Compare Embedded Form and Direct API integration

FrontStream Payment integration options for your website or application

When evaluating payment integration options for your website or application, both embedded payment forms and direct API integrations offer benefits. The choice between them primarily depends on factors such as technical expertise, user experience, flexibility, and security needs. When looking at the comparison, also keep in mind both approaches can be used together depending on Payment Integration needs. Below is a comparison of each approach we offer at FrontStream:

Benefits of FrontStream Embedded Payment Form

1. Simplicity and Ease of Implementation

   • Faster Setup: Our FrontStream Embedded Payment Form comes pre-built and requires minimal coding. You simply need to integrate into your existing site with an iframe and small code snippet, which makes it a good option for non-technical teams.

   • Fewer Development Resources Needed: Since the form is hosted by FrontStream, you do not need to manage or implement the payment logic, security, or compliance requirements yourself. This saves time and resources.

2. Security and Compliance (PCI DSS)

   • Reduced PCI DSS Scope: Because the sensitive data (credit card details) is handled by FrontStream, the scope of PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance is minimized for your business. This significantly reduces the burden of compliance and security concerns on your end.

   • Security Features: Our FrontStream Embedded Payment Form comes with built-in security features like tokenization, fraud protection, and encryption, which are automatically updated by FrontStream to meet industry standards.

3. Faster User Experience

   • Seamless Checkout: Our FrontStream Embedded Payment Form provides a seamless experience for users by offering a pre-built, optimized interface for payment. This ensures that the checkout process is user-friendly and consistent.

   • Mobile-Optimized: Our Embedded Form is designed to work smoothly on mobile devices, providing better user experience across platforms.

4. No Need for Advanced Developer Skills

   • If you don’t have a dedicated development team or technical expertise, integrating our FrontStream Embedded Payment Form is a straightforward way to implement payments without needing to build and maintain custom integrations.

5. Customize Branding

   • A self-service portal allows customers to generate iframe code and customize the FrontStream Embedded Payment Form’s appearance (e.g., colors, fonts) to closely match your current site’s theme while maintaining security standards.

6. Support for Multiple Payment Methods

   • Pre-built Support: Our Embedded Form supports various payment methods (credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and ACH), saving you the work of integrating multiple payment methods manually.

Benefits of a Direct API Payment Integration

1. Greater Control and Customization

   • Full Control over the User Experience: With a direct API integration, you have complete control over the entire checkout flow, design, and functionality. This allows you to create a more unique, branded experience tailored to your application.

   • Advanced Features: Direct API integrations often provide access to a broader range of features such as reporting or custom payment workflows. You can customize your integration to fit specific business needs.

2. Flexibility

   • Full API Access: Direct access to the API means you can query transaction details, control payment flows, and create custom payment processing logic.

3. Full Branding Control

   • Custom Styling and Interaction: You can match the design of your payment form to your site’s theme and add advanced interactive features like real-time validation, dynamic pricing, or personalized recommendations.

4. Advanced Features

   • Integration with Other Services: A direct API can be integrated with other parts of your business infrastructure, such as customer management systems, analytics platforms, or inventory systems, creating a more streamlined and data-driven business operation.

Comparison Summary

	Embedded Payment Form	Direct API Payment Integration	Similarities
Ease of Setup	Simple, requires minimal coding	Requires significant development effort	Both solutions can be integrated with existing business infrastructures
Customization	Some customization, theming, and design	Control over UI, design, and functionality	Both options allow for some level of customization
Security	Managed by FrontStream, lower PCI DSS scope	More responsibility for compliance and security by customer	Both are PCI Level 1 compliant
User Experience	Pre-designed and optimized for mobile and desktop	Customizable UI and user flow	Both aim to deliver seamless and optimized user experience
Payment Methods	Credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and ACH	Flexibility to integrate multiple methods	Both support: Credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and ACH
Maintenance	FrontStream handles updates and security	Full responsibility on customer for maintenance and updates	Both options offer security features to protect sensitive data and assist businesses in meeting PCI DSS compliance requirements, although the level of responsibility and scope vary between them.
Cost	Lower initial cost (fewer developer resources required)	Higher cost due to development and maintenance

Key similarities

Key similarities between the FrontStream Embedded Payment Form and Direct API Payment Integration can be summarized as follows:

1. Payment Functionality: Both solutions enable businesses to process payments securely, supporting multiple payment methods such as credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and ACH.

2. Security and Compliance: Both options provide security features to ensure the protection of sensitive data and help businesses meet PCI DSS compliance requirements, though the scope and responsibility differ.

3. Customization and Branding: Both options allow for some level of customization, whether through the Embedded Payment Form's theming and design or the complete control over UI and payment flow with a Direct API integration.

4. User Experience: Both aim to deliver a seamless and optimized user experience, whether through a pre-built form optimized for mobile and desktop or a fully customizable checkout process via the API.

5. Integration Flexibility: Both solutions can be integrated with existing business infrastructures, but while the Embedded Payment Form is easier and faster to set up, the Direct API offers greater flexibility and control over the integration.

6. Cost Considerations: Both have different cost structures based on the level of development effort required. The Embedded Payment Form is more cost-effective for businesses with fewer technical resources, while the Direct API integration requires more development but offers deeper customization.

Both approaches also allow for combining the solutions, depending on a business's payment integration needs, offering a balance between ease of use and customization.

Decision

• FrontStream Embedded Payment Form: Best for businesses that prioritize simplicity, security, and quick deployment without needing full control over the payment flow. It’s ideal for businesses or those looking to save on development costs for ease of integration into an existing site for supporting Payment Processing quickly and securely.

• Direct API Payment Integration: Best for businesses that need a highly customized payment solution with full control over branding, user experience, and advanced features the Embedded Payment Form may not fully address.

Choosing the right option will depend on your specific business goals, resources, and technical expertise. Or include both options in your Payment Integration.