Top 6 payment gateways for UK businesses: Compare fees, methods, and payout speeds

Key takeaways

• A payment gateway provider gives your business the technology to accept online payments securely. It routes transactions between your customer, their bank, and your account.

• The right provider depends on your transaction fees, supported payment methods, multi-currency needs, integration options, and how fast you get paid.

• Airwallex combines global payment acceptance (160+ methods across 180+ countries) with multi-currency accounts, competitive FX, and next-business-day settlement — all on one platform.

If you're selling online, your payment gateway matters. It shapes the checkout experience. It also affects how fast you get your money. And it can limit or unlock international growth. In 2026, the UK payments landscape is still changing. Open banking and Pay by Bank are growing as lower-cost choices than cards. At the same time, fraud risks mean you need strong protection.

This guide explains what a payment gateway provider is. It also explains how gateways differ from processors and merchant accounts. Then it covers which options stand out in the UK market. Whether you’re comparing providers for the first time or thinking about switching, you’ll find the practical details you need to choose well.

What is a payment gateway provider?

A payment gateway provider is the company that gives your business the tech to accept payments online. Think of it like the card machine in a shop, but for the internet. It securely sends your customer’s payment details to the right place. It also confirms if the payment went through. So, you can take payments from anywhere without handling sensitive card data yourself.

In the UK, gateways also manage Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) under PSD2. In practice, that means they run extra checks. These can include 3D Secure authentication, one-time passcodes, and biometric approval. This helps keep your payments compliant and secure.

Payment gateway vs payment processor vs merchant account

These three terms often get mixed up, but they do different jobs. A payment gateway is the front door. It collects and encrypts your customer’s payment details at checkout. A payment processor is the back office. It sends the transaction through card networks like Visa or Mastercard to ask for authorisation. A merchant account is where the money lands before it reaches your business account.

Some providers bundle all three into one service. Others focus on just one part. When you know the difference, it’s easier to see what you’re paying for. It also helps you decide if you need separate providers or an all-in-one option.

How a payment gateway works

Here’s what happens behind the scenes when a customer pays online:

• A customer chooses a payment method, such as card, wallet, or bank transfer.

• The gateway encrypts the details and sends them securely.

• The gateway asks the issuing bank for authorisation through the card network or scheme.

• The bank approves or declines the payment.

• The funds move into your merchant account, usually within one to three business days.

UK eCommerce fraud is rising. Remote access attacks are up 8% year-on-year. Because of that, encryption and authentication are essential. A good gateway also helps with PCI DSS compliance. That way, you’re not storing sensitive card data on your own servers.

Types of payment gateways

Different gateways can change the checkout experience. They can also change how much control you have:

• Hosted or on-site: Keeps customers on your website during checkout. This gives you control over the experience.

• Self-hosted: Lets you collect customer data on your servers before sending it to the gateway. This gives you more flexibility, but you’ll have more compliance work.

• API or integrated: Connects straight to your systems. This lets you build custom checkout flows and connect to platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento.

• Local bank integration: Connects straight to banks, including Pay by Bank through open banking.

Top payment gateway providers in the UK (2026)

Cart abandonment is still around 70%. So, fast and flexible checkout options matter. The providers below cover different business sizes, payment types, and use cases — from startups to enterprise retailers.

Airwallex

Airwallex (us) is a global financial platform. It helps businesses collect, manage, and spend money. Our Online Payments product lets you take payments using 160+ methods across 180+ countries. You can also settle in multiple currencies without losing margin to forced conversions. And you can connect it to your current setup.

• 160+ payment methods, including cards, wallets, and local options

• Multi-currency settlement — collect in one currency, settle in the same currency

• Direct plugins for Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento, plus flexible APIs for custom checkouts

• Next-business-day settlement

• Full financial platform with Business Accounts, global transfers, FX, and Corporate Cards

Fees: UK cards 1.30% + 20p. EEA cards 2.40% + 20p. International cards 3.15% + 20p. See more

Settlement: Often within one business day.

Stripe

Stripe is a developer-focused payments platform. It’s well known for clear docs and flexible APIs. It’s a common choice for tech companies and startups that want custom checkout flows.

• Wide support for payment methods, including cards, wallets, and local methods

• Stripe Billing for subscriptions and recurring payment management

• Detailed API documentation and developer tools

• Pre-built UI components to speed up integration

Fees: UK cards 1.4% + 20p. EEA and international cards 2.9% + 20p, plus a 1.5% FX surcharge on currency conversions.

Settlement: One to three business days.

PayPal

PayPal is a well known global brand, and many customers trust it. It offers PayPal Wallet, Pay in 3 instalments, and global buyer protection.

• High brand recognition and consumer trust

• PayPal Wallet and Pay in 3 buy now, pay later (BNPL) option

• Global buyer protection programme

• Instant access to PayPal balance

Fees: UK 2.90% + 30p. International 4.19% + 30p plus FX mark-ups of up to 2.99%.

Settlement: Instant to PayPal balance. Standard withdrawal to a bank account usually takes 3–5 working days. Instant transfer to eligible accounts usually takes a few minutes (up to 30 minutes).

Adyen

Adyen is an enterprise-grade payments platform. It supports 150+ currencies and 200+ payment methods. It can handle online, mobile, and in-store payments for large businesses.

• 150+ currencies and 200+ payment methods

• Unified commerce across online, mobile, and in-store

• Enterprise-grade APIs and reporting

• Strong acquiring capabilities

Fees: A fixed processing fee of £0.11, plus charges that depend on the payment method. Card payments use Interchange++ pricing (£0.11 + Interchange + 0.60%). So, total fees vary by card type and issuer.

