I Tried 15 WooCommerce Gateways & These 6 Are the Best

Picking the right payment solution can really impact your online store’s bottom line – affecting everything from conversion rates to transaction fees. 💵

What many people don’t realize is that the best payment gateway isn’t always the most popular one.

Through testing different solutions and monitoring their performance across stores, I’ve identified which gateways consistently deliver better results for different types of businesses.

In this guide, I’ll share the best WooCommerce payment gateways. These insights come from hands-on experience helping stores process millions, and not just skimming feature lists.

My Verdict: The Best WooCommerce Payment Gateways

In a hurry? Here’s a quick overview of the best WooCommerce payment gateways compared:

#	Gateways	Best For	Transaction Fee
🥇	Stripe	Businesses that want a feature-rich, on-site checkout experience with lots of control	2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
🥈	PayPal	Businesses that want a trusted brand name that many customers already use, prioritizing ease of use for existing PayPal users	2.99% + a fixed fee (depending on location)
🥉	Square	WooCommerce stores with physical locations	2.9% + 30¢ for online sales
4	Authorize.net	Selling subscriptions with WooCommerce	2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
5	WooPayments	Beginners on a budget	2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
6	Afterpay	Accepting payments in installments.	4-6% per transaction

What Is a WooCommerce Payment Gateway?

If you are running a WooCommerce store, then you will need a way to securely accept payments. That’s where payment gateways come in.

A payment gateway is a service that processes credit card and digital payments on your site. It acts as a bridge between your customer’s payment method and your bank account.

How to Choose the Right WooCommerce Payment Gateway

The best WooCommerce payment gateway depends on your business model, target audience, and the type of checkout experience you want to create.

Here are a few things I recommend considering before choosing a payment gateway:

• Transaction Fees: Compare processing fees, monthly costs, and international payment charges.
• Supported Countries and Currencies: Make sure the gateway supports the regions where your customers are located.
• Checkout Experience: Some gateways keep customers on your website during checkout, while others redirect users to an external page.
• Recurring Payments: If you sell subscriptions or memberships, then make sure the gateway supports automatic recurring billing.
• WooCommerce Integration: Choose a gateway that works smoothly with WooCommerce and is regularly updated.
• Security Features: Look for PCI compliance, fraud protection, and secure payment processing.

What to Look for in a Secure WooCommerce Payment Gateway

Security should always be one of the top factors when choosing a WooCommerce payment gateway. Customers need to trust that their payment information is protected during checkout.

Here are some important security features to look for:

• PCI DSS Compliance: This helps ensure the gateway follows industry standards for handling payment data securely.
• SSL Encryption: Secure checkout pages protect customer information while payments are being processed.
• Fraud Protection Tools: Many gateways include built-in fraud detection, suspicious activity monitoring, and chargeback protection.
• Tokenized Payments: Some payment gateways securely store payment details using tokenization instead of saving sensitive card data directly on your site.
• 3D Secure Authentication: Features like Verified by Visa and Mastercard Identity Check add another layer of payment verification.

Popular payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, and Square already include many of these security features by default.

How I Test And Review WooCommerce Payment Gateways

Not all payment gateways have the same policies, processing rates, and features, so it’s important to choose carefully. Don’t worry, though—I’ve done the research for you.

When I recommend a WooCommerce payment gateway, I don’t just look at flashy features. I have tested how each solution performs in real-world scenarios to ensure it is reliable, secure, and beginner-friendly.

Here are the criteria that I focused on when testing each payment gateway:

• Ease of Use: I checked how easy it is to set up and use each gateway, from connecting it to WooCommerce to customizing the checkout experience.
• Global Availability: I looked at whether the gateway supports multiple countries and currencies. This will be a critical feature if you plan to sell internationally.
• Transaction Fees: I compared all the costs involved, including per-transaction fees, monthly charges, and any hidden costs, so you know what you’re signing up for.
• Processing Time: Getting paid fast matters. I tested how quickly the gateways transfer funds to your account after a customer completes their purchase.
• Security: I only recommend gateways that meet strong security standards, including PCI compliance, encryption, and built-in fraud protection.
• Customer Support: If something breaks, I want to know you will have help. That’s why I checked the support options and tested how responsive and helpful their team is.
• WooCommerce Compatibility: Some gateways just work better with WooCommerce than others. I tested how smoothly each one integrates, including plugin compatibility, updates, and overall performance.

