Compare E-Commerce APIs
Choose one of the integration methods below to connect a Web site to the payment gateway for processing transactions. Also view the Merchant Integration Guide, which focuses on the settings available in the Merchant Interface for configuring a Web site connection to the payment gateway.
| Simple Checkout | Server Integration Method (SIM) | Direct Post Method (DPM) New! | Advanced Integration Method (AIM) | |
| Cost | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Customer Experience | Pays on customizable Authorize.Net Web site | Pays on customizable Authorize.Net Web site | Pays on your Web site | Pays on your Web site |
| Level of Customization |
Choose one of our Authorize.Net Simple Checkout "Buy Now" and "Donate" buttons or create your own button by customizing color and text.
Single-item purchases in any quantity |
Authorize.Net can handle all the steps in the secure transaction process—payment data collection, data submission and the response to the customer—while keeping Authorize.Net virtually transparent | You can control all steps in the payment process | You can control all steps in the payment process |
| Technical Expertise Required | Copy and paste HTML. No API required. Simply log into Merchant Interface to configure Buy Now or Donate buttons. | Scripting techniques to authenticate transactions with a unique transaction fingerprint | Basic programming skills | Advanced scripting knowledge recommended |
| Merchant SSL Certificate | No SSL required | No SSL required | SSL Recommended | SSL Required |
| User Sessions | N/A | N/A | N/A | Must use AIM to maintain user session throughout payment process |
| Data Storage | Data stored on Authorize.Net PCI-compliant servers (reduces risk to merchant) | Data stored on Authorize.Net PCI-compliant servers (reduces risk to merchant) | Data stored on Authorize.Net PCI-compliant servers (reduces risk to merchant) | Data stored locally on secure merchant server |
| API Resources | No API Required | View API Documentation | View API Documentation | View API Documentation |