Worldpay UK is one of the UK’s most popular merchant providers. Find out if its fees, rates, customer support and security tools will suit your business in our expert guide.
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Worldpay is the UK’s leading payment provider and one of the best payment gateways for small businesses.
Worldpay has excellent 24/7 customer support, clear pricing and offers over 60 different payment methods, including card payments, online payments, and phone payments.
However, it may not be the right choice for every small business, particularly those looking for the simplest setup or lowest-cost option, and some users report that contracts, fees, and account management can be more complicated than expected.
In this guide, we’ll go through Worldpay’s pricing, merchant services, and customer support. We also compare it with its top competitors, so you can check how its pros, cons, and costs stand up against rival providers.
- Worldpay offers pay-as-you-go processing with £0 monthly fees, as well as custom monthly plans.
- Hardware costs are quote-based, but entry-level terminal rentals typically cost between £17.50-£22.50 per month with a minimum 18-month contract.
- Worldpay’s key features include its online payment gateway, fraud protection, payment reporting and recurring payments.
- The main drawbacks of Worldpay include a lack of transparent pricing and mixed reviews for its customer support.
- Online payment gateway functionality requires a standalone cost of roughly £19.95 per month, with support for major platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce.
In this article, we’ll cover:
How do you need to take payments?
Compare CostsWhat is Worldpay?
Worldpay is a leading payment processing provider that helps businesses accept and manage electronic payments.
It provides payment gateway and merchant services that allow businesses to take payments through methods like credit and debit cards, digital wallets, online checkout systems, and card terminals. So far, Worldpay has supported over 400,000 merchants across 174 countries.
It also serves businesses of many sizes, from smaller retailers and online stores to large international companies, offering services such as:
- Card payment processing: handling transactions made through debit and credit cards.
- Online payments: providing payment gateways for ecommerce websites and apps.
- Point-of-sale (POS) solutions: supporting in-store card terminals and payment equipment.
- Alternative payment methods: supporting options like digital wallets (such as Google Pay and Apple Pay) and local payment methods.
- Payment security and fraud tools: helping businesses manage payment risks.
What are the pros and cons of Worldpay?
Worldpay’s main strengths are its wide range of payment options, global reach, and ability to handle different types of businesses. However, some businesses may find its pricing less straightforward, its service more complex than some newer providers, and it may not be the best fit for businesses looking for a simple and low-cost solution.
- Large range of payment methods (credit/debit card, digital wallets, buy now pay later, etc.)
- Operates internationally and supports businesses trading across multiple countries and currencies
- Has extensive experience handling high transaction volumes and provides tools for payment security, reporting, and fraud management
- Pricing can vary depending on factors like transaction volume, business type, and services required
- Businesses looking for a quick setup and simple payment tools may find Worldpay's range of products and accounts options complicated
- Reviews from merchants reported mixed experiences with customer support, particularly around issue resolution and account administration
How much does Worldpay cost?
Worldpay’s cost depends on the type of payments you accept, your transaction volume, and the plan you choose. Unlike some newer payment providers, it offers tailored pricing rather than one simple rate for everyone.
However, Worldpay offers a pay-as-you-go pricing model, which costs £0 per month. Businesses only have to pay transaction fees for every sale, which range from 1.3% to 2.75% + 20p per transaction. It also offers monthly pricing options, but the exact cost is tailored to your business specifically.
Additional costs to consider
Aside from its monthly cost and transaction fees, other important pricing to consider includes:
- Hardware/card terminals: mobile or countertop card reader rentals typically cost between £17.50 and £22.50 per month, per terminal and often require an 18-month minimum contract.
- Online payment gateway: online processing standalone costs roughly £19.95/month.
- PCI compliance fee: around £5 to £15/month depending on compliance verification tier.
- Chargeback fees: typically £15 per contested transaction.
What are Worldpay’s key features?
Worldpay offers a range of payment tools, including card processing, online payments, digital wallets, fraud protection, reporting tools, and support for international transactions.
It’s designed to work for both small businesses and larger companies, with flexible options for accepting payments online, in-store, and across different sales channels.
1. Online payment gateway
Businesses can use Worldpay to accept payments through websites and apps using its online checkout solutions. It offers tools like hosted payment pages, payment links, and integrations with recognised ecommerce platforms including Shopify and WooCommerce.
2. In-store and card terminal payments
Worldpay supports face-to-face payments through card machines and POS solutions, making it suitable for retailers, restaurants, and other businesses that take payments in person. A Worldpay card machine supports common payment methods including chip and PIN, contactless payments, and mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
3. Fraud protection and security
Worldpay provides a range of fraud prevention tools, including machine-learning-based fraud detection, risk checks, tokenisation, and authentication features such as 3D Secure. These tools can help businesses identify suspicious activity, protect customer payment information, and reduce the impact of chargebacks.
