Top 6 payment gateway providers for UK businesses in 2026

Key takeaways

• Your payment gateway impacts checkout experience, conversion rates, fraud protection and how smoothly funds reach your account, especially for international sales.

• Payment gateways aren’t all the same. They differ on fees, supported payment methods, payout timing, regulatory compliance and how well they handle accepting and settling in multiple currencies.

• Airwallex supports 160+ payment methods, accepts and settles in multiple currencies, offers fast payouts, and combines payments, FX, multi-currency accounts and global payout tools in one platform.

A payment gateway lets your business take payments online. It sits between your website and your customer’s bank, keeps card details safe, and makes sure the money arrives in your account.

The right gateway can make checkout faster, reduce abandoned baskets, and help you sell to customers in other countries. 

This guide explains what payment gateways do, the main types you can choose from, and which providers are leading the way for UK businesses in 2026.

What is a payment gateway provider?

A payment gateway provider is the company that gives your business the technology to accept payments online. It links your website or app, your customer’s chosen payment method, and your business bank account.

A payment gateway encrypts sensitive details, routes them securely, requests authorisation from the issuing bank, and ensures funds reach your account.

In the UK, gateways also manage Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) under PSD2. This means they handle extra checks such as one-time passcodes or biometric approval, keeping your payments compliant and secure.

Read more: Merchant accounts vs payment gateways: A guide for UK business owners

Top payment gateway providers in the UK in 2026

In 2026, the UK payments landscape is changing. Open banking and Pay by Bank are gaining traction as lower-cost alternatives to cards. UK eCommerce fraud is rising, with returns fraud the top risk and remote access attacks up 8% year-on-year, making robust protection essential. And, with cart abandonment hovering around 70%, offering fast, flexible checkout options is a no brainer.

Against this backdrop, the payment gateway you choose is a growth decision. A few providers stand out in 2026. Here’s what each one offers.

Airwallex

Airwallex is a global growth platform. You can accept payments in over 160 methods across 180+ countries, settle in multiple currencies without losing margin to forced conversions, and plug directly into Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento. Above all, it gives you the scale, speed, and breadth to grow internationally without friction.

Best for: SME retailers with international ambitions, scale-ups who want to keep FX costs low, and SaaS companies needing fast multi-market settlement

Fees: UK cards 1.30% + 20p. EEA cards 2.40% + 20p. International cards 3.15% + 20p. See more

Settlement: Often within one business day.

PayPal

PayPal is a widely recognised global brand with high consumer trust. It offers PayPal Wallet, Pay in 3 instalments, and global buyer protection.

Best for: SME retailers who value customer trust over low fees

Fees: UK 2.90% + 30p. International 4.19% + 30p plus FX markups.

Settlement: Instant to PayPal balance, one to three days to bank account.

Adyen

Adyen is an enterprise-grade payment platform supporting 150 currencies and more than 100 payment methods. It handles online, mobile, and in-store transactions.

Best for: Enterprise retailers and marketplaces running large-scale global operations

Fees: €0.11 fixed plus method-specific charges, typically 1.5% to 3.5%.

Settlement: Two to three business days.

Worldpay

Worldpay is a long-established UK provider offering online and offline merchant services with strong local presence.

Best for: Established retailers that want a single provider for both online and in-store payments

Fees: Contract-based, varies by business.

Settlement: Two to three business days.

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

GoCardless

GoCardless focuses on recurring and subscription payments via Direct Debit. It integrates with tools like Xero, Salesforce, and Chargebee.

Best for: Subscription businesses with predictable billing cycles

Fees: 1% + 20p in the UK. International 2% + 20p.

Settlement: Two to three business days.

Best for: Subscription businesses and recurring billing.

Revolut Business

Revolut provides SME-friendly digital banking and payment acceptance. It connects directly with Revolut Business accounts.

Best for: SaaS and subscription businesses with predictable billing cycles

Fees: From 1% + 20p for UK Visa and Mastercard consumer cards. FX rates vary by plan.

Settlement: One to two business days.

Other providers include Braintree for developer customisation, Klarna for BNPL, and Square for merchants combining online and in-person sales.

How payment gateways work

Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes when a customer pays online? Here’s your answer.

1. A customer selects a payment method such as card, wallet, or bank transfer.

2. The gateway encrypts and transmits the payment details.

3. The gateway requests authorisation from the issuing bank via the card network or scheme.

4. The bank confirms approval or declines the transaction.

5. The funds are transferred into your merchant account, usually within one to three business days.

The different types of payment gateway

Different payment gateways impact how customers experience checkout, and how much control you have. Your options are:

Hosted or on-site

Hosted gateways keep customers on your website during checkout, giving you control over the experience.

