Top 5 payment gateway providers & services in 2024

eCommerce is thriving in Singapore, with 58.4% of residents making online purchases and an estimated 4.95 million online shoppers by 2029. When you sell beyond Singapore’s borders, you reach an even bigger pool of consumers. There are an estimated 4.11 billion online shoppers worldwide, and our 2024 Cross-Border eCommerce Report shows that when shopping with international merchants, 77% of survey consumers would likely abandon their cart if their preferred payment method is not available. Using the right payment gateway is critical to penetrating global eCommerce markets. Southeast Asia alone has a diverse range of local payment options, and accepting payments from each market’s preferred e-wallet is essential to driving sales.

In this article, we’ll compare some of the best payment gateway providers in Singapore and how to choose the right one for you. We’ll also share how Airwallex’s Payment Gateway can help eCommerce brands grow beyond Singapore through like-for-like settlement and support for 160+ payment methods.

What is a payment gateway provider or service?

A payment gateway is a secure technology that lets your business accept and process payments from credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets. 

Although the term is mostly used to describe eCommerce payments like accepting payment from customers for a pair of headphones online (i.e. online checkouts), payment gateways can also facilitate in-person purchases or Point of Sale (PoS). As a business owner, having an efficient, reliable payment gateway provider helps you create a seamless, secure checkout experience by offering multiple payment methods and currencies, reduced fraud risk and by having access to valuable customer behaviour data. 

Top payment gateway software providers in 2024 for businesses in Singapore

Businesses in Singapore have a variety of payment gateways to choose from. In this analysis, we’ll focus on the five most prominent options - Airwallex, PayPal, Stripe, Adyen and Shopify Payments. These globally renowned payment processing companies facilitate seamless international transactions for businesses, enabling them to efficiently process payments from customers worldwide.

1. Paypal for simplicity

2. Shopify Payments for eCommerce

3. Adyen for flexible payments

4. Stripe for omni-channel retail

5. Airwallex for global companies

Top providers of payment processing software and services

Let’s take a look at the pros, cons, features and benefits of these payment gateways. Note that gateways use 2 pricing models: Interchange ++ pricing and Blended pricing. 

Interchange ++ pricing is the most transparent pricing model. Fees are broken down into 3 components: an interchange fee for the card issuer, a card scheme fee for the card network, and a markup for the payment gateway. However, the interchange fee varies with each transaction, which makes it difficult to forecast overall costs. On the other hand, blended pricing charges a fixed fee per transaction that covers all processing costs. This makes it easier to estimate the fees your business needs to cover. 

The table below compares blended pricing fees (unless otherwise specified) for these five payment gateways.

Airwallex

Airwallex is a powerful financial platform for businesses with global ambitions. Companies of all sizes use our Payment Gateway to get paid in 180+ countries and create a seamless checkout experience on their website or mobile app. Airwallex also has built-in fraud prevention that improves your authorisation rates while minimising disputes or chargebacks.

Unlike other digital payment platforms, Airwallex has like-for-like settlement in 11 leading currencies. You can collect and settle payments in the same currency, which lets you save on costly foreign exchange fees and unwanted conversions into SGD. 

Key features

• Like-for-like settlement in 11 currencies. Collect and hold payments in AUD, CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, THB, SGD and USD without unnecessary conversion into SGD. 

• Market-leading conversion rates. When you accept payments in a currency that isn’t supported by like-for-like settlement, we'll convert it to your default currency at friendly interbank exchange rates, for a small fee.

• Support for 160+ local payment methods in APAC (e.g. WeChat Pay in China), Europe (e.g. giropay in Germany), the UK (e.g. PbBa), and the USA (ACH direct debit). 

• Payment links Instantly generate payment links and share the URL or QR code on emails, chat applications, or social media. You can receive payments from anywhere in the world, in any currency. See how Wine Kin elevated their customer experience through Payment Links.

• Invoice payments. Accept payments on invoices generated through accounting software like Xero and Netsuite.  

• Recurring payments. You can use Airwallex to accept and process subscriptions and other recurring payments from your website or app.

