6 top WooCommerce payment gateways in the UK in 2025

Choosing the right payment gateway for your WooCommerce store can lower transaction costs, improve checkout experience, and ensure smooth multi-currency payments. With 2.71 billion people shopping online, the impact a payment gateway has on your business can be immense.

This guide compares the best WooCommerce payment gateways for UK businesses in 2025, with a look at transaction fees, features, and suitability for different business needs.

At a glance

Best for international payments: Airwallex

Best for developer flexibility: Stripe

Best for WooCommerce native integration: WooCommerce Payments

Best for brand trust and buyer protection: PayPal

Best for retail and POS integration: Square

What is a WooCommerce payment gateway?

A WooCommerce payment gateway is a service that facilitates secure transactions between customers and merchants on an online store. It acts as a middleman between the customer’s payment method (credit/debit card, digital wallet, or bank transfer) and the merchant’s bank account. The gateway encrypts and transmits payment data, ensuring security and compliance with industry standards.

Read more: What is an eCommerce payment gateway and how does it work?

How WooCommerce payment gateways work

• The buyer selects a product, adds it to the cart, and proceeds to checkout.

• The gateway securely collects payment details and encrypts them before transmitting the information.

• The payment provider (e.g., Visa, Mastercard, PayPal) verifies the payment method and approves or declines the transaction.

• If approved, the funds are sent from the customer’s bank or card provider to the merchant’s account.

• The customer and merchant receive confirmation of the transaction, completing the purchase.

Why should you use a WooCommerce payment gateway?

Secure transactions. PCI compliance, fraud protection, and encryption help prevent data breaches and unauthorised access. A reliable payment gateway ensures that your customers’ payment details are securely processed, whether they use credit or debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

Multiple payment options. With a variety of payment methods, including bank transfers, digital wallets, and BNPL (buy now, pay later) services like Klarna, you can cater to a wider audience and improve conversion rates.

Fast payouts. Many providers offer next-day or same-day settlements, giving you quicker access to funds and improving your business’s cash flow.

Multi-currency support. If you sell internationally, multi-currency support allows customers to pay in their preferred currency while you receive funds in yours, reducing unnecessary conversion costs.

Checkout optimisation. Features like one-click checkout, saved payment methods, and subscription billing create a smoother checkout experience, helping you reduce cart abandonment and increase sales.

Good payment gateways offer:

• Secure transactions (PCI compliance, fraud protection)

• Multiple payment options (cards, digital wallets, local methods)

• Fast payouts (minimising cash flow delays)

• Multi-currency support (for cross-border sales)

What to consider when choosing a WooCommerce payment gateway

Not all payment gateways are equal. Some will save you money, others will improve your checkout experience, and a few will do both. The right choice depends on how you sell, where your customers are, and how quickly you need access to your revenue. Here’s what to look for:

Transaction fees

Every payment provider has a different fee structure. Some charge a flat fee per transaction, while others take a percentage of each sale. If you process high transaction volumes, look for providers with lower percentage-based fees or volume discounts to reduce costs.

Supported payment methods

Ensure the gateway supports all the payment options your customers use. This includes credit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and options like BNPL (buy now, pay later) services such as Klarna. The more options you offer, the better your chances of converting customers at checkout.

Multi-currency support

If you sell internationally, your gateway should allow customers to pay in their local currency while you receive funds in yours. This minimises conversion fees, improves transparency for buyers, and creates a more seamless shopping experience. Some providers automatically handle multi-currency transactions, while others require additional setup.

Payout speed

Faster payouts improve your cash flow. Some providers offer same-day or next-day settlements, while others take several days to process withdrawals. If you need quick access to funds, check the provider’s payout schedule and whether instant payout options are available, as some charge extra for faster withdrawals.

Integration and ease of use

A payment gateway should work with your WooCommerce store. Some providers offer official WooCommerce plugins that require little to no setup, while others provide API access for full customisation. If you want a plug-and-play solution, check that the gateway integrates directly with your existing setup.