4. Payment reporting and analytics
Businesses can access reporting and analytics tools to keep track of their payments, sales activity, and overall transaction performance. This includes looking at important payment information such as transaction history, sales trends, payment success rates, refunds, and chargebacks – making it easier to understand how customers are paying and identify any issues that could affect revenue.
5. Recurring payments
Worldpay’s recurring payments feature is useful for businesses that operate subscription models, such as membership services, software companies, gyms, and other businesses that charge customers on a regular schedule. Customers can securely save their payment details, allowing future payments to be processed automatically without the need to enter their card information each time.
What is the Worldpay card machine range like?
Worldpay offers a range of card machines and readers to cater for merchants’ differing business needs, including countertop card machines, portable card machines, and mobile card machines. Here’s a quick breakdown of their most popular hardware:
| Device type | Key models | Features and connectivity |
|---|---|---|
| Smart/mobile | Ingenico AXIUM (DX8000) | Android OS, touchscreen, built-in thermal printer, Wi-Fi + 4G SIM. Runs full pay-at-table and basic POS apps. |
| Countertop | Ingenico Desk 5000 / DX4000 | Fixed power, Ethernet/phone line or local Wi-Fi, fast response speeds, customer PIN pad. |
| Portable | Ingenico Move 5000 | Short-range base unit with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi extended range. |
Worldpay 360 bundles
Worldpay also offers its own Worldpay 360 bundles, which are packaged hardware and software tiers that are made to cover different operational setups with different hardware:
- 360 Lite: handheld Android smart POS terminal (like the Ingenico AXIUM DX8000) with a built-in card reader and receipt printer.
- 360 Standard: 10-inch or 15-inch touchscreen countertop EPOS till, payment terminal, cash drawer, and built-in printer.
- 360 Pro: full 15-inch countertop EPOS till, mobile smart POS terminal, and kitchen printer/display options.
However, as with its software, the cost for each Worldpay card machine is completely quote-based and isn’t publicly available.
Take a look at our review of the best card machines for small businesses to see where Worldpay ranks.
How does Worldpay compare to its competitors?
While Worldpay is a solid provider, some other providers, like PayPal, Square and SumUp, offer affordable hardware that’s publicly available on their websites. Worldpay offers expert support and robust security, but based purely on the numbers, here’s how they compare:
|
Card Reader
|
Device Cost
|
Transaction Fee
|
Settlement time
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
SumUp |
PayPal |
|||
|
Custom-quoted |
From £19 + VAT |
From £15 |
From £29 for one reader (£69 for each subsequent device) |
|
|
1.3% to 2.75% + 20p |
1.75% (in-person), 1.4% + 25 (online), 2.5% (manually entered) |
1.69% (pay-as-you-go), 0.99% (Payments Plus plan) |
1.75% (card and contactless), 3.4% + 20p (manual entry) |
|
|
1-3 business days |
Instant deposits available (1.5% fee applies). |
1-3 business days |
1-3 business days |
Our methodology: how did we evaluate Worldpay for small businesses?
When it comes to determining a score, we look at our research and the statistics of each provider’s features, both individually and overall in the marketplace. We then combine these to conclude our review of each provider.
We evaluated Worldpay on five key factors:
- Price
- Taking payments
- Features
- Customer support
- Customer score
Our researchers compile the data so that you can rely on our ratings and know that they aren’t simply pulled out of thin air. The information consists of what is being offered in the current market, the dynamics of the key segments within the market and, of course, ensuring that we’re providing you (our readers) with the most accurate, thorough, and well-researched information at all times.
Worldpay: final verdict
Worldpay is the UK’s leading payments provider and one of our top choices for small business owners. As a reputable brand, it offers a reliable and secure way for businesses to accept payments online and in-store.
With a wide range of payment options, strong fraud protection tools, and support for businesses of all sizes, Worldpay provides a flexible solution for merchants looking to manage their payments from one platform.
While its pricing and range of features may feel more complex compared with newer providers, its reliability, global reach, and extensive payment capabilities make it a strong choice for many small businesses. If you’re looking for a trusted provider that can support your business as it grows, Worldpay is worth considering.
Yes, but cancelling mid-contract usually incurs Early Termination Fees (ETFs). Exit costs can range from £200 to over £1,500 depending on the remaining time on the agreement, alongside separate charges (£150–£300) for unreturned or leased hardware terminals.
Worldpay typically operates on long-term fixed contracts – starting from a minimum of 18 months – often tied to equipment leases. These agreements generally include an automatic renewal clause unless written cancellation notice is submitted within a specific window (typically 90 days before the contract end date).
While Worldpay works with many established sectors, it maintains strict underwriting guidelines. Certain high-risk industries – like adult entertainment, cryptocurrency exchanges and specific gambling sectors – are generally restricted or face stricter compliance requirements.
If you fail to complete your annual Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) self-assessment questionnaire, Worldpay applies a monthly PCI non-compliance penalty fee (typically £30-£50 a month) until compliance is verified.
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