Why Trust WPBeginner?

At WPBeginner, my teammates and I have spent years testing dozens of payment gateways to help our partner brands run successful online stores.

From small businesses to large eCommerce sites, I’ve seen firsthand what works and what doesn’t when it comes to accepting payments.

While many of our partners rely on Stripe and PayPal because of their global reach and top-notch security, we’ve also tested other solutions to find options for different needs.

In this article, I am going to recommend tools I have personally tested and trust. To learn more, see our editorial process.

Having said that, let’s take a look at the best WooCommerce payment gateways.

1. Stripe

✅ Stripe Pros	✅ Supports a wide range of payment methods, including credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, ACH bank transfers, and local payments ✅ Keeps customers on your site during checkout for a smoother user experience ✅ Fully supports recurring payments for subscriptions and memberships ✅ Fast payment processing with excellent uptime and quick payouts ✅ PCI-compliant with advanced fraud detection and top-tier security
❌ Stripe Cons	❌ Not available in as many countries as PayPal ❌ Extra fees for international cards and currency conversions
Transaction Fees	2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
Best For	Businesses that want a secure, flexible, and beginner-friendly payment gateway that integrates seamlessly with WooCommerce

Stripe is the best WooCommerce payment gateway on the market.

Several of WPBeginner’s partner brands have been using it across their eCommerce stores because of its security, reliability, and ease of use.

Whether I’m launching a new store or scaling an existing one, Stripe is always my first choice, and I recommend it to most of our readers as well.

My Experience

One of the main reasons I prefer Stripe is how easy it is to set up with WooCommerce.

I didn’t need any coding knowledge or complex setup. The official WooCommerce Stripe addon made it simple to connect my store and start accepting payments in just a few clicks.

I’ve also used the free Stripe Payment Gateway for WooCommerce plugin, and I really like it. It comes with a helpful onboarding wizard, plus features like express checkout with Google Pay and Apple Pay.

When it comes to fees, Stripe charges the standard 2.9% + 30¢ per successful U.S. transaction.

There are extra fees for international cards and currency conversions, but in my experience, the pricing is clear and fair for what you get.

Stripe has also worked really well for selling to a global audience. It’s available in over 46 countries and supports more than 135 currencies, which makes it a great option if you want to expand beyond your local market.

Security is another big reason I trust Stripe. It’s PCI-compliant, includes strong fraud protection, and stays updated with the latest security standards.

Overall, I’ve found Stripe to be a powerful, secure, and beginner-friendly option for accepting payments in WooCommerce.

To get started, see our tutorial on how to accept Stripe payments in WordPress.

Why I recommend Stripe: If you are looking for a powerful, secure, and beginner-friendly payment gateway that easily integrates with WooCommerce, then I recommend Stripe.

2. PayPal

✅ PayPal Pros	✅ Easy to set up using the official WooCommerce PayPal extension ✅ Accepts credit cards, bank transfers, and PayPal balances ✅ Available in 200+ countries and supports 25+ currencies ✅ Offers recurring payments and subscriptions support ✅ Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of account security
❌ PayPal Cons	❌ Requires a PayPal Business account to use with WooCommerce ❌ Doesn’t offer a fully on-site checkout experience
Transaction Fees	2.99% + a fixed fee (depending on location)
Best For	Stores that want a globally recognized, secure, and beginner-friendly payment gateway trusted by millions of online shoppers

PayPal is one of the oldest and most trusted payment services in the world, and it’s also one of the most popular options for online stores.

It’s a great option if you want to offer a convenient option for existing PayPal users.

My Experience

One of the main reasons I use PayPal is how easy it is to set up with WooCommerce.

I didn’t need any complex configuration. The built-in WooCommerce PayPal extension made it simple to connect my store and start accepting payments right away.

I’ve also seen our partner brands use PayPal across their online stores because many sell to customers worldwide.

In my experience, offering PayPal at checkout helps increase conversions because many customers already trust and prefer using it.

When it comes to fees, PayPal charges around 2.99% plus a fixed fee per transaction in the U.S.

