Payment Gateways

Best Payment Gateways for Ecommerce Stores in 2026

We've independently reviewed and scored the 8 most popular payment gateways used by UK ecommerce merchants — comparing fees, features, ease of setup, and support.

8 Gateways reviewed·Updated May 2026·100% Independent

Quick picks

Best payment gateway for every merchant type

Not sure which gateway suits you? Here's our quick recommendation by business type.

Best overall
Stripe
Developers & scaling businesses
Most recognised
PayPal
Easy setup, trusted by customers
Buy now pay later
Klarna
Boost average order value
Subscriptions
GoCardless
Recurring payments & direct debit
Enterprise UK
Worldpay
Large volume UK businesses

All reviews

All 8 payment gateways reviewed & scored

Every gateway independently tested. Scores based on fees, ease of setup, features, integrations, and UK merchant support.

St

Stripe

Payment gatewayEditor's choice

The most developer-friendly payment gateway on the market. Stripe's powerful API, global reach, and competitive pricing make it the top choice for ecommerce stores of all sizes. Seamlessly integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce, and virtually every major platform.

From 1.4% + 20p per transaction·No monthly fee·Updated May 2026
PP

PayPal

Payment gateway

The world's most recognised payment brand. PayPal's familiarity builds instant customer trust and can reduce checkout abandonment. Ideal for merchants who want a quick, no-fuss setup without technical knowledge.

From 1.2% + 30p per transaction·No monthly fee·Updated May 2026
Kl

Klarna

Payment gatewayBuy now pay later

Europe's leading buy now pay later solution. Klarna lets customers spread payments over time, which consistently increases average order values for fashion, electronics, and homeware merchants. Easy to add to most ecommerce platforms.

Variable merchant fees·No customer interest·Updated May 2026
8.5
/10
Sq

Square

Payment gateway

The go-to solution for merchants who sell both online and in person. Square bridges the gap between physical and digital retail beautifully, with unified inventory and reporting across all channels.

1.4% per online transaction·No monthly fee·Updated Apr 2026
Wp

Worldpay

Payment gatewayEnterprise

The UK's largest payment processor by volume. Worldpay is built for high-volume and enterprise merchants, offering robust fraud protection, multi-currency support, and dedicated account management.

Custom pricing for merchants·Monthly fee applies·Updated Apr 2026
GC

GoCardless

Payment gatewaySubscriptions

The specialist in recurring payments and direct debit. GoCardless is ideal for subscription businesses, membership sites, and any merchant who bills customers on a regular basis — with low fees and excellent reliability.

From 0.5% + 20p per payment·No monthly fee·Updated Apr 2026
8.0
/10
SP

Sage Pay (Opayo)

Payment gateway

A trusted UK payment gateway now rebranded as Opayo. Long established in the British market with strong fraud screening tools and solid bank-level security. A reliable choice for UK-focused merchants who value stability.

From £25/mo + transaction fees·Monthly fee required·Updated Mar 2026
7.8
/10
AP

Amazon Pay

Payment gateway

Lets customers pay using their Amazon account details — no need to re-enter card or address information. Works best for stores whose customers are heavy Amazon users, reducing friction at checkout and lifting conversion rates.

2.7% + 30p per transaction·No monthly fee·Updated Mar 2026

Side by side

Payment gateway comparison

Compare fees, features and suitability across all 8 gateways at a glance.

GatewayScoreTransaction feeMonthly feeBNPLSubscriptionsBest for
Stripe9.21.4% + 20p✓ Free✓✓Developers
PayPal8.71.2% + 30p✓ Free✗~Brand trust
Klarna8.5Variable✓ Free✓✗Buy now pay later
Square8.41.4%✓ Free✗~Online + in-person
Worldpay8.1Custom✗ Required✗✓Enterprise UK
GoCardless8.00.5% + 20p✓ Free✗✓Subscriptions
Sage Pay7.8Custom✗ £25/mo+✗~UK reliability
Amazon Pay7.62.7% + 30p✓ Free✗✗Amazon shoppers
✓ Yes✗ No~ Limited

Buying guide

How to choose the right payment gateway

With so many options available, choosing the wrong payment gateway can cost you in fees, lost sales, or a poor checkout experience. Here's exactly what to look for.

1

Understand the full cost — not just the transaction fee

Every gateway charges differently. Some have no monthly fee but higher transaction rates. Others charge a monthly fee but lower per-transaction costs. Calculate your average monthly sales volume and work out which model costs you less. At £10,000/month, even a 0.3% difference adds up to £360 a year.

2

Check it integrates with your ecommerce platform

Stripe, PayPal, and Square all integrate natively with Shopify and WooCommerce. If you're on a less common platform, check the gateway's integration list first — a manual integration can cost more than the savings in fees.

3

Consider your customers — not just your costs

If most of your customers are used to PayPal, adding it alongside your main gateway can reduce cart abandonment significantly. If you sell to younger audiences, Klarna's buy now pay later option can increase average order values by 30–50%.

4

Check the payout schedule

How quickly does the gateway pay you? Stripe pays out in 2 business days. Some gateways hold funds for 7–14 days, which can cause serious cash flow problems for small merchants. Always check the payout terms before signing up.

5

Look at fraud protection and chargeback handling

Chargebacks cost merchants time and money. Stripe Radar and Worldpay's fraud tools are best in class. Check what fraud protection is included by default and what costs extra — some gateways charge per chargeback dispute on top of the loss itself.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is a payment gateway?

A payment gateway is the technology that securely processes card payments on your ecommerce store. It encrypts your customer's payment details, communicates with their bank, and transfers the approved funds to your merchant account. Without one, you can't accept online card payments.

Do I need a merchant account as well as a payment gateway?

Not always. Modern gateways like Stripe, PayPal, and Square include a built-in merchant account — making setup much simpler. Traditional gateways like Worldpay and Sage Pay require you to set up a separate merchant account with a bank first, which takes longer but can offer better rates at high volumes.

Can I use more than one payment gateway?

Yes, and many merchants do. A common setup is Stripe as the primary gateway (for cards) plus PayPal as an option for customers who prefer it, plus Klarna for buy now pay later. Having multiple options at checkout can meaningfully reduce cart abandonment.

Which payment gateway has the lowest fees in the UK?

GoCardless has the lowest per-transaction fee at 0.5% + 20p, but only works for direct debit and recurring payments. For standard card payments, Stripe (1.4% + 20p) and PayPal (1.2% + 30p) are the most competitive for small to medium merchants. At higher volumes, Worldpay's custom pricing often works out cheaper.

Not sure which gateway is right for you?

Read our in-depth individual reviews or browse our full ecommerce platform guides to find the perfect setup for your store.