Independent Comparison — Updated 2026

Compare the Best Payment Gateways in the UK

Find the right payment gateway for your business. We've compared fees, features, settlement times, and integrations from the UK's leading providers — so you don't have to.

Types of Payment Gateway

Not all payment gateways work the same way. Understanding the differences helps you pick the right integration for your technical setup and business needs.

Hosted Payment Gateways

The customer is redirected to a secure payment page hosted by the gateway provider. After payment, they're sent back to your site. This is the simplest option and removes almost all PCI compliance burden from your business.

Best for: Small businesses, sole traders, and anyone wanting a quick, low-maintenance setup.

Minimal PCI scope (SAQ A)
No development required — works with most platforms
Provider handles all security and card data storage
Customisable branding on some providers

API-Integrated Gateways

Card details are captured directly on your website using the provider's API or JavaScript SDK. The customer never leaves your site, giving you full control over the checkout experience. Requires development resources.

Best for: Ecommerce brands, marketplaces, and businesses wanting a seamless branded checkout.

Fully customisable checkout flow
Customer stays on your domain throughout
Supports advanced features like tokenisation and webhooks
Higher PCI scope (SAQ A-EP or SAQ D) depending on implementation

Platform Plugin Gateways

Pre-built integrations for popular ecommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and BigCommerce. Install a plugin, enter your API keys, and start accepting payments — no custom coding needed.

Best for: Online shops running on Shopify, WooCommerce, or other established platforms.

One-click installation on supported platforms
Automatic updates and security patches
Built-in support for refunds, subscriptions, and multi-currency
Typically SAQ A compliant

Aggregator Gateways

Payment aggregators like Stripe and Square bundle the merchant account and gateway into one service. You don't need a separate merchant account — just sign up and start processing. Ideal for businesses that want simplicity over negotiated rates.

Best for: Startups, freelancers, and businesses processing under £50,000/month.

No merchant account application required
Instant onboarding — start accepting payments in minutes
Flat-rate, transparent pricing
Built-in fraud detection and dispute management

Let Us Find the Best Gateway for Your Business

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Payment Gateway Fees Compared

A side-by-side look at transaction fees, pricing models, platform support, and settlement speeds from the UK's top gateway providers.

Provider	Model	UK Card Fee	Int'l Fee	Platforms	Settlement
Stripe	Aggregator	1.5% + 20p	2.5% + 20p	All (API + plugins)	2 days
PayPal Braintree	Aggregator	1.9% + 20p	3.4% + 20p	All (API + plugins)	1–3 days
Worldpay	Traditional	From 0.75%	Custom	Most (plugin + API)	3–5 days
Adyen	Traditional	Interchange++ €0.11	Interchange++	API-first	Next day
Opayo (Elavon)	Traditional	From 0.99%	Custom	Most (plugin + API)	3–5 days
Mollie	Aggregator	1.2% + 25p	2.2% + 25p	All (API + plugins)	1–2 days
Checkout.com	Traditional	Interchange++	Interchange++	API-first	Next day
Square	Aggregator	1.4% + 25p	2.5% + 25p	Square ecosystem	1–2 days

Fees are indicative and may vary based on business type, turnover, and negotiated terms. Last updated January 2026.

Key Factors When Choosing a Payment Gateway

PCI Compliance Level

Your integration method determines your PCI scope. Hosted gateways give you SAQ A (simplest). Direct API integrations may require SAQ A-EP or SAQ D. Choose a method that matches your team's security capability and budget for annual compliance audits.

Pricing Transparency

Flat-rate pricing (e.g., Stripe at 1.5% + 20p) is predictable and easy to budget. Interchange++ gives better rates at scale but is harder to forecast. Blended rates from traditional providers can hide margin — always ask for a full fee breakdown.

International Reach

If you sell globally, check how many currencies are supported and what the cross-border fees are. Adyen and Stripe lead on currency coverage. Consider local acquiring in key markets to reduce international card fees by up to 40%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which payment gateways work best with Shopify and WooCommerce?

Stripe, PayPal, Opayo, Mollie, and Worldpay all offer workable options, but the best fit depends on your plugin quality, settlement needs, pricing model, and whether you want a quick hosted setup or a more customised checkout flow.

Is Stripe, PayPal, or Worldpay better for a UK ecommerce store?

Stripe is often strongest for flexible checkout design and subscriptions, PayPal is useful for buyer familiarity and wallet usage, and Worldpay can be attractive for established businesses that want broader merchant acquiring and negotiated pricing. The right answer depends on scale and sales channel mix.

Can I keep customers on my own website during checkout?

Yes, if you use an API-led or embedded gateway setup. Hosted gateways usually redirect customers away to a provider-controlled page, while direct integrations keep the customer journey on your site but increase implementation and compliance complexity.

When should a business move from a flat-rate gateway to interchange++ pricing?

Businesses with stronger monthly volume, lower average margins, or a high share of card sales often benefit from moving to interchange++ because it separates real card costs from the processor markup. The tipping point varies, but it becomes more relevant as processing volume grows.

What gateway features matter most for checkout conversion?

Look for fast page load times, Apple Pay and Google Pay, strong mobile UX, one-click saved card support, clear failure messaging, smart retries, and good support for local and international payment methods. Conversion-focused features can be just as valuable as a slightly lower headline fee.

Does a payment gateway also handle settlement and merchant acquiring?

Sometimes. Aggregator-style providers like Stripe often bundle gateway technology, processing, and merchant account functionality together. Traditional setups may separate the gateway from the acquiring relationship, which is why it is important to compare the full payment stack rather than the gateway alone.

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