Braintree review

Braintree is the gateway PayPal sells to businesses that want to build their own checkout. One integration handles credit and debit cards, third-party digital wallets, PayPal and Venmo, and the fee table on Braintree's US page lists 2.89% plus 29 cents for cards and wallets for standard merchants. ACH direct debit costs 0.75% capped at $5 on the standard schedule, or 1.5% plus 10 cents for same-day processing, which makes it attractive for higher-value orders. Venmo transactions cost 3.49% plus 49 cents and PayPal transactions follow PayPal's merchant fees. Charges presented in a non-USD currency or on cards issued outside the US each add 1%, and chargebacks cost $15. Established businesses can ask for custom flat rates or interchange plus. Use requires an application and approval by PayPal, and the product is aimed at teams with developers rather than owners clicking through a store builder.

Who it is for

Developer-led stores that want cards plus PayPal and Venmo in one custom checkout at a lower card rate than PayPal's own.

Price

No monthly fee; cards and digital wallets 2.89% + 29¢; ACH 0.75% capped at $5.

Cards and third-party digital wallet transactions For standard merchants 1 2.89% + 0.29 USD
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 6, 2026.

Key features

• Cards, digital wallets, PayPal and Venmo in one integration
• ACH direct debit with standard and same-day options
• Pass-through American Express pricing for merchants with their own Amex account
• Custom rates and interchange plus for established businesses
• Charity rate of 2.19% + 29¢ for verified 501(c)(3) groups

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Card rate of 2.89% + 29¢ undercuts PayPal's standard card fee
• Strength: ACH capped at $5 per transaction
• Strength: PayPal and Venmo sit in the same checkout
• Weakness: Approval is subject to an application
• Weakness: Non-USD and non-US cards each add 1%
• Weakness: Chargebacks cost $15

Key facts

• Card and wallet rate: 2.89% + $0.29
• ACH standard: 0.75%, capped at $5
• Same-day ACH: 1.5% + $0.10
• International card: Additional 1%
• Chargeback: $15

Where it ranks

Braintree is No. 5 in our Best Payment Gateways verdict.