Best Shopify Payment Gateways: A List for Global Merchants

Introduction

Selecting the right payment methods for your checkout is a critical decision that directly impacts your conversion rate and bottom line. Your store needs a mix of providers that balance low transaction fees with the convenience your customers expect. When you optimize the list of payment methods available, you reduce friction and ensure that shoppers feel secure during the final steps of their purchase.

We built HidePay to give merchants total control over this list, allowing you to show the right payment options to the right customers at the right time. This article provides a comprehensive overview of available gateways, how they function within the Shopify ecosystem, and how to manage them effectively to maximize profit. We will look at the top global providers and the strategic criteria for choosing between them.

By the end of this guide, you will understand the nuances of the Shopify payment landscape and how to curate a checkout experience that converts.

Understanding the Shopify Payment Ecosystem

Before diving into the specific list of providers, it is important to understand how Shopify categorizes payment gateways. Shopify generally splits credit card providers into two groups: direct providers and external providers.

Direct Providers

A direct provider allows your customers to complete their purchase without leaving your online store. The credit card fields are integrated directly into your checkout page. This creates a cohesive experience and is generally preferred by modern merchants because it keeps the customer within your brand environment.

External Providers

External providers redirect the customer to a third-party page to complete the payment. Once the transaction is finalized, the customer is sent back to your store's thank-you page. While this can sometimes add a step to the process, certain regional gateways or high-security options only operate through this redirection model.

Accelerated Checkouts

Beyond standard gateways, you also have access to accelerated checkouts like Shop Pay, PayPal Express, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. These "express" buttons pull saved information from the customer’s device or account to speed up the process. Managing these is just as important as managing your primary credit card gateway.

If you want to try HidePay and see these controls in your admin, you can [install HidePay from the Shopify App Store].

The Essential List of Shopify Payment Gateways

Shopify supports over 100 payment providers globally. While the available list changes based on your business location, several major players dominate the market due to their reliability and broad currency support.

1. Shopify Payments

Shopify Payments is the native solution for the platform. It is often the first choice for merchants because it is built directly into the admin interface.

• Key Advantage: It eliminates the third-party transaction fees that Shopify charges when you use other gateways.
• Integration: Since it is native, you can track your payouts and manage chargebacks directly within your Shopify dashboard.
• Requirements: It is currently available in specific countries including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe and Asia.

2. Stripe

Stripe is a powerful alternative for businesses that need deep customization or operate in regions where Shopify Payments is not yet available. It is known for its developer-friendly tools and transparent pricing.

• Best For: Merchants who require robust reporting or those running subscription-based models.
• Global Reach: It supports over 135 currencies and provides advanced fraud detection tools.
• Consideration: If you use Stripe instead of Shopify Payments, you will likely incur Shopify's third-party transaction fees unless you are on a specific plan that waives them.

3. PayPal

PayPal is almost a requirement for global e-commerce. Many customers prefer it because they do not have to share their credit card details directly with the merchant.

• Trust Factor: It is one of the most recognized payment brands in the world.
• Setup: Shopify automatically creates a PayPal Express Checkout account using the email you used to sign up for your store.
• Functionality: It acts as an "accelerated" checkout, often appearing at the top of the checkout page.

4. Authorize.net

Authorize.net is one of the oldest and most reliable names in the industry. It is a popular choice for established businesses that want a stable, high-volume processor.

• Features: It offers excellent fraud protection, e-check processing, and a customizable checkout experience.
• Availability: It primarily serves merchants based in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia.

5. Adyen

Adyen is an enterprise-level gateway used by some of the largest brands in the world. It is designed for merchants with high transaction volumes and complex global requirements.

• Capabilities: It provides a single platform to accept payments across online, in-app, and in-person channels.
• Data-Driven: Adyen offers deep analytics into payment performance and conversion rates across different regions.

6. Worldpay

Worldpay is a global leader in payment processing, offering a massive reach and support for hundreds of local payment methods.

• International Focus: If you are expanding into multiple continents simultaneously, Worldpay provides the localized infrastructure to support those markets.
• Security: They are known for high-tier security standards and sophisticated risk management.

Specialized and Localized Payment Methods

A standard credit card gateway is rarely enough for a global store. You must also consider alternative payment methods (APMs) that are preferred in specific regions.

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)

Services like Klarna, Afterpay (Clearpay in the UK), and Affirm have become standard. These allow customers to split their purchase into interest-free installments. Merchants who sell high-ticket items often see a significant increase in average order value when these are enabled.

Region-Specific Gateways

• Monei: Highly popular for merchants targeting the Spanish market, offering local options like Bizum.
• 2Checkout (Verifone): A go-to for merchants in countries where many of the "big" gateways do not operate. It supports a vast array of countries and currencies.
• Alipay and WeChat Pay: Essential for stores with a heavy customer base in China or Southeast Asia.

For a deeper look at why hiding irrelevant regional methods matters, read the Nextools post introducing [HidePay for checkout optimization].

How to Choose the Right Gateways for Your Store

Choosing which providers to include in your list depends on several practical factors. Do not simply enable every option available; a cluttered checkout can lead to decision paralysis and cart abandonment.

Evaluate Transaction Fees

Every gateway charges a fee. This is usually a percentage of the transaction plus a flat cent amount. You must calculate these against your profit margins. Remember to factor in the "Third-Party Transaction Fee" from Shopify if you choose not to use Shopify Payments.

