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Top 10 Best Shopify Payment Gateways 2026: A Complete Guide

by Aurora Hoang
Dec, 2025
in Ecommerce Platforms, Shopify

For many merchants, choosing one (or more) Shopify payment gateways is certainly not the most glamorous part of building a store. A Shopify payment gateway is the system that securely processes customer payments for online stores built on the Shopify platform – and since there are so many options available, the selection process can feel more confusing than it needs to be!

But no worries. To make it easier for you, this guide will break down:

  • Why do you need a Shopify payment gateways
  • How Shopify payment gateways work
  • 5 important features to look for
  • How many gateways are available on Shopify
  • Top 10 best payment gateways for Shopify
  • Things to consider when choosing a gateway
  • How to add multiple gateways to your store

Let’s get started!


Why Do You Need A Shopify Payment Gateway?

You need a Shopify payment gateway to securely process online payments, acting as the crucial link between customer card details and financial institutions, enabling you to accept credit cards, digital wallets, and more.

Securely process online payments

A Shopify payment gateway is responsible for handling the entire payment transaction flow, from the moment a customer enters their card or wallet details to the point where funds are approved and transferred to your account. It encrypts sensitive information, communicates with payment processors, card networks, and issuing banks, and ensures that data is never exposed to your store’s servers.

This function matters because payment data is one of the most sensitive types of customer information. Hence, by using a proper gateway, you offload the technical and legal responsibility of handling this data to a certified provider, which, in turn, reduces your risk while still offering a seamless checkout experience.

Enable cashless transactions and make sales possible

In modern eCommerce, almost every transaction is cashless. Customers expect to pay using credit cards, digital wallets, or flexible payment options like Buy Now, Pay Later. Without a payment gateway, your Shopify store simply cannot accept these payments, meaning no orders can be completed even if demand exists!

In short, a payment gateway turns browsing intent into real revenue. It ensures that when a customer clicks “Pay now,” the transaction actually goes through smoothly, without errors, delays, or failed authorizations that could cost you the sale.

Build trust and reduce checkout abandonment

When customers feel uncertain about payment security, they hesitate (or worse, abandon their cart entirely).

Since checkout is the most sensitive stage of the customer journey, trust plays a decisive role here. A reliable payment gateway allows you to display familiar payment methods, security badges, and well-known brands that reassure shoppers their money and data are safe. As a result, it encourages customers to complete their purchase and, ultimately, eliminates any lingering doubt.


How Does Shopify Payment Gateways Work?

Shopify payment gateways securely process customer payments by encrypting details, sending them to a processor, getting bank authorization, and then settling funds to the merchant, all while keeping the buyer and seller connected via the Shopify admin for order management and payouts.

Essentially, they act as a secure digital checkout, handling everything from card entry to bank transfers, ensuring PCI compliance and fraud checks. Let's see how the process works step-by-step:

  1. Checkout initiation: A customer adds items to their cart and proceeds to checkout, entering their details.
  2. Payment details entry: At the payment step, the customer chooses a method (card, Shop Pay, Apple Pay, etc.) and enters their information.
  3. Encryption & transmission: The gateway encrypts this sensitive data (like card numbers) to prevent interception and sends it to a payment processor.
  4. Authorization request: The processor acts as a messenger, sending the request to the card networks (Visa, Mastercard) and the customer's issuing bank for approval.
  5. Fraud check: The gateway and processor may perform quick fraud checks.
  6. Response & confirmation: The customer's bank sends an approval or denial back through the network to the processor, then to the gateway, and finally to your Shopify store.
  7. Fund settlement: If approved, the bank deducts funds, and the gateway facilitates the transfer to your linked bank account (often via Shopify Payments).

5 Features to Look for in a Shopify Payment Gateway

When choosing a Shopify payment gateway, focus on Multiple payment methods, Transparent Fees, Global Support, Fast Settlement, and Strong Customer Support:

Accepted payment methods and multi-currency support

One of the first things to assess is whether a payment gateway supports the payment methods your customers actually use.

At a minimum, it should accept major credit and debit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Beyond that, support for digital wallets, local payment methods, or alternative options can significantly improve checkout completion, especially for international audiences.

In addition, multi-currency support is equally important if you sell across borders; letting customers pay in their local currency removes uncertainty around conversion rates and final pricing. Instead of forcing buyers to do mental math or rely on their bank’s exchange rate, the gateway handles conversion automatically, which creates a smoother and more trustworthy checkout experience.

