Top 5 eCommerce payment solutions in the UK: Compare fees, features, and multi-currency support

Key takeaways

• The right eCommerce payment solution should support a wide range of local payment methods and currencies, so you can reduce cart abandonment and boost conversions.

• Look beyond transaction fees — features like like-for-like settlement and multi-currency accounts can help protect your margins from hidden FX costs.

• Airwallex combines 160+ payment methods across 180+ countries with built-in multi-currency accounts, FX & Transfers, and spend management, so you can manage global payments from one platform.

If you're selling online in 2026, you're likely reaching customers well beyond the UK. That's exciting. But it also means dealing with checkout friction, handling costs across currencies, and earning trust in a busy global market.

One choice that can shape your growth is your payment provider. The best eCommerce payment solutions do more than process payments. They help you connect with customers using local payment methods. They also let you show prices in local currencies, which can cut checkout abandonment. And they can help protect your margins with lower FX fees and like-for-like settlements.

This guide compares the top five providers in the UK for 2026. It breaks down features, fees, and global reach, so you can pick the right fit for your business.

What is an eCommerce payment system?

An eCommerce payment system is software that lets your online shop take payments from customers. You can think of it as a digital till that links your checkout to your customer's bank. It collects payment details, checks the transaction, and moves the money safely into your account. Without it, you wouldn't be able to get paid for online sales.

You’ll often hear three related terms: payment gateways, payment processors, and payment service providers (PSPs). Here’s how they differ:

• Payment gateway: The front door. It collects and encrypts your customer's payment details at checkout.

• Payment processor: The engine. It sends the transaction to the customer's bank, gets authorisation, and confirms the payment.

• Payment service provider (PSP): The all-in-one option. PSPs like Airwallex and Stripe combine the gateway, processor, and merchant account in one platform. That means you don’t need to manage several providers.

How eCommerce payment processing works

When a customer clicks “pay” on your site, here’s what happens in the background:

• The customer enters their payment details at checkout.

• The payment gateway encrypts the data and sends it to the payment processor.

• The processor contacts the customer's bank to check funds and authorise the transaction.

• The bank approves (or declines) the payment.

• The funds move to your merchant account. You and the customer both get confirmation.

This usually takes seconds. Still, the setup behind it affects how much you pay in fees, how many payment methods you can offer, and how smoothly your international sales run.

Types of eCommerce payment systems

Most modern eCommerce businesses use a PSP because it keeps things simple — one provider, one integration, and one relationship. Even so, it helps to understand the wider landscape:

• Standalone payment gateways: You’ll need to pair these with a separate processor and a merchant account. You get more control, but it’s more complex.

• Standalone payment processors: These route transactions, but they don’t collect payment details or hold funds.

• Payment service providers (PSPs): The most common choice for online businesses. They handle everything from checkout to settlement in one platform.

• Payment orchestration platforms: A newer type of platform that sits on top of several PSPs. It routes transactions to the best provider based on cost, success rates, or location. This can be useful for very large businesses with complex needs.

What to look for in an eCommerce payment solution

If you're selling to customers in more than one country, your payment solution needs to do more than take card payments. Here are the five criteria that matter most:

Payment methods and currency support

Customers want to pay in the way they know — and in their own currency. Research shows 77% of shoppers will abandon their cart if their preferred payment method isn’t available. It also shows 93% say local currency pricing affects their decision to buy. So, look for a provider that supports credit and debit cards, digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), bank transfers, buy now, pay later (BNPL), and region-specific methods like iDEAL in the Netherlands or Alipay in China.

Fees and cost structure

Transaction fees are only the starting point. Many providers charge hidden FX conversion fees when you accept payments in one currency but settle in another. Features like like-for-like settlement and multi-currency accounts can remove these costs completely.

Not every provider offers multi-currency accounts, so it’s worth checking this before you commit.

Security and compliance

Your payment provider handles sensitive customer data, so security can’t be optional. At a minimum, look for PCI DSS compliance (the global security standard for payment data), 3D Secure authentication (an extra verification step for card payments), and real-time fraud detection. It’s also smart to ask how potential providers handle chargebacks and which fraud tools are included. These can save you money and stress later.

Integration and ease of setup

The best payment solution is one you can put in place. If you use Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, or BigCommerce, look for no-code plugins. If you need more control, check if the provider offers pre-built UIs, hosted payment pages, or fully flexible APIs. Also, think about how well it connects with your current tools, such as accounting software, CRM, and stock systems. Good integrations can reduce manual work and reconciliation issues.

How your eCommerce payment solution should scale with you

Your payment needs today won’t be the same in two years. So, look for a provider that offers more than checkout. For example, multi-currency accounts, FX & Transfers, spend management (Corporate Cards, Bill Pay, Expense Management), and detailed analytics can bring more of your finance work into one place as you grow. Airwallex, for instance, offers an end-to-end platform that covers taking payments, paying suppliers, and managing staff expenses.

Top 5 eCommerce payment solutions compared

Here’s how the leading providers compare on the features that matter most for UK businesses selling internationally:

Source: Airwallex, Amazon Pay, GoCardless, PayPal, and Stripe as of January 2026. See Airwallex's pricing plan and fee schedule in detail.

eCommerce payment solutions: Features and fees

Each provider has different strengths, depending on your business model and where you sell. Below, we’ve summed up the key features and UK pricing for each one. For full product and fee details, visit each provider’s official website.

Airwallex

Airwallex is a global payment platform built for businesses that sell across borders. Key features include:

• Accept payments in 160+ payment methods across 180 countries

• Like-for-like settlement in 14 currencies — settle in the same currency your customers pay in

• Multi-currency Global Accounts with local bank details in 21+ currencies

• FX & Transfers at competitive interbank rates

• Spend management tools including Corporate Cards, Bill Pay, and Expense Management

• No-code plugins for Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and BigCommerce, plus hosted payment pages and fully customisable API solutions

Airwallex payment acceptance fees:

• Domestic (UK cards): 1.30% + £0.20 per transaction

• International (EEA cards): 2.40% + £0.20 per transaction

• International: 3.15% + £0.20 per transaction

Stripe

Stripe is a developer-friendly platform with wide global coverage and strong custom options. Key features include:

• Payment acceptance in 135+ currencies across 195 countries

• 125+ local payment methods

• Optimised FX rates and automated reconciliation

• Tools for subscriptions, invoicing, and payouts

• Flexible APIs and easy integration with popular business tools

Stripe payment acceptance fees:

• Domestic (UK cards): 1.5% + £0.20 per transaction

• International (EEA cards): 2.5% + £0.20 per transaction

• International: 3.25% + £0.20 per transaction

Amazon Pay

Amazon Pay lets customers check out using their existing Amazon accounts. This can cut friction for Amazon shoppers. Key features include:

• Available in 17+ countries with 12 currencies

• Uses Amazon's brand trust and customer base

• Supports major card networks and direct debit (varies by country)

• Partners with platforms like Magento and BigCommerce, although integration can be more complex

Amazon Pay payment acceptance fees:

• Domestic: 2.7% + £0.30 per transaction

• International: An additional 0.4–1.5% per transaction, depending on region

PayPal

PayPal is one of the best-known names in online payments, with a large existing user base. Key features include:

• Available in 200+ markets with 130+ currencies

• 20+ local payment methods (enterprises can accept card payments)

• Multi-currency account available

• Tools for invoicing, subscription management, and merchant services

• Integrates with nearly all eCommerce platforms

PayPal payment acceptance fees:

• Domestic (UK cards via Advanced Credit and Debit Card Payments): 1.2% + fixed fee per transaction

• Standard PayPal commercial transactions: 2.9% + fixed fee per transaction

• International (EEA cards): An additional 1.29%

• International: An additional 1.99%

GoCardless

GoCardless focuses on direct debit payments. That makes it a strong choice for subscription and recurring billing models. Key features include:

• One-off and recurring direct debit payments in 30+ countries

• Eight currencies supported

• Automated payment collection and retry logic

• Integrates with platforms like Salesforce, Xero, and ChargeBee

• Lower fees for recurring transactions compared to card payments

GoCardless payment acceptance fees (Advanced Plan):

• Domestic: 1.25% + £0.20 per transaction (capped at £5 per transaction)

• International: 2.25% + £0.20 per transaction

• +0.3% added to transactions over £2,000

Why choose Airwallex for eCommerce payments

As global eCommerce keeps growing, your payment solution needs to keep up. Airwallex offers an end-to-end platform built for cross-border trade. You can accept payments in 180+ countries, manage FX, pay suppliers, and control spend, all in one place. We process over US$150 billion in payments each year for more than 150,000 businesses worldwide.

Here’s what we can help you do:

• Go global: Tap into new markets and collect payments in 180+ countries. You’ll also get 160+ local payment methods that match what your customers prefer.

• Save money: Protect your margins with like-for-like settlement, so you can reduce forced currency conversions. And when you do need to convert, you’ll get market-leading FX rates.

• Gain visibility: Get a real-time view of your global cash flow. You can also move money across borders in just a few clicks.

Create a free account or talk to our team to see how we can help your business grow across borders.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is an eCommerce payment system?

An eCommerce payment system is software that lets online businesses accept and process customer payments safely. It connects your online shop to payment networks and banks. It also handles everything from capturing card details to sending funds into your account.

How much does it cost to use an eCommerce payment solution?

Costs vary by provider. However, they usually include per-transaction fees, and sometimes monthly or set-up charges. Hidden FX conversion fees are common when you accept payments in one currency but settle in another. So, look for providers that offer like-for-like settlement and multi-currency accounts to avoid those costs.

What are the different types of eCommerce payment systems?

The main types are payment gateways, payment processors, and payment service providers (PSPs). Many modern platforms combine all three. PSPs like Airwallex and Stripe are the most common choice for online businesses because they bundle everything into one platform.

How do I choose the best eCommerce payment solution for my business?

Start by looking at your target markets, the payment methods your customers prefer, and the full cost, including FX and settlement fees. Then consider security features, how easily the solution fits with your existing tools, and whether the provider offers extra features (like multi-currency accounts or spend management) that could simplify your work as you grow.

Sources and references 

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

2. https://www.airwallex.com/uk/ecommerce-campaign-2024

3. https://pay.amazon.eu/help/5BDCWHCUC27485L

4. https://pay.amazon.co.uk/help/SKX7JCY3G3SP73U

5. https://gocardless.com/blog/how-much-do-international-payments-really-cost/

6.  https://gocardless.com/pricing/

7. https://www.paypal.com/uk/enterprise/payment-methods

8. https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/merchant-fees

9. https://stripe.com/payments/payment-methods

10. https://wise.com/us/blog/stripe-international

11. https://pay.amazon.com/help/201810860

12. https://pay.amazon.com/help/201212160

13. https://gocardless.com/en-au/international-payments/

14. https://stripe.com/en-sg/pricing

15. https://www.paypal.com/my/webapps/mpp/merchant-fees

16. https://stripe.com/en-my/resources/more/multicurrency-accounts-101

17. https://developer.amazon.com/docs/amazon-pay-checkout/multi-currency-integration.html

18. https://gocardless.com/

19. https://pay.amazon.com/help/201754640

20. https://pay.amazon.co.uk/help/201754650

21. https://airwallex.com/uk/pricing

22. https://stripe.com/gb/pricing

23. https://pay.amazon.com/help/201212280⁵https://www.paypal.com/uk/business/paypal-business-fees#fixed-fees-commercialtrans

24. https://gocardless.com/pricing/

Disclaimer: We updated this article in Q1 2026. 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. A reader should consider the specific requirements of their business when evaluating providers. If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [email protected].