5 best payment gateway and online payment systems 2025 You'll need a payment gateway to take card payments online. Based on our latest tests, we rank and review the best payment gateway and online payment systems in the UK. Written by Eddie Harris Reviewed by Ollie Simpson Updated on 25 September 2024 Our Research Our expert team of writers and researchers worked to identify the best payment processing and merchant account providers by focusing on the factors small businesses care about most – value for money, including fees and hidden extras; security protocols and fraud protection; customer support, and ease of access across platforms including mobile. Written and reviewed by: Eddie Harris Reviews Writer Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive Startups.co.uk is reader supported – we may earn a commission from our recommendations, at no extra cost to you and without impacting our editorial impartiality. 1 of 3 takepayments: Best for a flexible payment structure 4.8 Try takepayments 2 of 3 Stripe: Best for strong security features 4.2 Compare Quotes 3 of 3 Worldpay: Best for selling high-value goods 4.7 Compare Quotes A payment gateway is crucial if you want to take card payments online. It’s a software tool that allows you to take your customers’ payment information and authorise the payment – a key part of your online checkout system that should create a smooth experience for your customers whilst keeping their card information fully protected.During our tests, takepayments emerged as the top payment gateway solution, primarily because of its flexible payment structure that lets you negotiate fees based on your specific business. It also provides our favourite small business card machine of 2025.Based on our research and testing from summer 2025, here’s our definitive roundup of the best ecommerce payment gateways to help protect your customers’ sensitive information and ensure a smooth payment experience. Best payment gateway providers at a glance: takepayments: Best for a flexible payment structureStripe: Best for strong security featuresWorldpay: Best for selling high-value goodsShopify: Best all-in-one solutionRevolut: Best for affordabilityDon’t overspend – you can click any of the links above to compare payment gateway fees and setup costs for the size and needs of your own business. Swipe right to see more 0 out of 0 backward forward FEATURED PROVIDER BEST OVERALL Airwallex takepayments Stripe Worldpay Shopify Revolut Best for: Not yet assessed Best for: A flexible payment structure Best for: Strong security features Best for: Selling high-value goods Best for: An all-in-one solution Best for: Affordability Overall score Not yet rated Overall score 4.8 Overall score 4.6 Overall score 4.2 Overall score 4.2 Overall score 4.2 Transaction fees from 1.30% + 0.20 GBP Transaction fees from Quote-based Transaction fees from 1.4% + £0.10 Transaction fees from 0.75% Transaction fees from 1.5% Transaction fees from 0.8% Monthly costs None Monthly costs £25 + VAT Monthly costs None Monthly costs £40 Monthly costs From £19 Monthly costs None Payout time Up to three business days Payout time Next business day Payout time Up to three business days Payout time One business day Payout time Two to five business days Payout time Next day Contract length None Contract length One month minimum Contract length None Contract length 18 months Contract length None Contract length None Visit Airwallex Try takepayments Compare Quotes Compare Quotes Compare Quotes Compare Quotes *Pricing is correct as of September 2024 1. takepayments 2. Stripe 3. Worldpay 4. Shopify 5. Revolut How do I choose the right payment gateway for my business? How we test payment gateways for small businesses 1. takepayments: best for a flexible payment structureSource: takepayments.com Suitable if: You want to monitor your sales reports in real-time You want customise your payment gateway to fit with your branding You want fast next day payouts Not suitable if: You want a transparent pricing structure You don’t want your customers redirected to a separate page You need 24/7 support How much does it cost?Transaction fees: Quote-basedtakepayments has a quote-based fee structure, with transaction fees that are tailored to your specific business. Having to contact a company to get an idea of costs can be frustrating, but hugely beneficial if you’re able to negotiate competitive fees. Good to know takepayments performed so well in our latest round of testing that it also tops our ranking of the best overall merchant service providers. Why is takepayments a top contender for my business?takepayments offers a hosted payment gateway which provides a secure checkout page, so customers end up on a separate site to make payment, but the on the plus side the gateway is customisable. You can make it match your aesthetics and branding, helping create a seamless checkout experience. It’s also compatible with over 50 shopping cart plugins, so you should be able to integrate your chosen one easily.A pretty attractive benefit for those who rely on quick cash flow is takepayments’ fast next-business-day payouts. If weekend payouts are a deal breaker though, consider Revolut instead.takepayments’ online portal provides extensive data in detailed reports, so you can monitor your transactions as they happen. You get support via phone, email, live chat, and a knowledge centre – all it’s missing is a user forum – just not 24/7 (contact hours are 8am to 7pm on weekdays, 8am to 6pm on Saturdays, and 9am to 5pm on Sundays). If you take sales at all hours you’ll want to cast your eye over to Worldpay. Josh Neuman, founder of Chummy Tees, says: As the proprietor