7 Best WooCommerce Payment Gateways: How to Set Up 2025

When you’re running an online store, getting paid is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. The payment gateway you choose can make or break a shopper’s experience. But with so many options out there, how do you pick the right one? This post takes a look at the seven best WooCommerce payment gateways to help you make an informed choice.

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, knowing the pros and cons of each gateway is key. After diving into these top contenders, I’ll also show you how to set up your chosen payment method in WooCommerce. Stick around and by the end, you’ll be good to go.

Why Choosing the Right WooCommerce Payment Gateway Matters

Choosing a payment gateway isn’t just about how you get paid it’s about the entire buyer experience. The right option helps you build trust, reduces friction during checkout, and can even impact your store’s sales abroad.

You don’t want customers bailing at the checkout just because their preferred payment method isn’t available, right? So let’s explore some of the best choices out there.

7 Payment Gateways for WooCommerce Stores

I will walk through seven trusted payment gateway options, including built-in solutions, international giants, and services tailored for niche markets.

WooCommerce Payments: A Native Solution

WooCommerce Payments is a built-in payment gateway option created by WooCommerce itself. This native solution makes integration super smooth since, well, it’s designed to fit like a glove. Here’s what you get with it:

Easy integration: It supports various payment options like debit, credit, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and even cash on delivery.
Global reach: WooCommerce Payments works with over 135 currencies, offering a flexible solution for international stores.
Seamless checkout: Your customers don’t have to leave your site for payments, resulting in fewer abandoned carts.

The downside? Its advanced features like recurring payments or offering loans via Stripe Capital are only available for US-based stores. WooCommerce Payments is free to install, but transaction fees stack up (2.9% + 30¢ per transaction for US cards), so it’s not entirely cost-free.

1. Stripe: The Popular Choice for Flexibility

Stripe	Fees
Per Transaction Costs	2.7% to 2.9% + 5 cents to 30 cents domestic
Monthly Fees	$0
Funding	Standard two business days; Instant Payouts within 30 minutes

Stripe is often the go-to for large and small businesses alike. It’s famous for supporting over 100 payment methods and can handle payments from 195 countries. If you’re working with a global audience, this is one gateway you can count on. Plus, Stripe partners with local banks in 47 countries, often reducing fees and boosting transaction speed depending on where you operate.

The one-click checkout feature is an absolute time-saver for your customers. Stripe stores their card details securely, allowing them to check out faster on future purchases. It’s the kind of smooth experience that brings people back.

However, if you’re new to WooCommerce or not super tech-savvy, Stripe’s API may be a bit intimidating to set up. You might need to hire a developer. Also, some extra services like a custom domain for checkout pages add $10 a month to your bill. Want mobile point-of-sale (POS) functionality? That’ll cost you $249 per setup.

2. Square: Perfect for Blending Online Sales

Square	Fees
Per Transaction Costs	2.6% to 3.5% + 10 cents to 30 cents
Monthly Fees	$0
Funding	Standard next day

If you’re running a retail store with both online and offline transactions, Square might be your best option. Imagine managing your store payments, both in-person and online, from a single dashboard. That’s exactly what Square offers, and it even tracks your inventory across both sales channels.

Square also comes with built-in analytics and reporting, allowing you to study customer behavior and spending habits. For online-only businesses, Square is free to set up, but you still pay standard transaction fees (2.9% + 30¢ per transaction).

For physical store businesses, the equation changes. You’ll need to invest in additional hardware for POS functions, which can be costly. Also, Square’s free toolset is somewhat limited, and its premium plans (starting at $29/month) are required for more advanced features.

3. Authorize.Net: A Secure Option for Businesses

Authorize.Net	All-in-One Option	Payment Gateway Only
Setup Fee	None	None
Monthly Gateway	$25	$25
Transaction Fee	2.9% + 30 cents per transaction	10 cents per transaction, daily batch fee 10 cents
Advanced Fraud Detection Suite (AFDS)	Yes	Yes

Authorize.Net stands out as one of the most security-conscious payment gateways. It’s loaded with advanced fraud detection tools, making it an excellent choice for businesses handling high-risk transactions or sensitive data.

One of the standout features is its customizable fraud filters. You can set up rules for minimum transaction amounts, apply country-specific limits, or restrict the number of transactions that can occur within a set timeframe.

But unlike some other gateways on this list, Authorize.Net doesn’t offer a free option. A monthly $25 fee is your baseline, and it’s mostly useful for US-based businesses. If you’re running an international operation, you might need to look elsewhere.

4. PayPal: The User-Friendly Gateway

Points	PayPal
Keyed Transactions	3.50% plus fixed fee of 15 cents
Swipe/Chip Transaction Fee	2.29% plus 9 cents per transaction (via Zettle)
Invoicing	Yes
Software Integration	WooCommerce, Magento, Wix, BigCommerce, GoDaddy, and more
Customer Service	Live chat, phone support, knowledge base, no blog
International Fees	Additional 1.50% for all commercial transactions plus fixed fee based on currency
Cost for Card Reader	First reader costs $29 ($79 for each additional device)

Whether you’re sending a quick cash transfer to a friend or buying something online, you’ve probably used it. Its simplicity makes it a favorite for sellers and buyers alike. Setting up a PayPal business account is incredibly easy.

