This content was reviewed for accuracy on 29/04/2026.
Setting up a business can be daunting. In some instances, you’re putting your life savings into a business idea with so many unanswered questions!
We aim to make the process as simple as possible, from arranging your imports from Asia to tips and tricks on which payment gateway to use for your online sales.
Here’s our comparison of three big names in online payment gateways to help simplify one of the many complicated decisions associated with setting up a business.
(We are not paid or endorsed by any of the following companies; these are recommendations based on research of each provider, their costs and services)
For a more detailed breakdown, Merchant Savvy has provided a comparison of many of the payment gateways available for your business.
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PayPal
PayPal is one of the most well-known online payment services, and the majority of your customers will trust and be familiar with it. The service is user-friendly, allowing for smooth customer transactions.
Their current UK payment gateway is PayPal Open. This is available on most eCommerce platforms that you may already use – such as WiX, Adobe and Shopify. They offer a customised checkout which includes a guest checkout, so your customers don’t need to make an account.
Funds are available instantly, unlike the other gateways that usually offer next-day settlement. They also accept 25 different currencies however, this is fee-dependent.
PayPal Open fees are quite uncertain as they have lots of different pricing structures with multiple criteria.
Fees are charged depending on the service you choose with PayPal. On their ‘Blended Pricing Fee Structure’ standard online UK card payment rates are charged at 1.2% + a fixed fee. The fixed fee is dependent on the currency your customer pays in.
- For GBP, the rate is 1.2% + £0.30 per transaction.
However, other PayPal services and QR code or other transactions (e.g. AmEx) have rates between 1.5 and 3.5% + the fixed fee.
Unfortunately, PayPal has been known to freeze accounts without warning, and levels of support are not readily available. PayPal was previously associated with eBay, but now uses WorldPay to process its card payments.
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Worldpay (globalpayments)
Worldpay is seen to be a more professional service than PayPal, which might suit your preferences if you are trying to create a more professional image for your business. They accept over 110 currencies, which is great for selling globally.
If you do choose to use Worldpay, they accept payments from Visa, Mastercard and AmEx as well as digital wallets such as Apple Pay.
Fraud protection and online checkout customisation are included in their standard online ecommerce pricing at 1.3% +20p per Visa and Mastercard or 2.9% +20p for American Express. Next-day settlement is included at no additional cost for better cash flow. Fees are reduced for high transaction volumes, which could be advantageous if you sell a lot of high-ticket items.
While WorldPay has its own bank to process payments, you can also use the payment platform alongside other processing banks.
On the downside, it can take a while for your account to be set up and authorised and other charges on the account may apply.
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Elavon (formerly Sage Pay / Opayo)
Elavon is another well-trusted and recognised brand. The customer support is the best amongst the largest payment gateway services.
The gateway allows payments through Visa, Mastercard, AmEx and online wallets such as Apple Pay, giving users more choice. Elavon also provide a virtual terminal, which allows you to process telephone payments, giving you added flexibility in terms of how customers can purchase your product.
They charge 14p + 0.99% per transaction on Visa and Mastercard. Currently, there are no monthly fees for the first 3 months (£10 per month thereafter), they also offer next-day settlement for no extra charge. Enhanced fraud screening and customisable checkouts are also offered at no extra cost.
Elavon are currently offering a POS for free until September, then £22 per month with 0.75% fee on Visa and Mastercard.
They also have a handy guide for businesses that are new to receiving payments.
With several options available, it is important to do your research before making a decision. Stripe, Revolut and Adyen are all noteworthy options worth considering and can be compared on Merchant Savvy‘s blog.
It is important to enquire with each provider to determine your exact costs, as different business risk levels can impact these standard fees.
When choosing a gateway, it is important to consider a range of factors, including fees, recurring billing, and whether your customers are likely to be using multiple currencies, to get the right fit for you and your company.
Once you’re set up and looking to import more stock from Asia, let us know the estimated size and weight of your order so we can put a price together for a hassle-free process!