International payment gateways compared: Top 6 options for UK businesses

Key takeaways

• An international payment gateway lets you accept and process payments from customers worldwide in their local currency, while handling currency conversion, fraud screening, and compliance.

• When you're comparing gateways, focus on FX transparency, supported currencies and local payment methods, integration options, settlement speed, and like-for-like currency settlement.

• Airwallex gives UK businesses one platform to collect payments in 130+ currencies, convert at interbank rates, settle in 20+ currencies without forced conversion, and pay out globally, with native integrations into Shopify, WooCommerce, Xero, and NetSuite.

International payments are now standard for a lot of UK businesses. Even so, managing them well can still be hard. A lot of teams still rely on old banking tools or a mix of platforms. That often means high FX fees, slow settlement, and manual work.

If you're expanding into new markets or working with overseas suppliers, the right gateway matters. In the sections below, we'll look at what an international payment gateway does, how to compare your options, and which providers are worth a look.

What is an international payment gateway?

An international payment gateway lets your business accept payments from customers around the world, securely, quickly, and in their local currency. Think of it like a translator and a security guard working together at an international airport. One part converts currencies, like a translator handling languages. The other screens every transaction for fraud, like a guard checking passports. The result is simple: you can sell globally without building separate payment infrastructure in every market.

An international payment gateway:

• Approves and processes cross-border card and alternative payments

• Converts foreign currencies and settles funds

• Screens for fraud and ensures compliance

• Connects with checkout pages or accounting systems

Read more: Top B2B payment gateways (and how they differ from B2C)

How a cross-border payment flows through a gateway

Here's how a cross-border payment moves through a gateway. Your customer enters their payment details at checkout. The gateway encrypts that data and sends it to the relevant card network or local payment rail. The acquirer and issuing bank then approve, or decline, the transaction. After that, the gateway handles any currency conversion, and the funds settle into your account. From the customer's point of view, this usually takes seconds, though settlement to your account may take longer depending on the provider.

Domestic vs. international gateways

A domestic payment gateway is built to handle local payments in GBP. It supports UK-issued cards, local bank transfers, and the payment methods your UK customers expect. That's fine if your business operates only in the UK and doesn't need to accept payments from overseas.

An international gateway, though, is built for cross-border commerce. It supports multiple currencies, local payment methods from other countries like iDEAL, Sofort, or UnionPay, and it handles foreign exchange. It also helps with compliance with global standards like PSD2, PCI DSS, and 3D Secure. If your business sells internationally or pays suppliers abroad, an international gateway gives you the tools you need to operate globally without relying on a patchwork of banks or bolt-ons.

PSP vs. merchant account and gateway

When you set up international payments, you'll usually face a structural choice: use an all-in-one payment service provider (PSP) or set up a traditional merchant account with a separate gateway. A PSP is a bit like a one-stop shop where everything sits under one roof: payment acceptance, currency conversion, and payouts all in one place. The traditional setup is more like hiring a separate builder, plumber, and electrician, then coordinating them yourself.

For most scaling businesses, a PSP is simpler and faster to deploy. You get a single contract, one integration, and unified reporting. The traditional merchant account route can still make sense for very large enterprises with specific acquiring needs, or for businesses that want to negotiate interchange rates directly. But it comes with more complexity and longer setup times.

Benefits of using an international payment gateway

Choosing an international gateway isn't just about ticking a box for "accepts foreign cards". The right platform can make a real difference to your margins, conversion rates, and day-to-day operations. So, what do you stand to gain? Here are the main benefits.

Accept payments in more currencies and markets

Multi-currency acceptance opens up customer segments you might otherwise miss. Research shows that 94% of customers want to see pricing in their own currency at checkout.⁶ If you're only accepting GBP, you're asking international customers to do mental maths and take on currency risk. A lot of the time, that means they'll buy from a competitor instead.

There's another benefit here that's easy to miss: like-for-like settlement. With the right gateway, you can collect payments in your customer's currency and hold those funds without being forced to convert them straight away. That means you avoid unnecessary FX costs, and you can convert when rates are favourable or pay suppliers directly in the currency you collected. Airwallex, for example, lets you settle in 20+ currencies, so you're not losing margin to forced conversions.