You just plug in your email, link your bank account, and give a few business details—you’re good to go. PayPal also offers a buyer protection policy that can give your customers more confidence in their purchase. If something goes wrong, PayPal mediates and can refund the buyer.

PayPal also provides worldwide coverage, supporting 25 currencies in over 200 countries. This makes it especially useful for WooCommerce stores aiming to attract global shoppers. But—there’s always a “but”—PayPal’s fees can pile up quickly, especially for high-volume stores.

International transactions or currency conversions? Those fees add up even faster. Still, PayPal holds a hefty 45% market share, so if you’re selling online and not accepting PayPal, you’re missing out on a large group of potential buyers.

5. Amazon Pay: Seamless Checkout for Amazon Customers

Points	Amazon Pay
Processing rates	2.9% plus 30 cents for web and mobile transactions.Extra 1% for cross-border transactions.
Accepted payment methods	Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Diners Club and JCB).
Compatibility	Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Diners Club, and JCB).
Contract length	No set contract length; you pay per transaction.
Payout timing	Funds usually take 3-5 business days to appear in bank accounts. Those held “in reserve” may take longer.
Customer service	Email, phone and live chat support.

Does most of your customer base shop on Amazon? If so, Amazon Pay just might be the secret weapon your WooCommerce store needs. Imagine letting buyers check out using their Amazon account info—no extra forms or new accounts. Simple, right? That convenience can drive your conversion rates through the roof.

But it’s not for everyone. If you’re not primarily selling in regions where Amazon dominates, you won’t see much of an impact. Plus, Amazon Pay comes with a long list of restricted items you may not be allowed to sell using the platform, so check their guidelines to make sure your product line fits.

6. Apple Pay: Tap into the iPhone Market

Feature	Apple Pay
Compatible devices	iOS devices
Security	Considered to be secure to use
Availability	Wherever the contactless symbol is shown
Available integrations	Integrated with Apple services and devices
Cost	No fee from Apple
Send money to others	Send in the US directly from the Apple Pay app – international transfers must go through a third party like Wise
Earn rewards	Continue to earn rewards with linked payment cardsAccess cash back and extras through Apple and the Apple Card

Fun fact: nearly 30% of smartphone owners in the US use an iPhone. That’s a massive audience, and Apple Pay allows you to tap directly into it. The best part? It turns checkout into a breeze. Your customers can pay with just a tap or a glance on their iPhone or iPad, avoiding the hassle of filling in clunky forms.

Apple Pay uses tokenization, which replaces credit card details with a secure token, making transactions safer and reducing the risk of fraud. Surprisingly, Apple Pay controls 90% of the US digital wallet market but only 9% globally. If your store has a global focus, integrating Apple Pay might not be as impactful unless your customer base is iPhone-heavy.

7. Alipay: A Vital Player in the Asia-Pacific Market

If you’re thinking of expanding into China or the Asia-Pacific, Alipay is a must. With over 1.3 billion active users, it’s the top payment service in China.

Alipay isn’t just a payment gateway in China—it’s fully integrated into daily life. People use it for everything, from booking taxis to ordering food or paying bills. For Chinese consumers, being able to pay through Alipay is practically a necessity.

However, Alipay comes with one considerable downside: It isn’t FDIC-insured. In other words, if Alipay were to shut down unexpectedly, any stored funds could be lost. Despite this, Alipay’s massive market share still makes it a top choice for businesses that want to reach Asia-Pacific buyers.

Set Up a Payment Method in WooCommerce

Now that you’ve got a rundown of the top WooCommerce payment gateways, let’s walk through how to set one up on your store.

Step 1: Sign Up for Hostinger WooCommerce Hosting

The first step is creating a WooCommerce store. Go to the Hostinger WooCommerce Hosting page and choose the right plan for you. I recommend grabbing the 48-month plan—the best value for your monthly spending.

On the next screen, either log into your existing Hostinger account or sign up with Google. Don’t forget to pop in the “ANSWER” coupon code for 10% off before finishing your payment.

Step 2: Set Up Your WooCommerce Store

Follow the on-screen instructions to get your WooCommerce store up and running. Once your store is ready, it’s time to access your WordPress dashboard. You can find this via Hostinger’s hPanel—locate your plan and click Admin Panel.

Step 3: Configure Your Payment Methods

From the WordPress dashboard, go to Hostinger > Onboarding, then click Set Up an Online Store. You’ll be directed to settings where you can add payment methods. Hostinger will even suggest payment gateways based on your location.

Pick the one you want to install. For this tutorial, I’ll use PayPal as an example. Click Add Plugin to install it.

Step 4: Enable Your Payment Gateway

Once installed, go to WooCommerce settings, then open the Payments tab. You’ll see PayPal listed here. Hit the toggle button to enable it, then follow the prompts to connect your PayPal account. And that’s it–you’re all set!

Conclusion

Choosing the right WooCommerce payment gateway is crucial for your business, as it doesn’t just affect how you get paid but also your customers’ entire shopping experience. Whether you opt for the ease of PayPal, the flexibility of Stripe, or a region-specific option like Alipay, your payment gateway should align with your audience’s needs. So, which is your favorite payment gateway, and why? Let me know in the comments!