In the booming world of e-commerce, offering seamless and secure payment options is critical to maximizing conversion rates and customer trust. According to a report by Statista, global digital payment transaction values are expected to exceed $14 trillion by 2025. Choosing the right payment gateway can be the difference between abandoned carts and skyrocketing sales. In this research-backed guide, we'll break down the best payment gateways for online stores in 2025, comparing fees, features, and ideal use cases.
Dropshipping is the eCommerce industry's buzzword these days. So, website builders for eCommerce are more and more popular every day. Cashless economies are gaining popularity. Many nations accept simple payment options. As a result, most Internet marketers are gearing up for a fresh start in dropshipping.
eCommerce and Dropshipping Payment Gateways: What Are They?
All of the store's transactions are handled by an eCommerce payment gateway. The gateway simplifies and streamlines online payment processing. A payment gateway is more than just a transaction processor — it impacts user experience, security, and international accessibility. According to Baymard Institute, 18% of shoppers abandon their carts due to a "checkout process that’s too complicated," highlighting the need for a smooth payment experience.
All you need to do is input your credit card information on the payment gateway tab and complete the transaction. After subtracting specific fees, the payment gateway will process the payment from your credit or debit card and transmit it to the dropshipper's bank account. After that, the dropshipper can deposit the funds into their bank account.
Tips For Choosing The Right Payment Gateway
Here are some tips to make the right choice:
- Choose a well-known payment gateway in the nation where your items will be sold.
- Check to see if the online banking gateway has a reasonable transaction charge.
- Check to see if it works with dropshipping stores. Most eCommerce gateways do not prefer Dropshippers because of increased return rates.
- Whether you want to grow into the worldwide market, see if you can use that gateway.
- Examine whether it provides clients with a pleasant purchasing experience.
Best Gateways In 2025
This is a list of the most popular payment channels among dropshippers.
PayPal
PayPal is by far the most popular payment method for online merchants. It is a payment gateway that is approved in over 190 countries. It accepts Mastercard, Visa, Citibank, and other major credit cards. A PayPal account is required to begin dropshipping. However, not all countries endorse it.
Fees:
- 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction (U.S.)
- Cross-border fees vary by country
Pros:
- Global brand recognition
- Easy setup with most e-commerce platforms
- Buyer and seller protection
Cons:
- Higher fees than some competitors
- Account freezes can occur
Stripe
Stripe is a payment gateway founded in the United States and available in over 26 countries. All debit and credit cards are accepted. It is, however, primarily used in Ireland, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It also has WooCommerce integration. It's much better if you offer it on Facebook Marketplace.
Fees:
- 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (domestic)
- Additional 1% for international cards
Pros:
- Supports 135+ currencies
- Subscription billing capabilities
- Advanced fraud detection tools
Cons:
Developer-heavy setup for advanced customization
2Checkout (Now Verifone)
This other payment system that is available in over 80 countries is 2Checkout. It accepts all major credit cards, including Mastercard, Visa, and Diners Club. It is used in conjunction with other payment gateways in several third-world nations. Below is a list of the most popular payment gateway combinations. 2Checkout offers a flexible global payment solution with strong international support, ideal for SaaS businesses and digital goods.
Fees:
- 3.5% + $0.35 per successful sale
- Additional cross-border and currency conversion fees
Pros:
- Supports over 200 countries
- Multiple payment methods including PayPal, Visa, and Mastercard
- Easy integration for subscriptions
Cons:
Some restrictions on certain industries
Higher fees compared to Stripe and PayPal
Authorize.net
Authorize.net is offered in over 30 countries right now. It is one of the most established and well-known online payment gateways. Multiple extensions are included for simple interaction with WooCommerce shops. For eCommerce and dropshipping shops, Authorize.net offers the lowest transaction cost at 2.90.
