Key Takeaways:
Shopify Payments is available in Singapore but doesn't natively support PayNow, so most Singapore merchants end up adding a third-party gateway anyway.
When you use a third-party gateway, Shopify charges an extra transaction fee on every sale on top of your gateway's own processing fee.
Airwallex connects directly to your Shopify store, supports PayNow and GrabPay alongside 160+ international payment methods, and settles like-for-like in 20+ currencies — so you don't incur unnecessary FX fees on every international sale.
Picking the best payment gateway for your Shopify store in Singapore is crucial: the wrong choice will reduce your margins on every sale.
This article breaks down the seven gateways most relevant to Singapore Shopify merchants, what each one actually costs, and how to set them up. If you’d like a full walkthrough of building a Shopify store in Singapore, see our Shopify Singapore setup guide.
What to look for in a Shopify payment gateway in Singapore
Before comparing providers, it helps to know what features you should be looking at. Here are four things to consider when evaluating payment gateways:
1. Transaction fees + Shopify's third-party fee
Every gateway charges a transaction fee, usually a percentage plus a fixed cents amount per sale. But on Shopify, there's a second fee most merchants miss.
If you use any gateway other than Shopify Payments, Shopify charges its own additional transaction fee on top of the gateway's processing fee. The rate depends on your Shopify plan: 2% on Basic, 1% on Grow, 0.6% on Advanced, and 0.2% on Plus.¹
The only way to waive the fee is to use Shopify Payments as your payment gateway.
2. Local payment method support
Singapore shoppers don't just pay with credit cards. Other popular payment methods include PayNow, GrabPay, and ShopeePay, and if you don’t offer these, it hurts your conversion rates.
Shopify Payments in Singapore accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and UnionPay, plus Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Shop Pay.² It does not natively support PayNow, GrabPay, or ShopeePay.² If those matter to you — and for most Singapore stores, they do — you'll need a third-party gateway that does.
3. Currency, FX cost, and like-for-like settlement
If you only sell to Singapore customers in SGD, this matters less to you. If you sell overseas, it matters a lot.
Most gateways auto-convert non-SGD payments into SGD before settling them to your bank. That conversion comes with an FX margin built in — usually 1% to 2% — that you only see if you check the fine print.
Like-for-like settlement means the gateway pays you out in the same currency the customer paid in, so you can hold USD, EUR, or other currencies and incur less FX fees.
4. Shopify compatibility and integration
Not all gateways plug into Shopify the same way.
Shopify Payments is built into the Shopify admin, so there's nothing to install. Most major third-party gateways have a certified Shopify app or plugin you can install in a few clicks. A handful only support custom integration through Shopify's Payments API — which works, but you'll need a developer.
Before you commit, check that the gateway has a native Shopify app or plugin for your region.
How Singapore shoppers prefer to pay
Before you compare gateways, it helps to know which payment methods you actually need to support. Here's the list for Singapore:
PayNow
PayNow is Singapore's real-time bank transfer system, used by both retail and business customers. Shoppers pay by scanning a QR code in their banking app — no card details, no typing. It's free for buyers and the most expected non-card method at checkout.
E-wallets: GrabPay, ShopeePay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay
GrabPay is the most widely used e-wallet, tied to the Grab super-app most Singaporeans already have. ShopeePay is useful if your buyers overlap with Shopee shoppers.
Apple Pay and Google Pay matter less as wallets and more as friction-reducers — they boost mobile conversion by letting buyers check out with Face ID or a fingerprint.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Atome and Grab PayLater
BNPL is now a standard checkout option, especially for fashion, beauty, electronics, and higher-ticket purchases. Atome lets shoppers split a purchase into 3 interest-free payments.³ Grab PayLater offers pay-next-month or 4/8/12-month instalments⁴ tied to the user's Grab account.
For higher-AOV stores, offering at least one usually lifts conversion.
7 best payment gateways for Shopify in Singapore
Here are the seven gateways most relevant to Singapore Shopify merchants in 2026.
Use the table below for a quick scan, then read the breakdowns for the providers you're shortlisting:
Gateway | Online card rate (from) | PayNow | GrabPay | Multi-currency settlement | Shopify integration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shopify Payments | 3.2% + S$0.50⁵ |
|
|
| Built-in |
Airwallex | 3.3% + S$0.50 |
|
|
| Native plugin |
Stripe | 3.4% + S$0.50⁷ |
|
|
| Native plugin |
PayPal | 3.9% + S$0.50⁸ |
|
|
| Native plugin |
Adyen | Interchange++ + 0.60% + US$0.13⁹ |
|
|
| Native plugin (Shopify Plus) |
HitPay | 2.8% + S$0.50¹⁰ |
|
|
| Native plugin |
FomoPay | Custom pricing |
|
|
| Plugin / API |
Rates and features above are accurate as of 29 April 2026.