Transparency of costs and transaction fees

Secondly, pricing should be easy to understand before you process a single payment. A reliable Shopify payment gateway clearly outlines all potential charges, including setup costs, monthly fees, and per-transaction rates, without hiding additional surcharges in the fine print.

What matters most is how those fees scale with your business. A gateway that looks affordable at low volume may become expensive as order counts increase. Therefore, evaluating costs based on your average order value and monthly sales helps ensure that fees remain predictable and that profit margins stay intact as your store grows.

Worldwide availability

shopify-gateways-availability
You should choose a gateway with broad geographic coverage.

A payment gateway should support not only where your business is registered, but also where your customers are located. Some providers operate in limited regions or restrict certain countries entirely, which can quietly limit your expansion plans.

That's why you should choose a gateway with broad geographic coverage, so that your team can easily enter new markets without rebuilding your checkout later. Even if you start locally, global availability ensures that your payment infrastructure won’t become a barrier when international demand increases.

Recurring billing and payout holding time

For subscription-based or membership-driven stores, recurring billing support is extremely essential. A capable payment gateway automates scheduled charges, handles failed payment retries, and securely stores customer payment information without requiring manual intervention.

Likewise, payout holding time is just as important. Understanding how quickly a gateway settles payments helps you manage cash flow more effectively and avoid operational bottlenecks. Some gateways delay access to funds for several days, which can affect inventory planning and marketing spend; avoid such gateways at all costs.

Ease of onboarding and customer support

Finally, even the most powerful payment gateway should be easy to set up and manage. Onboarding should be straightforward, with clear instructions and minimal technical complexity, allowing you to start accepting payments without unnecessary delays.

When issues arise (such as failed transactions, disputes, or payout questions), responsive customer support becomes critical. That way, all problems will be resolved quickly, preventing payment issues from turning into customer-facing disruptions for your store.


How Many Shopify Payment Gateways Are There?

Shopify offers its own integrated system, Shopify Payments, and supports integrations with over 100 third-party payment gateways globally, including major ones like PayPal, Stripe, Adyen, and local options.

However, keep in mind that not every gateway is accessible in every country since their availability depends on local banking systems, regional regulations, and contractual partnerships.

To check which payment gateways are available in your specific country, Shopify provides an official search tool here. Using this directory, you can filter gateways by region and compare options for credit card processing, digital wallets, local payment methods, and Buy Now, Pay Later providers.


Top 10 Best Shopify Payment Gateways 2025

Though Shopify supports more than 100 payment gateways worldwide, only a handful consistently rise to the top for reliability, including Shopify Payments, PayPal, Stripe, Square Payments, Adyen, Amazon Pay, Klarna, Authorize.net, Skrill, and Opayo.

Let’s take a closer look!

Name

Key Features

Fee Estimation

Best For

Shopify Payments

• Native Shopify integration 
• Shop Pay one-click checkout 
• Local currency support 
• Crypto-friendly (USDC) 
• Unified reporting

Included in Shopify plan; ~2.5%–2.9% + 30¢ depending on plan

Shopify merchants wanting the smoothest, fee-efficient setup

PayPal

• PayPal Checkout button
• Buyer & seller protection
• Supports wallets, bank payments, cards

~3.49% + fixed fee; cards ~2.99% + fee; cross-border +1.5%

Stores targeting global audiences & customers who prefer PayPal

Stripe

• Advanced APIs 
• Multi-currency support (135+)
• Subscription billing 
• Stripe Radar fraud tools 
• Supports local payment methods

Online ~2.9% + 30¢; in-person ~2.7% + 5¢; intl cards +1.5%; FX +1%

Businesses needing customization, subscriptions, or marketplace tools

Square Payments

• Robust POS hardware
• Appointment tools
• Offline payments
• Unified online–POS inventory
• Mobile Tap to Pay

In-person ~2.6% + 15¢; online ~2.9% + 30¢; keyed-in ~3.5% + 15¢

Service businesses, salons, retail stores relying heavily on POS

Adyen

• Global local-payment support
• Dynamic routing for higher approval
• RevenueProtect fraud suite

• Unified commerce tracking

Base ~13¢ + variable interchange (e.g., Mastercard: interchange + 0.6%)

