Selling online or taking payments digitally is now essential for most UK businesses. Whether you’re running an eCommerce store, offering services, or managing subscriptions, choosing the right online payment system can make a big difference to your costs, conversion rate, and customer experience.
In the UK, popular options include Stripe, PayPal, and GoCardless. And if you take international payments, Wise Business can be useful for collecting money in multiple currencies via links, invoices, and local account details.
Below is a practical overview of the best online payment providers in the UK, what each one is best for, and how to decide which fits your business.
What is an online payment system?
An online payment system is a digital solution that helps your business accept customer payments online—usually through methods like:
- Debit and credit cards
- Mobile wallets (depending on provider/setup)
- Bank transfers / Direct Debit
- Local payment options (for international customers)
These platforms use security tools like encryption, authentication checks, and fraud monitoring to help keep transactions safe.
How online payments work (simple breakdown)
When a customer pays you online, a few things happen behind the scenes—usually within seconds:
- Customer starts the payment on your website or checkout page and enters their payment details.
- Payment details are encrypted and sent through a payment gateway.
- The gateway routes the request through the relevant card network (e.g., Visa/Mastercard).
- The customer’s bank (card issuer) approves or declines the transaction.
- The result is sent back through the chain to confirm the payment.
- Your business receives confirmation, and the customer gets a receipt/confirmation message.
Example: If you sell event tickets online, your website checkout connects to a payment provider. The customer picks tickets, pays by card, and immediately receives confirmation by email.
Best online payment systems in the UK (quick comparison)
| Provider | Trustpilot score* | Typical transaction fees* | Best known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise Business | 4.3/5 | 1% domestic cards; 2.9% international & business cards | International & multi-currency payments |
| Stripe | 2.0/5 | 1.5% + 20p (UK cards); 2.5% + 20p (EU cards); 3.25% + 20p (international cards) | Powerful eCommerce + developer tools |
| PayPal | 1.3/5 | From 1.2% + fixed fee (card); extra for international | Fast checkout and consumer trust |
| Worldpay | 4.3/5 | Around 1.3% + 20p | Payment gateway options for SMEs |
| GoCardless | 2.4/5 | 1% + 20p (UK); 2% + 20p (international) | Direct Debit + bank-payments automation |
| Adyen | 1.4/5 | £0.11 processing + payment-method fee | Enterprise/global payments at scale |
*Fees and review scores can change. Always confirm pricing and terms on the provider’s website before committing.
How we’re comparing providers
When choosing an online payment provider, these are the biggest decision factors:
- Features & services (links, invoicing, subscriptions, POS, etc.)
- Fees (per-transaction, monthly plans, add-ons)
- Supported payment methods (cards, wallets, Direct Debit, bank transfer)
- Security (fraud tools, encryption, PCI compliance support)
- Fit for your business now and later (scalability, integrations, reporting)
1) Wise Business
Best for: remote businesses, global freelancers/consultants, international B2B services, subscription businesses with overseas customers
Wise Business isn’t a traditional payment gateway in the same way as Stripe or Worldpay, but it offers multiple ways to request and receive payments, especially across borders.
You can get paid by:
- Card payments via payment links, QR codes, payment requests, or invoices
- Local currency account details so customers can pay via bank transfer in their own currency
Useful features
- Integrations with accounting tools (e.g., Xero, QuickBooks)
- Business debit cards
- Batch payments
- Invoicing tools
- Mid-market exchange rates for currency conversion
- Multi-user access and API options
Fees (typical)
- Account setup: free (Essentials) or one-time fee (Advanced) depending on features
- Card payments: 1% (UK cards), 2.9% (international & business cards)
- Currency conversion: from 0.33% (varies by currency)
Wise is regulated in the UK and uses safeguarding practices designed to protect customer funds (check Wise’s current policy for the latest detail).
Note: Wise pricing and plan features have changed over time. Confirm the latest UK pricing and what’s included in each plan before choosing.
2) Stripe
Best for: eCommerce businesses that want flexibility, custom checkout options, and strong integrations
Stripe is one of the most widely used payment platforms for online businesses, especially those that want modern checkout experiences and a wide range of add-ons.