• Flexible integration options that include no-code plugins for leading eCommerce platforms, hosted payment page, pre-built UI components, and building directly on the Airwallex API or mobile SDKs. 

• Pre-built integrations with leading eCommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce; and accounting software like Xero, Quickbooks and Netsuite.

• Automated fraud prevention and pre-chargeback programs that boost conversions while minimising disputes or fraudulent payments.

Pros

• Avoid double currency conversion fees. With like-for-like settlement, you can save on conversion fees by collecting customer payments in 11 currencies without converting it back to SGD. Avoid double currency conversion fees when you pay suppliers in that same currency. Other currencies are exchanged at interbank rates for a low fee.

• One dashboard for all your global payments. Get full visibility of eCommerce transactions from all markets and payment methods in a single dashboard.

• Minimise foreign exchange risk. When you price in local currencies, you can protect your business against fluctuating foreign exchange rates by securing your desired rate for up to 72 hours.

• Flexible pricing models. Airwallex offers interchange ++ and blending pricing models to help you minimise cost per transaction. See how Dreamcore saved 5% on payment gateway fees with bundled pricing.

• Easy setup. No-code eCommerce plugins make it easy to set up the Airwallex payment gateway with Shopify and other leading platforms.

• Maximise conversions and minimise fraud. Our built-in fraud detection uses machine learning to reduce false declines and improve acceptance rates, while keeping you protected from chargebacks.

Cons

• No support for POS terminals. Airwallex doesn’t offer point-of-sale (POS) terminals for brick-and-mortar stores. 

Best for…

• Digital-only businesses. If you sell exclusively online, Airwallex’s Payment Gateway offers unique solutions to support your business model. You save time and achieve efficiencies by centralising all your payments in one dashboard.  

• Businesses that sell overseas.  Airwallex’s extensive range of payment methods makes it easy to accept payments from customers all over the world. Like-for-like settlement and friendly friendly exchange rates help you cut back on conversion fees and preserve your margins.

PayPal

PayPal is a well-established payment gateway that’s been operating globally for over 20 years. eCommerce brands use it to process payments from credit cards, debit cards, and bank transfers. What makes PayPal unique is that it offers digital wallets to consumers, allowing them to pay directly using their PayPal balance. As of 2023, there are over 300M active PayPal users around the world.

Key features

• Support for local payment methods in 200 markets.

• Recurring payments. PayPal lets you accept subscriptions or recurring payments.

• Payment links. Instantly create PayPal.me links that your customers can use to make payments via email, chat, or social.

• Pre-built integrations with leading eCommerce platforms like Shopify and specialty marketplaces like Etsy.

• Smart tools that support your business operations, such as customer query resolution and shopper insights.

• Fraud and seller protection. Transactions are monitored 24/7 for fraud, while PayPal Seller Protection safeguards your business against chargebacks and reversals, even in the event of a customer dispute.

Pros

• Simple integration. Adding PayPal to your website is as easy as copy-pasting the PayPal button code. If you’re using an eCommerce platform, simply enable PayPal payments and enter your account details.

• PayPal brand loyalty. According to PayPal, 74% of their users are more likely to complete a purchase from an unknown business when PayPal is available at checkout. Using PayPal can potentially drive conversions in markets where they are popular.

Cons

• Hosted gateways only. PayPal redirects customers from your website into a PayPal-branded checkout page, which can be a disruptive and confusing experience. 

• High fees. Paypal fees are the highest among the gateways we compared, especially for domestic and international card payments. 

• No support for POS terminals in the Singapore market. 

Best for…

• Businesses who need a straightforward solution. PayPal’s easy integration and trusted branding makes it ideal for individuals or small businesses who want a simple payment gateway. 

Stripe

Stripe is a payments platform that lets businesses accept payments from credit or debit cards, buy-now-pay-later, and other local payment methods. Their payment processing solution, Stripe Payments, is particularly well-suited for businesses that operate online and offline, as they have tools and infrastructure to support in-store payments. 

Key features

• Support for in-person payments. Stripe has POS hardware and terminals for various brick-and-mortar environments. If you prefer not to use card readers, their Tap to Pay solution enables contactless payments directly on Apple or Android devices.

