ACI Worldwide is one of the most established and widely used merchant service providers in the UK, offering a range of solutions for accepting card payments both in-store and online.
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Compare the Best Payment Providers in the UK
Find the best payment provider for the size of your business.
From agile payment solutions for startups to enterprise-grade platforms built for scale, we've grouped providers by business size to help you compare features, support, pricing, and integration options with confidence. Choose the category that matches your business stage and discover the best options for your growth.
Best for Startups Easy onboarding, no contracts, and flat-rate pricing with a fixed fee. Ideal for freelancers and new businesses getting started. Supports multiple online payment methods and alternative payment methods.
Best for Small Businesses Affordable and simple setup with UK-based support. Great for local shops, tradespeople, and small offices. Supports local payment methods, mobile payments, and POS systems, helping you sell online effortlessly.
Best for Mid-Sized Businesses Scalable payment solutions with advanced features that remain accessible. Suitable for growing teams and moderate transaction volumes, offering detailed data analytics, fraud prevention tools, and seamless e-commerce checkout integration.
Best for Enterprise-Level Businesses Powerful, customisable platforms with robust infrastructure. Designed for high-volume merchants and national or multi-site businesses, supporting complex payment processes, global payments, and multi-currency merchant accounts.
Acquired.com provides custom payment solutions for fintechs, lenders, and subscription platforms. It offers Open Banking, gateway services, and full UK regulatory compliance.
Adyen is a global payment platform offering unified in-store and online payments, ideal for scaling UK businesses. It combines direct acquiring, fraud protection, and developer friendly APIs.
Bambora, now part of Worldline, delivers simple, reliable card payment tools for SMEs and ecommerce. It’s backed by European-scale infrastructure and quick UK onboarding.
Barclaycard offers trusted UK merchant services including terminals, online payments, and full merchant accounts. It’s ideal for businesses seeking support from a major UK bank.
Cardstream is an excellent choice for businesses that want to own the payment relationship, whether you're launching an ISO, building an embedded finance product, or offering payments within your SaaS.
Cashflows offers end to end card processing, gateway services, and embedded finance tools. With fast onboarding and strong developer tools, it's a smart choice for platforms and mid sized merchants looking for flexible, bank free solutions.
Corefy is a payment orchestration platform built for enterprises, fintechs, and platforms that need to manage multiple payment providers, acquirers, and methods at scale. It’s ideal for UK businesses handling high volumes, cross-border payments, or embedded finance.
Crypto payment gateways let UK businesses accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets as payment instantly and globally.
Dojo delivers fast, stylish card machines and same day settlement for UK businesses. Backed by Paymentsense, it’s one of the fastest-growing merchant service providers in the UK retail and hospitality sectors.
Elavon is a market leading acquirer in the UK, offering card machines, online gateways, and comprehensive payment services. Ideal for hospitality, retail, and multi-site merchants seeking consistent quality and global reach.
EVO Payments is a global card payment processor serving UK businesses with reliable, scalable solutions. With fast terminals, ecommerce tools, and B2B payment services, EVO offers a strong alternative to traditional acquirers.
Fiserv is a global leader in merchant acquiring and card payment solutions. With Clover and Carat, it delivers scalable terminal, ecommerce and B2B payment tools for UK businesses.
Global Payments serves over 4 million merchants worldwide with EPOS, ecommerce, and gateway services. For UK businesses, it offers scalable terminals, cloud POS, and developer-friendly APIs ideal for omnichannel growth.
GoCardless helps UK businesses collect recurring payments via Direct Debit, offering automation, integration, and cost-effective billing, perfect for SaaS, subscriptions, and professional services.
Handepay specialises in affordable merchant services for small businesses. With no hidden fees, fast card machines, and dedicated UK support, it’s a go to option for startups and sole traders.
Klarna is more than just Buy Now Pay Later, it offers full checkout, instalments, and flexible payment options to help UK ecommerce businesses increase conversions and average order values.
Lloyds Cardnet offers trusted merchant services backed by one of the UK’s biggest banks. With card machines, online payments, and fast settlement, it’s ideal for growing businesses seeking dependable support.
Mollie helps UK ecommerce and SaaS businesses accept payments online with fast setup, clear pricing, and built-in support for cards, wallets, and local methods.
Nexi is a top tier European payment processor supporting UK businesses with acquiring, POS, ecommerce, and platform integration solutions, ideal for mid sized and enterprise organisations.
NMI Network Merchant Inc provides the behind the scenes infrastructure powering payment acceptance for thousands of platforms. Ideal for SaaS, ISVs, and payment facilitators.
Nochex is a long standing UK payments company specialising in simple, secure card payments for small businesses, charities, and event organisers
NomuPay supports UK businesses with seamless card and alternative payments across Europe and Asia, offering one unified platform for multi region ecommerce growth.
Nuvei combines global reach with local support, helping UK businesses grow online with card processing, APMs, fraud prevention, and enterprise grade APIs.