Fees:
- $25 monthly gateway fee
- 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (if using their merchant account)
Pros:
- Supports recurring billing
- Strong security features (Advanced Fraud Detection Suite)
Cons:
- Monthly fees may deter small businesses
- Interface is less modern than competitors
Skrill
Skrill is a payment gateway with over 42 countries of availability. It charges a 1.8 percent transfer fee at checkout. It also has an official WooCommerce-based dropshipping store integration plugin.
Fees:
- 1.9% per transaction + fixed fee (varies by currency)
- 3.99% currency conversion fee
Pros:
- Good for cross-border payments
- Fast account setup
- Supports cryptocurrency transactions
Cons:
- Withdrawal fees
- Customer support could be improved
Wepay
WePay is a digital payment alternative for dropshippers that want to integrate a secure and quick payment gateway into their website. WePay is a customizable payment system, although just a few payment alternatives are accessible.
Fees:
- 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
Pros:
- Deep banking integration with Chase
- Good for SaaS platforms
- Offers White-label solutions
Cons:
- Less known compared to Stripe or PayPal
- Limited international availability
Google Pay
For eCommerce business operators in the western area, Google Pay seems to be another excellent choice. Most people in the United States and Europe store their money in Google Wallet. They can effortlessly pay using Google Checkout because they purchase online.
This alternative is not only faster than some other dropshipping platforms, but it is also more dependable. Because the payment holder also serves as a bank account, Google Checkout deducts the lowest amount.
Fees:
- Free for merchants (only processing fees charged by payment processor)
Pros:
- Fast, easy checkout experience
- High security with encryption and tokenization
- Integrates with many e-commerce platforms
Cons:
- Requires user to have a Google account
- Dependent on device compatibility
Apple Pay
If you are looking for the most popular contactless payment system available, you might as well give Apple Pay a chance. You can utilize it for the dropshipping store, allowing customers to effortlessly pay with Apple Pay by just pressing a button. Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and many more are all accepted through the contactless payment gateway.
Fees:
- Free for merchants (only processing fees charged by payment processor)
Pros:
- Extremely secure via biometric authentication
- Reduces checkout friction for iOS users
- Supports both online and in-store payments
Cons:
- Only available on Apple devices
- Requires additional setup for web checkout
Payment Gateway Fee Comparison Chart
| Payment Gateway | Domestic Transaction Fee | International Fee | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 2.9% + $0.30 | +1% | None |
| PayPal | 3.49% + $0.49 | Varies | None |
| Square | 2.9% + $0.30 | N/A | None |
| Authorize.Net | 2.9% + $0.30 + $25/month | Varies | $25 |
| Adyen | ~2.9% + $0.12 | Varies | None |
| Shopify Payments | 2.4% – 2.9% + $0.30 | Varies | Depends on plan |
| Amazon Pay | 2.9% + $0.30 | Varies | None |
| 2Checkout | 3.5% + $0.35 | Additional fees | None |
| Skrill | 1.9% + fixed fee | 3.99% FX fee | None |
| WePay | 2.9% + $0.30 | Limited | None |
| Google Pay | Via processor fees | Via processor | None |
| Apple Pay | Via processor fees | Via processor | None |
The Bottom Line
When selecting a payment gateway for your online store, consider:
- Transaction fees and hidden costs
- International support
- Device compatibility (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- Ease of integration
- Customer trust factors
- Features like fraud protection, white-labeling, and subscription management
No one-size-fits-all solution exists. Startups may prefer Stripe or PayPal for fast setup. Global brands may lean toward Adyen or 2Checkout. Platforms focused on mobile users should seriously consider Google Pay and Apple Pay integration.
Invest time in picking the right gateway now, and you’ll reap the rewards in lower cart abandonment rates, higher conversion rates, and increased revenue throughout 2025.
A payment gateway is a necessary component of every online store. Finding the correct one, on the other hand, is a challenge. So, experiment with several payment gateways and pick the one that works best. To reduce the danger of losing relevant consumers to your eCommerce business, use successful eCommerce payment gateways like PayPal and 2Checkout if you're just getting started.