• Support for 100+ local payment methods in APAC, Europe, the UK, Mexico, and the USA. 

• Flexible checkout experiences that include pre-built payment forms, or fully customisable user interfaces.

• Payment links. Instantly generate payment links that you can share in emails, social, or chat apps.

• Like-for-like settlement in USD for Singapore and Hong Kong-based businesses but you’ll need to link a USD bank account.

• A/B testing tools to help you identify the most effective payment methods.

Pros

• Create a unified customer experience. Whether your customers purchase in-store or online, Stripe’s POS terminals and checkout pages create a consistent payment experience. 

• Easy for developers to use. Stripe created a developer-friendly product with robust APIs and documentation. Dev teams can quickly set up and integrate Stripe without much headache.

Cons

• Limited like-for-like settlement capabilities. Like-for-like settlement is only available for USD. This means that every international customer payment will incur currency conversion fees. Additionally, a Singapore-based USD bank account is needed for like-for-like settlement in USD. Stripe cannot support virtual or fintech USD accounts like TransferWise.

Best for…

• eCommerce brands with a physical presence. Stripe allows you to create a cohesive checkout experience across all online and offline retail channels, and lets you view all payments in one dashboard. 

• Businesses with developer resources. Developers can customise the integration to fit your business’s specific needs, and update the integrations as your business grows or as Stripe releases new features.

Adyen

Adyen offers an omnichannel payments solution, allowing businesses to accept payments through various channels on a single platform. Their services include a payment gateway for online transactions, point-of-sale systems for in-person payments, and integrations for in-app or mobile payments. 

Key features

• Support for 100+ local payment methods in APAC, Europe, the UK, and the USA. 

• Unified Commerce. Adyen’s omnichannel payments solution connects all online and offline payment data into a single system. 

• POS solutions. Adyen offers a variety of POS devices, from tap-to-pay to self-service checkouts. You can view and manage all your active terminals in one dashboard. 

• Payment links. Instantly generate payment links that you can share in emails, social, or chat apps.

• Flexible integration options that include out-of-the-box solutions, pre-built UI components, APIs, and plugins.

• Like-for-like settlement in SGD, HKD, and USD. 

Pros

• Single view for omnichannel transactions. With Unified Commerce, you get simplified reconciliation and gain valuable customer insights that can generate loyalty.

• Wide range of payment methods for online and offline transactions. 

Cons

• Complex pricing model. Adyen uses an interchange++ pricing model with no blended pricing option. Their transaction fees consist of the interchange fee (which includes charges from the card issuer and the card network) and an additional acquirer markup. It can be hard to calculate and project payment gateway fees, as these also vary by region.

• Minimum monthly invoice for Adyen Enhancements and Financial Products. For products beyond Payments, Adyen requires a minimum monthly invoice, which can vary depending on the business or industry. This can be problematic if your business has low sales volume, as the minimum payment can eat into your margins. 

• A Singapore-based HKD or USD bank account is needed for a like-for-like settlement. Otherwise, funds will be settled through cross-border transfer.

Best for…

• Established businesses. Adyen’s complex pricing structure may be suited for businesses with wide margins to accommodate variable pricing. Generally, these are businesses with high transaction volumes across multiple sales channels and markets.

Shopify Payments

Key features

• Checkout branding. Create a seamless brand experience and customise the branding of your checkout pages.

• Fraud protection. Shopify’s built-in fraud analysis tool helps you decide which orders to fulfil based on risk analysis.

• Price in local currencies. You can accept payments in local currencies, although these will be automatically converted into SGD using market rates or manual exchange rate conversions.

• Integrated dashboard where you can track all payments and orders. 

• Authorization rate optimisation. All payments processed through Shopify Payment are automatically verified with 3D Secure to minimise chargebacks.

• Shopify POS for accepting payments on social media and retail locations.

Pros

• Easy to activate and use. Shopify Payments are the default payment option for all Shopify accounts - all you need to do is switch it on. 

• One dashboard for all eCommerce operations. Since Shopify Payments integrates directly with Shopify, you can easily monitor orders, payments, customise payout schedules, activate fraud filters, and conduct fraud analysis without switching dashboards.