1. Shopify Payments
Shopify Payments is the gateway built into Shopify itself. There's nothing to install — you switch it on from the Shopify admin and start accepting cards.
The pricing model is plan-tied: your card rate drops as you upgrade your Shopify subscription. Online card rates start at 3.2% + S$0.50 on the Basic plan, fall to 3.1% + S$0.50 on the Grow plan, and 3.0% + S$0.50 on the Advanced plan.⁵ The advantage is that Shopify Payments is the only gateway that waives Shopify's third-party transaction fee, which can save you 0.2% to 2% on every sale depending on your plan.
The catch is what's missing. There's no PayNow at checkout, no like-for-like multi-currency settlement, and a 1.5% currency conversion fee on every non-SGD payment.⁶
If you’re a Singapore store selling purely in SGD via card, that’s fine. But for anything beyond that, you’ll likely need to add a second payment gateway. That means taking on extra third-party fees—which defeats the whole point of using Shopify Payments to avoid them in the first place.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Built into Shopify — no plugin or set-up required | No native PayNow, GrabPay, or other Singapore local payment methods |
Waives Shopify's 0.2%–2% third-party transaction fee | Card rates tied to your Shopify plan tier |
Card rates drop as you upgrade your Shopify plan | 1.5% currency conversion fee on non-SGD payments |
Unified reporting in the Shopify admin | No multi-currency settlement — all payouts in SGD |
Supports Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Shop Pay by default | Only works on Shopify — no portability if you switch platforms |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 29 April 2026.
2. Airwallex
Airwallex is a payment gateway and multi-currency business account in one, built for Shopify merchants who sell internationally.
Where many gateways automatically convert every non-SGD payment into Singapore dollars before it reaches your bank — often adding around 1–2% in FX costs — Airwallex lets you settle payments in the same currency your customers pay in.
A USD sale, for example, lands directly in your USD balance. From there, you can either convert it when rates are favourable or use it to pay overseas expenses like supplier invoices or software subscriptions.
On top of that, Airwallex supports local payment methods that Shopify Payments doesn’t always cover in Singapore, such as PayNow and GrabPay, as well as over 160 global payment methods.
The Explore plan has no monthly fee, and Airwallex is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore as a Major Payment Institution.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Native Shopify plugin with PayNow, GrabPay, and 160+ international payment methods | Best value for stores with cross-border exposure — pure-domestic SGD card stores see less benefit |
Like-for-like settlement in 20+ currencies — no forced FX conversions | |
Includes a multi-currency business account, corporate cards, and international transfers | |
FX charged at 0.4–0.6% above interbank, transparently published | |
MAS-licensed Major Payment Institution; PCI DSS Level 1 |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 29 April 2026.
3. Stripe
Stripe is the gateway most Shopify developers reach for first. Its API documentation is the benchmark in the industry, and if you're building a custom checkout flow, Stripe gives you more control than almost any other option here.
The trade-off is cost. At 3.4% + S$0.50 per card transaction,⁷ it's the most expensive flat-rate option in this comparison, and a 2% currency conversion fee applies to every non-SGD payment.⁷
It does support PayNow, GrabPay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay,⁷ but to enable some of these methods your business needs to be registered in Singapore.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Strong developer documentation and API for custom Shopify builds | Headline card rate of 3.4% + S$0.50⁷ is higher than Airwallex, HitPay, and Shopify Payments |
Native PayNow, GrabPay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay support | 2% currency conversion fee on every non-SGD payment⁷ |
Flat-rate pricing makes costs easy to forecast | No like-for-like multi-currency settlement for SG accounts |
MAS-licensed Major Payment Institution | Triggers Shopify's third-party transaction fee (0.2%–2%) |
Native Shopify plugin and certified app | Customer support is largely email and chat — no dedicated SG account team for SMEs |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 29 April 2026.
4. PayPal
PayPal is one of the most widely recognised payment brands online, useful as a secondary checkout option for international shoppers who already have an account.
International buyers — especially in the US, UK, and parts of Europe — are far more likely to complete a checkout if PayPal is offered, often because they prefer not to enter card details on a store they don't recognise.
