (similar to Zeffy's tip model), and paid plans that remove the fee prompt. It supports peer-to-peer fundraising, event ticketing, and live fundraising streams. Givebutter is a reasonable alternative for nonprofits that want a branded fundraising experience with payment processing included, though its free tier does charge payment processing fees of 2.9% + $0.30 on top of the tipped platform fee.

‍

Bloomerang Payments

Bloomerang is a nonprofit CRM platform, and Bloomerang Payments is its native payment processing product. If your nonprofit already uses Bloomerang for donor management, adding Bloomerang Payments reduces manual data entry by keeping transactions and donor records in one system. Processing fees run at 2.2% + $0.30 per transaction for cards and 0.8% (capped at $5) for ACH. It's a practical choice for mid-to-large nonprofits already invested in the Bloomerang ecosystem, but not a standalone gateway recommendation for organizations starting from scratch.

‍

What is a payment gateway?

A payment gateway is a technology that collects, verifies, and securely transmits payment information between the business, the customer, and the payment processor. It serves as a bridge between all parties in a transaction, enabling the exchange of information to facilitate online payments.

A point of sale (POS) terminal in a physical store checks the card chip to determine whether the debit or credit card is valid. An online payment gateway does the same thing digitally, assessing whether a payment is legitimate before funds move.

Investing in a payment gateway is essential if you want to accept donations online. A payment gateway will securely validate your supporters' payment details, confirming funds are available. It performs fraud checks and encrypts sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, as it passes from the donor to the payment processor. The processor then facilitates the transaction and transfers funds from your supporter's account to yours.

‍

How does a payment gateway work?

Here's a quick run-down of how payment processing works from the donor's first click to the funds landing in your account.

‍

Step 1: Supporter starts the donation process

When supporters are ready to donate, they enter their credit or debit card information on the nonprofit's donation page.

‍

Step 2: Encryption of the data

The payment gateway securely encrypts this payment information and sends it to the payment processor.

‍

Step 3: Authorization request

The payment processor receives the payment information from the gateway and forwards it to the supporter's bank. It requests authorization for the transaction.

‍

Step 4: Authorization process

The supporter's bank verifies the payment data and confirms whether sufficient funds exist. It approves or declines the transaction and sends that response to the payment processor.

‍

Step 5: Authorization response

The payment processor shares the bank's response with the payment gateway, indicating whether the transaction is approved or declined.

‍

Step 6: Transaction result

Based on the authorization response, the payment gateway notifies the organization and supporter of the transaction status.

‍

Step 7: Settlement of funds

If approved, the payment gateway processes the payment and facilitates the fund transfer. It moves the amount from supporters to a merchant's acquiring bank, which temporarily holds it before sending it to the nonprofit's bank account.

‍

Payment gateway vs payment processor: what's the difference?

Although often used interchangeably, payment gateways and payment processors have meaningful differences. A payment gateway sends a supporter's card information to a payment processor, which uses that data to communicate with the supporter's bank and merchant accounts.

‍

‍

How nonprofits can reduce payment processing fees

Payment processing fees are one of the most overlooked costs in nonprofit budgeting. A 2.9% + $0.30 fee sounds small until you do the math on a $100K fundraising year. Here's what you can actually do to reduce what you lose to fees.

‍

Use a zero-fee platform

The most direct path to keeping every dollar you raise is choosing a platform that charges nonprofits nothing. Zeffy covers all transaction fees itself, funded by optional donor tips. You never receive a deduction from your donation total. For nonprofits raising $50K, $100K, or $250K per year, the savings are significant. See the fee impact calculator below for the exact numbers.

‍

Apply for Stripe's nonprofit discount

Stripe offers a reduced rate of 2.2% + $0.30 per transaction (instead of 2.9% + $0.30) to nonprofits that process at least 80% of their donation payments through the platform. You need to apply and demonstrate eligibility. The savings add up for high-volume organizations, and the application process is straightforward through Stripe's nonprofit support team.

‍

Register with PayPal Giving Fund

The PayPal Giving Fund is a separate donor-advised fund program that allows donors to give to enrolled nonprofits with no fees deducted. Unlike standard PayPal donations that charge 2.2% + $0.30, PayPal Giving Fund donations pass 100% to the nonprofit. Enrollment requires your organization to be registered with PayPal Giving Fund directly, which involves a separate application from a standard PayPal account.

