The 9 top online payment platforms in France

Choosing the right payment platform is a commercial decision as much as a technical one. It affects how fast you get paid, how secure your checkout is, and whether customers make it through to the final click. In France, where consumer expectations are high, your payment setup can either smooth the sale or stall it.

This guide breaks down the leading online payment platforms in France for 2025. Whether you’re just starting out, growing quickly, or already selling across borders, we’ll help you compare what matters: speed, cost, reliability, and the tools you need to scale.

What is an e-commerce payment platform?

An e-commerce payment platform lets you accept payments from customers. They can pay by card, digital wallet, bank transfer, or local method. It acts as the go-between for you, your customer, and the banks involved, making sure the money moves securely and ends up in your account.

Beyond processing payments, these platforms often handle fraud detection, currency conversion, chargebacks, and compliance with local regulations. Many also offer tools to help optimise checkout experiences, support recurring payments, and integrate with your existing e-commerce or accounting software.

In short, it’s the infrastructure behind the “Buy Now” button. Choosing the right one can make a big difference to how fast you grow, how secure your operation is, and how easy it is for customers to pay.

How do I choose the best online payment platform?

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to online payments. The best platform for your business depends on what you sell, where your customers are, and how you want to grow. But there are a few key things every e-commerce team should look out for:

Security and compliance

Your payment provider should take compliance seriously. Look for PCI-DSS certification, built-in fraud prevention tools, and support for Strong Customer Authentication (SCA), especially if you're operating in the EU, where PSD2 regulations apply.

Transparent and scalable pricing

Fees can vary widely between providers. Make sure you understand the full picture: setup costs, fixed charges, per transaction, percentage fees, and any currency conversion costs. As your sales grow, you’ll want a pricing model that scales without eating into your margins.

Developer-friendly integrations

If your tech team is involved, they’ll care about how easy it is to plug the platform into your existing site or app. Clean APIs, good documentation, SDKs, and plug-and-play e-commerce integrations can save you hours of development time.

Conversion-focused checkout experience

The payment process is often where customers drop off. Fast, smooth checkout flows make a real difference to conversion rates. Look for platforms that support local payment methods, mobile optimisation, one-click payments, and branding flexibility.

Support for local and preferred payment methods

In France, shoppers use more than just cards. Apple Pay, Paylib, SEPA bank transfers, and buy-now-pay-later options like Alma are increasingly popular. The right platform should match how your customers prefer to pay.

Multi-currency and international support

If you're selling outside France, make sure the platform supports international cards, lets you price in local currencies, and helps you manage FX and settlement efficiently. Local acquiring can also reduce failed payments and improve speed.

The top online payment platforms in France 

France’s e-commerce market is mature and diversified. The best payment platforms have support for local payment methods (like Cartes Bancaires, SEPA, and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options) alongside global ones. 

Here is an up-to-date comparison (as of May 2025) of the top online payment providers in France.

Airwallex

Airwallex has quickly become one of the top choices for French businesses, particularly those with international ambitions. Founded in Australia but expanding fast in Europe (with a Paris office since 2024), Airwallex combines online payment acceptance, FX, and multi-currency business accounts in one streamlined platform. Unlike legacy providers, it’s built for today’s fast-moving, borderless digital commerce.

Airwallex is more than a payment gateway. It’s an end-to-end financial infrastructure that lets you collect, hold, convert, and spend in multiple currencies, all with low FX margins and no hidden fees. You can learn more or get started here.

Key features:

Accepts 160+ local payment methods globally, including all major cards, SEPA Direct Debit, Bancontact, iDEAL, Klarna (BNPL), and Cartes Bancaires via card network processing

Built-in business accounts and multi-currency wallets: hold and settle in 23+ currencies

Fast, developer-friendly integration: full API suite, hosted checkout, and no-code payment links

Pre-built plugins for Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento; mobile SDKs available

Advanced features like batch payouts, global collections, and real-time FX conversion

Fully PCI-DSS compliant, with built-in fraud prevention and chargeback tools

Pricing:

No setup or monthly fees

Domestic/EU cards: typically 1.3%–1.6% + fixed fee

International cards: ~2.9% + fixed fee

Currency conversion: low FX markup (0.5%–1%)

Transparent, volume-based pricing available for scale-ups

You can read more on Airwallex pricing here.