of an online apparel store, I've found robust reporting to be crucial. Costs naturally factor significantly for small outfits operating on tight margins. Visit Chummy Tees 2. Stripe: best for strong security featuresSource: stripe.com Suitable if: You need weekend payouts You want a standard transaction fee rate You’re concerned about security Not suitable if: You want to take a large number of international payments You want free next day payouts You lack technical knowledge to integrate its API’s How much does it cost?Transaction fees: 1.5% + 20p for standard cards.What makes Stripe such an attractive online payment solution for small businesses is its completely free plan – it doesn’t charge setup or monthly fees.However, while Stripe’s standard transaction fee might seem highly competitive at 1.5% + 20p, its other tiers could sting you in the long run – for example, payments made with EU cards are subject to a much heftier 2.5% + 20p fee. So keep this in mind if you depend on a large amount of international payments. Good to know Stripe offers custom fee packages for large transaction volumes. Why is Stripe a top contender for my business?Stripe offers an easy, pre-built payment form called Stripe Checkout to embed on your site or that Stripe can host. It’s customisable to match your branding and just one payment API in Stripe’s suite, so you’ll have a range of products to choose from (just be aware each will be subject to its own costs and fees). Worth knowing: what's an API? An API, or Application Programming Interface, is a type of software that allows two separate applications to interact with each other. For payment gateways, an API allows you to integrate and host your own checkout experience and so have a lot of control over it, but be aware that advanced technical knowledge is required to implement it. Stripe shines in security – particularly its advanced fraud feature, Radar, which is built directly into the payment flow and uses machine learning to detect unusual patterns in your payments (keep in mind, though, that you’ll be charged to use it – which can be up to 6p per screened transaction depending on factors like your account type). If you’re in an industry that’s typically subject to fraud, Stripe is well worth your attention.Our testers were impressed by Stripe’s variety of customer support options. Plus, Stripe can provide weekend payouts with its Instant Payouts feature (but charges 1% per transaction, unlike other providers that give lightning fast next-day payouts at no extra cost, such as takepayments). Without Instant Payouts, it can take anywhere up to three working days to receive your funds. 3. Worldpay: best for selling high-value goodsSource: worldpay.com Suitable if: You want fast payout times You want robust help and support You deal in high value transactions Not suitable if: You have a lower annual turnover You don’t want to be locked into a long contract You’re a newer business How much does it cost?Transaction fees:Simplicity payment gateway: 1.5%Worldpay eCommerce payment gateway: 1.3% plus 20pMonthly fee: £19.95 per month for the Simplicity payment gatewayWorldpay offers two online payment services: Simplicity and Worldpay eCommerce. With Worldpay eCommerce, you’ll get a reasonably competitive transaction rate of 1.3% plus 20p for Mastercard and Visa consumer cards. There’s no setup fee, but Worldpay has some fineprint warning that other charges may apply, so do double check. Worldpay’s pricing tends to favour high value transactions, as opposed to a large number of small value payments, because of their fee structure with minimum amounts. Also of note: Worldpay's contract lengths You’re looking at an 18 month contract and early exit fee. If you don’t want to be locked in, check out Revolut instead. If you choose Simplicity, you won’t be subject to any upfront costs, authentication fees, or premium charges, but it does cost £19.95 per month. Not all providers charge a fee for payment gateway products, so this is something to be aware of. Worth knowing Worldpay can also tailor a bespoke pricing plan, but this is limited to businesses with a large annual turnover, so it won’t apply if you’re just starting out. Why is Worldpay a top contender for my business?If you deal in high-risk, high-value transactions, you should take Worldpay’s excellent security options into consideration. You’ll have access to FraudSight – Worldpay’s own multilayered fraud protection solution – and 3DS Flex basic, an additional layer of authentication when processing payments.Our experts were also thoroughly impressed by Worldpay’s muscular help and support via phone, email, live chat, a knowledge centre, and even a forum on which you can discuss issues with fellow online merchants. Not only that, but it’s in operation 24/7, so you’ll never be left high and dry.With both Worldpay eCommerce or Simplicity, you access the Worldpay Dashboard, to see payment activity and source insights for sales strategies. Speaking of sales, Worldpay also gives you a Pay by Link option, so you can send secure payment links to your customers via email or social media for a quicker checkout experience.Worldpay’s payout times are as fast as one business day – good for those who rely on quick cash flow. It also allows you to customise your deposit schedule, deciding when you’ll receive your funds. Keith Donovan, founder of Startup Stumbles, says: Security is non-negotiable - our customers trust us with sensitive information, so we owe it to them to take security seriously. Only use a provider that offers top-notch encryption, fraud monitoring, and data protection. Similarly, seek out stellar support. I’ve found