International payment gateways compared: 6 options for UK businesses

Key takeaways

• An international payment gateway lets you accept and process payments from customers worldwide in their local currency. It handles currency conversion, fraud screening, and compliance.

• When you're comparing gateways, focus on FX transparency, supported currencies and payment methods, integration options, and settlement speed.

• Airwallex offers UK businesses a single platform to collect payments in 130+ currencies, convert at interbank rates, and pay out globally, with native integrations into Shopify, WooCommerce, Xero, and NetSuite.

International payments are now standard for a lot of UK businesses. But managing them well can still be hard. Many teams still rely on old banking tools or a mix of platforms, and that often means high FX fees, slow settlement, and manual work.

If you're expanding into new markets or working with overseas suppliers, the right gateway matters. You need something that does more than just move money. It should help cut costs, support multiple currencies, and connect with the systems you already use. In this guide, we'll explain what an international payment gateway is and how it works, walk through the key factors to consider when choosing one, review six leading providers with a side-by-side comparison table, and help you decide which option fits your business now and as you grow.

What is an international payment gateway?

An international payment gateway lets your business accept payments from customers around the world, securely, quickly, and in their local currency. Think of it like a translator and a security guard working together at an international airport: it converts currencies, like a translator handles languages, and screens every transaction for fraud, like a guard checks passports. The result is simple. You can sell globally without building separate payment infrastructure in every market.

An international payment gateway:

• Approves and processes cross-border card and alternative payments

• Converts foreign currencies and settles funds

• Screens for fraud and ensures compliance

• Connects with checkout pages or accounting systems

Here's how a cross-border payment flows through a gateway. Your customer enters their payment details at checkout. The gateway encrypts that data and routes it to the relevant card network or local payment rail. The acquirer and issuing bank approve, or decline, the transaction. The gateway handles any currency conversion, and then the funds settle into your account. From the customer's point of view, this usually takes seconds, though settlement to your account may take longer depending on the provider.

Read more: Top B2B payment gateways (and how they differ from B2C)

Once you know what a gateway does, the next question is whether you need an international one or whether a domestic gateway will do the job.

What's the difference between a domestic and international gateway?

A domestic payment gateway is built to handle local payments in GBP. It supports UK-issued cards, local bank transfers, and the payment methods your UK customers expect. It's fine if your business operates only in the UK and doesn't need to accept payments from overseas.

An international gateway, though, is built for cross-border commerce. It supports multiple currencies, local payment methods from other countries, like iDEAL, Sofort, or UnionPay, and handles foreign exchange. It also helps with compliance with global standards like PSD2, PCI DSS, and 3D Secure.

If your business sells internationally or pays suppliers abroad, an international gateway gives you the tools you need to operate globally without relying on a patchwork of banks or bolt-ons. So what do you get from using one?

Benefits of using an international payment gateway

Choosing an international gateway isn't just about ticking a box for "accepts foreign cards". The right platform can make a real difference to your margins, conversion rates, and day-to-day operations. Here's what you stand to gain.

Accept payments in more currencies and markets

Multi-currency acceptance opens up customer segments you might otherwise miss. Research keeps showing that shoppers prefer paying in their local currency. One study found that 94% of customers want to see pricing in their own currency at checkout. If you're only accepting GBP, you're asking international customers to do mental maths and take on currency risk, and that often means they'll buy from a competitor instead.

Reduce FX costs and hidden fees

Traditional banks usually add a 3–4% markup to currency conversions above the interbank rate. International gateways with transparent FX pricing can bring that down to 0.5–1%. On £100,000 in monthly international sales, that's the difference between paying £3,000–£4,000 in FX costs and paying £500–£1,000. Over a year, those savings can add up to tens of thousands of pounds that go straight to your bottom line.

Improve checkout conversion rates

Supporting local payment methods helps reduce cart abandonment. In the Netherlands, iDEAL makes up around 70% of online payments. In Scandinavia, Klarna is a standard part of checkout. If you don't offer these methods, you're not just making things less convenient for customers. You're losing sales altogether. An international gateway gives you access to the payment methods your customers already use, without making you build separate integrations for each market.

Simplify compliance across markets

Payment rules vary by country, and keeping up with PCI DSS, PSD2, 3DS2, and local requirements is complex. A good international gateway handles this for you. It keeps certifications up to date and updates fraud screening rules, so you don't have to manage compliance bit by bit across every market you sell into.

With those benefits in mind, how do you work out which gateway is right for your business?

How to choose an international payment gateway

If you're selling to customers in multiple countries or paying suppliers abroad, you'll want a gateway that can grow with you. Here are the key factors to weigh up, and the questions to ask yourself as you compare options.