Enterprise or global merchants needing international coverage

Amazon Pay

• Amazon login & one-click checkout
• Trusted brand

• Mobile-optimized
• Built-in fraud protection
• Auto-filled addresses & payment details

~2.9% + 30¢ domestic; cross-border +1%

Stores targeting Amazon shoppers & mobile-first buyers

Klarna

• Buy Now Pay Later options
• Installments & pay-later
• Klarna pays merchants upfront
• Checkout price breakdown

~2.99%–5.99% + 30¢ depending on BNPL product

Merchants selling mid/high-ticket items or wanting higher AOV

Authorize.net

• Advanced fraud controls

• Recurring billing & eChecks

• Tokenized customer data

• Supports ACH

$25/month + ~2.9% + 30¢

OR gateway-only $25/month + 10¢/transaction + 10¢ batch fee

Security-focused businesses or companies with recurring billing needs

Skrill

• Wallet-based payments
• Lower fraud exposure
• Good for global buyers
• Supports alternative local methods

Varies; currency conversion up to 4.99%; card deposits up to 2.99%; transfers ~2.99%

Digital goods, international markets, privacy-focused shoppers

Opayo

• Highly reliable gateway
• Flat fee pricing
Accepts cards + PayPal
• Strong UK/EU support
• Online & in-person payments

From ~£25/month; extra transactions ~10–12p

UK/EU merchants wanting reliability and predictable pricing

1. Shopify Payments: The native payment solution built for Shopify

shopify-payment-dashboard
Everything from fraud analysis to payout scheduling happens natively inside your dashboard.

Shopify Payments is among the best ways to accept payments on a Shopify store, as the gateway is built directly into the platform. There’s no external setup, no extra configuration, and (most importantly) no additional transaction fees from Shopify. Everything from fraud analysis to payout scheduling happens natively inside your dashboard, which makes day-to-day financial management much less overwhelming for merchants.

Better yet, Shopify Payments has grown more flexible over the years, now supporting local currencies, major credit cards, digital wallets, and even select cryptocurrencies such as USDC. Merchants don’t need to install any extra gateway to access these options.

Who's this for?

Shopify Payments is ideal for merchants who want the simplest, most tightly integrated payment setup possible. If your store runs entirely on Shopify and you prefer to manage payouts, disputes, and reporting from a single dashboard (without dealing with third-party accounts), then this gateway is a natural fit.

Features

  • Native, code-free integration that activates instantly within your Shopify dashboard
  • Shop Pay one-click checkout with industry-leading conversion uplift
  • Unified reporting that combines orders, payouts, returns, and disputes in one view
  • Built-in support for selling across social channels (FB, IG, TikTok, YouTube) using the same payment system
  • Automatic currency conversion and local payment routing optimized for the buyer location
  • Crypto-friendly support for stablecoins like USDC without third-party apps

Fees (estimated)

Included in Shopify plan; card rates vary by plan:

  • Basic: ~2.9% + 30¢ online
  • Shopify (Grow): ~2.7% + 30¢ online
  • Advanced: ~2.5% + 30¢ online

2. PayPal: A trusted payment provider for Shopify stores

paypal-widely-accepted
It’s easy to activate and widely accepted across global regions.

PayPal remains one of the most recognizable names in digital payments, and that brand familiarity alone can meaningfully influence conversions.

For merchants, PayPal behaves much like an independent checkout option that runs alongside Shopify Payments. It’s easy to activate, easy for customers to use, and widely accepted across global regions. However, PayPal’s fees are higher than those of most other Shopify payment gateways, so it tends to work best as an additional payment option rather than the sole processor.

Who's this for?

PayPal is best suited for stores that sell to a broad or international audience, where brand recognition directly affects trust. Still, because of its higher fees, PayPal works best as a secondary payment option, complementing Shopify Payments rather than replacing it.

Features

  • Instant brand trust: customers can pay without sharing card details with your store
  • PayPal Checkout button for accelerated checkout from product pages or the cart
  • Strong buyer and seller protection programs that reduce dispute risk
  • Native tools for recurring billing, subscriptions, and installment payments
  • Customers can pay using their PayPal balance, bank account, or linked cards
  • High international adoption, useful for cross-border customers

Fees (estimated)

  • PayPal Checkout: ~3.49% + fixed fee
  • Standard credit/debit card payments: ~2.99% + fixed fee
  • Cross-border payments: +1.5%
  • (Fixed fees vary by currency; USD is typically ~49¢.)