Security and compliance

Payment security protects both your business and your customers. Look for PCI DSS compliance, which ensures transactions meet strict security standards. Fraud prevention tools such as 3D Secure authentication, AI-driven fraud detection, and chargeback protection can help reduce risk and prevent fraudulent transactions.

You can compare the top 5 eCommerce payment systems and solutions in the UK in 2025 here.

Top WooCommerce payment gateways in the UK in 2025

1. Airwallex

Airwallex is a multi-currency payment gateway designed for businesses with global operations. It allows UK WooCommerce stores to accept over 60 local and international payment methods, settle in multiple currencies, and access market-leading FX rates.

Key features

Accepts 130+ currencies with competitive exchange rates

Supports multi-currency checkout (customers pay in their currency)

Batch payments and business accounts for streamlined cash flow

Fully integrated WooCommerce plugin

Transaction fees

UK cards: 1.30% + £0.20 per transaction

EU/EEA cards: 2.40% + £0.20 

International cards: 3.15% + £0.20

No monthly or setup fees

See Airwallex’s pricing plan and fee schedule, and how it works as your complete multi-currency WooCommerce checkout.

Availability

UK, EU, US, Australia, Asia, and many other countries.

Currencies

GBP, EUR, USD, AUD, and more.

Security

PCI DSS Level 1, FCA-authorised, 3D Secure for fraud prevention.

Read more: Understanding PCI DSS and why it matters

2. Stripe

Stripe offers extensive developer tools and support for over 135 currencies. It’s known for its flexibility and simple integration with WooCommerce.

Key features

Supports one-click checkout and subscriptions

Accepts Apple Pay, Google Pay, Klarna, ACH, and more

Advanced fraud detection with Stripe Radar

Customisable API for tailored checkout experiences

Transaction fees

UK cards: 1.5% + £0.20

EEA Cards: 2.5% + £0.20 per transaction​

International cards: 3.25% + £0.20

Currency conversion: +2% per transaction

Availability

45+ countries.

Currencies

135+ currencies supported.

Security

PCI DSS Level 1, 3D Secure, AI-driven fraud prevention.

3. WooCommerce Payments 

WooCommerce Payments (powered by Stripe) is built specifically for WooCommerce stores, allowing businesses to manage payments directly from their dashboard.

Key features

No setup fees – easy activation in WooCommerce

Supports one-click payments and subscriptions

Accepts all major credit/debit cards and Apple Pay

Instant deposits and unified payouts

Transaction fees

UK cards: 1.5% + £0.25

International cards: 3.5% + £0.25

2% for currency conversion

Availability

38 countries, including the UK, US, and most of the EU.

Currencies

100+ supported.

Security

PCI DSS compliant, 3D Secure for Strong Customer Authentication (SCA).

4. PayPal

PayPal is one of the most widely recognised payment methods, providing businesses with access to millions of users worldwide. It offers PayPal Wallet, PayPal Credit, and Pay in 3 (instalments).

Key features

Trusted by over 400 million users globally

Supports PayPal balance, cards, bank payments, and Pay in 3

Instant fund access in PayPal business account

WooCommerce plugin for easy setup

Transaction fees

UK transactions: 2.90% + £0.30

International transactions: 4.19% + £0.30

No setup fees

Availability

200+ countries.

Currencies

25+ supported.

Security

PCI compliant, 3D Secure, chargeback protection for eligible transactions.

5. Square

Square is an omnichannel solution, useful for businesses with both online and physical stores. It integrates with Square POS, syncing inventory in real time.

Key features

WooCommerce plugin for online and in-store payments

Accepts credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay

Instant deposits and unified reporting across channels

Supports invoicing and virtual terminal payments

Transaction fees

UK cards: 1.4% + £0.25

International cards: 2.5% + £0.25

No setup or monthly fees

Availability

UK, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and parts of Europe.

Currencies

GBP (localised support per region).

Security – PCI DSS Level 1, 3D Secure, built-in fraud prevention.