Multi-currency support and global reach

Can you accept payments in major global currencies and get settled in GBP or the currency of your choice? Look for local payment rails and transparent FX. If you're selling to customers in Germany, Japan, and Brazil, you need a gateway that supports EUR, JPY, and BRL, and ideally settles in GBP so you're not juggling multiple bank accounts or taking on unnecessary cross-border fees.

Pricing and fees

Make sure you understand the full range of payment gateway fees, including setup costs, per-transaction fees, FX spreads, and platform fees. Some providers offer tiered pricing based on volume or features. Watch out for providers that quote low card rates but charge high FX markups. Compare the total cost, not just the headline rate. It's also worth asking whether pricing is blended, one flat rate, or interchange-plus, card network fees plus a margin, because that affects how costs scale with your transaction mix.

Supported payment methods

Cards are only one part of the picture. Think about wallets, bank transfers, and buy now, pay later options, depending on your audience and industry. Regional preferences matter. Digital wallets dominate in Asia, whilst bank transfers are often preferred in Europe. Make sure your gateway covers the methods your customers really use.

Security and compliance

Make sure the provider is PCI DSS compliant, supports 3DS2, and offers fraud detection tools. Some also offer automated tax handling for global sales. This isn't just about protecting your customers. It's also about protecting your business from chargebacks and regulatory headaches.

Integration and flexibility

Does it connect with your eCommerce platform, accounting stack, or ERP system? Hosted checkouts, APIs, and plugins all matter if you want speed and room to scale. If you're running on Shopify or WooCommerce, check whether the gateway has a native plugin or whether you'll need custom development.

Read more: Top 6 WooCommerce payment gateways in the UK in 2025

Settlement speed

Settlement speed affects your cash flow directly. Some gateways settle in 2–3 business days, whilst others offer next-day or even same-day settlement. For an eCommerce business with high daily order volumes, faster settlement means you can restock sooner and avoid cash crunches. If cash flow is tight, ask about settlement timelines before you commit.

Customer support

When payments are on the line, responsive support matters. Look for UK-based teams, or teams in a similar time zone, that can help when you need it and not just during US business hours.

Now that you know what to look for, let's see how the leading providers compare.

The 6 best international payment gateways for UK businesses in 2026

Here are our top picks based on feature set, flexibility, and value:

1. Airwallex

Airwallex (that's us) is a global payments platform built for UK businesses that sell or operate internationally, from eCommerce startups to fast-scaling platforms. It brings payment acceptance, multi-currency accounts, and interbank FX rates together in one place, so you're not stitching together separate tools for collection, conversion, and payouts.

• Multi-currency support: 160+ payment methods available, accepted in 180+ countries

• Fees & FX: Pricing varies by transaction type. 1.3% + 20p for UK card transactions. When sending funds, currency conversions at interbank rate + 0.5%–1%

• Payment methods: Accept Visa, Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay, bank transfers, and digital wallets

• Security & compliance: FCA-regulated, PCI DSS Level 1 certified, SOC 1 and SOC 2 compliant

• Integrations: Native plugins for Shopify, WooCommerce, Xero, NetSuite. Developer-friendly API for custom builds

• Support: UK-based support team with onboarding and scaling assistance

2. PayPal

PayPal is a household name and has strong buyer trust, which makes it especially popular for direct-to-consumer eCommerce and marketplaces. It gives UK businesses a quick way to accept payments from overseas customers who already have PayPal accounts.

• Multi-currency support: 130 currencies across 200+ markets, instant wallet conversion

• Fees & FX: 2.9% + fixed fee for standard commercial transactions (domestic); additional 1.29%–1.99% for international transactions. FX conversion at 3% above base rate. Multiple pricing tiers available

• Payment methods: PayPal balance, credit/debit cards, direct debit

• Security & compliance: PCI DSS compliant, two-sided buyer/seller protection

• Integrations: Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce, WooCommerce

• Support: Help centre, live chat, and phone support (8am–6:30pm daily); limited strategic support for smaller businesses

3. Checkout.com

Checkout.com offers modern, API-first payment processing used by global brands. It's built for developers and large-volume merchants that need granular control over every stage of the payment flow.

• Multi-currency support: 150+ currencies with local acquiring

• Fees & FX: Custom pricing, typically based on volume and region

• Payment methods: Credit/debit cards, APMs, mobile wallets, bank transfers

• Security & compliance: PCI DSS Level 1, advanced fraud protection, PSD2 compliance

• Integrations: Custom API, SDKs, and plugins for Magento, Salesforce, and more

• Support: Dedicated technical and commercial support for enterprise users

4. Stripe

Stripe offers a developer-friendly API and global capabilities, which makes it a popular choice for SaaS companies, marketplaces, and modern eCommerce businesses. It also has a wide range of integrations and extensive documentation.