Cons

• Local payment methods are not available to all markets. Singapore-based stores only have access to Bancontact in Belgium and iDEAL.

• No like-for-like settlement. Every international payment will incur currency conversion fees.

Best for…

• New eCommerce businesses on Shopify. 

Top features to look for in a payment gateway software provider

It may be tempting to choose the cheapest payment gateway in Singapore, but there’s more than the fees to consider. Here’s what you need to evaluate as you assess different online payment solutions:

Fee schedule and pricing models

Look at the payment gateway’s complete fee structure, including any setup fees, monthly fees, and per-transaction fees. Determine if you can choose between Interchange ++ pricing or Blended pricing, as the latter can make it easier to forecast fees. 

Also be aware of hidden fees like currency conversion charges for international payments. These costs will impact your profit margins, especially if you have a high volume of e-commerce transactions or are accepting international payments. 

Keep in mind that the lowest fee might not always be the best choice if it comes at the expense of other important features.

Fraud detection

A good payment gateway should protect your business from fraudulent transactions and minimise chargebacks - an event where a customer disputes an unauthorised charge on their card statement and receives a refund from their issuing bank. 

Chargebacks are expensive not only because you lose revenue, but also because you incur admin fees. Frequent chargebacks can even lead to a loss of card processing privileges.

Fraud detection tools like real-time transaction monitoring and 3D Secure authentication adds an extra layer of verification and reduces the likelihood of unauthorised purchases.

Security features

Your payment gateway should also keep your customers’ data safe.  It should be compliant with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), which ensures cardholders’ information is securely handled. 

Network tokenisation is another feature you should look out for. It enables secure transaction processing by replacing sensitive data, like credit card numbers, with unique identifiers called tokens. These tokens are useless to hackers if intercepted, as they cannot be reverse-engineered to reveal the original data. 

Unlike encryption, which transforms data into a different format but can be decrypted with the right key, tokenisation does not allow for the original data to be recovered from the token. 

Local and alternative payment methods

If you plan to sell regionally or globally, your payment gateway should support local payment methods. Examples of these include WeChat Pay in China, GoPay in Indonesia, and ACH Direct Debit in the USA.

By doing so, you cater to a broader audience that may not use credit or debit cards. This inclusivity can reduce cart abandonment rates and ultimately drive higher sales. 

Do note that fees vary across different payment methods. Local payment methods may have lower fees than cards, but there may also be a fee for converting foreign currencies into SGD. To reduce currency conversion fees, use a payment gateway that offers like-for-like settlement, a feature that lets you settle payments in the same local currency.

Integration options

A payment gateway should be easy to install and integrate with your eCommerce infrastructure or accounting software. Most payment providers are compatible with leading eCommerce platforms and offer a variety of integration options, from no-code plugins to fully customisable APIs. 

How does a payment gateway provider work?

Payment gateways capture the customer’s details and transmit this to their bank, who then authorises the payment. In other words, it functions as the digital bridge between your customers, their banks, and your business. Here’s how they work:

• The customer makes a purchase. The customer initiates the transaction by entering their payment details at your website’s checkout page. If they’re using a credit or debit card, they need to enter their card number, card verification value (CVV) code, and expiration date.

• Data encryption. The customer’s card information is sent to the payment gateway, where it gets encrypted or scrambled for safekeeping. The gateway sends the encrypted details to the acquiring bank or acquirer - the financial institution that processes card payments for your business.

• Authorisation request. The acquiring bank sends this information to the issuing bank (your customer’s bank) to verify the card’s validity and whether it has sufficient funds or credit limit.

• Verification and fraud prevention. The issuing bank checks for fraud, verifies the transaction details, and confirms that the cardholder has enough money for the purchase. The issuer sends a message to the acquirer saying whether the transaction is approved or declined.

• Confirmation of transaction. The acquirer sends the message back to the payment gateway, which then passes it on to your website. Based on the outcome, the customer will either be taken to a page confirming their payment or asked to try a different payment method.

• Settlement of funds. If the payment is approved, the settlement process can start. The payment gateway receives the funds from the customer's bank and then completes the payment with your business, usually within a few business days.