There are additional charges for international payments and currency conversions, but in my experience, the pricing is fairly standard for a global payment gateway.

PayPal has also worked really well for reaching a global audience. It’s available in over 200 countries and regions and supports 25+ currencies, which makes it a strong option for international stores.

I also love that PayPal takes its security measures seriously. It uses advanced encryption, is PCI-compliant, and includes buyer and seller protection to keep transactions safe.

PayPal is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a reliable, secure, and globally accepted payment gateway for WooCommerce.

For even more information, check out our comparison of Stripe vs. PayPal: which is better.

Why I recommend PayPal: PayPal is a solid choice if you are looking for a globally available and trusted payment processor for your WooCommerce store.

3. Square

✅ Square Pros	✅ Includes a complete Point of Sale (POS) system for in-person transactions ✅ Automatically syncs inventory between your WooCommerce store and physical location ✅ Supports all major credit/debit cards plus Apple Pay and Google Pay ✅ Accepts EMV chip and contactless payments for modern checkout experiences ✅ Offers detailed sales reports, customer insights, and performance trends
❌ Square Cons	❌ Requires separate accounts for each country when selling internationally
Transaction Fees	2.9% + 30¢ per online transaction (2.6% + 10¢ for in-person payments)
Best For	Store owners who sell both online and in person and want to keep all payments, inventory, and sales data synced in one place

If you run a WooCommerce store with a physical location, then Square is one of the best payment gateways you can use.

I’ve recommended it to store owners who have both online shops and brick-and-mortar stores, and it’s worked really well for managing all their payments in one place.

What makes Square unique is that it doesn’t just handle online payments. It also gives you a complete Point of Sale (POS) system.

That means you can process in-person payments using the same platform that powers your WooCommerce store.

My Experience

To thoroughly test Square, I connected it with WooCommerce across a few different setups, including both online stores and test POS workflows.

I found the official WooCommerce Square extension very easy to install and configure. It didn’t require any complex steps, and I was able to link everything quickly without needing technical help.

Once it was running, the inventory synced automatically between WooCommerce and Square POS. It kept stock levels consistent in real time, which removed the need for manual updates.

Square also handled all major credit and debit cards smoothly, along with mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay, which many customers now expect by default.

When testing in-person payments, I liked that Square supported EMV chip cards and contactless payments. It made the checkout experience feel fast and modern for physical store use.

However, one limitation I noticed is that Square requires separate accounts for each country if you plan to sell internationally. This can add some extra setup work compared to more globally unified payment systems.

Overall, it’s a strong option for store owners who want to manage both online and in-person payments from a single system.

If you want to try it yourself, follow our step-by-step guide on how to integrating Square payments in WordPress.

Why I recommend Square: To accept payments for your online and physical store using a single payment processor, I recommend Square.

4. Authorize.net

✅ Authorize.net Pros	✅ Supports credit/debit cards and mobile payments directly on your WooCommerce site ✅ Includes advanced fraud detection tools like AVS and CAPTCHA ✅ Handles PCI compliance and uses tokenization for secure transactions ✅ Let customers securely save payment details for faster future checkouts ✅ Offers detailed analytics, transaction history, and reporting tools
❌ Authorize.net Cons	❌ Charges a $25 monthly fee, which can add up for small businesses ❌ Slightly more complex setup process for beginners
Transaction Fees	2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
Best For	WooCommerce stores selling subscriptions, online courses, or membership products that need advanced fraud protection and flexible payment control

Authorize.net is a reliable payment gateway that’s been around for decades. It has built a solid reputation for supporting businesses of all sizes, from small startups to enterprise-level eCommerce brands.

I have recommended Authorize.net to many store owners who want more control over payments, better fraud protection, and a seamless checkout experience.

My Experience

I started by testing Authorize.net using its official WooCommerce extension, and I found the setup fairly straightforward for a payment gateway with this level of functionality.

Once connected, it allowed customers to pay directly at the store using credit or debit cards, without being redirected to an external page.

This helps keep the checkout process smooth and more trustworthy.

Payments are processed securely in the background through Authorize.net’s servers, which adds an extra layer of reliability and can help reduce cart abandonment.

