Nabeyond ltd t/a CartDNA is a CartDNA is a Shopify Payment App Development Partner
Choosing the right payment gateway determines your checkout conversion, transaction costs and customer experience. Here's exactly how to compare Stripe, PayPal, Shopify Payments, Adyen and other Shopify payment gateways.
CartDNA connects to your current payment stack. You can use your existing gateway and unlock more local payment methods without switching processors or integrating a new core provider.
Your payment gateway isn't just a transaction tool — it's part of your conversion strategy. The right gateway helps you increase sales. The wrong one increases fees, blocks international markets and frustrates customers.
High transaction fees and unclear checkout experiences lead to abandonment. Modern gateways must minimise friction, support local methods and be recognised as trustworthy.
Fast settlements improve cashflow. Delays can affect refunds, restocking and operational cashflow.
Some gateways require complex setup; others work immediately. If you're on Shopify, look for native connections that don't require custom code.
Selling internationally means supporting local payment methods customers actually use, not just global credit cards. Don't let a gateway stop you expanding into new markets.
Transaction fees add up quickly. Even a 0.2% difference between gateways can represent thousands in revenue. The devil's in the details.
Example: Shopify Payments (2.9% + 30p UK), Stripe (2.9% + 30p), PayPal (2.99% + fixed). Minor differences become significant at high volume.
If you sell globally, currency conversion and cross-border settlement fees count. Some gateways charge 1-2% more for foreign transactions.
Some gateways charge you to withdraw funds. Check payout speed too — faster payouts improve cashflow.
Chargeback and dispute fees vary significantly. Some providers charge £15-25 per chargeback, whether you win or lose.
Some premium gateways (like Adyen) require monthly fees on top of transaction fees. Evaluate whether the cost aligns with your needs.
A shop processing £100,000/month at 3% pays £3,000/month in fees. At 2.7%, it's £2,700. Over a year, that's £3,600 difference — enough to hire customer support or invest in adverts.
💡 Pro tip: Consider the full picture, not just listed rates. Some gateways offer lower rates but restrict you to credit cards only. If you miss local conversion (Bancontact, iDEAL, Klarna), you lose more revenue than you save on fees.
Fees matter, but if your gateway creates friction at checkout, you lose customers. The checkout experience determines conversion.
If you sell internationally, your customers expect local payment options. Credit cards aren't enough. Local payment methods dramatically increase conversion in some regions.
Buyers like to pay with methods they know
If their preferred method isn't available, they leave
Some regions like India require local methods
Displaying Bancontact in Belgium signals you're serious
💡 Pro tip: Check if your gateway supports currency anchoring. Even if your shop currency is USD, displaying prices in local currency with checkout increases trust.
Payment breaches destroy trust and can cost you millions. Your gateway must offer first-class security.
Too-strict security can create friction. For example, requiring 3DS verification for every transaction increases security but can frustrate customers used to one-click payment. The best gateways let you activate security conditionally based on risk profile.
Different businesses have different needs. Here's how leading gateways compare by merchant type.
Prioritise setup speed, low upfront costs and ease of use. Shopify Payments and Stripe are great for starting quickly, with no monthly fees and seamless integrations.
Subscriptions require reliable recurring billing, free trials, payment dunning and subscriber management tools. Stripe and Braintree (by PayPal) offer strong subscription support. Adyen works for enterprise-level subscriptions.
Enterprise-level merchants need custom pricing, multi-currency support, advanced compliance and direct bank connections. Adyen is the enterprise-level option; Stripe offers Stripe Connect for marketplaces; CyberSource (Visa) serves large businesses.
High-risk products or business models (subscriptions, supplements, CBD, etc.) have more difficulty being accepted. You'll need a specialised gateway that works with high-risk processors. CartDNA supports many high-risk gateways.
Are you selling locally or globally? What payment methods do your customers expect? If you're in Europe, prioritise SEPA, Klarna, iDEAL support. If you're global, ensure the gateway supports local wallets.
Estimate your monthly transaction volume. Calculate how much you'd pay with each gateway. Don't forget hidden fees (dispute, cross-border settlement).
Checkout testing (sandbox mode) is crucial. See how smooth the experience is for buyers. Check if it integrates into your Shopify stack without complex coding.
Read security documentation. If you sell high volume or high-risk categories, fraud prevention tools are essential.
Payment issues must be resolved quickly. Check support SLAs, availability hours and API access.
Need help deciding? Tell us about your use case and we'll help you identify the right gateway + payment methods mix.
Speak to CartDNAHere are key terms you might search for when comparing Shopify payment gateways:
It depends on your needs. Shopify Payments is simplest for US/CA/UK-based merchants. Stripe offers more flexibility and global reach. Adyen is designed for enterprise with complex multi-currency needs. Braintree (PayPal) works well for subscriptions. CartDNA lets you combine your current gateway with 720+ payment methods.
No. CartDNA connects to your current gateway (Shopify Payments, Stripe, Adyen, etc.) and unlocks additional payment methods without changing your processor. You keep your current setup and payment flows.
Yes, if you process high volume (typically 100K+ USD/month). Enterprise-level merchants can negotiate lower transaction rates, reduced chargeback fees or fixed monthly fees with providers like Stripe, Adyen and Braintree.
Yes. Some merchants use multiple gateways based on region or risk. For example, Shopify Payments for US, Stripe for EU, and a high-risk gateway for certain product categories. CartDNA helps manage this with unified setup.
Choosing a gateway is only half the puzzle. Payment method support is the other. CartDNA lets you keep your current gateway and unlock 720+ payment methods designed to increase conversion.