3. Stripe: A flexible payment gateway for custom and global businesses

Next, we have Stripe, which is known for its developer-friendly approach and has become a favorite among businesses that require advanced customization.

stripe-shopify-integration
Stripe integrates well with Shopify and can also operate independently.

While it integrates perfectly with Shopify, Stripe operates independently and can support both online and in-person transactions, subscription billing, invoicing, and marketplace payments. Its infrastructure is built for global commerce, supporting 135+ currencies and a wide range of alternative payment methods.

Who's this for?

Stripe is a strong choice for businesses that need flexibility beyond standard checkout flows. For instance, if your store involves subscriptions, complex billing logic, marketplaces, or custom payment experiences, Stripe’s infrastructure is built for that level of control.

It’s particularly well-suited for fast-growing or international brands with technical resources, where customization and scalability matter more than simplicity.

Features

  • Advanced APIs and developer tools suitable for customized payment flows
  • Stripe Billing for subscription plans, trials, prorated charges, and invoices
  • Stripe Radar AI-powered fraud detection trained on global transaction data
  • Support for 135+ currencies and dozens of alternative payment methods (Klarna, iDEAL, Alipay, etc.)
  • Tools for marketplace payouts and multi-vendor platforms (Stripe Connect)
  • Real-time reporting, smart retries, and automatic card-update logic

Fees (estimated)

  • Online payments: ~2.9% + 30¢
  • In-person payments: ~2.7% + 5¢
  • International cards: +1.5%
  • Currency conversion: +1%

4. Square Payments: A strong in-person payment solution for Shopify merchants

square-in-person-setup
Square is appealing to merchants who want a strong in-person setup.

Square began as a simple mobile card reader but has evolved into a robust ecosystem for both online and offline sellers. Its real strength lies in its POS hardware and appointment-based features, which makes it especially appealing to service businesses, local shops, or merchants who want a strong in-person setup alongside their online presence.

To clarify, Shopify stores cannot directly integrate Square Payments for online sales. Nevertheless, Square remains a popular gateway in the broader eCommerce world and is still worth understanding for merchants who operate across multiple platforms.

Who's this for?

Square is best for merchants who operate heavily in person (such as retail stores, restaurants, salons, or service-based businesses) and need a powerful POS system alongside online sales. Though it doesn’t directly power Shopify online checkouts, Square is still relevant for multi-platform sellers who want consistent in-person payment workflows across locations.

Features

  • Wide POS hardware ecosystem, from handheld readers to full countertop registers
  • Built-in appointment scheduling tools ideal for salons, spas, and service businesses
  • Offline mode: allows card payments even when the internet drops
  • Unified inventory that syncs between your POS and online store
  • Mobile payments from phones/tablets without extra hardware (Tap to Pay options)
  • Built-in invoicing system with automatic reminders and digital receipts

Fees (estimated)

  • In-person: ~2.6% + 15¢
  • Online: ~2.9% + 30¢
  • Manually entered cards: ~3.5% + 15¢
  • (Subscription options: Free, Plus ~$29/month, Premium with custom pricing)

5. Adyen: An enterprise-level payment gateway for global commerce

ayden-fraud-prevention
Ayden offers fraud-prevention tools and a unified commerce system.

Let's move on to Adyen, one of the powerhouse Shopify payment gateways used by enterprise-level brands that require reliability across dozens of regions and payment types.

Rather than offering a flat rate, Adyen charges a base processing fee plus the specific interchange rate tied to the payment method. This pricing model can be extremely cost-effective for merchants with predictable transaction patterns, but it also requires a clearer understanding of your audience and their preferred payment methods.

Pricing aside, where Adyen truly stands out is its international reach. It supports an extensive list of local payment options (from European debit systems to Asian e-wallets), making it a strong fit for merchants scaling into multiple markets. Plus, its fraud-prevention tools and unified commerce system help businesses track payments across both online and physical channels.

Who's this for?

Adyen is designed for enterprise-level businesses with large transaction volumes and international reach. It offers the infrastructure to handle the complexity if your brand operates across multiple countries and relies on local payment methods in each market.