One feature I really liked is its support for WooCommerce Subscriptions. It works well for recurring payments like memberships, subscription boxes, or online courses, making it a strong option for subscription-based businesses.

Customers can also save their payment details securely, which makes repeat purchases much faster and improves the overall shopping experience.

However, there are a couple of downsides to keep in mind. It includes a $25 monthly fee, which may not be ideal for smaller businesses.

I also found the setup slightly more complex compared to simpler options like Stripe or PayPal.

Why I recommend Authorize.net: If you plan to sell subscriptions or online courses with WooCommerce, then Authorize.net is a great option.

5. WooPayments

✅ WooPayments Pros	✅ Supports 135+ currencies ✅ Accept contactless in-person payments directly from the WooCommerce Mobile App ✅ Includes strong security features such as 3D Secure, Card Account Updater, and Adaptive Acceptance ✅ Flexible payout schedules — choose daily, weekly, monthly, or on-demand payments ✅ Seamless integration with WooCommerce
❌ WooPayments Cons	❌ Lacks some advanced features available in platforms like Stripe ❌ Not ideal for managing large-scale WooCommerce stores
Transaction Fees	2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for U.S. cards (rates vary by country)
Best For	New or small WooCommerce store owners who want a simple, beginner-friendly payment solution built directly into WooCommerce

WooPayments is a payment solution provided by the people behind WooCommerce.

It offers a smooth WordPress checkout experience that is often more streamlined than that of other non-integrated payment gateways.

My Experience

I’ve seen many new store owners use WooPayments, and I’ve also tested it myself on a few WooCommerce setups.

What stood out to me right away is how simple it is to get started since it’s already built into WooCommerce with no extra accounts or complicated setup.

I liked that I could manage everything directly from the WordPress dashboard. Payments, refunds, and deposits are all in one place, which keeps things very beginner-friendly and easy to control.

When it comes to fees, I found WooPayments fairly standard. It charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for U.S.-issued cards, which is in line with other popular payment processors.

For international cards, there’s usually an extra fee of around +1%, which is worth keeping in mind if you plan to sell globally.

I also checked its availability for different regions. WooPayments currently works in 38 countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and much of the EU.

That said, I did notice a couple of limitations during use.

It doesn’t offer some of the more advanced features you get with platforms like Stripe, and it may not be the best choice if you’re running a large or complex WooCommerce store.

Why I recommend WooPayments: If you are just starting your WooCommerce store and looking for a simple solution, then I recommend WooPayments.

6. Afterpay

✅ Afterpay Pros	✅ Offers “Buy Now, Pay Later” payments with four interest-free installments ✅ Works seamlessly with both online and physical retail stores ✅ Allows customers to reschedule payments for added convenience ✅ Supports contactless payments through the Afterpay Card via Apple Pay and Google Pay ✅ Can help boost sales by making premium products more accessible to shoppers
❌ Afterpay Cons	❌ Higher transaction fees (around 4–6% + a small fixed fee per order) ❌ Not ideal for stores that don’t sell high-value or premium products
Transaction Fees	Starts at approximately 4–6% + a small fixed fee per transaction
Best For	WooCommerce stores that want to offer flexible installment payment options to customers buying premium or higher-priced products

If you want to increase conversions and average order value for higher-priced items, then Afterpay is a great addition to your WooCommerce store.

It allows customers to buy now and pay later in four interest-free installments, which has become a popular payment method, especially among younger shoppers.

I’ve recommended Afterpay to several store owners who sell fashion, electronics, wellness products, and home goods.

By simply offering customers more flexible payment options at checkout, they’ve seen an uplift in sales.

My Experience

I tested Afterpay using the official WooCommerce extension, and I found the integration to be very smooth and straightforward.

Once set up, the option appears directly on the product and checkout pages, which makes it easy for customers to select the “Pay in 4” plan without being redirected anywhere else.

I also looked into its availability, and Afterpay is currently supported in key markets like the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.

This makes it a strong option if your store serves customers in those regions.

That said, there are a couple of drawbacks to keep in mind. It comes with higher transaction fees, usually around 4–6% plus a small fixed fee per order, which can add up over time.

I also don’t think it’s the best fit for stores that don’t sell higher-value or premium products, since the benefits are more noticeable when order sizes are larger.

