Comprehensive List of Online Payment Gateways for Website Integration

In the modern digital economy, accepting online payments is no longer optional for businesses that want to compete effectively. Whether you’re running an e-commerce store, offering subscription services, or collecting donations, integrating a reliable payment gateway is essential for converting visitors into paying customers. With dozens of payment gateways available globally, each offering different features, pricing structures, and regional support, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. This comprehensive guide explores the major payment gateways available for website integration in 2026, helping you make an informed decision based on your business needs, target market, and technical capabilities.

Understanding Payment Gateways

Before diving into specific providers, it’s important to understand what a payment gateway actually does. A payment gateway is a technology service that securely transmits payment information between your customer, your business, and the financial institutions involved in the transaction. It acts as a bridge that makes electronic payments possible, whether online or in person. The gateway encrypts sensitive data like credit card numbers, authorizes transactions by communicating with banks, and ensures funds are transferred from the customer’s account to your merchant account. Most modern payment gateways also include fraud detection, compliance management, and reporting features that help businesses operate safely and efficiently.

Global Payment Gateway Leaders

Stripe

Stripe has established itself as the developer-friendly payment gateway of choice for businesses worldwide. Founded in 2010, Stripe processes billions of dollars in transactions annually and serves companies of all sizes, from startups to enterprises like Shopify and Amazon. What sets Stripe apart is its comprehensive API documentation and extensive customization options, allowing businesses to create tailored payment experiences. Stripe supports over 135 currencies and accepts credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, and various local payment methods across different countries.

The platform charges a transparent fee structure with no monthly fees for basic usage. In the United States, online transactions typically cost 2.9 percent plus 30 cents per successful charge. Stripe also offers advanced features like subscription billing, marketplace payments through Stripe Connect, fraud detection using machine learning, and instant payouts. The platform is PCI DSS compliant, handling security concerns so businesses don’t need to worry about storing sensitive card data. Integration is straightforward with pre-built libraries for popular programming languages and plugins for major e-commerce platforms like WooCommerce, Shopify, and Magento.

PayPal

With 431 million active users globally, PayPal remains one of the most recognized payment gateways in the world. Founded in 1998, PayPal pioneered online payments and continues to dominate with its dual offering: PayPal Checkout for customer-facing transactions and Payflow Gateway for merchant processing. The platform’s widespread recognition provides instant credibility to businesses, with many customers preferring PayPal because they trust the brand and appreciate not having to enter card details on unfamiliar websites.

PayPal supports transactions in over 200 countries and 25 currencies, making it ideal for international businesses. Transaction fees start at 2.59 percent plus a fixed fee that varies by currency. PayPal offers additional services including PayPal Credit for buy-now-pay-later options, invoicing capabilities, point-of-sale solutions, and integration with Venmo for peer-to-peer payments. The platform also supports cryptocurrency transactions, allowing businesses to accept payments in Bitcoin and other digital currencies. PayPal’s developer tools and APIs make integration relatively simple, though some users report that PayPal’s dispute resolution process can favor buyers over merchants.

Square

Square revolutionized payment processing when it launched in 2009 with its simple card reader for mobile devices. Today, Square offers comprehensive payment solutions for both online and in-person transactions. The platform is particularly popular with small to medium-sized businesses due to its transparent pricing and lack of monthly fees. Online transactions cost 2.9 percent plus 30 cents, while in-person card-present transactions are slightly cheaper at 2.6 percent plus 10 cents.

Square provides a complete ecosystem including a free online store builder, inventory management, customer relationship management tools, and reporting dashboards. The platform integrates seamlessly with Square’s point-of-sale systems, making it ideal for businesses operating both physical locations and online stores. Square supports major credit and debit cards, contactless payments, and digital wallets. One unique advantage is Square’s same-day deposit option for an additional fee, providing faster access to funds compared to most competitors.

Adyen

Adyen serves as the payment infrastructure for many of the world’s largest companies, including Spotify, eBay, Microsoft, and Uber. Founded in the Netherlands in 2006, Adyen processes payments in over 180 currencies across nearly 100 countries. The platform supports more than 200 payment methods, including credit cards, digital wallets, bank transfers, and buy-now-pay-later options. Adyen’s unified commerce approach allows businesses to accept payments across online stores, mobile apps, and physical locations through a single platform.