Opayo is one of the UK’s most established payment gateways. With online, phone, and card machine payments backed by Elavon, it’s a secure and scalable solution for UK businesses.
Paymentsense is one of the UK’s largest merchant service providers, helping over 70,000 small businesses take card payments in-store and online with speed and simplicity.
PayPal helps UK businesses of all sizes accept card payments, digital wallets, and PayPal balances, with seamless checkout options and a global user base.
PayPoint enables UK businesses and public service providers to collect payments and deliver services in-store through a trusted network of convenience retailers and independent outlets.
Paysafe helps UK businesses accept payments through cards, e-wallets, and local methods, with custom solutions for ecommerce, gambling, and fintech sectors.
Payzone offers card payment solutions and over the counter bill payment services, supporting UK convenience stores, local shops, and essential service sectors.
Rapyd is an all in one fintech solution offering global acquiring, alternative payments, and embedded wallet services to power cross border commerce and payouts.
Retail Merchant Services (RMS) provides card machines, merchant accounts, and online payments for UK SMEs, with straightforward pricing and fast onboarding.
Revolut Business offers UK companies smart financial tools, including banking, card payments, FX, and subscriptions, all managed from one simple app.
Secure Trading offers a secure, adaptable payment gateway with full merchant account services, ideal for UK ecommerce businesses and regulated sectors.
Shopify Payments allows you to process card payments directly within your store, no third party gateway needed and no extra transaction fees.
Square provides simple, affordable payment tools including card readers, POS, and ecommerce features, ideal for UK sole traders, salons, and food businesses.
Stripe is the go to platform for UK businesses building online payment flows, from ecommerce and SaaS to marketplaces and mobile apps.
SumUp makes card acceptance easy with portable readers, app based checkout, and online payment tools, all without contracts or monthly fees.
TakePayments provides UK businesses with tailored payment packages, face to face support, and flexible contracts, ideal for hospitality, retail, and trades.
Trust Payments offers secure, scalable payment processing and industry specific solutions, ideal for regulated sectors and high growth UK businesses.
Tyl by NatWest helps UK businesses take payments quickly and securely, backed by NatWest’s infrastructure, in-person support, and fast onboarding.
Verifone delivers secure, scalable payment technology to UK retailers, hospitality venues, and fuel operators with intelligent terminals and omnichannel platforms.
Worldpay offers secure, scalable card payment services for UK businesses, from card machines to online checkout, backed by 24/7 support.
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Explore and Compare Top Card Payment Providers for Your Business
Discover the best payment providers tailored to your business size and needs. From agile online payment solutions for startups to enterprise-grade payment service providers built for scale, this guide helps UK businesses compare features, support, pricing, and integration options confidently. Whether you’re looking to accept payments online, in person, or both, find the best payment gateway providers and merchant payment providers to grow your business.
Our unique and free service at Compare Card Fees will help you find the right payment provider and minimise your card processing costs, including transaction fees, fixed fees, and monthly fees. Simply contact us to get started.
Why Choosing the Right Payment Provider Matters
Selecting the best payment solution is crucial for any business aiming to streamline the payment process, reduce transaction fees, and enhance customer satisfaction. Payment providers enable businesses to accept multiple payment methods, including card payments, bank transfers, and digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and WeChat Pay. Offering local payment methods and supporting preferred currencies ensures you cater to diverse customer preferences, boosting conversion rates and encouraging returning customers.
A reliable payment service provider also helps reduce costs by providing transparent pricing with fixed fees or monthly fees and offering dedicated merchant accounts for secure and efficient payment processing. Integrating with your ecommerce platform and using client and server libraries simplifies setup and saves time, allowing you to focus on growing your business and selling online.
Best Payment Providers for Startups
Startups benefit from payment solutions that offer easy onboarding, no contracts, and flat-rate pricing with a fixed fee. These providers support multiple online payment methods and alternative payment methods to accommodate various customer preferences.
Stripe: Developer-friendly with powerful APIs, client and server libraries, and support for recurring payments. Seamless integration with popular ecommerce platforms and support for multiple currencies make it ideal for startups looking to scale.
PayPal: Globally recognised, easy to set up, supports payment links, multiple currencies, and alternative payment methods. Ideal for startups expanding internationally and those looking for a trusted brand.
Square: Combines online payments and in-person payments with an intuitive POS system and competitive transaction fees. Supports mobile payments and offers detailed reporting for better business insights.
Top Payment Providers for Small Businesses
Small businesses need affordable, simple setups with UK-based support and flexible payment options, including local payments, mobile payments, and card machines.
Opayo: Trusted UK payment service provider offering secure online payment gateways, local payment methods, and integration with popular ecommerce platforms. Supports multiple payment methods and provides transparent pricing with no hidden additional fees.
Worldpay: Offers a range of payment methods, supports multiple currencies, and provides robust fraud protection. Known for fast payment processing and reliable customer support.
GoCardless: Specialises in bank transfers and recurring payments, reducing transaction fees and improving cash flow. Easy to set up with just a few clicks and integrates with accounting software like Xero and QuickBooks.
