Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. This is especially true when it comes to online payments, where nothing is more important to customers than a hassle-free process. Finding the right payment gateway ensures that every transaction is smooth and secure for both customers and businesses.
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), online shopping is becoming increasingly common, with the country having the highest adoption rate of online payments at 71%. This drives businesses to rely on secure and efficient online payment gateways to keep operations running smoothly. These gateways are the quiet heroes behind every successful online sale, ensuring that funds move easily from customers to merchants with a simple click.
Choosing the right payment integration can make or break a business in a competitive market like the UAE. This article highlights the UAE’s top 10 online payment gateways and explores why they are the best choices. But how do you determine the ideal online payment platform to integrate with your business?
Choosing the right online payment gateway for your business in the UAE is the first step to saving costs and offering your customers a better experience. The simplicity of integration, security, and pricing are among the main factors businesses consider when deciding on their payment API solution. Below are some more key factors to consider that can help you make the right choice.
Security Measures
Security is the foundation of any reliable payment gateway. Look for gateways that adhere to industry standards, such as PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance. For example, Amazon Payment Services offers robust security with its built-in fraud detection system, ensuring customer card details are encrypted. Stripe uses machine learning to detect real-time fraudulent transactions, guaranteeing secure transactions for e-commerce businesses.
User-Friendliness
A clunky checkout process can lead to abandoned carts and lost sales, while an easy-to-use interface can make a difference–not just for your customers but also for your business operations. For example, Telr integrates seamlessly with e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce to offer a smooth checkout process that reduces card abandonment. Payoneer allows businesses to manage cross-border payments with just a few clicks, simplifying international transactions without complex setups.
Integration Capabilities
The best payment gateways offer flexible integration options, making it easy to connect with your existing website, app, or e-commerce platform. 2Checkout (now Verifone) provides easy API integration for platforms like Magento and BigCommerce, allowing businesses to accept payments without major technical hassle. Brankas is another ideal example, with its flexible payment API enables businesses to integrate custom payment solutions into their workflows, saving up to 50% on transaction costs.
Transaction Fees and Pricing
Hidden fees can eat into your profits, so choosing a gateway with transparent pricing is critical. For example, PayPal charges around 2.9% + $0.30 per domestic transaction, while Checkout.com offers customized pricing based on business size and risk category, making it a flexible option for companies of various levels. Always make sure you know what the gateway charges for setup, monthly maintenance, and each transaction, especially if you process large amounts of international payments.
Customer Support
Payment issues can happen at any time, and access to reliable customer support is crucial. Some gateways, like CCAvenue, offer 24/7 customer support, ensuring that any transaction-related issues are resolved as soon as possible. Payoneer offers dedicated account managers for businesses dealing with high-volume international transactions and provides customized support for large-scale operations.
Scalability
As your business grows, your payment gateway should also be able to cater to your growing demands. Look for gateways that can handle increased traffic and transactions and support multiple payment methods.
Below are the top 10 online payment gateways in the UAE, chosen by their reliability, security, and ease of use, ranked in no particular order.
Checkout.com is one of the leading online payment solutions, known for its advanced technology and strong fraud protection. It supports many payment methods and currencies, making it an excellent option for businesses with global reach. Checkout.com’s flexible tools and customizable payment options have made it an ideal choice for many UAE businesses.
Key points:
Fees: Fees vary based on transaction volume and risk level.
Best features: Strong fraud protection, real-time reporting, and high-level customization with its API.
Supported currencies: Over 150 currencies, including AED, USD, EUR, and GBP.
Operating countries: 170+ countries globally, with a strong presence in the UAE, Europe, and Asia.
PayPal is one of the most recognized online payment platforms in the world. It offers a secure and easy payment process and is trusted by millions of users and businesses. With support for various payment methods and simple website integration, PayPal is an excellent option for businesses seeking a reliable payment gateway.
Key points:
Fees: Transaction fees range from 2.9% + $0.30 per domestic transaction.
Best features: Trusted globally, strong buyer protection, simple to integrate.
Supported currencies: Supports over 25 currencies, including AED, USD, EUR, and GBP.
Operating countries: Worldwide, including the UAE, North America, and Europe.
Stripe is known for its smart payment solutions and for allowing businesses to accept payments online easily. It supports over 135 currencies and has powerful tools to customize the payment process. Stripe is especially popular with tech-focused businesses that need a flexible and scalable payment solution.
Key points:
Fees: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, with additional charges for international payments.
