Best APIs for International Payments: Features, Use Cases & Providers

Serving an international audience? Managing payments properly should be your top priority to manage cash flow and crush those revenue goals. But if you're still relying on traditional bank transfers, you might want to reconsider.

Don't get us wrong - bank transfers are a pretty reliable way to accept cross-border payments. But, frankly, they're not very efficient. Plus, they're quite restrictive in a time when customers want to be spoiled with choices and flexibility.

That's where international payment APIs help. They let you manage multiple payment methods and currencies, so you can focus on growing your business.

An international payment API is a tool that links your business to banks, payment gateways, and financial networks around the world. Instead of creating separate payment setups for each country, it gives you one place to manage all payments and currencies. This makes it easy to accept money from customers anywhere. Cross-border payment APIs can manage several important functions, such as:

• Processing card and digital wallet payments
• Verifying customer details
• Detecting suspicious transactions
• Tracking payment status in real time

International payment APIs link your business to banks and payment networks worldwide. They let you take payments from customers in different countries and currencies, all without needing separate systems.

Here's how they work:

• You connect the API to your platform.
• When a customer pays, the API collects details, like amount, currency, and customer information.
• It protects the data by encrypting it. It also uses a token, which is a unique code that replaces sensitive information.
• The API chooses the best path for the payment and sends it to the right payment gateway.
• It handles currency conversion and follows local rules.
• The payment gateway checks with banks and payment networks to approve or decline the transaction.
• The API tells you and the customer the result instantly.

There are different types of global payment APIs - payment gateway APIs, card payment APIs, digital wallet APIs, bank transfer APIs, etc.

Xflow, Stripe, Rapyd, WorldFirst, Airwallex, Tipalti, OpenPayd, and Sunrate are some of the best APIs for international payments.

1. Xflow

Xflow is a cross-border payments API provider built for B2B businesses and platforms. It helps you handle international invoices, collect payments, and track cash flow with ease. Since it’s built with an API-first approach, you can add payments to your platform and still keep everything under your own brand.

Key features:

• Add and manage customers to start collecting payments instantly.
• Generate bank transfer details or payment links for easy collections.
• Reconcile invoices with full or partial payments using receivables.
• See exactly when your payouts arrive and track your funds.
• Use webhooks to automatically manage payments, payouts, and updates.

Use cases:

• A SaaS platform embedding international payments for its users.
• A marketplace reconciling multiple invoices and payouts.
• Businesses wanting a white-labeled payment flow where customers never leave their platform.

2. Stripe

Stripe is a global payment API that works for all kinds of businesses, from small startups to big companies. It gives you a reliable way to manage payments as your business grows.

Key features:

• High reliability with published uptime and overprovisioned servers.
• Certified compliance with PCI Level 1 standards.
• REST-based API with predictable URLs and JSON responses.

Use cases:

• An eCommerce brand handling high-traffic sales events.
• A startup testing and launching payments quickly.

3. Rapyd

Rapyd is a global payment API that lets businesses design and control their own payment experiences. With one integration, it connects you to card networks and hundreds of local payment methods worldwide.

Key features:

• 900+ payment methods, including cards, bank transfers, and cash.
• Direct Visa and Mastercard payments in some regions.
• RESTful API with developer tools, docs, and webhooks.

Use cases:

• A marketplace offering multiple local payment options.
• A business needing fast global scalability.

4. WorldFirst

WorldFirst offers an API that lets businesses integrate a full international payment system into their own platforms. It gives clients access to local currency accounts, faster transfers, and competitive exchange rates without leaving the platform.

Key features:

• Easy integration with real-time reporting and payment tracking.
• Direct access to global currency accounts.
• Fast and secure cross-border payments with top banking partners.

Use cases:

• Marketplaces enabling sellers to collect and manage payments locally.
• Businesses managing B2B payments, payroll, or treasury operations.

