Pick / avoid summary (fast)
Skim these triggers to pick a default, then validate with the quick checks and constraints below.
- ✓ You process $50K-$5M/month - below Adyen's minimums
- ✓ You need enterprise payment features without enterprise volume
- ✓ Failed transaction optimization is priority (3-8% revenue boost)
- ✓ You process $10M+/month requiring proven enterprise scale
- ✓ You need unified commerce (online + in-store POS integration)
- ✓ You require 80+ countries with local acquiring (vs 47)
- × Minimum volume requirements ($50K-$100K/month) exclude small businesses
- × Developer experience inferior to Stripe - documentation less comprehensive
- × American Express transactions are expensive (~3.95% payment method fee)
- × Interchange++ variability means costs fluctuate by card type and issuer
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CheckCheckout.com's payment optimization can add 3-8% revenue; Adyen's scale and reliability reduce payment downtime risk
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The trade-offAccessibility and optimization vs proven enterprise scale and unified commerce—volume determines fit
At-a-glance comparison
CheckoutCom
Checkout.com is an enterprise payment platform optimized for high-volume merchants with custom interchange-plus pricing, global acquiring, and payment optimization tools. Competes directly with Stripe and Adyen at scale.
- ✓ Interchange-plus pricing available at lower volumes than Stripe (from $50K/month vs $250K)
- ✓ Payment optimization engine reduces failed transactions by 3-8% boosting revenue
- ✓ Direct acquiring in 47 countries with local currency settlement
Adyen
Adyen is a global payments platform offering all major payment methods through one integration with Interchange++ pricing transparency. Known for enterprise-grade infrastructure and multi-currency flexibility with no setup or monthly fees.
- ✓ Interchange++ pricing model provides transaction-level cost visibility
- ✓ Fixed $0.13 processing fee is transparent and predictable
- ✓ Costs calculated BEFORE payment completion - no surprises
What breaks first (decision checks)
These checks reflect the common constraints that decide between CheckoutCom and Adyen in this category.
If you only read one section, read this — these are the checks that force redesigns or budget surprises.
- Real trade-off: Lower volume minimums ($50K vs $500K) vs larger enterprise proven at massive scale
- Developer Experience vs Simplicity: Assess internal technical capabilities and API integration requirements
- Transparent Pricing vs Cost Variability: Analyze transaction mix (card types, international %, currency conversions)
Implementation gotchas
These are the practical downsides teams tend to discover during setup, rollout, or scaling.
Where CheckoutCom surprises teams
- Minimum volume requirements ($50K-$100K/month) exclude small businesses
- Developer experience inferior to Stripe - documentation less comprehensive
- Fewer pre-built integrations than Stripe ecosystem
Where Adyen surprises teams
- American Express transactions are expensive (~3.95% payment method fee)
- Interchange++ variability means costs fluctuate by card type and issuer
- Currency conversion costs vary by merchant country (not transparent)
Where each product pulls ahead
These are the distinctive advantages that matter most in this comparison.
CheckoutCom advantages
- ✓ Accessible minimums ($50K/month vs Adyen's $500K+)
- ✓ Payment optimization engine reduces failed transactions 3-8%
- ✓ Faster implementation (4-8 weeks vs 3-6 months)
Adyen advantages
- ✓ Proven at massive scale (Uber, eBay process billions)
- ✓ Unified commerce connecting online and in-store POS
- ✓ Larger global coverage (80+ countries vs 47)
Pros and cons
CheckoutCom
Pros
- + You process $50K-$5M/month - below Adyen's minimums
- + You need enterprise payment features without enterprise volume
- + Failed transaction optimization is priority (3-8% revenue boost)
- + You want faster implementation (4-8 weeks vs 3-6 months)
- + You're cost-conscious mid-market merchant seeking IC+ pricing
- + You don't need unified POS + online commerce infrastructure
Cons
- − Minimum volume requirements ($50K-$100K/month) exclude small businesses
- − Developer experience inferior to Stripe - documentation less comprehensive
- − Fewer pre-built integrations than Stripe ecosystem
- − Implementation requires technical expertise - not plug-and-play like PayPal
- − Enterprise sales process - pricing not transparent, requires negotiations
- − Smaller community and third-party developer ecosystem
- − Advanced features (payment optimization, routing) require Premium tier
- − Setup complexity higher - multi-week integration vs Stripe's same-day
Adyen
Pros
- + You process $10M+/month requiring proven enterprise scale
- + You need unified commerce (online + in-store POS integration)
- + You require 80+ countries with local acquiring (vs 47)
- + Brand reputation matters - Adyen's enterprise client roster
- + You have complex multi-region, multi-currency requirements
- + Your business justifies 3-6 month implementation investment
Cons
- − American Express transactions are expensive (~3.95% payment method fee)
- − Interchange++ variability means costs fluctuate by card type and issuer
- − Currency conversion costs vary by merchant country (not transparent)
- − Cross-border transactions add fees on top of base rates
- − Custom enterprise pricing requires sales engagement (not self-serve)
- − Some payment methods have geographic restrictions
- − Certain business types prohibited (see restricted businesses list)
Keep exploring this category
If you’re close to a decision, the fastest next step is to read 1–2 more head-to-head briefs, then confirm pricing limits in the product detail pages.
FAQ
How do you choose between CheckoutCom and Adyen?
Checkout.com wins for mid-market merchants ($50K-$5M/month) needing enterprise features at accessible minimums. Adyen dominates for large enterprises ($10M+/month) requiring proven global scale and unified commerce. Both offer IC+ pricing but serve different volume tiers.
When should you pick CheckoutCom?
Pick CheckoutCom when: You process $50K-$5M/month - below Adyen's minimums; You need enterprise payment features without enterprise volume; Failed transaction optimization is priority (3-8% revenue boost); You want faster implementation (4-8 weeks vs 3-6 months).
When should you pick Adyen?
Pick Adyen when: You process $10M+/month requiring proven enterprise scale; You need unified commerce (online + in-store POS integration); You require 80+ countries with local acquiring (vs 47); Brand reputation matters - Adyen's enterprise client roster.
What’s the real trade-off between CheckoutCom and Adyen?
Lower volume minimums ($50K vs $500K) vs larger enterprise proven at massive scale
What’s the most common mistake buyers make in this comparison?
Choosing based on brand recognition (Adyen's enterprise clients) while ignoring minimum volume requirements
What’s the fastest elimination rule?
Pick Checkout.com if: Mid-market merchant ($50K-$5M/month) needing enterprise payment features at accessible minimums
What breaks first with CheckoutCom?
Volume drops below minimum commitment - penalty fees or forced renegotiation. Developer frustration with documentation gaps compared to Stripe's quality. Need for specific integration Stripe has but Checkout.com lacks.
What are the hidden constraints of CheckoutCom?
Minimum volume commitments often $50K-$100K/month - can't scale down temporarily. IC+ pricing requires understanding interchange categories - complexity vs flat-rate simplicity. Payment optimization tools cost extra beyond base API access.
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Sources & verification
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