Compare the top 5 eCommerce Platforms in New Zealand in 2026

Key takeaways

• Choose a provider that supports a wide range of payment methods, including local options, digital wallets, and buy now, pay later, so you can match customer preferences and reduce cart abandonment.

• Look beyond transaction fees – features like like-for-like settlement and multi-currency accounts can cut hidden conversion costs and help protect your margins.

• Airwallex gives you an end-to-end payment solution with 160+ payment methods across 180+ countries, multi-currency accounts, and competitive interbank FX rates, with integration options ranging from no-code to fully customisable.

More than 2.71 billion¹ people shopped online in 2024, so the opportunity for your eCommerce business is huge. But picking the right payment solution isn't simple. The provider you choose affects your conversion rates, your costs, and how easily you can reach customers in new markets.

In this guide, we'll cover what eCommerce payment systems are, how they work, which payment methods to support, and what to look for when you're comparing providers. We also compare five leading options, Airwallex, Stripe, PayPal, GoCardless, and Shopify, so you can work out which one fits your business best.

What is an eCommerce payment system?

An eCommerce payment system is financial software that lets online businesses accept payments. You can think of it as the digital version of a card terminal in a physical shop, but instead of swiping a card, your customer enters their details online and the system takes care of the rest. It connects your online store to the financial networks that move money from buyer to seller, securely and quickly.

So how does that process work behind the scenes? Here's a quick breakdown.

How does eCommerce payment processing work?

When a customer buys something on your site, the payment system moves their payment from their account to yours. It happens in a few steps:

1. Customer enters payment details: At checkout, your customer enters their card number, expiry date, and security code, or chooses a saved payment method like Apple Pay.

2. Payment gateway transmits the data: The payment gateway encrypts the details and sends them to the payment processor.

3. Processor requests authorisation: The processor contacts the customer's bank to check whether the funds are available and whether the transaction is legitimate.

4. Bank approves or declines: The bank sends back an approval or decline. If it's declined, the customer sees an error message and can try again or use a different payment method.

5. Settlement: Once the payment is approved, the transaction moves into settlement, and the funds are transferred to your merchant account. Depending on the provider and banking partners involved, this usually takes a few business days.

Now that you've seen how payment processing works, let's look at the payment methods your customers may expect to see at checkout.

Types of online payment methods for eCommerce

If you're selling to customers in different countries, the payment methods they expect at checkout can vary a lot. Offering the right ones can be the difference between a completed sale and an abandoned cart. Here are the main types.

Credit and debit cards

Cards remain a core online payment method for eCommerce businesses worldwide, especially through major schemes like Visa, Mastercard, and Amex. Visa, Mastercard, and Amex are accepted almost everywhere, although acceptance rates and processing fees can vary by region. For most eCommerce businesses, accepting cards isn't optional.

Digital wallets

Apple Pay, Google Pay, and similar wallets are growing fast, especially on mobile. Because the payment details are already stored, customers can check out in a few taps. Fewer fields to fill in usually means lower cart abandonment. If a large share of your traffic comes from mobile devices, support for a digital wallet is worth putting first.

Bank transfers and direct debits

Bank transfers are common in some markets, including New Zealand and much of Europe. Direct debits are especially useful for subscription-based businesses because they automate recurring payments without making customers re-enter their details each billing cycle.

Buy now, pay later (BNPL)

BNPL options like Klarna and Afterpay let customers split purchases into instalments. This is especially popular for higher-value items, where spreading the cost can make a purchase feel more manageable. Merchants that offer BNPL often see higher average order values because customers are more willing to buy when they can pay over time.

Local payment methods

Region-specific methods can have a big impact on conversion in certain markets. iDEAL dominates in the Netherlands, Alipay is essential for reaching Chinese consumers, and Bancontact is the go-to in Belgium. If customers don't see the payment method they prefer, they're much more likely to abandon their cart. So if you're expanding internationally, local payment support matters.