Reduce FX costs and hidden fees

Traditional banks often add markups of 3–4% to currency conversions above the interbank rate.⁷ Gateways with transparent FX pricing charge 0.5–1% instead. On £100,000 in monthly international sales, that's the difference between paying £3,000–£4,000 in FX costs and paying £500–£1,000. Over a year, those savings can add up to tens of thousands of pounds that go straight to your bottom line.

Improve checkout conversion rates

Supporting local payment methods helps reduce cart abandonment. In the Netherlands, iDEAL makes up more than 60% of online payments.⁸ In Scandinavia, Klarna is a standard part of checkout. If you don't offer these methods, you're not just making things less convenient for customers. You're losing sales altogether.

Express checkout wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay can also lift conversion significantly. Some merchants report conversion increases of 20% or more when they add express checkout options.⁹ These wallets cut friction by letting customers pay with a single tap, without re-entering card details or addresses.

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) options like Klarna and Afterpay are another lever, especially for higher-ticket items. They can increase average order value and reduce checkout abandonment by giving customers more flexibility in how they pay.

The key is showing the right methods to the right customers. You don't want to crowd your checkout with every option. Instead, dynamic presentment uses the customer's location to show two or three relevant local methods. A customer in Poland sees BLIK. A customer in Brazil sees Pix. That keeps checkout clean whilst still offering the methods that drive conversion in each market.

Simplify compliance across markets

Payment rules vary by country, and keeping up with PCI DSS, PSD2, 3DS2, and local requirements is complex. A good international gateway keeps certifications current, updates fraud screening rules, and manages local regulatory requirements across every market you sell into, so you don't have to manage compliance bit by bit.

How to choose an international payment gateway

If you're selling to customers in multiple countries or paying suppliers abroad, you'll want a gateway that can grow with you. So when you're comparing options, these are the key things to weigh up and the questions to ask yourself.

Multi-currency support and global reach

Can you accept payments in major global currencies and get settled in GBP or the currency of your choice? Look for local payment rails and transparent FX. If you're selling to customers in Germany, Japan, and Brazil, you need a gateway that supports EUR, JPY, and BRL, and ideally settles in GBP so you're not juggling multiple bank accounts or taking on unnecessary cross-border fees.

Pricing and fees

Look at the full cost picture when you're comparing payment gateway fees, including setup costs, per-transaction fees, FX spreads, and platform fees. Some providers offer tiered pricing based on volume or features. Watch out for providers that quote low card rates but charge high FX markups. You need to compare the total cost, not just the headline rate. It's also worth asking whether pricing is blended (one flat rate) or interchange-plus (card network fees plus a margin), because that changes how costs scale with your transaction mix.

Supported payment methods and regional coverage

Cards are only one part of the picture. You'll also want to think about wallets, bank transfers, and buy now, pay later options, depending on your audience and industry. Regional preferences matter here. Digital wallets dominate in Asia, whilst bank transfers are often preferred in Europe.

Here's a quick reference for dominant local payment methods by region:

Rather than showing every method to every customer, look for gateways that support dynamic presentment, so only two or three relevant options appear based on the customer's location. That keeps checkout clean and helps reduce choice overload.

Security and compliance

Check that the provider is PCI DSS compliant, supports 3DS2, and offers fraud detection tools. Some also offer automated tax handling for global sales. This isn't only about protecting your customers. It's also about protecting your business from chargebacks and regulatory headaches.

Integration and collection channels

Does it connect with your eCommerce platform, accounting software, or ERP system? Hosted checkouts, APIs, and payment gateway integrations all matter if you want speed and room to scale. If you're running on Shopify or WooCommerce, check whether the gateway has a native plugin or whether you'll need custom development.

Read more: Top 6 WooCommerce payment gateways in the UK in 2026

It's also worth thinking beyond website checkout. Payment Links let you send a payment request by email or messaging without building a checkout page. Invoicing tools work well for B2B transactions where customers expect to pay on terms. QR codes can be useful for in-person or hybrid sales too. If you're a service business, or you sell to other businesses internationally, these alternative collection channels can matter just as much as your website checkout.

Settlement speed

How fast you get paid matters. Some gateways settle in 2–3 business days, whilst others offer next-day or even same-day settlement. For an eCommerce business with high daily order volumes, faster settlement means you can restock sooner and avoid cash crunches. If cash flow is tight, ask about settlement timelines before you commit.

Customer support

When payments are on the line, responsive support matters. Look for UK-based teams, or teams in a similar time zone, that can help when you need it, not just during US business hours.

The 6 best international payment gateways for UK businesses in 2026

Here are our top picks based on feature set, flexibility, and value:

1. Airwallex

Airwallex (that's us) is a global payments platform built for UK businesses that sell or operate internationally, from eCommerce startups to fast-scaling platforms. It brings payment acceptance, multi-currency accounts, and interbank FX rates together in one place, so you're not stitching together separate tools for collection, conversion, and payouts.

• Multi-currency support: 160+ payment methods available, accepted in 180+ countries

• Fees and FX: Pricing varies by transaction type. 1.3% + 20p for UK card transactions. When sending funds, currency conversions at interbank rate + 0.5%–1%. See our pricing page for details.

• Payment methods: Accept Visa, Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay, bank transfers, and digital wallets

• Like-for-like settlement: Settle in 20+ currencies without forced conversion, so you can hold funds in the currency you collected them

• Security and compliance: FCA-regulated, PCI DSS Level 1 certified, SOC 1 and SOC 2 compliant

• Integrations: Native plugins for Shopify, WooCommerce, Xero, NetSuite. Developer-friendly API for custom builds

• Support: UK-based support team with onboarding and scaling assistance

2. PayPal

PayPal is a household name, and buyers trust it. That's a big reason it's especially popular for direct-to-consumer eCommerce and marketplaces. It gives UK businesses a quick way to accept payments from overseas customers who already have PayPal accounts.

• Multi-currency support: 130 currencies across 200+ markets, instant wallet conversion

• Fees and FX: 2.9% + fixed fee for standard commercial transactions (domestic); additional 1.29%–1.99% for international transactions. FX conversion at 3% above base rate. Multiple pricing tiers available¹

• Payment methods: PayPal balance, credit/debit cards, direct debit

• Security and compliance: PCI DSS compliant, two-sided buyer/seller protection

• Integrations: Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce, WooCommerce

• Support: Help centre, live chat, and phone support (8am–6:30pm daily); limited strategic support for smaller businesses

3. Checkout.com

Checkout.com offers modern, API-first payment processing used by global brands. It's built for developers and large-volume merchants that need granular control over every stage of the payment flow. If you're comparing Checkout.com vs Airwallex, the main differences are FX transparency, multi-currency settlement options, and the breadth of built-in financial tools.

• Multi-currency support: 150+ currencies with local acquiring

• Fees and FX: Custom pricing, typically based on volume and region²

• Payment methods: Credit/debit cards, APMs, mobile wallets, bank transfers

• Security and compliance: PCI DSS Level 1, advanced fraud protection, PSD2 compliance

• Integrations: Custom API, SDKs, and plugins for Magento, Salesforce, and more

• Support: Dedicated technical and commercial support for enterprise users

4. Stripe

Stripe offers a developer-friendly API and global capabilities, which is why it's a popular choice for SaaS companies, marketplaces, and modern eCommerce businesses. It also comes with a wide range of integrations and extensive documentation. If you're weighing up Stripe vs Airwallex, the key differences come down to FX pricing, multi-currency settlement, and built-in treasury tools.

• Multi-currency support: 135+ currencies with automatic FX

• Fees and FX: 1.5% + 20p for UK/EEA cards, 2.5% + 20p for international cards. FX conversion fees: 1% on card payments; 0.5% for instant currency conversion between balances³

• Payment methods: Cards, wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), bank debits, BNPL

• Security and compliance: PCI DSS, strong fraud detection, tokenization

• Integrations: Shopify, WooCommerce, Webflow, HubSpot; extensive API access

• Support: 24/7 phone, chat, and email; developer documentation; premium support tiers available

5. Adyen

Adyen offers a unified payment solution across channels and markets, so it suits enterprise businesses that need omnichannel capabilities. Its strengths are real-time data, compliance, and scalability.