Features

  • Extensive catalog of local payment methods tailored for multi-region expansion
  • Smart dynamic routing that sends payments through the most efficient path to boost approval rates
  • Risk management system (RevenueProtect) with machine-learning fraud scoring
  • Unified commerce: merges in-store and online payments into a single customer profile
  • Detailed reporting for global enterprises with multi-market operations
  • Highly customizable checkout flows for enterprise UX teams

Fees (estimated)

  • Base fee: ~13¢ per transaction
  • Additional cost varies by payment method (e.g., Mastercard: interchange + 0.6%)

6. Amazon Pay: A familiar checkout experience for Shopify customers

Amazon Pay brings the convenience of the Amazon checkout experience directly into your Shopify store.

amazon-pay-shopify
Shoppers can sign in with their Amazon credentials and complete the purchase.

Instead of typing out shipping addresses or credit card numbers, shoppers can sign in with their Amazon credentials and complete the purchase almost instantly. This drastically reduces friction (especially for mobile buyers) because everything from saved payment methods to delivery preferences is already stored within their Amazon profile.

All in all, for brands that serve international shoppers or rely heavily on repeat customers, Amazon Pay can be a powerful way to reduce cart abandonment and offer the kind of optimized checkout experience people expect from top-tier ecommerce platforms.

Who's this for?

Amazon Pay is a strong option for stores targeting customers who already shop frequently on Amazon. It works particularly well for brands with repeat customers or international buyers who trust Amazon’s ecosystem.

Features

  • One-click Amazon login and checkout with stored payment and shipping details
  • Trusted brand recognition that enhances buyer confidence
  • Mobile-friendly express checkout optimized for speed
  • Support for Amazon address book and payment methods
  • Strong built-in fraud detection powered by Amazon’s infrastructure
  • Multi-device consistency for customers logged into Amazon across devices

Fees (estimate)

  • Typically ~2.9% + 30¢ per domestic transaction
  • Cross-border transactions: +1% fee
  • (Exact fees vary by region and transaction type.)

7. Klarna: A reputable Buy now, Pay later solution

klarna-shopify-app-store
Klarna is available on Shopify App Store.

Considered one of the best Shopify payment gateways, Klarna reshapes the checkout experience by making flexible payments the default, not the exception.

Specifically, customers can split their purchase into installments or delay payment for a set period. This feature reduces psychological friction and gives shoppers more control over their budget, which is why it's highly recommended for higher-ticket items.

Another perk is that Klarna integrates smoothly into Shopify stores, showing pricing breakdowns directly on product pages and during checkout. Such transparency helps shoppers understand exactly what they’ll owe and when, further contributing to higher purchasing confidence.

Who's this for?

Klarna is ideal for merchants selling mid- to high-ticket products where price hesitation is common. You will likely find it particularly effective for fashion, electronics, and lifestyle brands where customers appreciate installment plans.

Features

  • Multiple “Buy Now, Pay Later” options: pay in full later, split into installments, or financing plans
  • Klarna-paid purchases give merchants the full amount upfront while Klarna handles the customer’s repayment
  • In-checkout price breakdowns for improved transparency
  • Strong risk assessment tools and fraud protection handled by Klarna

Fees (estimate)

  • Typically 2.99%–5.99% + 30¢ depending on payment option and region
  • Merchants are charged per successful transaction; no monthly fee in most markets

8. Authorize.net: A secure payment gateway for advanced billing needs

authorize-longest-gateway
Authorize.net is one of the longest-standing payment gateways.

Since its release, Authorize.net has become one of the longest-standing payment gateways in eCommerce. Backed by Visa, it’s understandably appealing to merchants who need more control over fraud filters, customer data storage, or recurring billing setups than modern lightweight gateways usually provide.

Unlike newer wallet-style gateways, Authorize.net behaves like a full-service processor with detailed customization options. Merchants can create sophisticated billing cycles, securely store tokenized customer information, and enable eChecks or subscription payments, all from one interface.

Of course, the trade-off is price: Authorize.net isn’t the cheapest option, and merchants usually pay both a monthly fee and processing fees.

Who's this for?

Authorize.net is best for businesses that prioritize control and security over simplicity. This gateway is commonly used by established businesses or regulated industries where payment customization is critical, meaning they require advanced fraud filters, recurring billing, ACH payments, etc.