Stripe

Stripe is a flexible, scalable payment solution for French businesses. Known for its rich APIs and wide feature set, Stripe is popular with SaaS companies and digital-first brands.

Key features:

Supports all major cards, Cartes Bancaires, SEPA, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Klarna

Advanced tools: Stripe Billing, Connect, Radar (fraud detection)

Plugins for WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento, and more

Strong POS integration and omnichannel support

Local business integrations (e.g. Cegid retail software)

Pricing:

1.4% + €0.25 for EU cards; 2.9% + €0.25 for international

Custom pricing for high volume

No monthly or setup fees

PayPal 

PayPal is one of the most recognised payment brands in France. With strong consumer trust and built-in BNPL, it’s a useful add-on for checkout, even if it’s not your main gateway.

Key features:

PayPal wallet, credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay via Braintree

Built-in BNPL (Pay in 4X, €30–€2000, no interest)

Quick integration across all major platforms

Supports alternative methods via Braintree SDKs

Invoicing, subscriptions, and other tools via PayPal Commerce Platform

Pricing:

~2.9% + €0.30 (lower at scale)

No setup or monthly fees

Adyen

Adyen’s local acquiring licence in France enables direct Cartes Bancaires processing, and its unified solution works for online, in-store, and mobile payments.

Key features:

Accepts CB, Visa, Mastercard, Amex, SEPA, wallets, PayPal, Klarna, Oney BNPL

Direct CB processing improves approval rates

Unified commerce: POS + online data in one place

Enterprise-grade reporting, fraud prevention, and payment routing

Pricing:

Interchange++ model (actual card cost + markup), e.g. ~€0.10 + interchange + scheme fee per card

€100 monthly minimum; no setup fee

Mollie

Mollie is a Dutch PSP gaining traction in France, especially with small and mid-sized merchants. It’s easy to set up, offers transparent pricing, and supports a wide array of European payment methods through a single integration.

Key features:

Supports CB, Visa, Mastercard, Amex, SEPA, Klarna, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay

Strong coverage of local EU methods like iDEAL, SOFORT, Bancontact

Klarna BNPL integration for French shoppers

Simple plugins for PrestaShop, WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento, and more

Clean dashboard and French-language support

Pricing:

FR cards: 1.2% + €0.25

EU cards: 1.8% + €0.25

Non-EU cards: 2.8% + €0.25

Klarna: ~2–3% + fixed fee

SEPA: ~0.6% + €0.25

No setup or monthly fees

Shopify Payments

Shopify Payments is the built-in processor for Shopify stores. It’s powered by Stripe but streamlined for Shopify merchants, making it a simple way to start taking payments with minimal setup or overhead.

Key features:

Built-in for all Shopify stores; no extra integration needed

Supports CB, Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Shop Pay

Accelerated checkout with Shop Pay and Apple Pay

Automatically compliant with PSD2 (3D Secure)

Unified dashboard for orders, payouts, refunds

Pricing (varies by Shopify plan):

Basic plan: ~1.7% + €0.25

Shopify plan: ~1.6% + €0.25

Advanced plan: ~1.5% + €0.25

No additional Shopify transaction fees when using Shopify Payments

Payouts on ~3-day rolling schedule

Worldline

Worldline is a European payments heavyweight with deep roots in the French market. It powers many bank-branded gateways and is known for robust, enterprise-grade solutions – especially for omnichannel and high-volume use cases.

