Choosing the right payment gateway can make a real difference to your eCommerce store’s conversion rate, cash flow, customer trust, and long-term growth. Whether you’re launching your first Shopify store, upgrading a WooCommerce website, or expanding into regional markets, your checkout should be fast, secure, and familiar to your customers.
In this guide, we compare the best eCommerce payment gateway options for Singapore businesses — Stripe, HitPay, Shopify Payments, 2C2P, PayPal, Airwallex, and Atome — and how to evaluate fees, payout speed, payment methods, security, platform integration, and cross-border capability before you commit.
For local SMEs, HitPay is often the strongest choice — local payment methods and fast payouts. For global eCommerce brands, Stripe and Airwallex offer stronger international features. For Shopify-only stores, Shopify Payments is usually the most convenient option.
Quick Comparison: Which Payment Gateway Is Best?
With so many payment gateways available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. The best option depends on your business model, target market, and eCommerce platform. Use this quick comparison as a starting point.
Business Type
- SMEs
- Shopify Stores
- WooCommerce
- International Business
- Regional Expansion
- Digital Products
- Fashion & Beauty
- Overseas Customers
Recommended Gateway
- HitPay
- Shopify Payments
- Stripe
- Airwallex
- 2C2P
- Stripe
- Atome + Stripe
- PayPal
There’s no one-size-fits-all gateway — but the right provider improves your customers’ checkout experience and supports growth. Consider your current needs and your expansion plans before deciding.
Why Choosing the Right Payment Gateway Matters
A payment gateway is more than a tool that processes transactions. It shapes how customers feel at checkout, how quickly you receive funds, and how easily your store can scale. A reliable gateway helps your business:
Build trust at checkout
Familiar, secure options — cards, PayNow, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, GrabPay, BNPL — make customers more likely to complete the purchase.
Improve conversion rates
Every extra step at checkout increases cart abandonment. A smooth, mobile-friendly payment flow helps customers pay quickly and confidently.
Improve cash flow
Payout time matters — especially for SMEs reinvesting in inventory, marketing and fulfilment. Faster payouts mean healthier day-to-day cash flow.
Support business growth
Selling overseas? Your gateway should support multi-currency payments, international cards, competitive FX rates and regional payment methods.
Checklist for Choosing a Payment Gateway
Before committing to a provider, it’s worth understanding how to choose the right payment gateway for your eCommerce website. Compare these six factors carefully:
1. Transaction fees and pricing transparency
Look beyond the headline card fee. Some gateways charge fixed fees, percentage fees, cross-border fees, FX conversion, setup, refund or chargeback fees. A good provider makes pricing easy to understand — Stripe lists Singapore card pricing publicly, and HitPay publishes domestic and international card rates for Singapore merchants.
2. Payment methods supported
Your gateway should support the ways your customers actually prefer to pay. For Singapore stores, that typically means:
- Credit and debit cards
- PayNow — for Shopify stores, integrating PayNow adds a fast, familiar local option
- Apple Pay, Google Pay and GrabPay
- PayPal
- BNPL options such as Atome, and regional wallets for Southeast Asian customers
The right mix depends on your audience, average order value, product type and sales channels.
3. Payout speed
Some gateways offer next-business-day payouts; others take several days. If you run a fast-moving eCommerce business, payout speed should be one of your top selection criteria.
4. Security and compliance
Choose a gateway with strong security standards: PCI-DSS compliance, fraud monitoring, tokenisation, 3D Secure and secure checkout flows. This protects both your business and your customers.
5. Platform integration
Your gateway should integrate smoothly with your platform — Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, OpenCart, Wix, BigCommerce, or a custom-built website.
6. Cross-border and multi-currency support
If you sell internationally, check support for foreign cards, multi-currency settlement, regional payment methods and transparent FX fees — especially important for merchants selling to Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, the US or Europe.