Many payment services play more than one role in the payment process

Popular payment gateways offer additional features to help you with your business like customer support, invoicing capabilities, integrations with accounting and eCommerce software, global payments and detailed analytics. These can help you run your business more efficiently and grow your bottom line.

What’s the difference between a payment gateway and a payment service provider?

Although these two terms are often confused, payment gateways and payment service providers have traditionally served different functions within the digital payment ecosystem. Recently, some payment gateways have started to offer additional features more akin to payment service providers.

Both are important in the online payment landscape and it’s important to understand the difference when you’re choosing the right financial partner for your business. 

A payment gateway is a piece of digital infrastructure that acts as a conduit through which payment information passes securely from the customer to your merchant bank. By encrypting sensitive data and transmitting payment information through payment networks to authorise and process a transaction, payment gateways make sure money moves safely from buyer to seller. 

While gateways may offer functionalities like integration with eCommerce platforms, analytics and currency conversions, their primary function is to facilitate the authorisation of transactions by securely handling sensitive payment information.

A payment service provider offers a broader range of payment services. These companies sell financial software that not only acts as a payment gateway, but also offers solutions like merchant accounts, automated bill payments, detailed financial reporting capabilities, expense management, company cards, currency conversions and integration with various business systems.

Payment service providers like Airwallex are essentially one-stop shops for all your payment processing needs. They are designed to help businesses with broader financial management and streamlining operations by consolidating multiple services under one umbrella.  

Another term you may hear is payment processor which, though there are technical differences, is now often used interchangeably with payment service provider and payment gateway.

If you’re choosing between a payment gateway provider and payment processor, it’s worth considering: 

• The kind of transactions you process

• Your integration requirements

• The payment methods and currencies you want to offer

• Costs and fees

• Security and compliance

• Scalability

• Support and reliability

• Additional features to consolidate providers

• Checkout experience

 If you’re looking for a straightforward solution to accept payments online that you can integrate into your existing financial structure, a payment gateway may be all you need. 

But if you’re planning to grow, or you’re looking for a more comprehensive solution and you don’t want to manage multiple financial platforms, a payment service provider offering an end-to-end solution may suit you better.

What questions to ask when onboarding a payment gateway company?

Onboarding a payment gateway company is like choosing a financial partner to handle all money transactions for you. It’s important to find the right payment gateway solution for you – getting it wrong could impact everything from your cash flow to your customers’ trust.

Here’s a straightforward guide of the key questions you should get the answers to before handing over your card details.

Remember, you’re looking for a payment gateway software that will make your transactions smooth and secure, keep your customers happy and encourage them to come back.

• What are your security measures and compliance certifications?

Check they meet industry standards like PCI DSS and ask about what protection protocols and fraud prevention measures they use to protect customer data.

• Can you support all the payment methods my customers use?

Find out if they handle the popular payment methods among your customer base, like credit cards or Apple Pay.

• What currencies and countries do you support?

Ask if they can handle multiple currencies, international payment methods and what the currency conversion fees are. This is particularly important if you operate globally or plan to expand.

• What are the fees involved?

Ask your potential new provider about all possible fees, including transaction fees, monthly fees, setup fees and foreign transaction fees. Avoiding hidden and additional costs can help you budget more effectively.

• How does your integration process work with my current setup?

You want to pick a payment gateway provider that easily integrates with your website and shopping cart software, ensuring a smooth customer experience. Account software integration can also save you wasted admin hours.

• What is the transaction success rate?

Look out for providers with a high success rate – this should mean fewer lost sales due to failed transactions.

• How do you handle failed transactions or chargebacks?

Ask what the process is for disputes and what support is available; this is crucial for you to provide good customer service.

• What kind of customer support do you offer?

If having reliable, efficient customer support is important to you, look for 24/7 customer support with real people at the end of the phone or email, not just automated responses.

• Can your system scale with my business growth?

If you’re scaling, you’ll want a provider that can support your growth. It’s time consuming and frustrating to have to switch services or renegotiate contracts every year.

• What additional features or services do you provide?

Some gateways offer extra services like fraud protection, analytics, or management tools that could be valuable for your business. Ask what’s available and decide whether it suits your needs.

