How to choose the right WooCommerce payment gateway for your store

Choosing a payment gateway is an important  decision. The reality is, it sits at the core of your store’s operations, from the checkout experience and security to transaction costs and growth potential. For WooCommerce merchants, that choice is even more crucial because of how varied the options are, and how much rides on picking the one that fits.

Whether you’re a store owner, developer, or marketer trying to improve conversion rates, the right gateway affects more than just payments. It shapes the customer journey, influences your margins, and determines how ready you are to grow internationally. Let’s break it down so you can make that choice with clarity.

What is a WooCommerce payment gateway and how does it work?

A WooCommerce payment gateway is the service that handles the transaction between your customer and your store. It connects your checkout with the financial system that processes payments, whether by credit card, mobile wallet, or bank transfer.

There are two main types:

• Redirect (hosted) gateways: These send customers to a third-party page to complete the payment. They’re simple to set up but redirect the user away from your site.
• On-site (self-hosted) gateways: These keep the entire process within your checkout. They offer a more seamless experience but typically require tighter compliance.

Built-in vs external plugins

Out of the box, WooCommerce supports a few major gateways. But most merchants add external plugins to get access to local payment methods, additional currencies, or more advanced features like recurring billing and real-time analytics.

Why this matters in 2025

According to Red Stag Fulfillment WooCommerce powers 33.4% of all e-commerce websites worldwide, with over 4.53 million active stores globally. Among the top 1 million e-commerce sites, it holds an 18.2% market share and continues to grow at around 6% annually. GrandView Research reports that the global payment gateway market is projected to grow from $26.79 billion in 2022 to $132.24 billion by 2030. As more shoppers expect mobile-first, secure, and flexible payment options, merchants can’t afford to leave gateway decisions to chance.

Key features to look for in the best WooCommerce payment gateways

Some features make all the difference:

• Transparent pricing: Look for clear info on transaction fees, onboarding costs, and cross-border charges.
• Wide payment method support: Credit and debit cards, digital wallets, buy-now-pay-later, and local bank transfers.
• Security and compliance: PCI-DSS certification, SSL, and anti-fraud tools aren’t optional.
• Recurring payments: Essential for subscriptions and memberships.
• Refund and chargeback handling: Easy refunds and fair chargeback terms help protect both you and your customers.

Hosted vs self-hosted payment plugins for WooCommerce

There are two primary integration models to choose from when setting up a payment gateway in WooCommerce. Each comes with its own trade-offs. This comparison table outlines how hosted and self-hosted plugins differ across key areas:

How to integrate a payment gateway for WooCommerce

1. Access the Plugins menu: Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard. This is where you can browse and install new functionality for your store.
2. Search and choose your payment plugin: Enter the name of your chosen gateway (e.g. "Antom Payments") in the search bar. Check the plugin details and user ratings to ensure it's the official and up-to-date version.
3. Install and activate: Click Install Now, then Activate. Once activated, it will appear in your Plugins list and usually under WooCommerce > Settings > Payments.
4. Configure settings: Enter the required API credentials or merchant account details provided by your payment provider. You can also set up supported currencies, enable specific payment methods, and customise the display name that appears at checkout.
5. Test using sandbox mode: Most gateways offer a test environment. Enable sandbox or test mode to simulate transactions without using real money. Use test card numbers or wallet credentials provided in the developer documentation.
6. Check the user experience: Run through a few transactions from product selection to payment confirmation on both desktop and mobile. Pay attention to load times, redirect behaviour (if any), and the clarity of error messages.
7. Go live: Once you’re confident everything works, switch from sandbox to live mode. Keep your credentials and settings safe, and consider running a few low-value transactions to confirm the setup before scaling up.

Advanced needs: multi-currency, subscriptions, and split payments

As your store matures, you’ll likely face more complex operational requirements, particularly if you're expanding into new markets, selling recurring services, or managing multiple vendors. Not all payment gateways handle these advanced cases well, so it’s worth identifying your future needs upfront.

• Multi-currency support: Display prices and accept payments in your customers’ local currencies.
• Subscription billing: Automate recurring payments for SaaS, memberships, or regular deliveries.
• Split payments: If you're running a multi-vendor store, you’ll need the ability to divide payments between sellers.

Flexibility and scalability for growing WooCommerce stores

As your WooCommerce store scales, your payment infrastructure shouldn't create friction. It should adapt as your needs change, whether you're adding new payment methods, expanding into new regions, or preparing for peak sales periods.

One practical consideration is how easily you can switch between gateways or run more than one in parallel. The ability to test and combine providers gives you greater control and resilience, especially valuable during high-volume events or when experimenting with new markets.

If international growth is on the horizon, look beyond just multi-currency pricing. You’ll need local payment methods, regional acquiring, and compliance capabilities tailored to each geography. This combination boosts your approval rates and reduces unnecessary fees.

Scalability is not just about capacity. It's also about performance under pressure. Whether you're running a flash sale or launching a new product line, your gateway should perform consistently, without delays or disruption to the customer experience. Your payment gateway should support:

• Switching or combining multiple gateways
• Local payment method expansion
• Reliable settlement across currencies and countries
• High-volume traffic without lag or downtime

Questions to ask when choosing a payment gateway for your WooCommerce store

• What payment methods do your customers use most? Think about where your customers are located and what they're used to. In some regions, cards are standard. In others, mobile wallets or bank transfers are preferred. A mismatch here can cause abandoned checkouts.
• Do you need subscriptions or recurring billing? If you offer memberships, software plans, or repeat delivery services, you’ll want a gateway that supports automatic billing cycles, free trials, and flexible retry options.
• Are you selling internationally? Local payment methods and currency settlement options become essential once you start accepting orders from other countries. Not all gateways handle cross-border payments with the same efficiency or cost.
• What’s your monthly volume and refund rate? Transaction and refund fees can add up quickly. Some gateways offer better pricing for higher volumes, while others penalise frequent refunds. Estimate your monthly activity and model the impact on margins.
• What’s your tolerance for integration time and compliance overhead? Some gateways are plug-and-play. Others may require additional work to ensure PCI-DSS compliance or adapt to unique checkout needs. Consider your in-house capabilities and timelines before committing.

Why Antom is an excellent choice for WooCommerce payment processing

• Official WordPress payments plugin for WooCommerce
• Supports over 300 local and global payment methods
• Offers payments in 100+ currencies
• Built-in support for multi-currency, recurring billing, and fund splitting
• Strong fraud protection with Antom Shield
• Easy sandbox and live environment integration