However, it doesn’t make sense to use PayPal as your only gateway in Singapore: at 3.9% + a fixed fee per transaction (dropping to as low as 2.7% on higher monthly volumes),⁸ it's the most expensive option in this list, and it doesn't support PayNow or GrabPay. Most Singapore Shopify merchants use PayPal alongside a cheaper primary gateway.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Strong brand trust — many international shoppers prefer paying via PayPal | High headline rate (3.9% + fixed fee⁸), among the most expensive in this list |
Built into Shopify with no plugin required | No native PayNow, GrabPay, or other Singapore local payment methods |
Useful as a secondary gateway for international buyers | Cross-border surcharge applies on top of the base rate⁸ |
Volume-based discounts available for high-throughput stores⁸ | Triggers Shopify's third-party transaction fee (0.2%–2%) |
MAS-licensed | Funds may be held in PayPal's wallet — withdrawal to bank account isn't instant |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 29 April 2026.
5. Adyen
Adyen is the gateway behind Uber, Spotify, and eBay, and that gives you a sense of who it's actually built for. It uses Interchange++ pricing — you pay the underlying card scheme interchange rate, plus a US$0.13 fixed fee per transaction and a 0.60% acquirer markup⁹ — which can work out cheaper than flat-rate gateways once your monthly volume gets high enough.
Below that threshold, the math goes the other way, and most Adyen contracts come with a minimum monthly invoice that makes it expensive for SMEs. The native Shopify integration is also restricted to Shopify Plus, which already costs from US$2,300/month.
If you're a high-volume omnichannel retailer running both online and in-person sales — or you're already on Shopify Plus and processing six or seven figures monthly — Adyen is worth considering. If you're a smaller store, you'll get better value elsewhere.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Interchange++ pricing can work out cheaper for high-volume stores | Pricing model is complex — interchange varies by card type and region⁹ |
Wide local payment method coverage including PayNow and GrabPay | Native Shopify plugin only available on Shopify Plus |
Built for omnichannel — useful if you sell online and in physical stores | Minimum monthly invoice makes it expensive for SMEs |
Strong fraud and risk tools | Triggers Shopify's third-party transaction fee (0.2%–2%) |
Used by enterprises like Uber, Spotify, and eBay | Onboarding is slower than self-serve gateways |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 29 April 2026.
6. HitPay
HitPay is a Singapore-headquartered gateway built specifically for SMEs in Southeast Asia. There's no monthly fee, no setup cost, and the support team is local.
Where HitPay falls short is international scope. It doesn't offer multi-currency settlement, payouts are SGD only, and the international card rate jumps to 3.65% + S$0.50.¹⁰ For a domestic-focused SME selling to Singapore shoppers, HitPay is one of the best-value options in this list. For a cross-border store, it’s not a good fit.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Lowest published international card rate in this list (2.8% + S$0.50¹⁰) | No multi-currency settlement — payouts in SGD only |
Native PayNow (0.65% + S$0.30¹⁰), GrabPay, ShopeePay, and Atome support | Built primarily for the SG/MY/HK region — less suited to global merchants |
No monthly fee, no setup cost — pay only per transaction | Triggers Shopify's third-party transaction fee (0.2%–2%) |
MAS-licensed Major Payment Institution; SG-based support team | International card rate (3.65% + S$0.50¹⁰) higher than its domestic rate |
Native Shopify plugin | Smaller brand awareness internationally vs Stripe or PayPal |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 29 April 2026.
7. FomoPay
FomoPay is the most local-first gateway in this list. MAS-licensed as a Major Payment Institution, Singapore-headquartered, and operating for over 11 years,¹¹ it's built around the payment methods that matter most to Singapore and Greater China shoppers — PayNow, SGQR, GrabPay, WeChat Pay, and Alipay.
The trade-offs are familiar for an enterprise-leaning provider: pricing isn't published publicly — you have to request for a quote — and integration with Shopify typically requires more setup than self-serve options.
For most SMEs, a self-serve gateway will be faster to launch. For merchants with strong local or Chinese-tourist exposure and the volume to justify a custom rate, FomoPay is worth a conversation.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Strong local payment method coverage including PayNow, SGQR, GrabPay, WeChat Pay, Alipay | No public pricing — you'll need to request a quote |
Singapore-headquartered with a local support team | Less suited to merchants who want plug-and-play onboarding |
MAS-licensed Major Payment Institution¹¹ | Brand and integration ecosystem smaller than Stripe or Adyen |
11 years operating in the region¹¹; trusted by 5,000+ companies¹¹ | Triggers Shopify's third-party transaction fee (0.2%–2%) |
Useful for merchants with strong China-outbound shopper traffic (Alipay, WeChat Pay) | No multi-currency settlement |
The information in this table has been reviewed to be accurate as of 29 April 2026.
Why Singapore businesses choose Airwallex for Shopify
A local-only gateway like HitPay or Shopify Payments works well if your store sells to Singapore customers in SGD and never has to think about anything else. But most Shopify merchants don't stay there — they source inventory from overseas suppliers, and sell to international customers.
