Which is the Best OpenCart Credit Card Payment Plugin in 2024?

Choosing the right payment gateway for your Opencart Store is crucial and can significantly impact your success. Among the many options available, Stripe stands out as an excellent choice.

Its reputation as a reliable and efficient payment solution makes it popular for businesses looking to streamline their e-commerce operations.

In this article, we will explore the features of the Stripe plugin, why it is a breat option. In addition, we´ll compare it with PayPal and Square, two of the most well-known payment methods used by OpenCart stores.

How to choose the Best Payment Plugin for OpenCart? 

To choose the best payment plugin for OpenCart is important to consider several elements from the size of your business to the customization features that the plugging offers or even its compatibility. These factors will help ensure you choose the best plugin to enhance your online store’s functionality and customer experience.

I invite you to take a look at the main elements that you have to take into account. 

Business Size and Transaction Volume

When selecting a payment plugin for OpenCart, it is essential to consider the size of your business and the volume of transactions you normally process. Different payment gateways cater to varying scales of operations, with some being more suited for small businesses and others for larger enterprises. Keep on reading to discover which is the best one for your business. 

International Payment Support

Accepting international payments is essential for businesses aiming to reach a global market. Payment plugins that support multiple currencies and offer localization options can significantly enhance the shopping experience for international customers, boosting conversion rates. 

For example, using a plugin like Stripe, which supports over 135 currencies, or PayPal, which supports 25 currencies and multiple languages, can make it easier for shoppers from all over the world to understand pricing and complete their purchase, thereby increasing the likelihood of a sale.

However, it is also important to consider the fees and complexities associated with these transactions, as some payment gateways impose conditions that can be excessive.

Compatibility with Other Extensions

Another factor to consider when choosing a payment plugin for OpenCart is its compatibility with other extensions. As you know, OpenCart’s functionality can be extended with various modules and extensions. When integrating a payment plugin, it’s vital to ensure compatibility with existing extensions to maintain site functionality and user experience.

A payment solution that conflicts with other installed extensions can lead to technical issues, impacting the overall performance of your e-commerce platform. Therefore, I advise you to always keep an eye on this.

Customization Flexibility

Look for payment plugins that offer flexible customization options, allowing you to tailor aspects like payment forms, checkout processes, and security measures to your specific business needs. This flexibility can help you create a more cohesive and branded shopping experience, fostering customer trust and loyalty.

With these elements in mind, let’s explore the primary payment plugins available for OpenCart: PayPal, Stripe, and Square and determine which is the best for your store. 

Top OpenCart Credit Card Payment Plugins Compared 

PayPal, Stripe, and Square are three of the top OpenCart Credit Card Payment Plugins. Each one of them have unique advantages tailored to different business needs. Understanding their strengths and drawbacks is crucial to decide which is the best for your store. 

PayPal, the Trusted Payment Plugin for OpenCart 

PayPal stands as a dominant payment gateway, operating in over 200 countries and supporting 25 currencies, making it an ideal choice for businesses targeting international markets. Its integration with OpenCart is rapid and straightforward thanks to the PayPal FEE extension, which ensures automated payments and compatibility with a wide range of extensions and plugins.

This tool boasts an array of features, such as the deferred payments and the acceptance of debit and credit cards, which are very useful for OpenCart stores. Moreover, PayPal has a renowned buyer protection that guarantees refunds for defective or misrepresented merchandise, while its robust security measures, including advanced encryption, prioritize user data protection.

Although PayPal offers extensive tech support, it is not available around the clock. On the downside, the platform’s transaction fees are relatively high and vary based on transaction volume and location. For instance, the PayPal Checkout fee is 2.59% + $0.49 USD + an additional fee for international transactions (if applicable). If this integration is not used or for certain types of digital transactions fees are higher, the fee is 3.49% + $0.49 USD per transaction. For more information regarding PapPal fees, check its web page. 

Additionally, there have been instances of PayPal freezing user accounts without prior notice, posing a significant concern for merchants.

Square, the Simple and Effective Payment Plugin for OpenCart

Square is an excellent choice for small and medium-sized businesses using OpenCart. Its integration with OpenCart is straightforward, offering tools for online customer insights, multi-location management, and inventory organization. The intuitive and user-friendly interface ensures a smooth integration process, although an additional extension or plugin might be required for full functionality.

While Square is compatible with various extensions, its ecosystem is not as extensive as that of PayPal and Stripe. However, Square’s ecosystem is continually growing and offers a variety of features that might be sufficient for many small to medium-sized businesses. It supports in-person payments, invoicing, and recurring payments, making it a versatile choice and particularly beneficial for businesses with a physical presence.

The platform’s transaction fees can be relatively high and vary depending on the type of transaction. For instance, Square charges 2.6% + $0.10 for in-person transactions, 2.9% + $0.30 for online transactions, and 3.5% + $0.15 for manually entered transactions. Square also offers custom pricing for businesses processing over $250,000 annually, which could lower these fees. While Square offers robust features such as integrated POS solutions and advanced fraud prevention, these benefits come at a cost that might be higher than some other payment gateways.

Square provides solid customer support, although availability varies by service tier. Businesses requiring international payments may find Square’s reach limited compared to other platforms like PayPal and Stripe, as it primarily operates in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom. However, Square continues to expand its international services, which might benefit businesses looking to grow globally. 

Stripe, the Flexible Payment Solution for OpenCart 

Stripe is well-known for its flexibility and developer-focused approach. While it may require some technical setup, Stripe’s APIs allow for deep integration tailored to your business’s needs. In addition, Stripe easily integrates with numerous extensions and plugins, offering great flexibility to customize and expand your online store’s functionalities.

Stripe charges a fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per national transaction and a plus of 1.5% per international transactions and one of 1% if a change of currency is required. Nevertheless it offers more competitive rates for businesses with high transaction volumes throughout personalized offers. Additionally, it does not charge for failed payments or refunds, which can result in significant long-term savings. For more details on Stripe fees, check the web page. 

Furthermore, Stripe excels at handling recurring payments, multiple currencies, and international payments. It offers advanced fraud prevention tools and detailed reporting for sales analysis. Stripe’s customization capabilities can significantly optimize customer experience and operational efficiency.

With 24/7 customer support and extensive resources, Stripe is highly valued for its support. The active Stripe developer community also provides solutions and assistance. Nevertheless, lately, there has been a shift towards less technical front-line support agents, which can delay resolution times for more complex issues.

Stripe is available in over 40 countries and supports more than 135 currencies and various currencies and countries, allowing businesses to accept international payments seamlessly. Its ability to handle currency conversions and its global infrastructure make it ideal for companies with an international customer base or looking to expand internationally.

Stripe: The Best Payment Plugin for Online Stores

While PayPal and Square offer valuable features as payment gateway for OpenCart stores, Stripe stands as a superior choice for OpenCart users.

Stripe not only offers flexible and customizable integration but also presents competitive rates and advanced tools for fraud management. Moreover, Stripe’s ability to handle international payments and broad compatibility with other extensions make it a complete and efficient solution.

In summary, Stripe not only enhances the customer experience by providing a smooth and secure payment process but also optimizes your business’s operational efficiency, allowing you to focus on the growth and development of your online store.

By choosing Stripe, you invest in a payment platform that brings real value to your business and customers.