Consider Your Location and Your Customers' Location

A gateway might be available in your country but not support the preferred payment methods of your target audience. For example, if you are a UK merchant selling to the Netherlands, you should look for a gateway that supports iDEAL, as that is the dominant payment method there.

Payout Schedules

Cash flow is the lifeblood of a small business. Some gateways pay out daily, while others may hold funds for 7 to 14 days. If you need quick access to capital to fulfill orders, prioritize providers with faster settlement times.

Support for Subscriptions

If you sell recurring products, your gateway must support vaulting (storing) credit card information securely. Not all Shopify gateways are compatible with subscription apps, so verify this before committing to a provider.

If you want to plan gateway choices as part of a broader checkout strategy, see the Nextools blog index for other posts on checkout and payments.

Managing Your Payment List with HidePay

Once you have selected your gateways, the next challenge is managing how they appear to your customers. A customer in the United States does not need to see a "Cash on Delivery" option meant for customers in India. Similarly, you might want to hide high-fee BNPL options for carts under a certain value.

Our tool allows you to create specific rules to control your checkout. Because it is built on native Shopify Functions, it runs directly within the Shopify infrastructure. This means your checkout remains fast and stable without the need for theme code edits.

Learn how to [create a payment customization in HidePay] to start building rules that match your needs.

Key Optimization Strategies

• Sort by Preference: You can reorder your payment methods to put your preferred, low-fee options at the top. See the help guide on how to [sort and rename payment methods in HidePay].
• Hide by Geography: Create a rule to only show localized gateways to customers in relevant countries. The HidePay docs include a guide to [organize payment methods by country or Shopify Market].
• Rename for Clarity: If a gateway has a confusing name in the checkout, you can rename it to something more recognizable for your customers.
• Filter by Product Type: If you sell certain products that have higher chargeback risks, you can hide specific payment methods like PayPal for those items. The help article on hiding payment methods for specific products explains this setup.

Using HidePay, you can ensure that your checkout list remains clean and relevant to every individual shopper. If you’re ready to add the app to your store, you can [get HidePay for your store on the Shopify App Store].

Protecting Your Margins and Reducing Risk

Managing your payment gateway list is not just about the customer experience; it is also about protecting your business.

Reducing Chargebacks

Certain payment methods carry higher risks of chargebacks. If you notice a pattern of fraudulent orders coming through a specific gateway, you can use our app to hide that method for customers with specific tags or those in high-risk geographic areas.

Avoiding Unnecessary Fees

Cash on Delivery (COD) is a popular method in many regions, but it can be costly for merchants due to high refusal rates. You can set a rule to only show COD if the order total is above a certain amount to ensure the margin justifies the risk. Or, you can hide it entirely for customers who have a history of returning items.

Blocking Express Buttons

While express buttons are great for conversion, they can sometimes bypass certain business logic or lead to incomplete customer data. You can use our tool to block specific express checkout buttons based on the contents of the cart or the customer's location; see the HidePay help guide on hiding dynamic checkout buttons for details.

If your store requires advanced Shopify Functions or you want to migrate legacy Scripts, consider pairing HidePay with [SupaEasy on the Shopify App Store] to generate functions without coding.

Summary of Action Steps

1. Audit your current list: See which gateways you have enabled and check their transaction fees in your Shopify admin.
2. Identify gaps: Are you missing a key payment method for a country you sell to frequently?
3. Check compatibility: Ensure your chosen gateways support your business model (e.g., subscriptions or multi-currency).
4. Install HidePay: Use the app to organize, rename, or hide methods based on the specific rules we discussed to protect your margins. To get started, [try HidePay on Shopify].

Conclusion

The list of Shopify payment gateways is extensive, offering a solution for every type of merchant. Whether you stick with the native simplicity of Shopify Payments or branch out into specialized providers like Stripe or Adyen, the goal is to create a frictionless experience for your customers.

By strategically sorting and filtering these options, you can lower your fees and increase your conversion rates. We designed our tool to make this level of control accessible to every merchant, regardless of technical skill.

If you are ready to take full control of your checkout and optimize your payment method display, you can [add HidePay to your Shopify store].

FAQ

Can I use multiple payment gateways at once on Shopify?

Yes, you can enable multiple payment providers. Most merchants use Shopify Payments as their primary credit card processor while also enabling "Alternative Payment Methods" like PayPal, Klarna, or cryptocurrency gateways. This gives customers more flexibility at checkout.

What is the difference between a direct and an external provider?

A direct provider allows the customer to enter their payment information directly on your Shopify checkout page. An external provider redirects the customer to a separate website to finish the payment before sending them back to your store. Direct providers generally offer a more cohesive user experience.

Why is a specific payment gateway not showing up in my list?

The list of available gateways is determined by the "Business Address" set in your Shopify store settings. If a provider is not appearing, it is likely because they do not offer services in your region. You may need to choose a different provider that supports your specific country.

How can I hide a payment method for a specific country?

By default, Shopify does not allow you to hide payment methods based on geography. However, you can use HidePay to create a rule that detects the customer's country and hides or shows specific payment options accordingly. This ensures customers only see methods that are relevant and available to them. See the HidePay help center for step‑by‑step guidance on organizing payment methods by country.

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