Key features:

Full support for CB, Visa, Mastercard, Amex, SEPA, PayPal, Klarna, Oney

Native CB acquiring, plus custom integrations with French banks

APIs, hosted checkout, and e-terminal for phone/MOTO payments

Supports loyalty, in-store, mobile, and online payments in one system

Extensive reporting and reconciliation tools for large merchants

Pricing:

Custom pricing, in the region of €0.10–€0.15 + interchange/fees

May involve gateway fee (e.g. €29/month equivalent)

Typically includes volume-based pricing tiers

PayPlug

PayPlug is a French PSP built with SMEs in mind. It has strong local roots, easy e-commerce plugins, and a growing range of features like BNPL via Oney. With a French-language dashboard and local support, it’s useful for domestic merchants looking for simplicity with full Cartes Bancaires support.

Key features:

Built for French SMEs with a local-first focus

Accepts CB, Visa, Mastercard, and supports Oney BNPL (3x–12x instalments)

Modules for PrestaShop, WooCommerce, Magento, and Shopify

Supports POS payments, including unified online/in-store tracking

French-language support and domestic account management

Guaranteed payments (fraud coverage) on higher plans

Pricing:

Domestic cards: from 1.2%

Non-EU cards: ~2.5%

Oney instalments: available with no added integration cost

No setup fees; tiered pricing plans (e.g. Starter, Pro)

Optional monthly fees for advanced features or higher support tiers

Checkout.com

Checkout.com is a fast-growing global PSP focused on high-growth digital businesses. While less well-known than Stripe or Adyen, it’s increasingly being chosen by French fintechs, marketplaces, and scale-ups that want flexible integration and personalised support.

Key features:

Enterprise-grade platform with powerful API

Supports cards, digital wallets, SEPA, BNPL, and local payment methods

Fast settlement and advanced reporting features

Customisable checkout and fraud tools

Interchange++ pricing with direct acquirer access

French office and growing presence in Paris tech/retail ecosystem

Pricing:

Custom pricing based on volume and business model

Typically no setup or monthly fee for digital-first clients

Requires sales engagement (not a self-serve product)

Why use Airwallex as an online payment platform?

Airwallex combines international reach, low-cost currency management, and developer-grade infrastructure into one platform. For French businesses selling beyond borders, or managing suppliers in multiple countries, it offers an edge over more traditional gateways.

Here’s why more companies are choosing Airwallex in 2025:

Built for international growth

Airwallex supports 160+ local payment methods and lets you settle in 130+ currencies, making it easier to expand into new markets without relying on third-party FX providers or complex banking setups.

Lower fees, especially on FX

Cross-border payments and currency conversion typically carry high hidden costs. Airwallex keeps these low with FX markups between 0.5%–1%, and card processing fees from 1.3% (EU cards), making it one of the more cost-efficient options for international businesses.

Integrated financial tools

Beyond payment acceptance, you get multi-currency wallets, business accounts, and global payouts in one place. This removes the need to manage multiple providers or move funds between platforms.

Easy-to-use

Clean APIs, detailed documentation, and pre-built checkout components mean faster implementation and fewer development headaches. No-code tools like payment links also make it accessible for non-technical users.

Scalable for growing companies

Whether you’re a lean e-commerce startup or a scaling SaaS platform, Airwallex is designed to grow with you. It offers the functionality of a mature platform without the overheads or legacy complexity.

Which payment platform should you choose?

There’s no single best payment platform for every business. The right choice depends on what you’re selling, who your customers are, and where you’re heading.

This guide is designed to help you compare what matters. As you choose, think about more than just transaction fees: consider integration effort, checkout performance, payment preferences, and where you want your business to go.

If you’re planning to grow internationally or want to streamline operations across borders, Airwallex combines payment acceptance, business accounts, and FX into a single platform. You can collect and settle in multiple currencies, offer local payment methods worldwide, and cut currency conversion costs.

Disclaimer: We wrote this article in Q2 2025. The information was based on our own online research and we were not able to manually test each tool or provider. The information is provided for educational purposes only. Consider the specific requirements of your business when evaluating providers. If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [email protected].