that responsive customer service can make or break your experience. Visit Startup Stumbles 4. Shopify: best all-in-one solutionSource: help.shopify.com Suitable if: You’re already a Shopify merchant, or you want to build your online shop with Shopify You want a variety of help and support options You want a single ecommerce platform for taking online sales Not suitable if: You want customisable transaction fees You want fast payouts You want to avoid monthly fees How much does it cost?Transaction fees for online payments:Basic plan: 2% + 25pShopify plan: 1.7% + 25pAdvanced plan: 1.5% + 25pMonthly fees:Basic plan: £19 per monthShopify plan: £49 per monthAdvanced plan: £259 per monthShopify Payments is only available to Shopify merchants – those who’ve built their online store with Shopify. You can sign up to Shopify’s ecommerce website builder on one of three different plans, whose prices and fees we’ve listed above.Basic will be the plan to look at for one-person-bands, while small businesses with a handful of core staff will be better suited to the Shopify plan. The more aggressively-priced Advanced plan is suitable if you’re making enough sales that the cheaper transaction fees would save you enough money to justify the monthly charge.Why is Shopify a top contender for my business?Shopify is a purpose-built ecommerce website builder that’s ideal for those looking to launch an online shop. Shopify Payments is its native payment gateway, meaning you can build a website then take payments through it under one roof.Do watch out for its payout time – anything from two to a crushingly slow five working days for funds to arrive. This could be a deal breaker if you rely on a quick and steady flow of cash. You might want to take a look at a much faster payout provider like takepayments instead.Shopify Payments is PCI compliant and provides the option for 3D secure checkouts. You’ll also get access to its excellent 24/7 support system, which includes phone, email, live chat, a knowledge centre, and – most impressively to us – a forum on which you can discuss pain points and issues with other Shopify merchants. Chris Demetriou, co-founder of Archimedia Accounts, says: For payment gateways, the cheapest option isn't necessarily the best - focus on overall value. Service providers need to both invoice clients and accept online payments. Choose a gateway that enables recurring payments and allows customers to pay invoices online. Visit Archimedia Accounts 5. Revolut: best for affordabilitySource: revolut.com Suitable if: You want to reduce your monthly spend You want low transaction fees You don’t want to be locked into a contract Not suitable if: You don’t already bank with Revolut and you don’t want the hassle of switching You need extensive reporting You need to take a lot of payments from outside the UK How much does it cost?Transaction fees: UK consumer cards: 1% + 20pAll international and commercial cards: 2.8%Revolut’s rock bottom transaction fee of 1% + 20p is an incredible deal if most of your sales come from UK consumer cards. The transaction fee jumps up to 2.8% for any international or commercial payment cards, so if your business will take a large number of payments from overseas, you’ll feel the pinch.Why is Revolut a top contender for my business?Revolut is an API-based payment gateway that can be integrated onto your website, meaning your customers won’t be directed to a third-party site to check out. While you might find it tricky to set up, Revolut does offer its own support system of engineers to help you through the process. You also get the added benefit of its customisable widget, so you can build your checkout process exactly the way you want it and make it as smooth as possible for your customers.Costs might be low, but this comes at the expense of detailed sales reporting. If you’d like to use sales data to strategise future plans, opt for takepayments. That said, Revolut can offer extremely fast next-day payouts, including over weekends.Revolut also provides an automated security system that monitors your transactions for any signs of potential fraud, and triggers an in-app warning notifying you of any suspicious activity so you can act. Anh Nguyen, founder of online shoe store 365 Crocs, says: You'll want the gateway to match the look and feel to your own brand. Don't settle for a one-size-fits-all checkout flow. Make it feel like home for your customers! Visit 365 Crocs How do I choose the right payment gateway for my business?If you’re not clear on what key features you should be mindful of when choosing a payment gateway for your online business, this list will help you out:1. SecuritySecurity is the number one concern for your customers, which naturally makes it a top priority for your business as well. Given the number of high-profile cases of buyers’ personal data being stolen, it’s a good idea to thoroughly research what protections are in place to ensure you and your customers are safe from fraudsters. You should check the gateway has:Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): guaranteed security controls on cardholder informationCard Verification Value (CVV): checks a customer card’s CVV code to provide an additional layer of securityAddress Verification Service (AVS): verifies the billing address provided by the customerEncryption: scrambles all cardholder details so that bad actors can’t access the original informationOther advanced fraud protection tools: most providers have their own ways of detecting fraud for additional reassurance2. Data portabilityWho owns your customer’s data if you choose to leave your gateway provider? It’s very important you are able to