Settlement: Usually two business days for UK (GBP) transactions. For other currencies, it’s usually three business days.

GoCardless

GoCardless focuses on recurring and subscription payments through Direct Debit. It connects with tools like Xero, Salesforce, and Chargebee. Keep in mind it’s built for recurring bank-to-bank payments. It’s not a full card payment gateway.

• Direct Debit specialist for recurring payments

• Integrations with Xero, Salesforce, Chargebee, and more

• Capped fees for predictable domestic costs

• Strong for subscription and membership businesses

Fees: 1% + 20p in the UK, capped at £4 (domestic transactions only). An extra 0.3% applies to transactions over £2,000. International 2% + 20p (no cap).

Settlement: Standard Direct Debit payments take 3–5 working days. Same Day Settlement is available as an add-on.

Revolut Business

Revolut offers digital financial services for SMEs, including payment acceptance. It links straight to Revolut Business accounts, which can make cash management simpler.

• SME-focused with easy setup

• Direct connection to Revolut Business accounts

• Payment links and basic recurring options

• Multi-currency account holding

Fees: From 1% + 20p for UK Visa and Mastercard consumer cards. FX rates vary by plan.

Settlement: One to two business days.

Other providers include Worldpay for established retailers that want one provider for online and in-store payments, Braintree for developer customisation, Klarna for BNPL, and Square for merchants that combine online and in-person sales.

How to choose the right payment gateway provider

If you’re selling in more than one country, your gateway choice affects a lot. It can change checkout conversion. It can also change how much you keep after FX fees. Here’s what to consider.

Key criteria for comparing providers

• Transaction fees: Compare payment gateway fees for UK, EEA, and international cards. Even a 1% difference can add up fast at higher volumes.

• Payment methods: Does the provider support what your customers like to use? Cards, wallets, BNPL, and local options can all affect conversion.

• Multi-currency and FX handling: Some providers, like Airwallex, let you settle in the same currency you collect. That helps you avoid forced FX conversions. Others add FX mark-ups of 1.5% to 3% on top of transaction fees.

• Platform integrations: Look for payment gateway integrations with your eCommerce platform (Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento). If you need more control, check the API flexibility for custom checkouts.

• Settlement speed: How fast does the money reach your account? This can affect cash flow and how quickly you can reinvest.

• Security and compliance: Look for PCI DSS certification and SCA compliance. The provider should handle these requirements so you don’t have to.

• Scalability: Can the provider support growth into new markets? Check currency coverage, local payment methods, and regulatory licences.

Getting set up with a payment gateway

Most providers keep setup simple:

• Choose a provider: Compare options using the criteria above.

• Open an account: Apply online with company details, ID documents, and info about your products or services.

• Connect to your site or app: Use plugins for Shopify or WooCommerce, or connect by API for custom builds.

• Test the checkout: Use the provider’s sandbox to run test payments before you go live.

• Start accepting payments: Go live once you’re approved. Then you’ll get payouts based on the provider’s schedule.

Why choose Airwallex as your payment gateway provider

If you’ve been comparing providers on fees, payment methods, and multi-currency support, here’s how Airwallex compares:

• Higher conversions: Accept 160+ payment methods across 180+ countries. That way, international customers can use the method they prefer.

• Lower FX costs: Settle sales in the same currency you collect. You can avoid forced conversions and keep more from each sale.

• Easy integrations: Connect straight to Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and other platforms. Or use powerful APIs for custom checkouts.

• Compliance and security built in: FCA-regulated in the UK, PCI DSS Level 1 certified, and built with advanced fraud prevention.

• A full financial platform: Go beyond payments with Business Accounts, global transfers, FX, and Corporate Cards — all in one dashboard.

Other providers often focus on one main strength. For example, PayPal is known for consumer trust, GoCardless for subscriptions, and Adyen for enterprise. In contrast, Airwallex brings these needs together. You get international reach, multi-currency settlement, and the ability to scale to global volumes without juggling several platforms.

See how Airwallex can work for your business

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How much do UK payment gateways charge?

Most UK payment gateways charge around 1% to 3.5% per transaction, plus a fixed fee of about 20–30p. For international payments, many providers also add FX surcharges of 1.5% to 3% on top. The exact amount depends on the provider.

How long do payment gateway payouts take?

Most providers pay out within one to three business days. Airwallex offers next-business-day settlement. That can help cash flow, especially if you’re reinvesting in stock or operations.

What’s the difference between a payment gateway and a payment processor?

A payment gateway collects and encrypts your customer’s payment details at checkout. A payment processor then routes the payment through card networks to complete the transfer. Some providers bundle both, so you don’t have to manage them separately.

Which payment gateway is free?

No payment gateway is truly free. All providers charge per-transaction fees, although some don’t charge monthly or setup fees. So, “free” usually means there’s no monthly subscription. You’ll still pay a percentage plus a fixed fee on each transaction. The cheapest option depends on your volume and your mix of transactions.

Sources and references

• securitybrief.co.uk/story/uk-ecommerce-faces-rising-fraud-risks-as-regulations-tighten-for-2025

• statista.com/statistics/477804/online-shopping-cart-abandonment-rate-worldwide

• adyen.com/en_GB/pricing

• gocardless.com/blog/how-much-do-international-payments-really-cost

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

• revolut.com/business/business-account-plans

• stripe.com/gb/pricing

Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on our own online research in Q1 2026. Airwallex wasn't able to manually test each tool or provider. The information is for educational purposes only, and you should consider your business’s specific needs when you compare providers. This research is reviewed each year. 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.