Online Payment Solutions Explained
Understanding the different types of online payment solutions helps you choose the right setup for your business model and technical capabilities.
Payment Gateways
A payment gateway connects your website or app to the card networks, securely authorising and processing transactions in real time. It's the core technology behind every online checkout.
Best for: Ecommerce websites, SaaS platforms, and any business selling online.
- Hosted or API-integrated checkout pages
- Supports all major card brands (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)
- 3D Secure 2.0 authentication built in
- Real-time fraud screening and risk scoring
Hosted Payment Pages
A hosted payment page is managed entirely by the payment provider — your customer is redirected to a secure, PCI-compliant page to enter their card details. This removes the burden of PCI compliance from your business.
Best for: Small businesses, charities, and companies without in-house development teams.
- No PCI DSS scope — the provider handles security
- Quick to set up with minimal technical knowledge
- Customisable branding on the payment page
- Works with most website builders and CMS platforms
Virtual Terminals
A virtual terminal lets you process card payments manually through a web browser — no physical card machine needed. Ideal for taking payments over the phone, by email, or via mail order (MOTO).
Best for: Call centres, service businesses, and B2B companies invoicing by phone or email.
- Process payments from any device with a browser
- Key in card details for phone and mail orders
- Send payment links via email or SMS
- Full transaction history and reporting
Recurring & Subscription Billing
Automate recurring payments for memberships, subscriptions, and retainers. Set up schedules, manage failed payments, and let customers update their own card details — reducing churn and admin.
Best for: Gyms, SaaS companies, membership sites, and subscription box businesses.
- Flexible billing cycles (weekly, monthly, annual)
- Automated retry logic for failed payments
- Customer self-service portal for card updates
- Dunning management to reduce involuntary churn
Online Payment Providers Compared
Side-by-side comparison of the UK's leading online payment processors, including transaction fees, setup costs, and PCI compliance level.
| Provider | Type | Transaction Fee | Setup Cost | Contract | PCI Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | Gateway + API | 1.5% + 20p (UK cards) | Free | None | SAQ A |
| PayPal | Gateway + Hosted | 1.99% + 29p | Free | None | SAQ A |
| Worldpay | Gateway + All | From 0.75% | Varies | 12–18 months | SAQ A/D |
| Adyen | Gateway + API | Interchange++ | Free | None | SAQ A |
| Square Online | Hosted + POS | 1.4% + 25p | Free | None | SAQ A |
| Mollie | Gateway + API | 1.2% + 25p | Free | None | SAQ A |
| Opayo (Elavon) | Gateway | From 0.99% | Free | 12 months | SAQ A/D |
| Checkout.com | Gateway + API | Interchange++ | Free | None | SAQ A |
Fees shown are indicative and may vary based on business type, turnover, and risk profile. Last updated January 2026.
What to Look for in an Online Payment Provider
Speed & Uptime
Choose a provider with a proven track record of 99.99%+ uptime. Every second of downtime at checkout costs you sales. Look for providers that publish their status page and have redundant infrastructure across multiple data centres.
Security & Compliance
Ensure your provider supports 3D Secure 2.0 (a Strong Customer Authentication requirement under PSD2). Hosted payment pages reduce your PCI burden to SAQ A — the simplest compliance level. Ask about tokenisation and encryption standards.
Integration & Flexibility
If you use Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento, check for native plugins. For custom builds, look for well-documented REST APIs and SDKs. Consider whether you need multi-currency support, Apple Pay / Google Pay, and buy-now-pay-later options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a website to take payments online?
No. Many providers let you take online payments through payment links, virtual terminals, invoices, or QR-based checkouts without running a full ecommerce website. This is useful for service businesses, consultants, and companies that sell remotely rather than through a standard cart.
Should I use hosted checkout or an API integration?
Hosted checkout is usually best if you want speed, lower PCI scope, and minimal development work. API integrations are better when you want full control over branding, user experience, subscriptions, or complex checkout logic, but they require more technical resource.
What are typical online payment processing fees for UK businesses?
Smaller businesses often start on flat-rate pricing, while larger merchants move to negotiated or interchange++ pricing. The right model depends on your turnover, average order value, international mix, and whether you need extra tools like subscriptions, fraud screening, or payment links.
Can I take subscriptions and recurring payments online?
Yes. Providers like Stripe, Adyen, and some gateway platforms support tokenisation, stored cards, recurring billing schedules, automated retries, and customer self-service updates. These features are important for membership, SaaS, and retained-service businesses.
How do fraud checks and chargebacks work for online payments?
Most online payment providers include tools like 3D Secure 2, AVS checks, device fingerprinting, risk scoring, and manual review rules. Chargebacks still happen, so it is important to compare dispute management tools, evidence workflows, and the provider's support for contested claims.
Can one provider handle checkout payments, payment links, and phone payments?
Often yes. Many online payment providers support multiple channels from one account, including website checkout, email or SMS payment links, virtual terminals for phone payments, and recurring billing. This can simplify reporting and reduce the need for multiple systems.
Related Reading
Best Payment Gateways UK 2026
Compare Stripe, PayPal, Worldpay, Adyen and more.
Read: Best Payment Gateways UK 2026Credit Card Processing Fees Explained
Every fee broken down — interchange, scheme fees, and more.
Read: Credit Card Processing Fees ExplainedPayment Fraud Statistics 2026
UK fraud trends and how to protect your business.
Read: Payment Fraud Statistics 2026