Features

  • Advanced fraud protection suite (including customizable filters and velocity controls)
  • Support for recurring billing, subscriptions, and secure customer data storage
  • Compatibility with eChecks (ACH payments)
  • Tokenized card storage for returning customers
  • Detailed reporting and batch processing tools
  • Suitable for high-risk or security-sensitive industries

Fees (estimate)

  • Gateway + merchant account: $25/month + ~2.9% + 30¢
  • Gateway only: $25/month + 10¢ per transaction + 10¢ daily batch fee

9. Skrill: A wallet-based payment gateway for international sales

skrill-not-sharing-credentials
Skrill lets customers pay without directly sharing credit card details.

Also regarded by many as one of the best Shopify payment gateways, Skrill offers a streamlined way for customers to pay without directly sharing credit card details with merchants. Instead, payments route through the customer’s Skrill wallet, which can be funded by a bank account, cards, or other local payment methods.

For Shopify merchants, Skrill can reduce exposure to fraud and chargebacks because many risk-related elements are handled by Skrill itself. Hence, it's quite attractive for digital goods, gaming-related products, or international sales where fraud rates tend to run higher. Skrill is also recognized for competitive pricing compared to traditional card processors, including cross-border transactions.

Who's this for?

Skrill is well-suited for stores operating in international or higher-risk markets, such as digital goods, gaming, or cross-border sales. Plus, if reducing direct exposure to card data and chargebacks is a priority, Skrill’s wallet-based model can be advantageous.

Features

  • Wallet-based payments that limit exposure to stolen card data
  • Lower-than-average processing fees for many markets
  • Strong international coverage and support for alternative local payment methods
  • High-level fraud protection with built-in risk screening
  • Simple setup and widely recognized in EU markets

Fees (estimate)

  • Skrill fees vary by transaction type, but generally involve:
  • Costs for currency conversion (up to 4.99% markup)
  • Credit card deposits (up to 2.99%)
  • Skrill-to-Skrill transfers (around 2.99% for standard users).

10. Opayo (formerly Sage Pay): A reliable payment gateway for UK and EU merchants

opayo-sage-pay
Opayo used to be called Sage Pay.

Last but not least, we have Opayo, another long-trusted payment provider.

One of Opayo’s strengths is its flexibility: merchants can accept payments through debit cards, credit cards, and even PayPal through unified processing. The platform also supports both online and in-person transactions, meaning brands with retail locations or multichannel sales operations can consolidate their payment workflow under one provider.

Who's this for?

Opayo is a solid choice for UK and EU merchants looking for a reliable, long-established gateway with predictable pricing. We also recommend it for businesses with both online and in-store operations that want consistency across channels.

Features

  • Highly reliable gateway with excellent uptime and fraud prevention tools
  • Flat-fee pricing structures that simplify budgeting
  • Supports card payments and popular e-wallets (including PayPal)
  • Strong customer support and well-established UK/EU presence
  • Offers both online and in-store payment capabilities

Fees (estimate)

  • Typical packages start around £25/month with a fixed number of transactions included
  • Additional transactions often charged at ~10–12p each

Factors to Consider When Choosing Shopify Payment Gateways

Since there are Shopify payment gateways available, it's high time you evaluated each option carefully before deciding which ones fit your store best. The following criteria will help you understand what to look for:

  • Transaction fees and pricing: This factor determines how much of each sale you actually keep and whether you can protect profit margins.
  • Supported payment methods: A gateway must offer the payment options your customers actually use; otherwise, shoppers may abandon checkout.
  • Security: Strong protection against fraud, chargebacks, and unauthorized payments ensures safe transactions.
  • Geographic availability: Not all gateways work in every country, so you must confirm that the provider supports both your business location and the regions where your customers are based.
  • Customer experience: The way a gateway handles checkout (speed, number of steps, mobile friendliness, and whether it redirects) has a direct impact on your conversion rate.

Keep scrolling for further discussion.

1. Transaction fees and pricing

For starters, you should plug your own store’s numbers into each gateway’s fee structure.

For example, if your average order value is $40 and you process 500 orders a month, a gateway with high fixed fees (like 30¢ per transaction) will cost you more than a gateway that charges a slightly higher percentage but a lower fixed fee.