Payment Gateway Comparison Table
All seven providers side by side. Scroll horizontally on mobile.
| Gateway | Local Fee | Intl Fee | Payout | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 3.4% + S$0.50 | 3.9% + S$0.50 | Several Days | Global businesses |
| HitPay | 2.8% + S$0.50 | 3.65% + S$0.50 | Faster payouts | Local businesses |
| Shopify Payment | Plan-based | Plan-based | 2-4 days | Shopify stores |
| 2C2P | Custom | Custom | 1-3 days | Regional businesses |
| PayPal | Varies | Varies | 3-5 days | International payments |
| Airwallex | Varies | Varies | Instant-Few days | Multi-currency |
| Atome | Custom | N/A | Weekly | BNPL |
Note: fees, payout timelines and platform availability change. Always confirm the latest rates directly with each provider before deciding.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing the cheapest provider is not always the best decision. Avoid these traps:
- Looking only at transaction fees and ignoring payout time
- Choosing a gateway that doesn't support your customers' preferred payment methods
- Forgetting to check refund, chargeback and FX fees
- Using a gateway that doesn't integrate well with your platform
- Ignoring the mobile checkout experience
- Skipping fraud protection and compliance checks
- Picking a provider that can't support future regional or international growth
A good setup balances cost, customer convenience, security and scalability.
How to Set Up a Payment Gateway for Your Store
The exact process depends on your provider and platform, but most businesses follow the same steps:
For best results, your checkout page should be fast, mobile-friendly, secure, and completable in just a few steps.
How Verz Design Helps Singapore eCommerce Businesses Grow
Selecting the right gateway is only one part of building a successful online store. Your website also needs strong UX, reliable development, fast loading, an SEO-friendly structure, and a checkout journey that encourages customers to complete their purchase.
At Verz Design, we help Singapore businesses build, improve and scale eCommerce websites through:
- Strategic consultation for payment gateway setup and platform integration
- Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento and custom eCommerce development
- UI/UX optimisation for better checkout conversion
- Mobile-first design and page speed optimisation
- Website security, technical maintenance and performance support
- Local SEO, content marketing and paid advertising support
Contact Verz Design to build an eCommerce website with the right payment setup, platform and growth strategy for Singapore’s digital market.
Top Payment Gateway Options for eCommerce
Here’s a closer look at the seven most relevant providers for Singapore eCommerce businesses. Each card follows the same structure so you can compare like-for-like.
01.
(Stripe)
A global payment platform known for strong developer tools, flexible APIs and broad international payment support. Popular with businesses that need custom checkout experiences, subscriptions, marketplace payments or overseas expansion.
Pricing
Public card rates; varies by payment method and currency
Best for
Global brands, SaaS, marketplaces, subscriptions, tech-savvy merchants
Payout
Several business days
Platforms
Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, BigCommerce & custom APIs
PROS
- Clean API and strong documentation
- Supports major cards and digital wallets
- Suitable for global expansion
CONS
- Payouts may take longer than local providers
- Advanced setup may need developer support
02.(HitPay)
A Singapore-based provider built for SMEs, local merchants and omnichannel businesses. Supports online payments, in-person payments, payment links, POS and local payment methods.
Pricing
From 2.8% + S$0.50 (domestic); 3.65% + S$0.50 (international)
Best for
Local SMEs, retail & omnichannel stores
Payout
Often faster than global gateways
Platforms
Shopify, WooCommerce, OpenCart, Wix, Payment links, POS
PROS
- Fast onboarding and competitive card fees
- PayNow support
- Great for SMEs and hybrid retail
CONS
- Fewer advanced API features than global developer-first platforms
03.(Shopify Payments)
Shopify's built-in payment solution. For eligible Singapore merchants it keeps payments, orders, analytics and fraud tools inside the Shopify ecosystem — no separate gateway to manage.
Pricing
Depends on your plan
Best for
Singapore-registered Shopify stores wanting a simple, built-in setup
Payout
2–4 business days
Platforms
Shopify only
PROS
- Easy setup — no third-party gateway needed
- Built-in Shopify checkout experience
- Fraud analysis tools included
CONS
- Only for eligible Shopify merchants
- Not available for WooCommerce, Magento or custom sites
04.(2C2P)
A Southeast Asia-focused gateway supporting regional payment methods and enterprise-level needs. Often used by businesses operating across multiple countries in Asia.