What distinguishes Adyen is its enterprise-grade infrastructure and advanced features. The platform offers real-time analytics, dynamic card validation, and sophisticated fraud detection using artificial intelligence. Adyen’s pricing is customized based on business needs and transaction volume, making it more suitable for medium to large businesses rather than startups. The platform is fully customizable and developer-friendly, though integration can be more complex than simpler alternatives like Stripe or Square.

Regional and Specialized Payment Gateways

Shopify Payments

For businesses operating on the Shopify e-commerce platform, Shopify Payments offers the most seamless integration available. Built directly into Shopify’s ecosystem, this payment gateway eliminates the need for third-party providers and reduces transaction fees. Shopify merchants using Shopify Payments avoid the additional percentage fees charged when using external payment gateways.

Shopify Payments is powered by Stripe’s infrastructure but optimized specifically for Shopify stores. It supports multiple payment methods including credit cards, digital wallets, Shop Pay for accelerated checkout, and even cryptocurrency like USDC. Transaction fees vary based on your Shopify plan, ranging from 2.9 percent plus 30 cents for basic plans to 2.5 percent plus 30 cents for advanced plans. The platform supports sales across multiple channels including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Google. Shopify Payments is available in select countries and regions, with expansion continuing over time.

Authorize.Net

As one of the oldest payment gateways still operating, Authorize.Net has been processing online transactions since 1996. Owned by Visa, the platform provides reliable, consistent performance and excellent customer support. Authorize.Net charges a monthly subscription fee of 25 dollars plus transaction fees of 2.9 percent plus 30 cents. While this monthly fee may seem like a disadvantage, the platform’s reliability and Visa backing make it attractive for businesses prioritizing stability.

Authorize.Net supports credit cards, debit cards, eChecks, contactless payments, and digital wallets. The platform includes built-in fraud detection, customer information management, and recurring billing capabilities. It integrates with most major shopping carts and e-commerce platforms. Authorize.Net is particularly popular with businesses in industries that face higher regulatory scrutiny, as its long operating history and Visa ownership provide additional credibility.

African Payment Gateways

Paystack

Paystack has emerged as Africa’s leading payment gateway since its founding in Nigeria in 2015. In 2020, Stripe acquired Paystack for over 200 million dollars, providing additional resources and credibility while maintaining Paystack’s focus on African markets. The platform currently operates in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya, supporting local payment methods including cards, bank transfers, USSD, mobile money, and QR codes.

Paystack’s competitive advantage lies in its understanding of African payment challenges and its tailored solutions for the continent. The platform offers the lowest transaction fees among African gateways, typically 1.5 percent plus 100 naira for domestic transactions in Nigeria. Paystack supports multi-currency transactions, allowing businesses to accept payments from international customers. The platform provides excellent documentation, easy integration with popular e-commerce platforms, and responsive customer support. Paystack is ideal for businesses operating primarily within Africa but looking to expand internationally.

Flutterwave

Founded in 2016, Flutterwave has positioned itself as a pan-African payment gateway serving businesses across 33 African countries and beyond. The platform raised significant funding from international investors and formed partnerships with global companies like PayPal, expanding its reach and capabilities. Flutterwave supports a comprehensive range of payment methods including debit and credit cards, mobile wallets, bank transfers, M-Pesa, and various local payment options specific to different African countries.

Flutterwave charges competitive fees that vary by country and payment method, generally ranging from 1.4 percent to 3.8 percent per transaction. The platform offers advanced features including subscription management for recurring payments, marketplace solutions for multi-vendor platforms, fraud detection and prevention tools, and virtual account generation for businesses. Flutterwave’s multi-currency support and extensive country coverage make it ideal for businesses operating across multiple African markets or targeting international expansion from an African base.

PayFast

As one of South Africa’s first payment gateways, founded in 2008, PayFast has played a crucial role in the country’s e-commerce growth. The platform focuses primarily on the South African market, offering deep integration with local banks and payment methods. PayFast supports credit and debit cards, instant EFT (electronic funds transfer), SnapScan, Zapper, and other South African payment preferences.

