Compare the top 7 payment gateway providers & services in Australia 2025

Getting a customer to your checkout takes a lot of hard work. You’ve gone to massive efforts to create and market your product or service, and now your potential buyer is ready to purchase. But there’s one more important step! Don’t sleep on the importance of having a great payment gateway so that your soon-to-be customer can seamlessly become the real thing.

With so many options available, it can be hard to know which payment gateway software is best for your business. In this article, we’re going to explore seven of the top payment gateway providers to help you decide.

What is a payment gateway provider or service?

A payment gateway provider helps businesses accept money from customers who pay using a credit card or another method of electronic payment.

Although the term is mostly used to describe eCommerce payments like accepting payments through online checkouts), payment gateways can also facilitate in-person purchases or Point of Sale (PoS).

The payment gateway market has exploded in recent years as society becomes increasingly cashless – it’s expected to grow by a whopping $5.54 billion in 2024 alone. As a business owner, having an efficient, reliable payment gateway provider helps you create a seamless and secure checkout experience by offering multiple payment methods and currencies, reduced fraud risk and valuable customer behaviour data. 

How do payment gateway providers work?

Payment gateways work by securely transmitting your payment information from the merchant. It then verifies the transaction with your bank or credit card company, ensuring funds are transferred to the merchant. Gateways also handle fraud detection and chargeback processing, protecting both the customer and the merchant.

The top 7 payment gateway providers in 2025

Here are the current go-to gateway providers for Australian businesses, in alphabetical order.

• Adyen: A platform which offers global reach and accepts various payment methods. 

• Airwallex: An end-to-end payment system with competitive FX rates and other financial operations tools.

• GoCardless: A recurring billing system, generally suited for subscription payments.

• PayPal: A large payment gateway business which offers many eCommerce integrations.

• Revolut Business: A fintech financial operations system generally suited to early-stage small businesses. 

• Shopify: A large eCommerce payment business, which also offers POS for in-person sales. 

• Worldpay: A longstanding service on the payments market, which integrates with various software for small to medium businesses

Top features to look for in a payment gateway service provider

It can feel overwhelming when you start comparing digital payment providers. To help, we’ve compiled a list of the most important features to look out for:

• Processing location: Some gateways process transactions on your website, while others redirect customers to a new page to pay. For the smoothest checkout experience, look for a gateway with onsite transactions.

• Security: Your gateway should be PCI DSS compliant and use the latest end-to-end encryption technology and fraud prevention tools to protect your data.

• Integrations: Your provider should integrate easily (no code required) with your other business systems like your accounting software or eCommerce platform.

• Cost: Pricing varies between payment gateway companies. Make sure you understand all fees upfront, from free trials to chargebacks and international transactions.

• Reporting: Look for software that offers insights into transaction data and customer behaviour – these can help you optimise your sales strategy and forecasts.

Compare the top payment gateway providers in 2025

Key features of the top 7 payment gateway providers

Adyen

Adyen is a global payment gateway service provider headquartered in Amsterdam, known for its comprehensive and flexible platform. Established in 2006, Adyen supports a wide range of payment methods, currencies, and is designed to meet the needs of businesses from various industries. Adyen offers solutions for online, in-app, and in-store payments in over 200 countries and 150 currencies.

Pros 

• Offers an extensive global reach 

• Real-time transaction monitoring and detailed analytics 

• Customisable pricing models for different business needs 

Cons

• With different pricing structures, it may be complex to understand which will provide the best rate

• No local Australian support 

• Limited focus on small businesses as it was designed for medium to large-sized businesses

Airwallex

Airwallex is a global payment solution that lets you accept payments in more than 160 payment methods across 180 countries. No-code to fully-customisable integration options make it easy to get started quickly, and you can save your business a tonne of fees with like-for-like settlement into multi-currency accounts. In other words, you can settle payments in the same currency that your customers pay in, saving you on costly exchange rates. 

It’s easy to open an account with local bank details in Airwallex, without having to go to a bank or complete any complicated paperwork. The platform also offers FX and transfer solutions, with competitive interbank fees. Uniquely, our investment product, Yield, allows businesses to earn competitive rates on their idle AUD and USD funds. Other features like virtual cards, accounts payable, and expense management, make it ideal for growing businesses. 