Why choose Airwallex as a payment gateway solution?

In this article, we covered four payment gateway providers in Singapore and how to evaluate which one is right for your business. 

Airwallex, PayPal, Stripe and Adyen have unique value propositions for growing enterprises. However, you need to examine their features and your growth plans to see if their services are aligned with your needs.

If you have plans to enter new markets, Airwallex’s Payment Gateway may be a great fit. Besides accepting 160+ local payment methods, you also get like-for-like settlement in 11 leading currencies. Skip unnecessary conversion fees and hold foreign currency payments in your Airwallex account. These funds can later be used to pay suppliers in the same currency.

You also get access to Airwallex’s all-in-one Business Account, which has powerful features to help you streamline your business operations. You can open local currency accounts, send batch payments, issue debit cards, and more. 

Open an Airwallex Business Account today and start accepting payments globally.

Frequently asked questions about payment gateway providers

1. How long does it take to set up a payment gateway?

Timelines for installing a payment gateway can vary from a few hours to several weeks, depending on your chosen integration option. 

If you're using an out-of-the-box solution without customisation needs or a no-code eCommerce plugin, you might be up and running in just a few hours. However, if you want a fully customised setup or have specific integration requirements, it could take a week or two to get everything in place. 

It's always a good idea to check with your chosen payment gateway provider for an accurate timeline based on your requirements.

2. Can I integrate a payment gateway with my existing website or eCommerce platform?

Yes. Most payment gateways like Airwallex integrate with leading eCommerce platforms like Shopify or Magento. If your website runs on these, you can easily add payment processing capabilities using a plugin.  

If you're not sure how to do this, your payment gateway provider can provide guidance or even assist with the integration process.

3. What currencies and payment methods are supported by payment gateways?

Payment gateways can accept credit and debit card payments from major networks like VISA or MasterCard, digital wallets like Apple Pay, and bank transfers. Some even support local payment methods like GrabPay and We Chat.  Your chosen payment gateway will have a list of payment methods they support. 

Payment gateways support a wide range of leading currencies like USD, EUR, and GBP, though they are usually converted into SGD. If you anticipate a large volume of foreign currency payments, choose a payment gateway that has like-for-like settlement. This means you can accept foreign currencies without converting it into SGD, which shields you from foreign exchange risk and helps you avoid unnecessary conversion fees.

4. Are there any compliance requirements or regulations I need to consider when using a payment gateway?

Your chosen payment gateway must comply with relevant regulations and security standards. Key among these is the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), which protects cardholder information and prevents unauthorised access, fraud, and data breaches.

Depending on your location and target market, you may need to adhere to regional regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe or the Payment Services Directive (PSD2).  

5. Do payment gateways offer fraud protection and chargeback management?

Payment gateways like Airwallex, Stripe, and PayPal have built-in fraud protection and chargeback management. These anti-fraud tools look out for suspicious transactions like multiple attempts to use a card from different locations. They might also track IP addresses and combine it with demographic data to assess the transaction's risk. 

However, fraud prevention features risk the mistake of blocking valid transactions and causing frustration. That’s why Airwallex’s fraud engine has features that let you customise your risk appetite, decide when 3D Secure should be leveraged, or what transactions should be automatically rejected.

Sources & references

1. https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/payments/shopify-payments/supported-countries/singapore#accepting-payments

2.  https://www.airwallex.com/sg/terms/fee-schedule

3.  https://www.shopify.com/sg/pricing

4.  https://www.adyen.com/pricing

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

6.  https://stripe.com/en-sg/pricing/local-payment-methods

7.  https://www.paypal.com/us/brc/article/how-paypal-helps-drive-growth

8.  https://support.stripe.com/questions/receiving-usd-payouts-for-singapore-and-hong-kong-users

9.  https://docs.adyen.com/account/supported-currencies/

10.  https://support.stripe.com/questions/receiving-usd-payouts-for-singapore-and-hong-kong-users

***Note: This publication does not constitute legal, tax, or professional advice from Airwallex nor substitute seeking such advice, and makes no express or implied representations/warranties/guarantees regarding content accuracy, completeness, or currency.