Transaction fees are competitive, starting at 2.85 percent plus 2 rand for domestic transactions. PayFast offers no setup fees and no monthly fees, making it accessible for small businesses and startups. The platform integrates easily with popular South African e-commerce solutions and provides subscription billing capabilities for recurring payments. While PayFast’s geographic focus is narrower than competitors like Paystack and Flutterwave, its specialized South African knowledge makes it an excellent choice for businesses operating exclusively in that market.

Asian Payment Gateways

Razorpay

Razorpay dominates the Indian payment gateway market, offering comprehensive solutions for businesses of all sizes. Founded in 2014, the platform supports credit cards, debit cards, net banking, UPI, digital wallets like Paytm and PhonePe, and buy-now-pay-later services. Razorpay’s deep integration with India’s digital payment infrastructure, including UPI and the RuPay network, makes it essential for businesses targeting Indian customers.

The platform charges 2 percent per transaction with no setup fees or annual maintenance charges. Razorpay offers additional products including Razorpay X for banking and payout solutions, Razorpay Capital for business loans, and subscription management tools. The API is developer-friendly with extensive documentation, making integration straightforward. Razorpay primarily serves the Indian market with INR currency, though it does support international card payments.

Buy-Now-Pay-Later Gateways

Klarna

Klarna has revolutionized online shopping by offering flexible payment options that allow customers to spread purchases over time. Founded in Sweden in 2005, Klarna now operates in multiple countries and serves millions of consumers. The platform offers several payment methods including pay-in-30-days interest-free, pay-in-3-installments, and longer financing options.

For merchants, Klarna assumes the credit risk, paying businesses upfront while collecting payments from customers over time. This removes the risk of non-payment from merchants. However, Klarna charges higher fees than traditional payment gateways, typically ranging from 3.29 percent to 5.99 percent plus 30 cents per transaction. Despite higher costs, many businesses find that Klarna increases conversion rates and average order values by making larger purchases more accessible to customers. Klarna is particularly popular with younger shoppers and fashion retailers.

Afterpay

Similar to Klarna, Afterpay offers buy-now-pay-later services that split purchases into four equal installments paid every two weeks. The service is interest-free for customers who pay on time, making it attractive for budget-conscious shoppers. Afterpay is especially popular in Australia, New Zealand, and increasingly in the United States.

Merchants pay fees ranging from 4 percent to 6 percent plus 30 cents per transaction, higher than traditional payment processing but justified by increased sales and reduced cart abandonment. Afterpay handles all credit risk and customer service, simplifying operations for merchants. The platform integrates with major e-commerce platforms and provides marketing support to help businesses promote their Afterpay payment option. Research shows that businesses offering Afterpay see increased average order values and higher conversion rates, particularly among younger demographics.

Choosing the Right Payment Gateway

Selecting the appropriate payment gateway depends on multiple factors specific to your business. Geographic coverage is paramount; if you’re operating in Africa, local gateways like Paystack, Flutterwave, or PayFast will provide better support for regional payment methods than international options. Transaction volume affects pricing considerations, as high-volume businesses may benefit from interchange-plus pricing models rather than flat-rate fees. Technical capabilities matter too; businesses with developer resources can leverage the customization options of Stripe or Adyen, while less technical users might prefer the simplicity of Square or PayPal.

Customer preferences should guide your decision as well. Research shows that offering familiar, trusted payment options increases conversion rates. In some markets, PayPal recognition provides credibility, while in others, local payment methods like M-Pesa or UPI are essential. Security and compliance are non-negotiable; ensure any gateway you choose is PCI DSS compliant and offers robust fraud detection. Settlement speed impacts cash flow, with some gateways offering instant deposits for a fee while others require several business days.

Many successful businesses integrate multiple payment gateways to maximize geographic coverage and payment method diversity. For example, a global e-commerce store might use Stripe for international credit card transactions, PayPal for customers who prefer it, and regional gateways like Razorpay for India and Paystack for Africa. This multi-gateway approach ensures you never turn away customers due to payment limitations, though it does add complexity to reconciliation and reporting.

The payment gateway landscape continues evolving rapidly, with new players emerging and established providers expanding their capabilities. In 2026, trends include increased adoption of digital wallets, blockchain-based payments, artificial intelligence for fraud detection, and instant settlement options. By understanding the strengths and limitations of different payment gateways and aligning your choice with your business needs, target market, and growth plans, you can establish a payment infrastructure that supports your success and scales with your ambitions.