5. Airwallex

Airwallex is a global payment API. It lets you accept payments in local currencies and through popular payment methods. The API also lowers conversion fees and makes checkout easier for international customers.

Key features:

• Accept 160+ payment methods with local pricing.
• Like-for-like settlement to avoid costly FX fees.
• Built-in fraud prevention and dispute management.

Use cases:

• An eCommerce store boosting conversions with local payment options.
• A marketplace managing global pay-ins and payouts securely.

6. Tipalti

Tipalti is another API that lets you manage global payments easily and safely. It can handle all types of payments - partners, contractors, and suppliers, without needing manual effort.

Key features:

• Pay in 200+ countries, 120 currencies, using 50+ methods.
• Check banking details instantly to cut down on payment mistakes.
• Clear payment tracking with status updates for payees.

Use cases:

• A company paying freelancers across different countries.
• A marketplace managing payouts to global sellers.

7. OpenPayd

OpenPayd provides a complete banking and payments system through one API. Designed for developers, it's easy to set up and comes with clear guides and tools to test everything before going live.

Key features:

• One API to access the full platform.
• A sandbox to test account creation, transactions, and payments.
• Fully documented REST API with fast setup and support.

Use cases:

• A fintech building embedded finance solutions.
• A platform needing quick access to global payment services.

8. Sunrate

Sunrate provides open APIs that give businesses full control over their payment processes while ensuring data is protected with banking-level encryption. It's designed to support custom needs and secure global connections.

Key features:

• Customisable APIs for tailored integrations.
• Sandbox/test mode for smooth development.
• Banking-grade encryption for secure transactions.

Use cases:

• A global business building secure fund management workflows.
• A company needing flexible integrations with worldwide partners.

APIs make it easier for global businesses to handle payments. You don't have to separate systems for each country. You can add different payment options, handle multiple currencies, and keep transactions - all in one place.

1. Simple integration

Instead of building separate systems for each country, APIs give you one platform to handle payments across borders. This saves time for developers and keeps processes simple.

2. More payment options

Customers can pay using cards, digital wallets, bank transfers, or local methods that they’re familiar with. This builds trust and makes them more likely to complete their purchase.

3. Support for many currencies

APIs make it easy to accept and settle in multiple currencies. Some even handle FX conversion & routing automatically, so prices can be shown in local currency.

4. Security and fraud protection

APIs keep payments safe for you and your customers with encryption, tokens, and compliance checks. They also use Webhook callbacks and status tracking to let you know what’s happening with every transaction in real time.

When using payment APIs for international transactions, you might run into challenges. These include connecting the API to your system, following rules in different countries, and handling multiple currencies and local payment methods.

1. Integration issues

Linking a new payment API with existing systems is not always easy. It gets harder when the API needs to work with many payment methods and currencies. Good documentation, SDKs, and ready-made UI parts can help.

2. Regulatory compliance

Every country has its own rules for payments. Meeting these rules can be tricky for global businesses. APIs with built-in tools for tax and customer checks (like SCA) make this easier.

3. Different currencies and payment methods

Dealing with different currencies and local payment options can be tricky. APIs that convert currencies automatically and support local options help solve this problem.

Xflow makes cross-border B2B payments easier with a wide set of fraud and compliance tools. You can manage everything through its dashboard or APIs and enjoy more control without extra complexity. Here's what makes it one of the best APIs for international payments:

• Customer management: Add customers quickly, collect payments, and for platforms, onboard users and set up their experience.
• Payment collection: Create bank transfer instructions for invoices or generate payment links for online payments.
• Invoice reconciliation: Match payments to invoices, even if they're only partly paid. See when money reaches your account.
• Automation: Use webhook callbacks to act on payment events, payouts, and status updates.
• White-labeled experience: Let Xflow handle the payments while your customers see only your brand.

Sign up today to simplify your global transactions.

International payment APIs are governed by strict regulatory frameworks. These include PSD2, GDPR, CCPA, FFIEC, and PCI-DSS.