properly store, access, and download the data you need to sustain your merchant services without breaking GDPR. Here are the key features to look for to ensure data portability:Ensure the provider adheres to PCI standards for secure data exchangeCheck that the provider has documents explaining how to manage and export dataLook for a provider with reporting functions; this will make it easy to view dataBe aware of export fees – some providers will charge you to download data3. Hosted vs. integrated gatewaysHosted gateways are hosted by the provider, and so will redirect your customers to its own platform to make a payment. These are the simplest form of payment gateway to set up and are best suited to those who don’t have a complex purchasing process (such as dropshippers) or don’t want to hire a third-party developer. One drawback is that customers will have to leave your site to pay – this can confuse the process and lead to cart abandonment.An integrated gateway connects to your ecommerce website via the gateway’s provided API (Application Programming Interface), meaning that your customers will never leave your site to input payment information. It requires a fairly advanced technical knowledge to implement and so it’s best for those with an in-house tech team or software knowledge. Most integrated APIs will give you more detailed customisable options for your checkout page than a hosted gateway.4. Cards acceptedIt’s standard for payment gateways to accept all major credit and debit cards, but always double-check. If the gateway accepts American Express (AMEX), that’s a bonus – be sure to check the credit card processing fees though, as these can be higher for AMEX. Other payment methods that customers might expect from your store include:Bank transferGift cardsRegional e-walletsPay by LinkPayPal or Amazon Pay5. FeesEach payment gateway charges a different fee for credit, debit, and overseas transactions – and sneakier providers will not reveal these upfront. Be sure to read up on what the transaction fees are to avoid a nasty surprise on your next invoice.Examples of hidden fees that some providers charge include:Statement fees (charge for accessing transaction reports)Batch fee (charge for processing a batch of transactions)Non-qualified transactions (a charge for incorrect card information being submitted)Chargebacks (when a customer requests a chargeback, you may be charged a fee)Security fees (a fee for carrying out security checks)Termination fees (a charge if you terminate your agreement early)6. Customer supportIf your gateway goes down, you won’t be able to accept payment for your products, which is bad news for business. Make sure your payment gateway provider has an efficient customer support network that can help out with any problems, at any time. Look for features like:Email supportPhone supportLive chat supportKnowledge centreForum Nguyen Huy, co-founder of Trendy Aloha, says: Avoid pitfalls and carefully read reviews and evaluate factors like uptime, support response times, and ease of reporting. Hidden 'gotchas' quickly add up. Choose a reputable brand that allows your business to focus on sales, not payments Visit Trendy Aloha How we test payment gateways for small businessesWe tested 26 merchant service providers, evaluating them on the criteria we deemed to be most useful and important to our readers, so we can accurately recommend the right payment gateways to UK-based small businesses.During the testing process, we conducted 45 tests over 22.5 hours in total, completing a total of 270 different tasks.Our rigorous process explores 78 areas of investigation across 23 subcategories, which themselves fall under four main categories. Having given a score for each of these categories, we then gave these scores a weighting so that the categories we felt were most important would have a larger impact on the provider’s final overall rating. This is to ensure rankings are based on the most helpful insights to our readers.The main categories for payment gateway providers we consider are:Software: Assessing how the provider handles payouts, the data and reporting available, which payment types are accepted, what security measures are offered, and more.Help and support: Appraising the type, availability, and accuracy of the support the platform provides for its merchants.Pricing: Assessing the transaction fees, contract costs, monthly costs, and upfront fees that the providers charge. Startups.co.uk is reader-supported. If you make a purchase through the links on our site, we may earn a commission from the retailers of the products we have reviewed. This helps Startups.co.uk to provide free reviews for our readers. It has no additional cost to you, and never affects the editorial independence of our reviews. Share this post facebook twitter linkedin Written by: Eddie Harris Reviews Writer Reviewed by: Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive After three years of refining my skills in data analysis, I transitioned to a role as a researcher to help understand our readers' preferences and needs. My professional journey started as a researcher in law enforcement, where I developed strong analytical abilities. Later, I moved into operations, strengthening my understanding of quantitative data. Now, I blend my quantitative analysis skills with qualitative research to explore both audience preferences and product nuances. Armed with a UX design diploma, I translate research findings into actionable insights that facilitate informed decision-making. Whether enhancing Startups offerings or delivering research presentations, I am driven by a relentless pursuit of improvement and results.