Key Takeaways
- Sending a perfect invoice means nothing if paying it feels like too much effort for the client.
- PayPal has been around long enough that most clients do not even need to think twice about using it.
- Authorize, Net opens in a browser and gets straight to the point, no downloads, no complicated setup.
- If your clients are in different countries paying in different currencies,
- 2Checkout was practically built for that situation. Stripe is the one to look at if you bill the same clients regularly and want recurring payments handled automatically.
- Braintree brings PayPal, cards, and digital wallets together so clients can pick whatever works for them.
- The gateway you pick should match how you actually work, not just what sounds good on paper.
A gentle reminder – Freelancing isn’t FREE!
Freelancing job comes with a lot of benefits but honestly, these independent professionals face a lot of challenges too. It just seems unfair when the hardworking freelancers don’t get paid on time and even worse they don’t get paid at all.
According to a survey, 58% of freelancers in 4 major countries of Asia are not getting paid for their work.
As a freelancer, improving this scenario is completely in your hands. First of all, stop undervaluing your own work and secondly figure out the best and sure-fire way to accept payments from your clients.
Work is work, whether you are a full-time employee or a freelancer, you need money for your hard work. Fortunately, the scenario of freelancers is gradually changing as online payment methods are here for rescue. They help them get paid easier and faster.
Multiple ways like cheques, credit cards, electronic money transfer, online payment gateways, online invoicing softwares have made getting paid as simple as possible. Just sending invoice cannot guarantee you money, best you can try is the secured online payment methods and be assured with timely payment.
We’ve reviewed and listed the best payment options for freelancers:
With over 227 active users, PayPal tops the chart of being the best online payment gateway option.
It’s a popular platform for instant receiving and sending of funds. Since PayPal accepts 25 currencies, it’s best suitable for freelancers spread worldwide.
If money is transferred from another PayPal account to your Paypal account then you can receive your payment almost instantly. If it’s sent from a bank account then it might take minimum 3 business days. PayPal also offers its own debit and credit card.
PayPal does charge some fees depending upon the type of transaction.
No software to install! Authorize.Net is a browser-based online payment solution.
Authorize.Net is specially designed for freelancers, small and medium-sized businesses. Transactions can be processed 24/7 with this online payment gateway. Authorize.Net offers security to prevent fraudulent transactions. It’s quite user-friendly, freelancers can easily use this and ensure quick payment.
The fee is a bit higher as compared to many other online payment gateways.
2Checkout supports multiple languages and multiple currencies which makes it globally popular.
It’s a great payment gateway option for freelancers who deliver their services worldwide. 2Checkout is available in both desktop and mobile version for more convenience. Apart from that, it also integrates with major credit cards as well as PayPal which doubles the chances of on-time payment. Payment received through this gateway can be transferred to your bank account through wire transfer.
2Checkout doesn’t support direct transaction, so you have to use any online invoicing software like Billbooks to receive the payment.
The processing fees are different for different locations.
Several freelancers have claimed Stripe as a great payment gateway to kickstart with.
To get paid you need to either integrate Stripe to your own website or use any online software that has Stripe payment gateway integrated. Send Stripe checkout system to your client so that they pay you through credit card. Apart from payment, Stripe also supports recurring invoicing and international payments.
Stripe is a cost-effective and secured online payment gateway.
With Braintree small businesses and freelancers can accept direct payments from the clients.
This full-stack payment gateway helps freelancers to accept payment easily through app or website. Braintree is well-designed and completely secured platform which helps in eliminating fraudulent act. Time-to-time fraud checks, multiple pay-in options. Braintree also allows to accept payment through PayPal, major credit and debit cards and leading wallets in a single integration.
Braintree pricing plans differs as per transactions.
They are just a few from myriads of other options. Choose the one that best suits your freelancing job and enjoy hassle-free and timely payment. If you are still confused, don’t invoice services as our Billbooks will also manage this task for you.
FAQs
Q: Why does the payment method even matter, surely clients just pay when they get the invoice?
That would be nice but it does not always work that way. When paying feels like a hassle, people put it off. When it is simple and familiar, they tend to just get it done. Removing friction from the payment process is one of the most practical things a freelancer can do to get paid on time.
Q: Is PayPal still relevant or has it been overtaken by newer options?
Still very relevant. There is something to be said for a platform that almost every client has already used and trusts. It covers 25 currencies, transfers are fast between PayPal accounts, and the setup takes minutes. The fees are real and you should know them going in, but as a starting point for most freelancers it is hard to argue against.
Q: What makes Stripe stand out from the rest?
It fits differently into the workflow. Rather than being a standalone platform you direct clients to, Stripe integrates into your website or invoicing software and works quietly in the background. The recurring billing feature is where it really earns its place, especially if you have clients you invoice on the same schedule every month.
Q: My clients are in different countries, which gateway makes the most sense?
2Checkout handles this better than most. It was designed with international transactions in mind, supports multiple currencies and languages, and works well across borders. PayPal is widely recognised internationally too but 2Checkout goes further in terms of being built specifically for that kind of work.
Q: What is Authorize.Net actually like to use day to day?
Straightforward, which is the point. It runs in your browser, there is nothing to install, and it processes transactions at any hour without any fuss. The fraud protection is solid and the interface is clean enough that you are not spending time figuring it out. The fees sit a little higher than some competitors but for a lot of freelancers the simplicity is worth it.
Q: Is Braintree too complicated for a solo freelancer just starting out?
It can feel that way initially because it is designed to integrate into apps and websites rather than work as a standalone tool. Once it is set up though, the fact that clients can pay through PayPal, credit cards, and digital wallets all in one place makes life genuinely easier. If you are brand new to freelancing, start with something simpler and come back to Braintree when your setup is more established.
Q: Do all of these platforms take a cut of every payment?
Every one of them does, yes. How much depends on the platform, the transaction type, and where your client is based. Before you commit to anything, look at the actual fee breakdown for your typical invoice size and client location. Small percentages add up quickly on larger amounts.
Q: Should I just pick one gateway and stick with it?
Offering two or three options is usually smarter. Some clients prefer PayPal, others want to pay by card, and giving them a choice removes any reason to delay. Tools like Billbooks let you run multiple gateways from one place so you are not constantly switching between accounts to track what has and has not come in.