Why I recommend Afterpay: If you want to accept installment payments on your WooCommerce store, then Afterpay is a great solution.

Which Is the Best WooCommerce Payment Gateway?

The best WooCommerce payment gateway is the one that offers the lowest transaction fees, is available in your target region, and offers a better user experience for your customers.

Considering these factors, I would recommend Stripe as the best payment gateway for WooCommerce. It provides a good checkout experience and a competitive transaction rate.

It is also available in many countries and supports 135 currencies. This helps you optimize your customer journey all across the globe to boost conversion rates and profits.

However, if you are looking for a globally recognized and trusted solution, then PayPal is the better choice. It is secure, reliable, and beginner-friendly.

On the other hand, I would recommend Square if you have a physical and online store and want a single POS system for it.

Similarly, WooPayments is a great option for beginners on a budget.

Frequently Asked Questions About Payment Gateways

Here are some questions that are frequently asked by our readers about WooCommerce payment gateways.

Stripe vs PayPal vs Square: which is best for WooCommerce?

Stripe, PayPal, and Square are three of the most popular WooCommerce payment gateways, but each one works best for different types of stores.

Here is a quick comparision to help you decide:

Gateway	Best For	Checkout Type	Recurring Payments	Global Availability
Stripe	Flexible online stores	On-site	Yes	46+ countries
PayPal	Trusted global payments	Off-site / Popup	Yes	200+ countries
Square	Physical + online stores	On-site	Limited	Region-limited

If you run a standard online WooCommerce store, then I recommend Stripe for its flexibility, ease of use, and seamless WooCommerce integration.

Can I use multiple payment gateways in my WooCommerce store?

Yes, you can use multiple payment gateways in your online store. WooCommerce makes it easy to offer different payment options so your customers can choose the one they are most comfortable with.

For example, you can accept credit cards with Stripe, let customers pay using PayPal, offer buy now, pay later options like Afterpay, and even accept bank transfers or cash on delivery.

You can enable and manage all of these right from your WooCommerce settings without any special coding. For step-by-step instructions, see our tutorial on how to allow users to choose a payment method in WordPress.

How do I test a payment gateway before going live?

Most WooCommerce payment gateways offer a test mode that lets you simulate transactions without processing real money. This is a safe way to make sure your checkout process is working correctly before your store goes live.

You can test everything from placing orders and verifying payment confirmations to checking email notifications and order statuses.

For example, Stripe provides an easy-to-use test environment where you can use special test card numbers to place orders.

In WooCommerce, all you need to do is enable test mode under the Stripe settings and use the test API keys from your Stripe dashboard.

This way, you can confidently check if everything functions as expected without any actual charges being made. For more information, see our guide on how to test Stripe payments in WordPress.

What is the difference between on-site and off-site payments?

The main difference between on-site and off-site payments is where the payment is completed during checkout.

With on-site payment gateways, the entire transaction happens directly on your website. This means the customer enters their payment details right on your checkout page, and the payment is processed without ever leaving your site.

Gateways like Stripe, WooPayments, and Authorize.net are good examples of this.

On the other hand, off-site payment gateways redirect customers to a third-party platform (like PayPal or Afterpay) to complete the payment. Once the transaction is done, the customer is brought back to your store.

What is the default payment gateway in WooCommerce?

WooCommerce does not automatically enable a payment gateway for your store. During the setup process, it usually recommends WooPayments as the default option because it is built specifically for WooCommerce.

However, you are free to choose any payment gateway you want, including Stripe, PayPal, Square, or others.

Related Guides for WooCommerce Stores

Looking to go beyond just accepting payments?

These guides cover everything from improving checkout experiences to boosting conversions and managing payment-related tasks in your WooCommerce store:

• How to Optimize the Customer Journey for WooCommerce Stores
• How to Set Up Installment Payments in WooCommerce
• Ways to Recover WooCommerce Abandoned Cart Sales
• How to Limit Purchase Quantity in WordPress (Step by Step)
• How to Add Trust Badges to Checkout Pages in WordPress (& Boost Sales)
• Ways to Increase WooCommerce Sales (Actionable Tips)
• How to Reduce Stripe Transaction Fees in WordPress (Expert Tips)
• How to Create Invoices for Clients Using WordPress

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