Which Payment Integration Should I Use for My JotForm: Square, PayPal Business, or Stripe?

Full Question: I’m using JotForm to build forms and now need to integrate a payment option. I’ve heard that Square, PayPal Business, and Stripe are popular choices, but I’m not sure which one would be best for my needs. I’m looking for something that’s easy to set up, integrates smoothly with JotForm, and offers reliable processing for online payments. Can you help me compare these options and pick the best one?

If you’re deciding between Square, PayPal Business, and Stripe to integrate with your JotForm, you’re likely wondering which one will provide the best user experience, both for you and your customers. While all three options are popular and widely used, each has its strengths and is suited to different types of businesses and needs.

The Problem: Choosing the Right Payment Integration

Choosing the right payment processor depends on various factors: the type of transactions you handle, your business location, transaction fees, and how easy the integration process is. Additionally, you may want to avoid having to manually reconcile payments or deal with complicated setups.

Let’s break down the three options:

1. Square

Square is ideal for small businesses, especially if you already use their point-of-sale (POS) system. It’s known for its ease of use and no monthly fees. Square offers seamless integration with JotForm, allowing you to manage payments, send invoices, and even track inventory from one dashboard. It’s perfect if you’re dealing with in-person and online payments since you can unify both under one platform.

However, if your business deals mostly with high-volume, international payments, Square may not be the best fit, as it’s more localized and may lack some international features that Stripe and PayPal Business offer.

Pros:

• No monthly fees
• Easy integration with JotForm
• Excellent for small businesses and in-person payments

Cons:

• Limited international capabilities
• Higher transaction fees compared to Stripe for high-volume businesses

2. PayPal Business

PayPal is one of the most widely recognized payment platforms, and the PayPal Business integration with JotForm is perfect if you want a trusted name to handle your transactions. It supports a wide variety of currencies, which is great for businesses that deal with international clients. You can also accept credit cards, PayPal payments, and even offer financing options through PayPal Credit.

However, PayPal’s transaction fees can add up, especially for businesses that handle a lot of transactions. Its user experience can sometimes be clunky, especially with redirects to PayPal’s site during checkout, which might not be ideal for users seeking a smoother process.

Pros:

• Wide range of currency options
• Trusted by many customers
• Supports credit cards, PayPal payments, and PayPal Credit

Cons:

• Higher transaction fees
• Redirecting users to the PayPal site may disrupt the checkout flow

3. Stripe

Stripe is often the go-to option for tech-savvy businesses that need flexibility and customization. It offers a sleek integration with JotForm and supports multiple currencies and payment methods, making it perfect for businesses with international customers. One major advantage is that Stripe offers more control over the payment experience, allowing you to keep users on your site for a more seamless process.

If you’re a developer or comfortable with API integrations, Stripe is unbeatable in terms of customizability. For non-technical users, the setup process can be a bit more complex compared to Square and PayPal Business, but JotForm simplifies this with its integration.

Pros:

• Excellent for businesses needing customization
• Supports a wide range of currencies and payment methods
• Keeps users on your site during payment

Cons:

• Slightly more complex setup
• May have a learning curve for non-technical users

Recommendation: Stripe for Flexibility and User Experience

After comparing these options, Stripe stands out as the best choice for most users, especially if you value a smooth, seamless payment process without redirecting users to another site. Its customizability and support for multiple currencies make it perfect for businesses handling both local and international transactions. While the setup may be a bit more complex than Square or PayPal Business, the long-term benefits in terms of flexibility and control over the payment experience are worth it.

How to Install Stripe on JotForm:

1. Open JotForm and go to the form you want to add a payment gateway to.
2. In the Form Elements menu, navigate to the Payments section.
3. Select Stripe from the list of available payment options.
4. Click on Connect with Stripe and log into your Stripe account to authorize the connection.
5. Once connected, configure your payment settings, including the currency and payment options.
6. Save and publish your form—you’re ready to start accepting payments!

In summary, while Square and PayPal Business both offer strong options, Stripe’s flexibility and ability to create a frictionless checkout experience make it the best choice for most JotForm users. Whether you’re dealing with local or international customers, Stripe gives you the control and scalability you need as your business grows.