• Multi-currency support: 150+ currencies with dynamic currency conversion

• Fees and FX: £0.11 processing fee + payment-method-specific fee per transaction. Interchange++ pricing. No setup, monthly, or closure fees. Minimum invoice may apply⁴

• Payment methods: 200+ methods — cards, local APMs, wallets

• Security and compliance: PSD2, PCI DSS, risk control tools, in-house acquiring

• Integrations: API-first platform, POS, and eCommerce plugins

• Support: Regional account teams and tailored onboarding

6. Worldpay

Worldpay has an established presence in the UK and offers both online and in-store payment processing, which makes it a fit for businesses that need hybrid capabilities. It supports global payments, though often through legacy contracts and systems.

• Multi-currency support: 135+ currencies; support for DCC and local acquiring

• Fees and FX: Blended pricing at 1.3% + 20p for Visa/Mastercard consumer cards, 2.9% + 20p for commercial cards and Amex. Next-business-day settlement included⁵

• Payment methods: 60+ payment methods including cards, digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), POS, bank transfers, APMs (iDEAL, Klarna, SEPA, etc.)

• Security and compliance: PCI DSS, tokenization, fraud tools

• Integrations: Hosted checkout, modern and legacy APIs, Shopify, WooCommerce, Adobe Commerce, OpenCart, POS integrations

• Support: UK-based account managers; reputation for slower onboarding

International payment gateway comparison table

Provider data sourced in Q2 2026; see sources at the end of this article.

Why choose Airwallex for international payments?

Airwallex isn't just a payment gateway. It's a complete platform built for global business from day one. Instead of piecing together separate tools for payment acceptance, currency conversion, and payouts, you get everything in one place.

With Airwallex, UK businesses can:

• Accept payments in 130+ currencies and open accounts in 60+ countries with local bank details

• Settle in 20+ currencies without forced conversion — hold funds in the currency you collected them and convert when it suits you

• Pay overseas suppliers in 120+ countries through local routing networks, faster and cheaper than traditional SWIFT transfers (95% arrive same-day or within hours)

• Access interbank FX rates with no hidden fees, ideal for businesses managing international margins

• Use dynamic payment method presentment to show customers the right local options at checkout, improving conversion without cluttering the experience

• Automate reconciliation with direct integrations into Xero, QuickBooks, and NetSuite

• Manage spending and approvals with built-in tools like Bill Pay, Employee Cards, and expense tracking

• Use modern APIs or no-code workflows to build custom payment journeys or deploy quickly without engineering help

• Keep control with team permissions, audit trails, and real-time visibility across Global Accounts

• Get UK-based support backed by FCA-regulated financial services

With the right gateway, you can give customers abroad a better experience, simplify operations, and reduce costs. If you want one solution to collect, convert, and pay, with full visibility and control, open a free Airwallex account or talk to our team to see how it works for your business.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is an international payment gateway?

An international payment gateway lets UK businesses accept payments from overseas customers in multiple currencies. It handles currency conversion, fraud screening, and compliance, so you can sell globally without building separate payment systems in each market.

How do international payment gateways work?

When a customer pays, the gateway encrypts their payment data, sends it through the relevant card network or local payment rail, and asks the issuing bank for approval. It then handles any currency conversion and settles the funds to your account, usually within one to three business days.

How much do international payment gateways cost?

Costs vary by provider and transaction type, but they usually include per-transaction fees (1–4%), FX conversion markups (0.5–4%), and sometimes monthly or setup fees. Compare the total cost across all of these, not just the headline card rate.

Which is the best international payment gateway?

The best gateway depends on your business model, transaction volume, and target markets. For UK businesses selling internationally, Airwallex is a strong fit because it combines payment acceptance, multi-currency accounts, and interbank FX in one platform, so you're not stitching together separate tools for each part of the process.

What payment methods do international gateways support?

Most support cards, bank transfers, digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, and local payment methods such as iDEAL, Klarna, and UnionPay. Some also support buy now, pay later options depending on your market and customer base.

Sources and references

1. https://www.paypal.com/uk/business

2. https://www.checkout.com/solutions/international-coverage

3. https://stripe.com/

4. https://www.adyen.com/en_GB

5. https://www.worldpay.com/en/products/online

6. https://csa-research.com/More/Media/Press-Releases/Consumers-Prefer-their-Own-Language

7. https://www.fxcintel.com/research

8. https://www.ideal.nl/en/about-ideal/

9. https://baymard.com/lists/cart-abandonment-rate

Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on our own online research in Q2 2026. Airwallex wasn't 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'd 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.