Stripe highlights
- Accept UK and international card payments
- Payment links and hosted checkout options
- Invoicing and recurring billing
- Physical card terminals (if you sell in-person too)
- Low-code tools or full API customisation
- Extra tools for identity, tax, business management (depending on setup)
Fees (typical)
Stripe commonly uses per-transaction pricing, such as:
- 1.5% + 20p for UK cards
- 2.5% + 20p for EU cards
- 3.25% + 20p for international cards
(plus currency conversion fees where relevant)
3) PayPal
Best for: online shops, service providers, and freelancers who want a familiar checkout option
PayPal is popular because many customers already have PayPal accounts and trust the brand for online purchases.
PayPal features
- PayPal Checkout
- Card payments via invoices and payment links
- Supports multiple currencies (PayPal states support for many currencies—confirm the exact list for your account/region)
- Installment options like “Pay in 3” (availability can vary)
- POS options for in-person selling (depending on region/product)
Fees (typical)
- Card payments: from 1.2% + fixed fee, plus extra for international
- PayPal Checkout: often around 2.9% + fixed fee (varies by transaction type)
4) Worldpay
Best for: small-to-medium UK eCommerce businesses that want a more traditional gateway provider
Worldpay offers payment gateway services and merchant tools for businesses of many sizes.
Worldpay features
- Online payments with website integration
- POS/EPOS options
- Dashboards and reporting
- Tools to support PCI-DSS compliance (varies by plan)
Fees (typical)
Some packages offer pay-as-you-go pricing, e.g. 1.3% + 20p per card payment, with custom pricing for larger businesses.
GoCardless features5) GoCardless
Best for: subscriptions, invoices, and businesses that prefer bank-to-bank payments (often cheaper than cards)
GoCardless is well-known for Direct Debit and bank-based payment collection, especially useful for recurring payments and automated reconciliation.
GoCardless features
- Recurring payments via Direct Debit
- International collections in supported countries
- Bank payment options (including Open Banking options where available)
- Automatic reconciliation with accounting tools
- Integrations (e.g., WooCommerce, Salesforce, Xero, Sage, QuickBooks, and more)
Fees (typical)
- 1% + 20p (UK)
- 2% + 20p (international)
Plans and limits vary, with upgrade options and custom pricing.
6) Adyen
Best for: large businesses with high volume, multiple markets, and complex payment needs
Adyen is a strong enterprise option for companies that want one system for online + in-person payments globally.
Adyen features
- Many global payment methods (cards, wallets, local methods, BNPL, etc.)
- Recurring billing and one-click payments
- POS solutions
- Robust API and reporting
- Currency conversion tools (options vary)
Fees (typical)
Adyen often charges a fixed processing component (e.g., £0.11) plus an additional fee depending on the payment method.
How to choose the right payment system for your business
Use this checklist to narrow your options quickly:
1) Compare total cost (not just the headline fee)
Look at:
- Transaction fees
- International fees and currency conversion
- Chargeback/refund fees
- Monthly charges or add-on costs (invoicing, subscriptions, fraud tools)
2) Make sure it supports your preferred payment methods
If your customers expect PayPal, Apple Pay, Direct Debit, or bank transfer—choose a provider that supports them smoothly.
3) Consider international growth
If you sell globally, prioritise:
- Multi-currency support
- Local payment options
- Transparent FX rates
4) Check integrations
Choose a provider that connects easily with your stack (Shopify/WooCommerce/Wix, Xero/QuickBooks, CRM tools, etc.)
5) Don’t compromise on security
At minimum, look for:
- Encryption + fraud monitoring
- Support for PCI compliance processes (especially if you handle card data directly)
- Strong account security options
Final thoughts
There’s no single “best” online payment provider for every UK business. The right choice depends on your product, where your customers are, how you take payments (one-off vs recurring), and what tools you use day-to-day.
- Want developer-friendly eCommerce payments? Stripe is often a go-to.
- Want a familiar checkout many customers already trust? PayPal helps.
- Want Direct Debit and bank-based recurring payments? GoCardless fits well.
- Want multi-currency and international payment collection options? Wise Business can be worth considering.
- Need enterprise-grade global payments? Adyen is aimed at bigger operations.
Tip: Before choosing, run a small test: calculate fees on 50–100 typical orders (UK + international) and compare the real total cost.