With so many payment methods out there, how do you choose a provider that supports the ones your customers use? Here's what to look for.

What to look for in an eCommerce payment solution

When you're comparing providers, they all tend to say they do similar things. These are the features that make a real difference to your margins and your customers' experience.

Breadth of payment methods

The platform should support credit and debit cards, digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, bank transfers, and local payment methods that matter in your target markets. BNPL options are also becoming more expected, especially for higher-value purchases. If customers don't see the payment method they want at checkout, they're far more likely to abandon their cart. The wider your coverage, the better your conversion rates tend to be.

Fees and total cost

Transaction fees are only the starting point. You also need to look at setup costs, monthly fees, conversion fees, and any charges for chargebacks. If you're selling in euros but your provider forces settlement in NZD, you're paying conversion fees on every transaction. Features like like-for-like settlement and multi-currency accounts can remove those extra costs. Some providers also offer chargeback protection or support that can save you money over time.

Multi-currency support

Showing prices in your customers' local currency can directly affect whether they buy. Multi-currency accounts let you receive and settle payments in the same currency your customers pay in, so you avoid unnecessary conversions. You can then use those balances for international transfers or vendor payments, which can reduce bank transfer and FX fees even more. Not every provider offers this, so it's worth checking.

Ease of integration

Look for no-code or low-code plugin options if you want to get started quickly, or fully customisable APIs if you need more control. The provider should also fit neatly with the tools you already use, whether that's Shopify, WooCommerce, or your accounting software.

Security and compliance

Your provider should comply with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), which is the global benchmark for handling card data securely. Ask about fraud detection capabilities, encryption standards, and how they handle Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks. These protections matter for your business and for your customers.

Customer support and reporting

Check support hours, channels like email, phone, and chat, and typical response times. When something goes wrong, you need to be able to reach someone quickly. It's also worth checking the reporting tools on offer. Detailed payment data can save your finance team hours on reconciliation and give you a clearer view of your cash flow.

With those criteria in mind, here's how the top providers compare.

Compare the top eCommerce online payment solutions in 2026

Airwallex

Airwallex is a global payment solution that lets businesses accept payments in more than 160 payment methods across 180 countries. With integration options that range from no-code to fully customisable, it's easy to get started quickly. It also offers like-for-like settlement into multi-currency accounts, so you can settle payments in the same currency your customers pay in and avoid unnecessary conversion costs. In other words, if a customer pays you in euros, you receive euros, not NZD minus a conversion fee.

Beyond payments, Airwallex offers FX and transfer solutions with competitive interbank rates, along with spend management tools like virtual cards, accounts payable, and expense management. It's built for businesses that want to manage global financial operations from one platform.

Airwallex payment acceptance fees:

• Domestic: 2.6%+ NZ$0.30 per transaction

• International: 3.6% + NZ$0.30 per transaction

Stripe

Stripe supports payment acceptance in over 135 currencies globally and is well known for its developer-friendly APIs and extensive documentation.² It also offers tools for managing subscriptions, invoices, and payouts, but it doesn't provide multi-currency accounts or standalone FX and transfer features. If you're comparing Stripe vs Airwallex, the biggest differences are multi-currency support and FX capabilities.

Stripe payment acceptance fees:

• Domestic: 2.65% + NZ$0.30 per transaction

• International: 3.5% + NZ$0.30 per transaction (+ 2% if currency conversion is required)

PayPal

PayPal is a familiar name in online payments, with strong brand recognition and a broad global customer base.⁵ Its platform includes tools for invoicing, subscription management, and merchant services. Its fee structure is broader than most competitors, ranging from 3.4% to 5.4% depending on the transaction type.

PayPal payment acceptance fees:

• Domestic: 3.40% + NZ$0.45

• International: 4.40% + NZ$0.45

GoCardless

GoCardless focuses on direct debit payments, which makes it a strong fit for subscription-based businesses and invoicing.³ ⁴ It supports recurring payments in 30+ countries and eight currencies, but because its focus is narrower, it's less suited to general eCommerce where customers expect card and wallet options at checkout. If you want a full breakdown of fees and features, see GoCardless vs Airwallex.