Pros

• An all-in-one platform for business financial operations, combining accounts, payments, corporate cards, and more

• Low-cost international transfers 

• Extensive global reach to convert, send, and hold funds

Cons

• No physical branches – digital only platform and service

• Does not serve sole traders

• Physical POS system coming soon

GoCardless 

GoCardless is a financial technology company that provides a secure payment pathway for SMEs and larger enterprises with recurring billing systems across multiple countries.

Headquartered in London, the company helps businesses send and receive payments directly by facilitating domestic, international, one-off, recurring, and scheduled payments via Direct Debit and Instant Bank Pay. GoCardless offers a tiered subscription model for Australian customers, with incremental features included. There are no monthly subscription costs and transaction fees start at 1% +40c.

Pros 

• Specialises in one-off and recurring payment systems 

• Multi-currency account to eight currencies 

• Integrates well with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, WooCommerce, and more

Cons 

• Doesn’t have online payment acceptance including cards, only Direct Debit and ‘Instant Bank Pay’

• No international payouts

• Lacking spend management tools 

PayPal 

PayPal supports a variety of payment methods, including credit and debit cards, bank transfers, and PayPal balances. The platform also offers invoicing, subscription payments, and mobile payments. 

PayPal’s widespread acceptance is available for personal and business use. However, PayPal is likely to incur higher fees for business transactions, which in the long-term may affect a business’ bottom line. 

Pros 

• Wide-spread acceptance and various payment methods

• Suitable for physical and digital stores

• Offers buyer and seller protection

Cons

• Higher fees for international transactions

• Whilst it may be easy to use, there are limited customisations available 

• Doesn’t hold multi-currency funds

Revolut

Revolut is a digital bank that services individuals and businesses. It is best known for its personal use cases, allowing individuals to convert between currencies when travelling. For businesses, Revolut offers multi-currency accounts that allow businesses to hold and manage multiple currencies in one place. Revolut also accepts borderless payments and provides a modern interface on their website and mobile app. Whilst Revolut offers various pricing models, some basic features require extra fees, such as international transfers beyond set limits. Markups on exchange rates may also apply on weekends and with certain currencies. 

Pros 

• Offers customisable corporate cards 

• Supports multi-currency accounts and currency conversion 

• Serves both individuals and businesses, so those who already have a personal account may find it easier to pick up 

Cons

• Additional transaction fees outside the free transaction allowance may be costly 

• User can't earn interest or returns on idle funds

• No physical branches - digital only platform and service

Shopify 

Designed for eCommerce businesses, this payment processing platform offers eCommerce integrations and tools to manage online stores. Shopify offers multi-currency support for over 100 currencies and offers features for managing customer data and interactions. However, their eCommerce integrations aren't as flexible for businesses not using Shopify. 

Pros 

• User-friendly platform 

• Extensive Shopify ecosystem to integrate with other applications

• Built-in sales and marketing tools

Cons

• Additional fees for many features despite transparent pricing plan 

• Shopify Payments have slower payout times (one to three days) compared to dedicated payment processors 

• Shopify charges additional fees for using external gateways which can be expensive for high-volume stores

WorldPay 

Worldpay, established in 1997, is a comprehensive payment solution provider known for its extensive global reach and customizable services. It supports a wide range of payment methods and currencies with various plans tailored to business needs.

Worldpay features real-time monitoring through live dashboards and integrates well with major eCommerce platforms. 

Pros

• Available in 146 countries, supporting 126 currencies 

• Built-in fraud prevention tools

• Flexible payment methods supporting cards and digital wallets 

Cons

• Complex services which may require more research to understand 

• Onboarding process can be lengthy

• Complex fee structure

What questions to ask when onboarding a payment gateway company

Onboarding a payment gateway company is like choosing a financial partner to handle transactions for you. It’s important to find the right payment gateway solution for you – getting it wrong could impact everything from your cash flow to your customers’ trust.

Here’s a straightforward guide of the key questions you should get the answers to before signing on the dotted line.

Remember, you’re looking for a payment gateway software that will make your transactions smooth and secure, keep your customers happy and encourage them to come back.

• What are your security measures and compliance certifications?