Likewise, if you sell internationally, make sure to check the gateway’s surcharge for foreign cards. Suppose 40% of your customers are from Europe: a gateway charging an extra 1.5% on international transactions becomes significantly less economical than one with standard global rates. You can even simulate a month of sales by running your past Shopify data through each gateway’s pricing model to see the real-world cost difference.

2. Supported payment methods

Next, analyze how your customers currently pay and choose gateways that align with their preferences.

For example, if most of your shoppers browse on iPhones, a gateway supporting Apple Pay can cut checkout time dramatically. Or, if your store sells higher-ticket items like electronics or furniture, choosing a gateway that offers Klarna or Affirm can increase conversion by letting buyers split payments over time.

For international stores, this becomes even more practical. A Dutch customer who doesn’t see iDEAL at checkout is far less likely to complete a purchase; similarly, a German shopper might abandon checkout without SEPA or SOFORT. By matching the gateway to your buyers’ real habits, you eliminate unnecessary drop-offs at the most sensitive stage of the buying journey.

3. Security

Next, it's important to compare how each gateway handles fraud based on the types of orders your store receives.

For shops that sell digital goods or gift cards (categories often targeted for fraudulent purchases), you’ll benefit from a gateway that includes machine-learning fraud models or granular rule-based filters. A provider like Stripe Radar, for example, can automatically flag suspicious patterns, whereas a simpler processor may require manual review by you.

Or, if you have recurring subscriptions, we suggest checking whether the gateway supports tokenized card storage. Without tokenization, customers may need to re-enter card details every billing cycle, leading to failed payments and churn.

Also, consider how the gateway handles 3D Secure authentication: in regions like the EU, this is legally required under PSD2, so a gateway with automated 3D Secure (rather than manual triggers) will save you operational headaches.

4. Geographic availability

Another critical factor is geographic availability: you need to confirm whether the gateway operates in your business’s registered country.

For example, Shopify Payments isn’t available in every region; if your business is based in Vietnam, you cannot use it. This instantly removes it from consideration, no matter how attractive the features are.

shopify-payments-availability
Shopify Payments is not available in every country.

Then evaluate availability from your customers’ perspective:

  • Suppose you're planning to sell to Japan, a region where Konbini and local bank transfers are widely used. A gateway supporting only Visa/Mastercard may technically “work,” but your conversion rate in that market will likely be poor.
  • Conversely, if you sell in Europe, a gateway that supports iDEAL, Bancontact, and SEPA will give you a more seamless entry into those markets.

5. Customer experience

Last but not least, don't forget to interact with the checkout just as your customers would. Some gateways keep the buyer on your domain the entire time; others redirect to an external site.

  • If you’re building a highly branded premium experience (for example, a skincare store with a luxury feel), a redirect-based checkout may break the immersion and reduce trust.
  • However, for gateways like PayPal, the redirect can actually create comfort because customers recognize the platform.

Mobile experience is another practical test. Try completing a checkout with one hand on a phone. Gateways that support express checkout buttons (Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay) can reduce the process to 5 seconds, and this difference will directly translate into higher or lower revenue!


Bonus: How to Add Multiple Shopify Payment Gateways

Here's the good news for merchants who can’t decide on just one gateway: Shopify doesn’t limit you to a single option!

To enable several Shopify payment gateways at the same time, simply add each provider through your Shopify Payments settings, configure them individually, and activate them side by side:

Step 1. Open the Payment Settings in your Shopify Admin

First, navigate to the bottom-left corner and select Settings, which opens the main configuration panel for your store.

From here, choose Payments to access the area where all your active and available payment providers are managed. This section is where Shopify displays your current gateway setup and where you’ll control any additional providers you want to offer your customers.

shopify-settings-payments
Go to Settings > Payments.

Step 2. Choose and configure additional Shopify payment gateways

Now, inside the Payments page, you’ll find an option labeled Add payment methods. Click this to open Shopify’s directory of supported payment providers.

shopify-add-payment-method
Click “Add payment methods.”

You can then search by payment method (if you already know what type of solution you want to offer) or search directly by provider name if you already have a processor in mind.

When you select a gateway, Shopify will display the requirements and setup instructions specific to that provider. Follow the prompts, enter any required account credentials, and complete the configuration so Shopify can link your store to the gateway properly.

shopify-set-up-gateways
Search the payment method/provider you desire and follow the setup prompts.

Step 3. Activate the gateways and verify they appear at checkout

Once each gateway has been configured, the final step is to activate them!

shopify-activate-gateway
Activate the payment gateway.

