International online businesses depend on reliable online payment gateways to accept customer payments, manage currency conversion, and keep transactions secure. When a gateway supports global payments effectively, it can help businesses expand into new markets with less friction and fewer failed transactions.
This guide explores what international online payment gateways are, how they work, what to look for, and seven widely used options for global payments. The focus is informational, aiming to help decision‑makers understand the landscape rather than promote any single provider.
What Is an International Online Payment Gateway?
An international online payment gateway is a service that authorizes and processes payments made through a website or app from customers located in different countries.
It acts as a secure bridge between the customer, the merchant, and the financial institutions involved in the transaction. Instead of the merchant handling card details directly, the gateway encrypts and routes sensitive information to the appropriate processor.
Compared with a gateway that operates only domestically, an international solution is designed to handle multiple currencies, cross‑border regulations, and additional layers of fraud and compliance checks.
It often connects with local acquirers in different regions to improve authorization rates. For online merchants, this means they can support global payments without building complex banking infrastructure in every country.
How Do Online Payment Gateways Work for Global Payments?
When a customer pays on an international website, the online payment gateway captures the payment details and securely forwards the information to the payment processor and the issuing bank for authorization.
If the issuing bank approves the transaction, the gateway sends a confirmation back to the merchant's website. Funds are later settled into the merchant's account, often after currency conversion when the settlement currency differs from the customer's.
For global payments, the gateway may apply dynamic currency conversion, allowing customers to see prices and pay in their local currency while the merchant settles in a different currency.
Security mechanisms such as PCI DSS compliance, tokenization, and 3D Secure help reduce fraud risk and chargebacks, which can be higher for cross‑border transactions.
What Should Businesses Look for in an International Payment Gateway?
First, coverage matters. Businesses should check which countries and currencies the gateway supports and whether it offers local payment methods such as regional cards, digital wallets, or bank transfers. A gateway that supports cards only may not be enough in markets where wallets or local schemes dominate.
Second, pricing and FX costs need careful review. Beyond standard transaction fees, global payments can incur currency conversion charges, cross‑border fees, and additional costs for chargebacks or refunds. Settlement timeframes also affect cash flow, especially for businesses operating in multiple regions.
Third, technical and operational fit are important. A suitable gateway integrates smoothly with the ecommerce platform, shopping cart, or custom backend in use. It should provide clear documentation, reporting tools, and support for recurring billing if the business runs subscriptions or memberships.
Which Payment Gateway Is Best for Cross‑Border Payments?
There is no single "best" gateway for every use case. Some providers specialize in high‑volume global payments with advanced risk tools, making them attractive to large enterprises. Others prioritize ease of setup and out‑of‑the‑box integrations, which may be ideal for smaller merchants or those just starting international expansion.
Businesses should evaluate gateways based on their main target regions, average transaction values, and expected volumes.
For example, a digital‑only SaaS provider may prioritize subscription features and developer tools, while a retail brand entering new markets may focus on local payment methods and currency support. The most suitable option is often the one that aligns with the company's operational model and growth stage.
7 Best Payment Gateways for International Online Businesses
Below are seven widely used online payment gateways that support global payments and are commonly considered by international online businesses.
1. PayPal
PayPal is one of the most recognized online payment gateways worldwide, allowing businesses to accept card payments and PayPal wallet payments from customers in many countries. Its brand recognition can help build trust at checkout, especially for new or lesser‑known merchants.
For global payments, PayPal supports multiple currencies and offers options like PayPal Checkout and PayPal Business accounts. However, merchants often pay higher fees for cross‑border and currency‑conversion transactions than they might with some alternatives.
For smaller businesses that value speed of setup and customer familiarity, the trade‑off can still be worthwhile.
2. Stripe
Stripe is known for its developer‑friendly APIs and flexibility, making it popular with technology‑driven companies and SaaS providers.
It supports a wide range of currencies and payment methods, including cards, wallets, and certain local options, depending on the region. This breadth allows merchants to tailor checkout experiences to local expectations.
