Escaping the Payment Processor Trap: How Developers Can Architect for Portability and Avoid Costly Lock-in
Payment gateway integrations that appear straightforward at the outset frequently become entrenched dependencies that are expensive and disruptive to exit. This developer-focused guide examines the hidden fees, API constraints, and contractual obligations that create lock-in, and presents concrete architectural strategies for building payment systems that remain portable. A side-by-side comparison of major US payment processors and migration case studies are included.