10 Best Payment Gateways in Australia in 2026

Taking payments online should be one of the easier parts of running a business. Unfortunately, choosing the payment gateway often makes it feel more complicated than it needs to be.

Your choice of provider has an impact on more than simply whether a customer's card is accepted. Fees, payment options, settlement times, fraud prevention, integrations, and the entire checkout process are all important. Once your sales begin to increase, even a slight variation in transaction charges might become a significant expense.

In 2026, Australian companies had a wide range of options, from regional suppliers such as Eway, Pin Payments, and Tyro to internationally recognised systems such as Stripe and PayPal. Some make more sense for a company that sells globally or handles both online and in-person payments, while others are more appropriate for a tiny internet store.

To make the choice easier, here are 10 payment gateways worth considering in Australia in 2026.

What is a payment gateway?

A payment gateway is the technology that helps a business accept payments from customers, particularly online.

When the customer enters their card information during the checkout process, the gateway securely transfers the payment information through the relevant payment systems, helping the transaction to be approved. After the payment is approved, the money is eventually transferred into the merchant's account.

The gateway can be thought of as the link between your checkout and the financial network that processes the payment.

How to choose a payment gateway in Australia

It’s important to understand how to choose a payment gateway in Australia.

Although they are a clear place to start, transaction fees are simply one aspect of the expense. Verify whether there are any additional costs, such as chargeback fees, currency translation fees, international card fees, or monthly fees.

Another important factor is integration. A gateway with a pre-made integration can save you a tonne of development work if your store uses WooCommerce or Shopify. Developer tools, SDKs, and APIs will likely be more important to companies creating their own checkout.

Support comes next. It is not very useful to wait days for an answer when a payment system malfunctions at the wrong time. Businesses looking for someone knowledgeable about the local market may find providers providing Australian-based support appealing.

Here are the 10 options that stand out.

1. Stripe

Stripe remains one of the strongest choices for Australian businesses that want a modern online payment platform.

Businesses that require control over the checkout process are especially fond of it. APIs, pre-made checkout tools, payment links, recurring payments, fraud prevention, and support for several payment methods are all offered by Stripe.

Its standard Australian pricing currently starts at 1.7% + A$0.30 for domestic cards and 3.5% + A$0.30 for international cards. Stripe also supports local options such as PayTo and BECS Direct Debit, as well as wallets and BNPL methods.

2. Square

The platform combines online payments with point-of-sale tools, making it useful for retailers, cafés, service businesses, and other merchants that take payments in more than one place.

Square charges approx 2.2% for online transactions and 1.6% for the card payments which made it in person. Additionally, it facilitates Afterpay and remote payments, providing companies multiple options to collect money from clients.

What makes Square appealing is the simplicity. You can bring your online and physical payments into the same broader system rather than juggling separate providers.

For a business that operates only online, however, some of Square’s wider POS features may be unnecessary.

3. Shopify Payments

It is one of the best ways to accept payments. Orders, payments, and store management all work together on the Shopify platform, which is directly connected to it. It can greatly simplify the setup and everyday management.

List card fees for Shopify Australia's current plans range from lower fees for higher plans to 1.75% + A$0.30 for the Basic plan. Furthermore, the platform offers worldwide selling features on its higher-tier memberships and facilitates both online and in-person sales.

Convenience is the main benefit. Since you already use Shopify, you don't really need to create a new payment system.

4. PayPal

As per the 64% of Australian internet buyers who reported using PayPal in the previous six months, according to a 2024 survey7. PayPal accounts for 45% of the global payments market. PayPal, one of the most widely used international payment gateways, is available in over 200 countries and regions and accepts 25 different currencies, making it a great choice for businesses all around the world.

5. Airwallex

Forbes Australia20 reports that in 2024, Airwallex's worldwide sales increased by 73% and its transactions by 60%. Since Q3 2023, Asia Pacific has had even more growth, with a 49% increase in transaction volume and an 83% increase in revenue. This Melbourne-based payment gateway company aims to manage multi-currency funds, streamline international transactions, and lessen the complexities of international banking. SWIFT local transfers to more than 120 countries, SWIFT transfers to more than 200 countries, and accounts with local bank information in more than 20 currencies are all provided by Airwallex.

6. Eway

One of the most well-known companies in the Australian payments industry is Eway. There are now no setup or monthly costs associated with its primary online payments product, which has a charge of 1.5% + A$0.25 per Visa, Mastercard, and Amex transaction. Additionally, Eway promotes local assistance and integrated fraud protection.

Another useful feature is settlement speed. Internet payments can frequently be put into an Australian bank account in one to three working days, according to Eway, provided authorisation is obtained.

7. Adyen

Adyen's design prioritises scale over simplicity. It is intended for companies that operate across markets and channels and enables a wide range of payment methods through a single integration. Additionally, merchants are free to decide when and in what currency to pay their funds.

Adyen's pricing strategy differs from some small-business providers; it provides a straightforward flat-rate plan.

Businesses with high transaction volumes or more complex payment requirements may find it more appropriate as a result.

8. Pin Payments

Pin Payments is an Australian-based payment company. Currently, domestic cards start at 1.6% + A$0.30, while international cards start at 3.4% + A$0.30.

There are no lock-in contracts or minimum processing amounts, according to its pricing information.

Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other major card networks are supported by the platform. Additionally, it provides unique pricing for companies that process more than A$30,000 per month.

Pin Payments may be a desirable choice for a tiny business that wants clear pricing without committing to a lengthy contract.

It is particularly worthwhile to take into account when having a vast array of enterprise capabilities is not as crucial as simplicity.

9. Tyro

Tyro is another Australian provider worth considering, particularly if you want to bring online and physical payments together.

Checkouts on websites and apps, payment links, reservations, QR codes, and integrations are all supported by its online payment platform. Additionally, Tyro integrates in-person and online transactions into a more comprehensive payment environment with unified reporting, reconciliation, and settlement.

As per the company, over 77,800 organisations use its services, and it provides Australian-based support seven days a week.

That makes Tyro particularly interesting for retailers, hospitality businesses, service providers, and other companies that do not want separate systems for their online and physical transactions.

10. PayPal Braintree

In terms of the checkout process, PayPal Braintree differs from the standard PayPal.

It is primarily targeted at companies looking for a payment platform that is easy for developers to use and gives them control over how payments are incorporated into their websites, applications, and other systems.

Braintree supports PayPal, cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other payment methods, and PayPal describes it as an end-to-end payment solution for global and local commerce.

For Australian merchants, Braintree’s current standard rate for cards and third-party digital wallets is 1.75% + A$0.30 per transaction, including GST. Transactions presented outside the home currency are listed at 3.9% + A$0.30.

For a simple small-business checkout, regular PayPal may be easier. Braintree becomes more attractive when you need greater technical control.

Payment Gateway Comparison

Payment Gateway	Best For	Starting/Standard Pricing*	Online Payments	International Payments
Stripe	Startups and online businesses	1.7% + A$0.30	Yes	Yes
Square	Online + in-person businesses	2.2% online	Yes	Limited/varies
Shopify Payments	Shopify stores	From 1.75% + A$0.30	Yes	Yes
PayPal	Familiar customer checkout	2.90% + A$0.30	Yes	Yes
Airwallex	International sellers	1.65% + A$0.30	Yes	Yes
Eway	Australian businesses	1.5% + A$0.25	Yes	Yes
Adyen	Larger businesses	Custom/payment-method based	Yes	Yes
Pin Payments	Small businesses	1.6% + A$0.30	Yes	Yes
Tyro	Online + physical payments	Custom/varies	Yes	Yes
Braintree	Custom online checkouts	1.75% + A$0.30	Yes	Yes

*Pricing can vary by payment method, card type, plan, volume, currency, and other factors. Check the provider’s current pricing before making a decision. Current figures above are based on the providers’ published Australian pricing available in 2026.

Which payment gateway is best for your business?

There is no reason to choose the most feature-heavy gateway just because it appears on a list of the “best” providers.

A small online business may be perfectly happy with Stripe, Pin Payments, or PayPal. A Shopify store can keep things simple with Shopify Payments. A retailer that sells online and at a physical location may get more value from Square or Tyro.

One important change for Australian merchants in 2026

There is another issue Australian businesses need to keep on their radar this year.

From 1 October 2026, businesses will no longer be permitted to apply a separate surcharge to Visa, Mastercard, EFTPOS, or American Express card payments, subject to the applicable rules and exceptions. Payment processing fees themselves do not disappear; businesses simply cannot recover those costs through a separate surcharge on the affected card payments.

That change makes it even more important to understand what you are paying your payment provider before setting your pricing.

Conclusion

The best payment gateway in Australia is not necessarily the one with the lowest advertised transaction rate.

Even if a provider saves you money on processing, it may not be a good fit if it does not accept the payment methods that your clients prefer. However, if you receive stronger fraud tools, quicker settlements, improved integrations, or much-needed local assistance, it can be worth paying a little bit extra.

Stripe, Square, PayPal, Pin Payments, and Eway are useful places to start comparing for a lot of small online businesses. While companies that sell worldwide would benefit more from Airwallex, Shopify sellers have a compelling incentive to consider Shopify Payments. While Adyen and Braintree are better suited for firms that require a more complex payment setup, Tyro can be helpful for organisations that combine online and in-person purchases.

FAQs

Which payment gateway is cheapest in Australia?

Your transaction volume and the payment options you use determine the price. Although competitive rates are offered by companies like Pin Payments, Eway, Stripe, and Airwallex, you should analyse the entire cost structure before making a decision.

Is Square good for small businesses in Australia?

Small businesses that take payments both online and in person may find Square to be a suitable fit. The same platform can be used to administer its payment and point-of-sale systems.

Which payment gateway is best for international payments?

Airwallex is the best option for businesses which can often accept payments from customers in other countries. International transactions and multi-currency payments are highly valued.

How quickly do payment gateways settle money in Australia?

Accounts and providers have different settlement times. Depending on the provider, transaction, and account configuration, certain payments may arrive at your bank in a few business days.

Can I use a payment gateway with Shopify or WooCommerce?

Indeed. Shopify, WooCommerce, and other e-commerce platforms can be integrated with a number of well-known gateways. Generally speaking, the choice with a pre-made integration for the platform you already use is the simplest.

Are payment gateway fees tax deductible in Australia?

There is insufficient information in the article source to specifically address the tax-deductibility topic. Companies should consult a trained tax expert or review the most recent Australian Taxation Office regulations.