‍

Enroll in Google for Nonprofits

Google for Nonprofits offers a range of tools for eligible organizations, including Google Workspace and Google Ad Grants. While it doesn't eliminate payment processing fees directly, the program unlocks integrations and advertising credits that can reduce your overall cost of fundraising and donor acquisition.

‍

Encourage ACH and bank transfer donations

Credit card fees are set by card networks and difficult to eliminate. ACH (bank transfer) donations, by contrast, typically carry much lower fees — often $0.25 to $0.75 flat or 0.8% capped at $5.00. If your platform supports ACH, encouraging larger donors to give by bank transfer can meaningfully reduce your processing costs without requiring a platform switch.

‍

Ask donors to cover fees

Many platforms let you offer donors the option to cover transaction fees at checkout. When donors opt in, your nonprofit receives the full donation amount. This doesn't reduce fees themselves, but it shifts the cost to supporters who are often happy to cover it when asked clearly.

‍

Fee impact: what you actually pay at $50K, $100K, and $250K raised

Abstract percentages don't tell the full story. Here's what fee structures from this list actually cost a nonprofit at three common annual fundraising volumes. These calculations use published rates and apply to card transactions only.

‍

‍

A few important notes on this table. The per-transaction fixed fee ($0.30 or $0.15) multiplies by the number of individual donations, not just the total volume. A nonprofit receiving 1,000 donations of $50 each pays far more in fixed per-transaction fees than one receiving 100 donations of $500 each at the same total volume. Stax's flat monthly model becomes more cost-effective as transaction volume grows, but the $99/month base applies even in months with low activity. Helcim's charity rate applies only to registered charities that qualify, and rates vary by card type. All figures are estimates based on published rates and do not include chargeback fees, payout fees, or international transaction surcharges.

The bottom line: for most nonprofits raising under $250K annually, Zeffy's zero-fee model saves thousands per year compared to every paid alternative. Those savings go directly to your mission.

‍

How to choose the best payment gateway for your nonprofit

While you'll find a variety of payment gateways on the market, not all are designed for the same purposes. The right payment gateway is essential for giving your supporters a smooth donation experience and ensuring they continue to support your nonprofit.

Here are the key features to weigh when making your decision.

‍

1. Security

When collecting online donations or funds, protecting your donors' personal and financial information is non-negotiable. Donors won't complete a transaction if they don't trust your donation page.

Look for a payment gateway that is PCI compliant, detects and prevents fraud, and offers tokenization, encryption, and 3D Secure (3DS) authentication.

‍

2. Customer experience

Make sure your donors can complete a gift without friction. You don't want a supporter filling out a donation form only to find their preferred payment method isn't accepted.

Pick a gateway that accepts various electronic payments beyond credit and debit cards — PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and bank transfers should all be options on your nonprofit website.

‍

3. Hosted vs self-hosted

A hosted payment gateway redirects donors to a separate website for payment processing. That handoff can hurt conversion rates and removes your control over the checkout experience.

Zeffy operates as a hosted gateway solution, managing the transaction process on its platform. This approach ensures security and compliance without requiring nonprofits to handle sensitive payment data directly.

‍

4. Payment processing fees for nonprofits

Understanding the fee structure is crucial. Most payment gateways charge a transaction fee that compounds quickly at scale. Compare all-in costs, not just the headline rate.

Zeffy covers the entire transaction fee. There are no hidden charges, ensuring you get 100% of donations without any deductions.

‍

5. Multiple integrations

Select a payment processor that integrates with your website or donation form and connects to your existing fundraising software and accounting tools. When you receive funds, that information should automatically update in your bookkeeping system without manual entry.

Look for gateways that offer SDKs, APIs, and plugins. Learn about the 8 best nonprofit payment processing platforms to see how full platforms compare to standalone gateways.

‍

Final thoughts on online donation payment processing

Selecting the right payment gateway is crucial for nonprofits to process donations efficiently while minimizing expenses. Every gateway on this list offers unique features tailored to different needs — from transaction fees and security measures to integration capabilities and nonprofit-specific tools.

By carefully assessing your specific requirements, you can select a gateway that fits your budget and enhances your fundraising efforts. The right gateway should simplify the donation process, giving donors a smooth experience and giving your team effective fund management tools.

Platforms like Zeffy stand out by offering a truly free service, ensuring nonprofits receive the full benefit of every dollar raised.