For global payments, Stripe offers recurring billing, invoicing, and support for marketplace or platform models. Its dashboard and reporting tools help businesses track performance across countries.
The main consideration is that Stripe's availability and features can vary by country, so businesses should verify coverage before committing.
3. Adyen
Adyen provides a unified platform for online, in‑app, and in‑store payments, which can be valuable for merchants operating across multiple channels. It connects directly to various card networks and local payment methods worldwide, aiming to increase authorization rates and reduce payment friction.
For global payments, Adyen focuses on enterprise‑level needs, including risk management, advanced reporting, and support for complex setups. While it is accessible to some mid‑sized businesses, its strengths are most apparent for companies with significant transaction volumes and multi‑regional operations.
4. 2Checkout (Verifone)
2Checkout, now part of Verifone, is designed with digital commerce and subscription‑based businesses in mind. It supports multiple currencies and offers localized checkout experiences for customers in many countries. This makes it attractive for software, digital goods, and online service providers.
Its tools for recurring billing, tax handling, and compliance can ease the operational burden for businesses expanding globally. At the same time, pricing structures and specific features can differ by plan, so merchants should assess total cost relative to expected international sales.
5. Worldpay
Worldpay, part of FIS, is a long‑standing global payment provider with broad reach across markets and industries. It offers card processing and alternative payment methods for businesses of various sizes, with particular strength in serving high‑volume merchants and enterprises.
For global payments, Worldpay provides support for multi‑currency processing, risk tools, and detailed reporting for complex operations. Implementation and contracts can be more involved than with some plug‑and‑play solutions, so it tends to suit merchants that prioritize depth of capability over ease of entry.
6. Braintree
Braintree, a PayPal service, supports card payments, PayPal, and digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay in multiple regions. It is favored by many app‑based businesses and subscription platforms that want flexibility in payment methods without managing multiple standalone providers.
For global payments, Braintree offers multi‑currency support and tools for recurring billing and vaulting customer payment data securely. Because it is part of the PayPal ecosystem, it can be convenient for businesses that already use PayPal but want more customization and control over their integration.
7. Shopify Payments
Shopify Payments is integrated directly into the Shopify platform, simplifying payment setup for merchants running Shopify stores. In supported countries, it allows merchants to accept multiple currencies and manage payouts from within the same interface used for orders and inventory.
For international online businesses, Shopify Payments supports global payments by allowing local currencies at checkout and handling conversion on the back end. Its main limitation is that it is available only in specific countries and is tied to the Shopify ecosystem, so it suits merchants committed to that platform.
Optimizing Online Payment Gateways for Global Growth
As online businesses expand internationally, their choice of online payment gateways becomes a strategic factor in customer experience, revenue, and risk management.
A gateway that supports the right mix of local payment methods, currencies, and security tools can reduce cart abandonment and help global payments feel seamless to customers.
Evaluating providers through a global lens, considering coverage, fees, technical fit, and long‑term scalability, helps businesses avoid costly switches later.
By combining careful research with small‑scale testing in new markets, merchants can build a payment stack that supports sustainable international growth and adapts as customer expectations evolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do international payment gateways handle tax (like VAT or GST) automatically?
Some gateways offer basic tools or integrations for VAT/GST, but many do not cover all regions or rules. Merchants usually still need separate tax software or professional advice.
2. Will using an international payment gateway improve my authorization rates in other countries?
A gateway with local acquiring in target markets can help improve approval rates. Results still depend on issuers, card status, and fraud settings, so improvements are not guaranteed.
3. How do international payment gateways affect refund and chargeback processes?
Cross‑border refunds and chargebacks may take longer and can involve extra FX or processing fees. Gateways provide tools to manage disputes, but merchants must follow card‑network rules.
4. Is it better to settle funds in my home currency or in multiple local currencies?
Settling in one home currency simplifies accounting but can increase FX costs. Settling in several local currencies can reduce FX impact but makes treasury and banking more complex.
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