With the rise of eCommerce sales, the payment gateway market is thriving. By 2030, it’s projected to reach $106.4 billion USD, reflecting a massive growth in online payment solutions. As businesses expand globally, integrating payment gateways that support international transactions is crucial. These systems securely handle customer payments, ensuring smooth and reliable transactions across borders. 

The variety of payment gateways available today can make it difficult to choose the right one. Each provider offers different features, pricing, and support for various currencies and countries. Whether you’re looking for the best payment gateway for your business or seeking to streamline your online payment solutions, this guide will help you navigate the options. 

Top International Payment Gateway Providers 

Here’s a list of some of the top payment gateways that businesses can consider for international transactions: 

Stripe 

Stripe is widely recognized as one of the best payment gateway providers, offering extensive support for businesses operating internationally. It supports 135+ currencies and 50+ payment methods, making it an excellent choice for global operations. Stripe’s payment gateway integration is seamless with most online store platforms, and its high standards of security and compliance make it a trustworthy option for businesses looking for secure payment processing. Stripe uses a low transaction fee payment gateway model, charging a standard fee of 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction, with additional fees for currency conversion. 

PayPal 

As one of the leading players in the payment processing industry, PayPal offers a robust payment gateway with global reach. With availability in 202 countries and support for 25 currencies, PayPal provides flexible online payment solutions for businesses of all sizes. PayPal offers both free and paid versions of their gateway, allowing for payment gateway integration in a way that suits the needs of your business. Its secure payment processing features help protect both merchants and customers, making it a reliable choice for international transactions. 

Square 

Square offers a payment gateway solution that stands out for its comprehensive approach to both online and in-person payments. While it doesn’t provide a standalone payment gateway, Square’s end-to-end solution includes point-of-sale (POS) terminals and the ability to accept a variety of payment methods. Although Square does not provide currency conversion, it remains a reliable choice for businesses operating in specific countries, such as the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Square’s low transaction fee payment gateways are also attractive to small businesses. 

FIS Global 

FIS Global (formerly Worldpay) offers a robust payment gateway that supports over 126 currencies and 300 alternative payment methods. Known for its secure payment processing features, FIS Global’s platform can help businesses streamline the checkout process, ensuring that customers from various countries can make payments seamlessly. Their payment gateway integration works across different platforms, making it an adaptable option for international businesses. 

Adyen 

Adyen is a globally recognized payment gateway that simplifies the international payment process. It supports dynamic currency conversion and 36 different currencies, allowing international customers to pay in their own currency. Known for secure payment processing, Adyen ensures that transactions are compliant with PCI standards and protected against fraud. Its payment gateway integration is straightforward, making it easy for businesses to accept global payments. 

2Checkout 

2Checkout offers a global payment solution that is well-suited for businesses with international customers. With support for over 100 currencies and 45+ local payment methods, it’s a versatile payment gateway for international transactions. The platform’s low transaction fee payment gateway model is appealing, with pricing based on the subscription plan chosen. 2Checkout’s payment gateway integration is designed for quick implementation, making it a strong contender for businesses seeking efficient online payment solutions. 

Braintree 

Braintree, a subsidiary of PayPal, offers a comprehensive payment processing solution with global reach. It supports over 130 currencies and works seamlessly with major credit cards and digital wallets. Braintree’s secure payment processing and strong fraud protection make it a trustworthy solution for international transactions. Its payment gateway integration allows businesses to easily accept payments across a wide range of payment methods, including mobile wallets like Venmo and Apple Pay. 

Checkout.com 

Checkout.com is a global payment gateway provider that supports over 150 currencies and local payment methods. It’s known for its secure payment processing and transparency in pricing. With a strong focus on fraud protection and reporting, Checkout.com ensures that businesses can safely process payments from international customers. Its payment gateway integration is easy to implement, and it offers online payment solutions that cater to global businesses. 

Sage Pay 

Sage Pay is an all-in-one payment solution that caters to both large enterprises and small businesses. It supports a wide range of currencies and payment methods, making it a suitable choice for international businesses. Sage Pay’s secure payment processing and multi-currency support enable seamless transactions across borders. However, its pricing plans vary, and the transaction fees are not publicly listed, so businesses should inquire directly for a detailed quote. 

Amazon Pay 

Amazon Pay allows businesses to accept payments through customers’ Amazon accounts, providing a familiar and trusted checkout experience. With support for 12 currencies and available in 18 countries, Amazon Pay offers strong fraud protection and secure payment processing features. It also simplifies payment gateway integration with its omnichannel API, making it easy to connect with your online store. For businesses operating globally, Amazon Pay’s low transaction fee payment gateways and cross-border processing fees make it a convenient option. 

How to Choose Payment Gateways International Transactions 

When selecting the best payment gateway for your international transactions, several factors come into play: 

  1. Multi-currency Support and Local Payment Methods: Ensure your chosen provider supports multiple currencies and local payment options for global customers. 
  1. Ease of Integration: Choose a payment gateway that integrates seamlessly with your online store and other business systems. 
  1. Security: Look for secure payment processing features like PCI compliance and fraud protection to safeguard both your business and your customers. 
  1. Pricing: Compare transaction fees, currency conversion fees, and hidden charges across different providers. Some providers may charge higher fees for cross-border payments or offer discounts based on volume. 

Conclusion 

Choosing the right payment gateway for international transactions is essential to your business’s global expansion. The ideal solution should offer multi-currency support, seamless payment gateway integration, and secure payment processing. Businesses can benefit from using platforms like UniBee that offer integrated solutions tailored to both the needs of merchants and their customers, helping streamline international transactions at low costs. 

You can also read about payment gateway optimization methods to help you boost your checkout conversions and enhance security.  

What is the difference between a payment gateway and a payment processor? 

A payment gateway is a tool that authorizes and processes payment transactions between your customer and merchant. A payment processor handles the actual transaction flow between your bank and the customer’s card-issuing bank. 

Can I use multiple payment gateways on my website? 

Yes, you can integrate multiple payment gateways to give customers more options for completing transactions, but it’s important to ensure seamless integration to avoid complications with payment processing. 

How can I reduce transaction fees with payment gateways? 

To reduce transaction fees, look for low transaction fee payment gateways that offer volume discounts, or consider negotiating a custom pricing plan with your provider based on your sales volume. 

Are there payment gateways specifically for digital goods? 

Yes, certain payment gateways, such as online payment solutions designed for digital goods, offer features like recurring billing and fraud protection tailored to businesses selling software, eBooks, or digital subscriptions. 

How long does it take for international payments to be processed?

The processing time for international payments can vary depending on the payment gateway and the countries involved, but typically it can take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of days to complete the transaction.