What is the best payment gateway for your Shopify store?

I. The Importance of Choosing the Right Payment Gateway

According to Valeriu Crudu (2025), 15% of global transactions fail due to payment gateway errors or currency incompatibility. Moreover, 63% of businesses face hidden fees in international transactions.

Choosing the right international payment gateway helps Vietnamese sellers ensure secure transactions, sell more easily, and avoid common issues on Shopify:

• Using an incompatible gateway may prevent sellers from withdrawing funds to their Vietnamese bank accounts.

• Poor integration can result in customers not seeing familiar payment methods, increasing cart abandonment rates.

• A lack of understanding about Shopify’s dispute or chargeback policies can lead to account suspension.

• Unclear fee structures or operational policies from the payment provider may lead to hidden costs, directly affecting your profit margins.

• Delayed payouts or legal barriers can disrupt operations and pose risks to your business.

II. 5 Essential Factors When Selecting an International Payment Gateway for Shopify

1. Target Market

Consumers in different regions have distinct payment behaviors and preferences. 40% of online shoppers abandon their carts if they cannot find a familiar payment method (Valeriu Crudu, 2025). This highlights the importance of choosing an international payment gateway based on your target market, rather than relying solely on the platform's popularity.

For example, credit cards are widely used in the US and Europe, while consumers in Asia tend to prefer local e-wallets:

• United States: Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard), Digital Wallets

• Canada & Europe: Debit Cards, Digital Wallets, Real-Time Payments (RTP such as SEPA)

• China: Alipay, WeChat Pay, Local Bank Cards

• Southeast Asia: Local E-wallets, Bank Transfers

Shopify supports a wide range of third-party international payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe to accommodate global sellers. However, some payment gateways may not be supported in certain countries or regions. Therefore, Vietnamese sellers should carefully research and verify market availability before integrating a payment gateway.

2. Transaction Fees and Supported Currencies

Each international payment gateway comes with its fee structure, which typically includes transaction processing fees, currency conversion fees, and other charges such as international transaction or withdrawal fees. These costs directly impact your profit margins, especially for small businesses or those operating across borders.

In addition, the ability to support the currencies you want to accept and withdraw is also a critical factor. Some gateways support over 100 currencies, while others may only offer limited options such as USD or EUR. Therefore, it is essential for sellers to thoroughly review and compare options before choosing a gateway that aligns with their business operations. 

3. Integration and Operational Compatibility with Shopify

A payment gateway’s ability to integrate smoothly and efficiently with Shopify is a key consideration. Complicated or slow integration processes can delay business operations and increase the risk of technical issues.

For businesses without technical teams, ease of use, strong security, and built-in fraud protection are essential. Providers like Stripe and Worldpay offer automated systems to reduce fraud and protect both merchants and customers. A secure and trusted gateway helps maintain transaction stability, prevent chargebacks, and build customer confidence.

4. Support for Vietnamese Businesses

Vietnamese sellers often face challenges when using international payment gateways that do not fully support the local market. These issues can include difficulties with verification, fund withdrawal, or handling legal requirements. For example, Stripe does not currently allow direct account setup from Vietnam. Sellers without a foreign business entity typically rely on third-party intermediaries, which increases the risk of verification failure, account suspension, or payout delays.

PayPal offers an easier setup but may impose account limitations if identity verification or fund flow compliance is not properly maintained. Vietnamese businesses should prioritize gateways with experience supporting Southeast Asian sellers or work with implementation partners who understand global compliance requirements.

5. User Experience

A seamless checkout experience is critical to improving conversion rates on Shopify. International payment gateways with clear interfaces, simple workflows, and multilingual support make it easier for customers to complete payments and reduce cart abandonment.

Platforms like Stripe and PayPal are well-optimized for mobile devices and support a wide range of popular payment methods. In contrast, some gateways have complex authentication steps or redirect flows that disrupt the user journey.

Sellers should observe how consumers and competitors structure their product pages, manage orders, respond to reviews, and set up payment gateways. These insights can help tailor the payment experience to better meet customer expectations.

III. Compare Popular Payment Gateways for Shopify

1. Shopify Payments

Shopify Payments is Shopify’s built-in payment gateway, allowing merchants to accept payments directly without needing a third-party provider. It supports major credit cards, popular digital wallets, and over 130 currencies, making it a streamlined option for businesses seeking simplicity.

Pros

• Built-in integration, no need for third-party setup

• No additional Shopify transaction fees when using Shopify Payments

• Supports multiple currencies and international credit cards

• Chargeback and dispute management are handled directly within Shopify

Cons

• Not yet available in Vietnam; requires a legal entity in supported countries

• Payout time typically ranges from 2–5 business days, longer for new accounts

• May impose rolling reserves or holds for high-risk industries

2. PayPal

PayPal is one of the most widely recognized payment gateways globally and is especially suitable for small businesses just starting with online sales. It supports over 200 countries and 25 currencies, allowing merchants to accept payments via credit cards, PayPal accounts, Venmo, and even cryptocurrencies.

Pros

• User-friendly design and easy integration with websites or e-commerce platforms 

• High level of security with advanced encryption technologies

• Transparent buyer and seller protection policies

• Supports recurring payments, ideal for subscription-based models

Cons

• High international transaction fees (2.59% + fixed fee)

• Accounts may be limited or suspended if processes are not followed properly

• Less suitable for businesses that require strict financial control or focus heavily on cost efficiency.

3. LianLian Global

LianLian Global is designed for businesses looking to expand internationally while maintaining control over costs and operations. Supporting over 100 international and local payment methods, the platform is easily integrated with major e-commerce ecosystems.

Pros

• Quick integration with Shopify, Amazon, and other platforms such as WooCommerce, Magento,...

• Supports global and local payments like Alipay, WeChat Pay

• Competitive trading fees and transparent fee structure

• 24/7 team resolves global payment issues quickly

• Supports Vietnamese businesses in registering and using the payment gateway without the need to establish a company abroad.

Cons

• Primarily optimized for Asian markets; limited recognition in Europe

• Advanced features may require technical assistance during setup

• Strict KYC (Know Your Customer) verification is required to comply with risk prevention and anti-fraud regulations.

4. Stripe

Stripe is a preferred international payment gateway for businesses with high transaction volumes, especially in e-commerce, subscription models, and marketplaces. Operating in 46 countries and supporting over 135 currencies, Stripe enables Vietnamese sellers to expand globally with ease.

Pros

• Seamless integration with Shopify, WooCommerce, WordPress, and other platforms

• Supports a wide range of payment methods with competitive international transaction fees

• High-level security with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance and advanced fraud protection

Cons

• Cannot be registered directly from Vietnam

• Requires a foreign legal entity or overseas bank account

• Advanced customizations may require technical expertise

5. WorldPay

Worldpay is a global payment solution suitable for businesses targeting a broad customer base across multiple regions. It supports over 120 currencies and operates in 150 countries, helping merchants improve conversion rates in international markets.

Pros

• Accepts various payment methods, including cards, digital wallets, local options, and cryptocurrencies

• Offers smooth integration across websites, applications, and online stores

• 24/7 customer support, ideal for cross-time-zone operations

Cons

• Complex fee structure, difficult to evaluate without prior experience

• More appropriate for companies with structured teams; less suitable for small-scale or new sellers.

6. Authorize.net

Authorize.net offers scalable payment processing with Visa’s reliability, suitable for businesses needing tools like recurring payments, virtual terminals, and customer data storage. By providing recurring billing and a virtual POS system, Authorize.net helps businesses offer flexible payment experiences.

Pros

• Stable performance with simple setup and a user-friendly interface

• Supports payments via credit/debit cards, e-checks, PayPal, and Apple Pay

• An advanced fraud detection system to minimize chargeback risks

Cons

• $25 monthly maintenance fee may not suit startups or small businesses

• Additional fees apply (10¢ per transaction + 10¢ daily batch fee)

• Limited presence in Southeast Asia; lacks local support

Overview comparison table of international payment gateways for Shopify

IV. Suggested Process for Choosing the Right Payment Gateway

Selecting the right payment gateway is essential to maximizing conversion rates and ensuring smooth cash flow. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you identify the most suitable solution for your business needs:

Step 1: Define Target Market and Currency

Choose a gateway that operates in your target market and supports the main currencies your business will use.

Step 2: Check Product Category and Approval Policy

Ensure your business category is not restricted or prohibited by the payment provider.

Step 3: Evaluate Business Size and Model

Startups or small businesses should prioritize gateways that are easy to set up, don’t require a foreign legal entity, and have no high monthly fees.

Step 4: Compare Costs and Integration Capabilities

Review total costs, including transaction fees, currency conversion rates, and technical integration efforts.

Step 5: Assess Support and Platform Reputation

Select a gateway with strong security policies, reliable documentation, and responsive technical support.

V. Conclusion

Selecting the right international payment gateway is essential for streamlining operations, increasing conversion rates, and facilitating global expansion. Businesses are advised to evaluate their needs, costs, and technical requirements thoroughly. As a consulting partner, Sliner supports merchants in identifying and integrating suitable solutions tailored to their cross-border commerce goals.

BOOK A CONSULTATION with Sliner to build a tailored international payment strategy that optimizes cash flow and streamlines your cross-border eCommerce operations.