Best features: Advanced customization options, global currency support, and developer-friendly APIs.
Supported currencies: Over 135 currencies, including AED, USD, EUR, and GBP.
Operating countries: Operates globally, with strong coverage in the UAE, North America, Europe, and Asia.
Formerly known as Payfort, Amazon Payment Services offers secure and reliable payment processing tailored to the needs of Middle Eastern businesses. It provides flexible pricing plans, multiple payment methods, and strong fraud protection. Amazon Payment Services is favored for its easy integration with websites and strong brand name.
Key points:
Fees: Around 2.80% + AED 1.00 per transaction, depending on the plan.
Best features: Tailored for Middle Eastern businesses, fraud protection, easy integration with Amazon and other e-commerce platforms.
Supported currencies: AED, USD, EUR, GBP, and more.
Operating countries: Primarily in the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan.
Telr is a well-known online payment gateway in the UAE, offering services that suit businesses of all sizes. It supports multiple currencies, offers robust security, and is easy to use. Telr also integrates smoothly with popular e-commerce platforms, making it a top choice for small and large businesses.
Key points:
Fees: The plan for medium businesses starts at AED 99/month, with a 2.49% + AED 0.50 transaction fee.
Best features: Multi-currency support, robust security, and easy integration with platforms like Shopify and Magento.
Supported currencies: AED, USD, EUR, GBP, and others.
Operating countries: Operates across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, and Southeast Asia.
Noon Payments is a newer payment gateway in the UAE but has quickly become popular due to its connection with Noon.com, a leading e-commerce platform in the country. It offers a secure and smooth payment experience with support for various payment methods, making it a reliable choice for growing businesses.
Key points:
Fees: Custom pricing based on the volume and needs of the business.
Best features: Strong integration with Noon.com, secure and reliable, supports multiple payment methods.
Supported currencies: AED, USD, EUR, and more.
Operating countries: Focused on the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries.
Payoneer is a global payment platform that serves freelancers, businesses, and e-commerce platforms. It supports cross-border payments and offers virtual bank accounts in multiple currencies, making it easier to manage international transactions. Payoneer’s competitive pricing and strong security make it an excellent choice for businesses in the UAE and beyond.
Key points:
Fees: 3% charge for credit card payments; bank transfers at 0-1%.
Best features: Great for managing international transactions, offers virtual bank accounts and offers competitive fees for cross-border payments.
Supported currencies: Supports over 150 currencies, including AED, USD, EUR, and GBP.
Operating countries: Globally, including the UAE, North America, and Europe.
CCAvenue is a popular payment gateway in India with a strong presence in the UAE. It offers complete payment solutions, including support for multiple currencies and payment methods. CCAvenue is known for its easy integration, flexible pricing, and reliable customer support, making it a great option for businesses of all sizes.
Key points:
Fees: The setup fee is free for startups, and transaction fees start at 3% per transaction.
Best features: Multi-currency support, 200+ payment options, real-time reporting.
Supported currencies: AED, USD, EUR, GBP, and others.
Operating countries: Strong in the UAE, India, and other parts of the Middle East.
CashU is a well-known payment gateway in the Middle East and provides secure online payment solutions tailored to the region. It supports various payment methods and is known for its strong fraud protection. CashU is especially popular with businesses that serve customers in the UAE and other GCC countries.
Key points:
Fees: Fees vary, typically around 3% per transaction.
Best features: Strong presence in the Middle East, robust fraud protection, and support for digital wallets.
Supported currencies: AED, USD, SAR, EUR.
Operating countries: Primarily in the UAE and other GCC countries.
2Checkout (now part of Verifone) is a global payment platform that provides secure and scalable solutions for businesses worldwide. It offers easy payment integration, multiple payment methods, and currencies, making it suitable for businesses looking to expand globally.
Key points:
Fees: 3.5% + $0.35 per successful sale.
Best features: It supports global payments, is a user-friendly platform, and easily integrates with major e-commerce platforms.
Supported currencies: Over 87 currencies, including AED, USD, EUR, and GBP.
Operating countries: Operates in over 200 countries, including the UAE, North America, and Europe.
Choosing the right online payment gateway is key to growing your business in today’s ever-evolving e-commerce market. These gateways don’t simply help in handling payments—they keep transactions secure, improve customer satisfaction, and support your business as it grows. By focusing on essential features like security, ease of use, and low costs, you’ll speed up payments, build customer trust, and run your business smoothly in the UAE and beyond.
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