Shopify will allow you to enable multiple gateways simultaneously, and each active option will appear during checkout whenever its conditions are met (for example, region, currency, or customer device). After enabling the providers, remember to perform a quick test checkout to ensure that all payment options display correctly and function as expected.


Shopify Payment Gateways: FAQs

Which payment gateway is best for Shopify?

The best Shopify payment gateway depends on your needs. Shopify Payments is best for simplicity and built-in features, Stripe excels for global reach/subscriptions with developer tools, PayPal offers brand recognition and trust, while Adyen/Airwallex are great for large, international sellers needing multi-currency handling, and Square suits omnichannel (online/in-person) businesses.

How much does Shopify take from a $100 sale?

Shopify takes $3.20 from a $100 sale on the Basic plan using Shopify Payments (2.9% + $0.30). However, the exact fee varies by your Shopify plan and payment method, with higher-tier plans like Shopify and Advanced offering lower rates (e.g., $2.80-$3.00 on Advanced). Using third-party gateways also add extra charges.

Why is Stripe no longer on Shopify?

Stripe isn't exactly gone from Shopify. Rather, in regions where Shopify Payments (Shopify's own payment system) is available, Stripe often disappears as a separate, standalone gateway because Shopify Payments uses Stripe's underlying technology, effectively replacing it.

What payment systems work with Shopify?

Shopify works with a vast array of payment systems, led by its native Shopify Payments (including Shop Pay), plus major players like PayPal, Stripe, Square, and Amazon Pay, alongside digital wallets (Apple/Google Pay), and BNPL options (Klarna, Affirm, Afterpay).


Final Words

Shopify payment gateways play a central role in how customers experience your Shopify store, from the moment they decide to check out to the moment their payment is approved. By understanding the strengths of each gateway and applying the selection criteria we’ve discussed, you can build a checkout experience that feels reliable, intuitive, and tailored to your audience!

For more tips and guidance, check out our Shopify blogs and join our Facebook Community.

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Aurora Hoang

Aurora Hoang

Meet Aurora, our true Shopify geek, who's passionate about sharing her knowledge and helping businesses thrive online.

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Table of Contents
  1. Why Do You Need A Shopify Payment Gateway?
    1. Securely process online payments
    2. Enable cashless transactions and make sales possible
    3. Build trust and reduce checkout abandonment
  2. How Does Shopify Payment Gateways Work?
  3. 5 Features to Look for in a Shopify Payment Gateway
    1. Accepted payment methods and multi-currency support
    2. Transparency of costs and transaction fees
    3. Worldwide availability
    4. Recurring billing and payout holding time
    5. Ease of onboarding and customer support
  4. How Many Shopify Payment Gateways Are There?
  5. Top 10 Best Shopify Payment Gateways 2025
    1. 1. Shopify Payments: The native payment solution built for Shopify
    2. 2. PayPal: A trusted payment provider for Shopify stores
    3. 3. Stripe: A flexible payment gateway for custom and global businesses
    4. 4. Square Payments: A strong in-person payment solution for Shopify merchants
    5. 5. Adyen: An enterprise-level payment gateway for global commerce
    6. 6. Amazon Pay: A familiar checkout experience for Shopify customers
    7. 7. Klarna: A reputable Buy now, Pay later solution
    8. 8. Authorize.net: A secure payment gateway for advanced billing needs
    9. 9. Skrill: A wallet-based payment gateway for international sales
    10. 10. Opayo (formerly Sage Pay): A reliable payment gateway for UK and EU merchants
  6. Factors to Consider When Choosing Shopify Payment Gateways
    1. 1. Transaction fees and pricing
    2. 2. Supported payment methods
    3. 3. Security
    4. 4. Geographic availability
    5. 5. Customer experience
  7. Bonus: How to Add Multiple Shopify Payment Gateways
    1. Step 1. Open the Payment Settings in your Shopify Admin
    2. Step 2. Choose and configure additional Shopify payment gateways
    3. Step 3. Activate the gateways and verify they appear at checkout
  8. Shopify Payment Gateways: FAQs
    1. Which payment gateway is best for Shopify?
    2. How much does Shopify take from a $100 sale?
    3. Why is Stripe no longer on Shopify?
    4. What payment systems work with Shopify?
  9. Final Words

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