GoCardless payment acceptance fees (base tier plan):

• Domestic: 1% + 40c per transaction. An additional 0.3% applies for transfers over $3,000.

• International: 2% + 40c per transaction. An additional 0.3% applies for transfers over $3,000.

Shopify

Shopify is an eCommerce platform that helps users create and manage online stores, and it comes with a built-in payment solution called Shopify Payments.⁶ ⁷ Shopify Payments is only available to Shopify merchants, and using third-party payment processors means extra fees. So Shopify is better thought of as a platform-specific solution, not a standalone payment provider.

Shopify payment acceptance fees:

• Domestic: From 2.4% + 30c to 2.9% + 30c per transaction, depending on plan

• International: From 3.5% + 30c to 3.9% + 30c per transaction, depending on plan (standard card rate + 1%)

Grow your global eCommerce with Airwallex

The payment solution you choose shapes both your customers' experience and your bottom line. As global eCommerce keeps growing, it matters more than ever that your payment setup is built for cross-border trade.

Airwallex is built for cross-border eCommerce, from currency fluctuations to fraud prevention. With our platform, you can accept payments in over 180 countries, tailor your payment options to local preferences, and process payments quickly and securely. You can also collect, hold, and disburse multiple currencies at competitive exchange rates, which helps keep cash flow smooth without the delays or high fees that often come with traditional providers.

We process over US$150 billion in payments annually for more than 200,000 businesses worldwide, so we're a proven partner for businesses growing across borders.

We can help you:

• Go global: Tap into new markets and collect payments in 180+ countries, with 160+ local payment methods that match your customers' preferences.

• Save money: Protect your bottom line with like-for-like settlement, reducing the need for currency conversions. Convert funds only when you need to at market-leading FX rates.

• Gain visibility over your finances: Get a clear view of your global cash flow in real time and move money across borders with just a few clicks.

Frequently asked questions

What is eCommerce processing software?

eCommerce processing software is the technology that connects your online store to payment networks, so you can accept payments from customers. It handles the secure transfer of funds from the customer's bank to your merchant account, managing authorisation, fraud checks, and settlement along the way.

What factors should you consider when choosing an eCommerce payment solution?

The main things to look at are support for the payment methods your customers use, clear fees, including conversion costs, multi-currency support, ease of integration with your existing tools, and strong security and compliance standards. Customer support quality and reporting capabilities are also worth checking.

How much does it cost to set up an eCommerce payment service?

Pricing varies between providers. Some charge monthly subscription fees, whilst others use a per-transaction model with no upfront costs. Keep an eye out for hidden fees on international payments, currency conversions, and chargebacks. These can add up quickly if you're selling across borders.

How safe are eCommerce payment services?

Most major providers are considered safe. Look for fraud prevention systems, end-to-end data encryption, and compliance with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), the global security standard for organisations that handle sensitive card data.

What are the best online checkout solutions for eCommerce?

The best checkout solution depends on your business model, target markets, and the payment methods your customers prefer. Top options include providers like Airwallex, Stripe, and PayPal, each with different strengths: Airwallex for multi-currency support and cross-border reach, Stripe for developer flexibility, and PayPal for brand recognition and consumer trust.

Sources

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

2. https://stripe.com/nz/pricing

3. https://gocardless.com/en-nz/pricing/

4. https://gocardless.com/en-nz/international-payments/

5. https://www.paypal.com/nz/webapps/mpp/merchant-fees

6. https://www.shopify.com/nz/pricing

The information in this article is based on our own online research. Airwallex was not 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 would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [[email protected]]. Airwallex (New Zealand) Limited is registered with the New Zealand Financial Service Provider Register (FSP No. 1001602) to provide a range of financial services in New Zealand.