Self-hosted

Self-hosted gateways let you collect customer data on your servers before passing it to the gateway. This offers flexibility but requires more compliance responsibility.

API or integrated

API gateways connect directly with your systems. They let you build custom checkout flows and integrate payments with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento.

Local bank integration

Bank-linked gateways connect directly with banks, including Pay by Bank via open banking.

How to get a payment gateway 

Setting up a payment gateway may sound technical, but most providers make it straightforward. Here’s how to go from choosing one to accepting your first payment.

1. Choose a provider: Compare options such as Airwallex, PayPal, Adyen, Worldpay, or GoCardless. Review fees, settlement speed, currencies supported, and platform integrations.

2. Open an account: Apply online with company details, identity documents, and information about your products or services. Providers run checks for fraud and anti-money laundering.

3. Connect it to your site or app: Use plugins for platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento, or connect via API for custom builds.

4. Test the checkout: Use the provider’s sandbox to run test payments before going live.

5. Start accepting payments: Go live once approved and receive payouts according to the provider’s schedule.

Read more: How to create a payment gateway and set it up in 4 steps

How to choose a payment gateway provider

Here are the key questions to ask:

How much will each payment cost me?

Card fees, FX charges and extras can add up fast. Check the rates for UK cards, European cards and international cards so you know your real costs.

Can it take payments the way my customers like to pay?

Make sure it supports the cards, wallets or bank methods your customers actually use, especially if you sell outside the UK.

How fast will I get my money?

Some pay out the next business day, others take a few days. Faster payouts mean smoother cash flow.

Is it safe and compliant in the UK?

Look for PCI DSS and Strong Customer Authentication support. These keep card data secure and help you stay on the right side of UK rules.

Will it work if I start selling in other countries?

If you might expand later, choose a gateway that supports multiple currencies and markets so you don’t have to switch later.

The Airwallex advantage

Airwallex helps you sell more, keep more, and grow faster. What sets it apart is not just low fees or fast payouts, but that it combines global payments with multi-currency accounts, FX, and financial tools in one place. That means less margin lost to hidden costs, fewer systems to manage, and more control over how you run your business.

Here’s what you get with Airwallex:

Higher conversions. Accept over 160 payment methods across 180+ countries, so customers always find their preferred way to pay.

Lower FX costs. Settle sales in the same currency you collect them. Avoid forced conversions and keep more of every transaction.

Faster access to cash. Get paid as quickly as the next business day, improving cash flow for stock, ads, or reinvestment.

Easy integrations. Plug straight into Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and other platforms, or use powerful APIs for custom checkouts.

Compliance and security built in. FCA-regulated in the UK, PCI DSS Level 1 certified, and equipped with advanced fraud prevention.

A full financial platform. Go beyond payments with business accounts, global transfers, FX, and corporate cards all in one dashboard.

Where other providers specialise (PayPal in trust, GoCardless in subscriptions, Adyen in enterprise) Airwallex brings it all together. It gives you the international reach, predictable multi-currency billing, and the scalability to handle global volumes.

Where other providers specialise (PayPal in trust, GoCardless in subscriptions, Adyen in enterprise) Airwallex brings it all together. It gives you the international reach, predictable multi-currency billing, and the scalability to handle global volumes.

FAQs

What do UK payment gateways charge?

Most charge around 1.3%–3.5% per card transaction plus a fixed fee. European, international and business cards usually cost more, and FX fees apply when currencies are converted.

Do UK payment gateways support multi-currency payments?

Many do, but coverage varies. Some convert automatically, while others let you accept and settle in the original currency to avoid forced exchange. Check which currencies are supported before you decide.

How long do payouts take?

Most UK gateways settle within one to three business days. Some offer faster options. Airwallex often settles as soon as the next business day.

Are UK payment gateways PCI DSS and SCA compliant?

Major providers generally support PCI DSS and Strong Customer Authentication under PSD2. They handle encryption and security checks so you stay compliant.

Which gateways work best for selling outside the UK?

Choose a provider with strong currency support and flexible settlement options. Stripe and Adyen offer broad coverage. Airwallex is often used by UK businesses that earn in multiple currencies because it combines payments with treasury tools built for international growth.

Sources and references

• securitybrief.co.uk/story/uk-ecommerce-faces-rising-fraud-risks-as-regulations-tighten-for-2025

• statista.com/statistics/477804/online-shopping-cart-abandonment-rate-worldwide

• adyen.com/en_GB/pricing

• gocardless.com/blog/how-much-do-international-payments-really-cost

• paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/merchant-fees

• revolut.com/business/business-account-plans

• stripe.com/gb/pricing 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on our own online research in Q3 2025. Airwallex was not 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 would 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.