• Multi-currency support: 135+ currencies with automatic FX

• Fees & FX: 1.5% + 20p for UK/EEA cards, 2.5% + 20p for international cards. FX conversion fees: 1% on card payments; 0.5% for instant currency conversion between balances

• Payment methods: Cards, wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), bank debits, BNPL

• Security & compliance: PCI DSS, strong fraud detection, tokenization

• Integrations: Shopify, WooCommerce, Webflow, HubSpot; extensive API access

• Support: 24/7 phone, chat, and email; developer documentation; premium support tiers available

5. Adyen

Adyen offers a unified payment solution across channels and markets, so it's well suited to enterprise businesses that need omnichannel capabilities. Its strengths are real-time data, compliance, and scalability.

• Multi-currency support: 150+ currencies with dynamic currency conversion

• Fees & FX: £0.11 processing fee + payment-method-specific fee per transaction. Interchange++ pricing. No setup, monthly, or closure fees. Minimum invoice may apply

• Payment methods: Over 250 methods — cards, local APMs, wallets

• Security & compliance: PSD2, PCI DSS, risk control tools, in-house acquiring

• Integrations: API-first platform, POS, and eCommerce plugins

• Support: Regional account teams and tailored onboarding

6. Worldpay

Worldpay has an established presence in the UK and offers both online and in-store payment processing, which makes it a fit for businesses that need hybrid capabilities. It supports global payments, though often through legacy contracts and systems.

• Multi-currency support: 135+ currencies; support for DCC and local acquiring

• Fees & FX: Blended pricing at 1.3% + 20p for Visa/Mastercard consumer cards, 2.9% + 20p for commercial cards and Amex. Next-business-day settlement included

• Payment methods: 60+ payment methods including cards, digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), POS, bank transfers, APMs (iDEAL, Klarna, SEPA, etc.)

• Security & compliance: PCI DSS, tokenization, fraud tools

• Integrations: Hosted checkout, modern and legacy APIs, Shopify, WooCommerce, Adobe Commerce, OpenCart, POS integrations

• Support: UK-based account managers; reputation for slower onboarding

International payment gateway comparison table

If you want to know how we sourced the information, check the end of this article. With the comparison in front of you, here's why Airwallex might be the right fit.

Why choose Airwallex for international payments?

Airwallex isn't just a payment gateway. It's a complete platform built for global business from day one. Instead of piecing together separate tools for payment acceptance, currency conversion, and payouts, you get everything in one place.

With Airwallex, UK businesses can:

• Accept payments in 130+ currencies and open accounts in 60+ countries with local bank details

• Pay overseas suppliers in 120+ countries through local routing networks, faster and cheaper than traditional SWIFT transfers (95% arrive same-day or within hours)

• Access interbank FX rates with no hidden fees, ideal for businesses managing international margins

• Automate reconciliation with direct integrations into Xero, QuickBooks, and NetSuite

• Manage spending and approvals with built-in tools like Bill Pay, Employee Cards, and expense tracking

• Use modern APIs or no-code workflows to build custom payment journeys or deploy quickly without engineering help

• Keep control with team permissions, audit trails, and real-time visibility across Global Accounts

• Get UK-based support backed by FCA-regulated financial services

With the right gateway, you can give customers abroad a better experience, simplify operations, and reduce costs. If you want one solution to collect, convert, and pay, with full visibility and control, open a free Airwallex account or talk to our team to see how it works for your business.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an international payment gateway?

An international payment gateway lets UK businesses accept payments from overseas customers in multiple currencies. It handles currency conversion, fraud screening, and compliance, so you can sell globally without building separate payment systems in each market.

How do international payment gateways work?

When a customer pays, the gateway encrypts their payment data, routes it through the relevant card network or local payment rail, and asks the issuing bank for approval. It then handles any currency conversion and settles the funds to your account, typically within one to three business days.

What's the difference between a domestic and international gateway?

A domestic gateway handles GBP payments and UK payment methods. An international gateway supports multiple currencies, global payment methods like iDEAL or UnionPay, and manages cross-border compliance requirements like PSD2 and 3D Secure.

How much do international payment gateways cost?

Costs vary by provider and transaction type, but they usually include per-transaction fees (1–4%), FX conversion markups (0.5–4%), and sometimes monthly or setup fees. Compare the total cost across all of these, not just the headline card rate.

What payment methods do international gateways support?

Most support cards, bank transfers, digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, and local payment methods such as iDEAL, Klarna, and UnionPay. Some also support buy now, pay later options depending on your market and customer base.

Sources and references

1. https://www.airwallex.com/uk/pricing

2. paypal.com/uk/business

3. checkout.com/solutions/international-coverage

4. stripe.com/

5. adyen.com/en_GB

6. worldpay.com/en/products/online

Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on our own online research in Q1 2026. Airwallex wasn't 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'd like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [email protected]. This information doesn't take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs.