What to look for in a complete marketplace payment solution

Payments are at the core of every marketplace. With global payments projected to reach over $5 trillion in the coming years, businesses need solutions that go well beyond basic processing. Security, compliance, support for multiple payment methods, and smooth payouts are now essentials. Getting this right early lays the groundwork for sustainable growth and global expansion.

How marketplace payment processing works

A complete marketplace payment solution covers both pay-ins (buyers paying into the marketplace) and pay-outs (funds distributed to sellers). The lifecycle typically looks like this:

1. Buyer checkout – The customer selects products and confirms payment.
   
   
2. Payment authorisation – The payment gateway verifies the transaction using the buyer’s chosen payment method, such as debit card payments, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or bank transfer.
   
   
3. Escrow or hold – Funds may be held temporarily to protect against fraud, returns, or disputes.
   
   
4. Fee deduction – The platform deducts commissions or service charges.
   
   
5. Seller payout – Remaining funds are transferred to the seller’s bank account or digital wallet.

Marketplaces can use two models:

• Aggregated model: The platform is the merchant of record. Sellers don’t directly manage payment compliance, but the platform bears more regulatory responsibility.
  
  
• Direct model: Sellers are individually onboarded with the payment provider. This can offer more transparency but requires additional compliance checks (KYC/KYB).

Benefits and challenges of marketplace payments

What to look for in an ideal marketplace payment solution

Security and compliance

A reliable solution must meet the highest standards for encryption and fraud protection. Look for providers with PCI DSS certification, automated KYC/KYB onboarding, and built-in compliance with regulations such as PSD2/PSD3 and GDPR. Fraud protection tools should include AI-based monitoring, 3D Secure support, and dynamic risk scoring.

Split payments and payout flexibility

A marketplace needs to split funds across multiple sellers and deduct commissions automatically. The best marketplace payment solutions support:

• Escrow and staged release of funds.
  
  
• Instant or delayed payouts.
  
  
• Multi-party fund splitting for revenue sharing.
  
  
• Settlement to multiple destinations, including bank accounts and digital wallets.

Global and multi-currency support

Marketplaces that operate across borders must be able to accept and settle payments in a wide range of currencies. Strong solutions typically cover more than 100 currencies and provide competitive foreign exchange rates to keep costs manageable. Support for local payment methods, such as regional wallets or bank transfers, helps capture more sales by matching buyer preferences. Local acquiring also improves payment approval rates and reduces cross-border fees, making international sales more profitable.

Integration and scalability

Integration is often the deciding factor in whether a payment solution is practical for a marketplace. Providers offering API-first design make it easier for marketplaces to tailor payments to their needs. The option to use hosted or white-label checkout flows can speed up implementation and reduce development time. Scalable solutions also include automation for bulk payouts, reconciliation, and high-volume processing, which ensures that the platform can grow without hitting operational bottlenecks.

Payment methods variety

Buyers expect to choose a marketplace payment option that fits their preferences. A complete solution should include:

• Cards (credit and debit).
  
  
• Digital wallets such as Apple Pay, Alipay, GrabPay, and other regional wallets.
  
  
• Bank transfers and direct debits.
  
  
• Local payment methods tailored to each market.

Cost and pricing transparency

Transaction fees add up quickly, especially for high-volume marketplaces. Evaluate:

• Per-transaction fees (often around 2.9% + a fixed amount).
  
  
• FX markups and cross-border fees.
  
  
• Any hidden charges such as setup or monthly costs. 

A strong payment solution for marketplaces should also provide analytics to help track total cost of payments and ROI.

Additional perks

Extra features can distinguish a basic service from a complete marketplace payment solution:

• Real-time reporting and dashboards: These provide finance teams with a consolidated view of all transactions, chargebacks, and settlements. They reduce reconciliation time and improve financial control.
  
  
• Mobile-optimised checkout: Since a large share of marketplace traffic comes from mobile devices, an optimised checkout reduces abandonment and increases conversions.
  
  
• 24/7 customer and technical support: Around-the-clock assistance ensures that issues such as outages or payment errors are resolved quickly, reducing downtime and lost revenue.
  
  
• Revenue-enhancing features: Capabilities like automated retries for failed payments help recover sales that would otherwise be lost, boosting conversion rates with minimal effort from the merchant.

How to choose the right provider

Assess your business model 

Consider whether your marketplace operates in B2C, B2B, or a hybrid model. Each has unique payment requirements. For example, B2C marketplaces may need faster payout cycles to keep sellers engaged, while B2B setups often demand support for invoicing and larger transaction values.

Check coverage 

Look at the provider’s support for global and local payment methods. Ensure they cover key markets you already serve and the ones you plan to expand into. Wide coverage reduces friction for buyers and increases conversion rates.

Evaluate integration 

Review the provider’s documentation, API quality, and sandbox testing capabilities. A strong integration experience saves development time and avoids costly delays. Confirm compatibility with your current platform and tech stack

Calculate total cost 

Go beyond the advertised per-transaction fees. Factor in FX rates, cross-border charges, dispute management fees, and any ongoing subscription or setup costs. Calculating the true total cost of ownership gives you a clearer picture of long-term affordability.

Request demos and trials 

Test the solution in practice. Pay attention to transaction success rates, the speed of authorisations, and the ease of use for buyers and sellers. A trial period helps you understand how the system performs under real-world conditions

Check references and reviews 

Speak with existing customers and read independent reviews. This provides insight into reliability, customer support quality, and the provider’s track record during issues or disputes.

Key questions to ask 

Common pitfalls

A frequent mistake is focusing only on low fees while overlooking essentials like fraud protection or compliance in new markets. Cutting costs at the start can create bigger risks and expenses later.

Another pitfall is choosing a provider without confirming their global reach or back-office strength. Limited coverage can stall expansion, and weak reporting or reconciliation tools can lead to inefficiencies as volumes grow.

Many marketplaces also underestimate the importance of responsive customer support. When chargebacks, disputes, or technical issues hit, slow assistance can disrupt operations. The right provider balances cost with compliance, scalability, and long-term reliability.

Conclusion

A complete marketplace payment solution should do more than process transactions. It should protect buyer trust through strong compliance, give sellers flexible payout options, and provide clear visibility into costs and performance. Just as importantly, it should scale with your business—supporting new markets, payment methods, and operational needs as you grow.

With global payment volumes rising rapidly, selecting the right provider is not just about efficiency but also securing your marketplace’s long-term growth. Antom delivers many of these capabilities, and the decision starts with aligning the solution to your marketplace’s specific goals and future direction.