Pricing
Custom pricing (request a quote)
Best for
Regional ecommerce & enterprise merchants
Payout
1–3 business days
Platforms
Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, OpenCart & APIs
PROS
- Strong Southeast Asia coverage
- Multiple local payment methods
- Suits larger, regional businesses
CONS
- Onboarding more complex than plug-and-play options
- Fees vary by business type, volume and country
05.(PayPal)
One of the most recognised payment brands worldwide. Useful for stores selling to international buyers or offering customers a familiar alternative checkout method.
Pricing
Varies by transaction type and market
Best for
International ecommerce & digital products
Payout
3–5 business days
Platforms
Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, OpenCart & custom integrations
PROS
- Strong global brand recognition
- Easy setup and buyer protection
- Trusted by international customers
CONS
- Higher fees than some local options
- Possible account holds; slower settlement
06.(Airwallex)
Designed for businesses needing multi-currency accounts, global payments, FX management and cross-border infrastructure — especially brands with suppliers, customers or entities in multiple countries.
Pricing
Varies by transaction type and market
Best for
International ecommerce & digital products
Payout
3–5 business days
Platforms
Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, OpenCart & custom integrations
PROS
- Strong multi-currency support
- Faster international settlement options
- Great for B2B and cross-border eCommerce
CONS
- May be more than small local-only merchants need
- Local wallet coverage narrower than Singapore-first providers
07.(Atome)
A Buy Now, Pay Later provider that lets customers split payments into instalments. Commonly used by fashion, beauty, lifestyle and consumer goods brands to increase purchase flexibility.
Pricing
Custom pricing by merchant
Best for
Fashion, beauty & lifestyle brands
Payout
Weekly or by agreement
Platforms
Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, POS & APIs
PROS
- Can increase average order value
- Appeals to mobile-first shoppers
- Supports installment payments
CONS
- Merchant fees usually higher than card processing
- BNPL doesn't suit every category or audience
Not sure which gateway fits your store?
We've integrated every provider on this list across Shopify, WooCommerce and custom builds. Get a recommendation based on your actual margins and market.
Get a free consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your business needs. HitPay is strong for local SMEs, Stripe suits international eCommerce, Shopify Payments works best for eligible Shopify stores, 2C2P is useful for regional businesses, and Airwallex is ideal for multi-currency operations.
A service that securely processes online payments between your customer, your store, the card network or payment method, and your merchant account — letting your website accept cards, digital wallets, bank transfers and other online payment methods.
Shopify Payments is usually the most convenient for eligible stores because it’s built in. Stripe, HitPay, PayPal and Atome may also suit, depending on your preferred payment methods and goals.
Several providers support PayNow, including HitPay and selected regional platforms. Availability depends on your account setup, integration type and business category — confirm directly with the provider.
Payout speed varies by provider, payment method, risk checks and account status. HitPay and Airwallex may offer faster options for some merchants; global platforms can take several business days.
It’s useful for international buyers, but shouldn’t be your only option. Many local customers prefer cards, PayNow, Apple Pay, Google Pay, GrabPay or BNPL — multiple methods improve checkout convenience.
Many businesses use several: for example Shopify Payments or Stripe for cards, PayPal for international buyers, and Atome for BNPL. More choice helps customers — but too many options complicates operations.
Domestic and international card fees, fixed transaction fees, FX conversion, refunds, chargebacks, payouts, setup, monthly fees and platform transaction fees. The cheapest headline rate isn’t always cheapest overall.
No — it works best for fashion, beauty, lifestyle, homeware and higher average order values. Low-margin businesses should calculate merchant fees carefully first.
We help you select, integrate and optimise the right gateway across Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento and custom builds — including checkout UX, mobile optimisation, SEO and conversion improvements.
Share this article:
