5 proven Stripe alternatives for UK marketplaces in 2025

Finding the right payment solution for your business isn't just about processing fees. It’s about creating customer experiences with payment flows that build trust and support growth while maintaining security and compliance. If you’re a marketplace or a multivendor platform, you may have already discovered that standard payment processors aren’t built for the complexity of marketplace payment operations. 

Stripe Connect is largely considered an incumbent for marketplace payment solutions, but it’s not always the right fit. High fees, limited customisation, lack of customer support, and even unexpected account closures are key drivers for businesses searching for Stripe alternatives. Whether you're aiming to reduce costs, find a provider with 24/7 human support, or just want to explore alternative payment partners; this guide breaks down what makes marketplace payments different and the top 5 alternatives to Stripe for 2025. 

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What makes marketplace payment solutions different?

Unlike standard e-commerce, marketplace payments involve multiple parties. For these kinds of payments, it's important to have automated split payment flows, delayed and recurring payment capabilities, fast seller onboarding, and full regulatory compliance. 

Want to dive deeper into marketplace payment requirements? Read our complete guide on payments for marketplaces. 

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How split payments actually work

Here's the basic flow:

1. Buyer purchases a £100 item
2. Payment processor captures the full £100
3. System calculates splits (e.g., 15% platform commission)
4. £15 to your platform, £85 to the seller
5. Payouts occur on your schedule

Advanced scenarios include variable commission rates per seller, multi-party splits between sellers, delayed payouts with escrow, and multi-currency handling.

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The 5 Best Stripe Alternatives for UK Marketplaces

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Paypal Braintree – Best for Brand Recognition

With 400+ million active accounts, PayPal's brand recognition reduces checkout friction and builds instant buyer confidence.

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Key features:

• Advanced fraud tools
• Customisable checkout
• Venmo integration (US only)
• 130+ currencies across 45+ countries
• Buyer and seller protection programs

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Ryft – Best for UK Marketplaces and Platforms

Ryft is an FCA-licensed payment provider built by exited marketplace founders who used Stripe to meet PSD2 compliance but couldn’t scale due to high fees and couldn’t migrate to other providers due to their lack of marketplace payment functionality. 

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Key features:

• Accept payments from all major cards 
• Enable Google Pay and Apple Pay at checkout 
• Automate split payment flows
• Set up delayed payments and recurring billing
• Full regulatory compliance, including KYC/AML, PSD2, and PCI DSS Level 1 compliance.
• In-person, in-app, and online payments with one platform 
• White-label capabilities 
• 24/7 dedicated human support 
• Flexible payouts with next-day automated schedules
• Generate additional revenue with transaction monetisation 

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Adyen – Best for Enterprise Marketplaces

Adyen powers eBay, Uber, Spotify, and Etsy with end-to-end infrastructure designed for massive scale.

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Key features:

• 250+ payment methods across 180+ currencies
• Instant identity verification 
• Advanced fraud prevention with RevenueProtect
• Omnichannel (online, in-app, in-person)
• PCI DSS Level 1 compliance

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Mangopay – Best for European Marketplaces

Mangopay exclusively focuses on marketplace and platform payments with unique e-wallet functionality for European markets.

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Key features 

• Built-in e-wallet system for stored balances
• Native split payments for multi-vendor platforms
• 25+ currencies with competitive FX rates
• Automated KYC verification across Europe
• Full PSD2 compliance, including SCA
• Instant payout capability

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Square – Best for Omnichannel Small Businesses

Square revolutionised small business payments with free hardware and transparent pricing. 

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Key Features:

• Free basic POS hardware
• E-commerce website builder
• Employee management and payroll
• Square Banking integration
• Next-day deposits 
• No coding required

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Why UK and European marketplaces choose Ryft over Stripe

Ryft is the leading Stripe alternative for UK marketplaces, offering purpose-built technology for marketplace payments. Ryft provides automated split payments, 24/7 dedicated human support, and full compliance with PSD2. Marketplaces that have switched from Stripe to Ryft have reported remarkable cost savings of up to 70% in fees.

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