6. Mollie

Mollie is a Europe-focused payment gateway offering localised payment methods and a simple, no-monthly-fee pricing model. It is widely used in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and France, supporting iDEAL, Bancontact, Klarna, SEPA Direct Debit, and more.

Key features

Accepts 20+ payment methods, including credit/debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Klarna

No monthly fees – only pay per transaction

Recurring payments and subscription support

WooCommerce plugin and API access for customisation

Quick 2-day settlement times and real-time transaction tracking

Transaction fees

UK cards: 1.20% + £0.20

UK domestic commercial + European cards: 2.90% + £0.20

Other cards: 3.25% + £0.20

No setup fees or monthly costs

Availability

European Economic Area (EEA), UK, and Switzerland

Over 30+ countries with localised payment methods

Currencies

Supports 25+ currencies, including EUR, GBP, USD, CAD, AUD 

Security

PCI DSS Level 1 certified

3D Secure authentication and AI-powered fraud detection

GDPR-compliant data protection

Why use Airwallex as your WooCommerce payment gateway?

If you sell internationally, Airwallex helps you scale without high fees and slow processing times. With multi-currency checkout, competitive FX rates, and WooCommerce integration, you can accept payments from 180+ countries and settle in your preferred currency, reducing unnecessary conversion costs.

Boost your WooCommerce checkout with a global eCommerce payment solution

As eCommerce expands worldwide, your payment gateway needs to support international transactions. Sticking with outdated providers can limit your reach and increase costs.

Airwallex provides an end-to-end payment solution built for cross-border trade. You can:

Go global. Accept payments in 180+ countries with 130+ local payment methods.

Save money. Reduce FX costs with like-for-like settlement and competitive exchange rates.

Gain visibility. Track your global cash flow in real-time and move money across borders seamlessly.

And you always get:

Easy WooCommerce integration. Connect Airwallex to WooCommerce in minutes for a smooth checkout experience.

Fast payouts. Get access to your money faster with instant settlement options.

Enterprise-grade security. FCA-regulated and PCI DSS Level 1 certified to protect your transactions.

FAQs about WooCommerce payment gateways

Do I need a business bank account to use a WooCommerce payment gateway?

Yes, most payment gateways require a business bank account to receive payouts. While some providers may allow personal accounts, a business account helps with compliance, tax management, and smoother financial operations.

Can I use multiple payment gateways on WooCommerce?

Yes, WooCommerce allows you to enable multiple payment gateways simultaneously. This lets you offer credit/debit card payments, digital wallets, and local payment methods, so customers can pay using their preferred option.

Can I charge customers in different currencies on WooCommerce?

Yes, but you’ll need a multi-currency payment gateway like Airwallex. It allows you to accept payments in various currencies while settling in your preferred one, reducing FX fees and providing a better checkout experience for international customers.

How do I know if a payment gateway is reliable?

Look for PCI DSS compliance, fraud prevention tools, chargeback protection, and regulatory approvals. Trusted providers like Airwallex process billions in transactions, hold security certifications, and offer transparent pricing with global coverage.

Get started with Airwallex

The right WooCommerce payment gateway can enhance your checkout experience, reduce fees, and simplify global transactions. Airwallex offers multi-currency support, lower FX costs, and seamless WooCommerce integration to help your business expand internationally.

CTA: Cut FX fees and expand worldwide. Integrate Airwallex with WooCommerce today.

Disclaimer: We wrote this article in Q1 2025. The information was based on our own online research and we were not able to manually test each tool or provider. The information is provided for educational purposes only. Consider the specific requirements of your business when evaluating providers. If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [email protected].

Sources:

www.oberlo.com/statistics/how-many-people-shop-online

www.stripe.com/gb/pricing

www.woocommerce.com/document/woopayments/fees-and-debits/fees/#united-kingdom

www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/merchant-fees

www.squareup.com/gb/en/online-store/plans

www.mollie.com/gb/pricing