Check they meet industry standards like PCI DSS and ask about what protection protocols and fraud prevention measures they use to protect customer data.

• Can you support all the payment methods my customers use?

Find out if they handle the popular payment methods among your customer base, like credit cards or Apple Pay.

• What currencies and countries do you support?

Ask if they can handle multiple currencies, international payment methods and what the currency conversion fees are. This is particularly important if you operate globally or plan to expand.

• What are the fees involved?

Ask your potential new provider about all possible fees, including transaction fees, monthly fees, setup fees and foreign transaction fees. Avoiding hidden and additional costs can help you budget more effectively.

• How does your integration process work with my current setup?

You want to pick a payment gateway provider that easily integrates with your website and shopping cart software, ensuring a smooth customer experience. Account software integration can also save you wasted admin hours.

• What is the transaction success rate?

Look out for providers with a high success rate – this should mean fewer lost sales due to failed transactions.

• How do you handle failed transactions or chargebacks?

Ask what the process is for disputes and what support is available; this is crucial for you to provide good customer service.

• What kind of customer support do you offer?

If having reliable, efficient customer support is important to you, look for 24/7 customer support with real people at the end of the phone or email, not just automated responses.

• Can your system scale with my business growth?

If you’re scaling, you’ll want a provider that can support your growth. It’s time-consuming and frustrating to have to switch services or renegotiate contracts every year.

• What additional features or services do you provide?

Some gateways offer extra services like fraud protection, analytics, or management tools that could be valuable for your business. Ask what’s available and decide whether it suits your needs.

Choose Airwallex for your payment gateway solution

Airwallex is more than a payment gateway; it helps thousands of businesses simplify their financial operations and grow without limits.

Our platform provides an end-to-end payment solution allowing you to collect, hold, manage and spend on the same platform.

As a payment gateway provider, payment processor and acquirer we stand out for global reach, competitive pricing, advanced security, seamless integration with tools like Shopify and WooCommerce and detailed reporting analytics.

If you’re looking for a trusted, lightning-fast way to accept payments online, with Airwallex you can: 

• Securely accept local and global payments from customers (no coding required)

• Choose from 160+ payment methods

• Protect yourself against fraud

• Integrate with eCommerce platforms in minutes

• Save on costly domestic and foreign processing fees

• Eliminate unnecessary FX conversion fees

• Boost checkout conversion rates

• Streamline your end-to-end cash management

• Manage your finances with one easy-to-use dashboard

 Plus, Airwallex offers a range of additional features that help boost your bottom line. You can get more control over your team’s expenses, move money across borders cost-efficiently, automate bill paying, issue multi-currency employee cards and get real-time visibility over your cash flow with our market-leading technology.

Our payment solutions include an all-in-one Business Account with seamless integrations, powerful and flexible APIs to programmatically manage your money, and technology to build your own global financial products.

FAQs about payment gateway providers 

What is a payment gateway provider?

A payment gateway provider facilitates safe and secure online transactions. It encrypts and transmits payment data from a customer to a merchant and their associated bank. 

What important factors to choose when selecting a payment gateway solution?

It’s worth considering security credentials, supported payment methods, fees, currency support, integration with your business systems, transaction success rates, scalability and the quality of customer support available. 

How much does it cost to onboard a payment gateway solution?

Pricing varies widely between providers. Factors like setup fees, monthly subscription charges, transaction and currency conversion fees will impact cost. 

How safe are payment gateway services?

Most payment gateway services are safe. The best use advanced end-to-end encryption tools and are compliant with security standards like PCI DSS to prevent unauthorised access or fraud. 

Sources & references

¹ https://www.adyen.com/en_AU/pricing

² https://gocardless.com/en-au/pricing/

³ https://www.paypal.com/au/enterprise/payment-methods

⁴ https://www.revolut.com/business/business-account-plans/

⁵ https://www.shopify.com/au/pricing

⁶https://www.worldpay.com/en-au/pricing

Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on our own online research. Airwallex was not able to manually test each tool or provider. The information is provided for educational purposes only and a reader should consider the specific requirements of their business when evaluating providers. This research is reviewed annually. If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [[email protected]]. This information doesn’t take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. If you are a customer of Airwallex Pty Ltd (AFSL No. 487221) read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the Direct Services available here.