Payment Solutions for Mid-Sized Businesses
Growing businesses require scalable payment providers with advanced features like detailed data analytics, reporting, and fraud prevention tools.
Authorize.net: Reliable with extensive security features, dedicated merchant accounts, and support for complex payment processes. Suitable for higher transaction volumes and offers integration with various tech stacks.
Stripe: Scales with your business, supports numerous payment methods including digital wallets and local payment methods, and offers customisable payment processes. Provides detailed reporting and analytics for valuable insights.
Square: Offers detailed reporting and omnichannel payment processing for both online and in-person payments. Supports mobile payments and integrates with multiple ecommerce platforms.
Enterprise-Level Payment Providers
Enterprises demand powerful, customisable platforms with robust infrastructure to handle high-volume transactions, global payments, and complex payment processes.
Adyen: Global payment provider supporting 150+ payment methods and currencies, advanced fraud detection, and seamless integration with enterprise tech stacks. Supports multiple preferred currencies and local payment methods worldwide.
Worldpay: Enterprise-grade security, multi-currency support, and extensive reporting capabilities. Offers fast payment processing and customisable payment solutions for larger businesses.
Stripe: Flexible APIs and extensive payment method support, ideal for complex and large-scale operations. Supports global payments, currency conversion, and integration with diverse tech stacks and app developers.
Key Features to Evaluate When Choosing a Payment Provider
Multiple Payment Methods and Local Payments
Ensure your payment provider supports a wide range of payment methods, including card payments, bank transfers, digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), and local payment methods popular in your market. Offering these options improves customer experience and conversion rates.
Integration and Ease of Use
Look for providers that offer easy integration with your ecommerce platform, accounting software, and CRM systems. Client and server libraries, APIs, and plugins simplify setup and allow customisation to fit your business needs. Compatibility with your tech stack and support for app developers can further streamline integration.
Security and Fraud Prevention
Choose payment providers compliant with PCI DSS and employing encryption, tokenisation, and machine learning-based fraud detection to protect your business and customers.
Pricing Transparency and Cost Reduction
Understand the fee structure, including transaction fees, monthly fees, fixed fees, and additional fees. Providers offering fixed fees, volume discounts, or lower fees for recurring payments can help reduce costs and improve cash flow.
Reporting, Analytics, and Customer Support
Access to detailed data analytics and reporting tools provides valuable insights into payment patterns and customer behaviour. Reliable customer support, available through multiple channels, ensures smooth operations and quick resolution of issues.
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How Payment Providers Support Business Growth
Payment providers facilitate rapid growth by enabling businesses to accept payments in multiple currencies and via preferred payment methods. They support recurring payments, essential for subscription models, and offer payment links for quick transactions with just a few clicks. By reducing transaction fees and streamlining payment processes, they improve cash flow and save time, allowing businesses to focus on scaling and selling online.
Enhancing Customer Experience with Payment Providers
Offering multiple payment options tailored to customer preferences enhances the overall customer experience. Payment providers that support alternative payment methods, such as digital wallets and buy now, pay later services, help increase conversion rates and customer satisfaction. Additionally, seamless checkout experiences with optimised payment gateways reduce cart abandonment and encourage repeat purchases.
Final Thoughts Selecting the Best Payment Provider for Your Business
Choosing the right payment provider is essential to optimising your payment processes, enhancing customer satisfaction, and driving growth. Consider your business type, transaction value, customer preferences, and integration requirements. Whether you need a dedicated merchant account, support for local payments, or advanced fraud prevention, the right payment service provider will offer numerous advantages that help your business thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.
Start accepting payments today with a payment gateway that fits your needs and watch your business grow with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A payment provider is a service that enables your business to accept electronic payments securely, including card payments, bank transfers, and digital wallets. They simplify payment processing and help reduce transaction fees.
Consider factors like your business size, transaction volume, payment methods required, integration options, pricing structure, and customer support. This guide groups providers by business size to help you decide.
Fixed fees are set charges applied per transaction or monthly, providing predictable costs. Choosing providers with transparent fixed fees can help manage and reduce overall transaction expenses.
Yes, many payment providers support currency conversion and allow you to accept payments in your customer's preferred currency, improving customer satisfaction and expanding your market reach.
A payment gateway is software that securely transmits payment information, while a payment service provider (PSP) offers a broader range of services including payment gateways, merchant accounts, and fraud prevention.
Integration ensures seamless payment processing, reduces manual work, and improves customer experience. Choose providers compatible with your ecommerce platform and tech stack.
Besides transaction and monthly fees, watch out for chargeback fees, currency conversion fees, and setup fees. Always review the provider’s pricing details carefully.
They use encryption, tokenisation, and machine learning to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions, protecting your business and customers from losses.
Yes, most payment providers allow you to switch, but consider contract terms and setup time. Choosing the right provider initially can save hassle later.
Offer multiple payment methods including debit cards, credit cards, digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), bank transfers, and local payment methods popular in your market to cater to diverse customer preferences.
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