That's where Airwallex comes in. It's a payment gateway, multi-currency business account, corporate card issuer, and international transfers platform — built into one Shopify-compatible system, and licensed by MAS as a Major Payment Institution.
Here’s what you get with Airwallex:
Accept PayNow, GrabPay, and 160+ international payment methods
One Shopify plugin covers the local methods Singapore shoppers expect (PayNow, GrabPay, cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay) and the methods your international customers expect — Alipay and WeChat Pay for Chinese shoppers, iDEAL in the Netherlands, Klarna in Europe, and 150+ more.
You don't need a second gateway to cover each region.
Settle like-for-like in 20+ currencies
A US customer paying in USD lands in your USD wallet, and the same goes for 20+ currencies. You hold those funds in their original currency and convert only when you choose to — at 0.4–0.6% above the interbank rate — instead of taking a 1.5–2% hit on every cross-border sale.
Use the same multi-currency funds for everything else
Revenue collected in USD, GBP, or EUR stays in those currencies until you need to spend it. From the same Airwallex account, you can:
Pay overseas suppliers in their local currency, using local payment rails in 120+ countries with no transfer fees
Issue corporate cards (10 free on the Explore plan) to your team, with no foreign transaction fees on multi-currency spend
Reconcile Shopify payouts, supplier payments, and team spend in one dashboard
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Does Shopify support PayNow in Singapore?
Not directly. Shopify Payments — the built-in gateway — does not natively support PayNow. To accept PayNow on your Shopify store, you'll need to add a third-party gateway like Airwallex, HitPay, or Stripe, which Shopify will then charge a third-party transaction fee on top of (0.2%–2% depending on your plan).
Does Shopify charge transaction fees in Singapore?
Yes. Shopify charges a transaction fee on every order processed through a non-Shopify Payments gateway: 2% on Basic, 1% on Grow, 0.6% on Advanced, and 0.2% on Plus.¹ This is in addition to your gateway's own processing fee. Shopify Payments is the only gateway that waives this fee.
What is the cheapest payment gateway for Shopify in Singapore?
It depends on the order. For domestic SGD card sales, HitPay's published rate of 2.8% + S$0.50 is the lowest in this list,¹⁰ followed by Shopify Payments at 3.2% + S$0.50 on the Basic plan.⁵ For PayNow, HitPay (0.65% + S$0.30 above S$100¹⁰) and Airwallex (0.9%) are the cheapest. Always factor in Shopify's third-party transaction fee when comparing — it can add 0.2%–2% on top of any non-Shopify Payments gateway.
Can I use two payment gateways on Shopify at the same time?
Yes. A common Singapore setup is to run Shopify Payments for cards and add a second gateway like Airwallex or HitPay for PayNow and GrabPay. This avoids paying Shopify's third-party transaction fee on your card volume while still offering the local methods Singapore shoppers expect.
How do I accept GrabPay on Shopify in Singapore?
You'll need a third-party gateway that supports GrabPay — Shopify Payments does not. Most major gateways used in Singapore offer it: Airwallex, Stripe, HitPay, Adyen, and FomoPay. Once you've activated the gateway in your Shopify admin, enable GrabPay in the gateway's payment method settings.
How long does payment gateway approval take in Singapore?
Most self-serve gateways approve within minutes to a few hours, provided your business is registered in Singapore and you submit clean documentation. Manual-review gateways like Adyen, FomoPay, or PayPal for higher-risk categories can take 1–3 business days, sometimes longer for complex business types. Using Singpass MyInfo for ID verification speeds up the local providers.
Sources:
https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/payments/shopify-payments/supported-countries/singapore
https://www.shopify.com/sg/pricing
https://www.atome.sg/how-it-works
https://www.grab.com/sg/finance/paylater/
https://www.shopify.com/sg/pricing
https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/payments/shopify-payments/supported-countries/singapore
https://stripe.com/sg/pricing
https://www.paypal.com/sg/business/paypal-business-fees
https://www.adyen.com/pricing
https://hitpayapp.com/pricing
https://www.fomopay.com
This publication does not constitute legal, tax, or professional advice from Airwallex, nor does it substitute seeking such advice, and makes no express or implied representations / warranties / guarantees regarding content accuracy, completeness, or currency. If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [[email protected]]. Airwallex (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (201626561Z) is licensed as a Major Payment Institution and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Cherie Foo
Growth Content Manager
Cherie is a Growth Content Manager at Airwallex, where she develops content for businesses in Singapore and across Southeast Asia. She focuses on turning complex topics like cross-border payments, business accounts, and spend management into clear, practical guides that help founders and finance teams make confident decisions.
