11 Best Shopify Payment Gateways for Businesses in 2026  

Key Takeaways:

1. The best payment gateway for Shopify in India depends on your transaction volume, customer payment preferences, settlement requirements, international sales and checkout experience.
2. For Indian D2C brands, a strong payment setup should go beyond UPI and cards. Offering flexible payment options such as EMI or Pay Later can also help reduce checkout friction and make higher-value purchases more accessible.
3. Shopify merchants can choose from Shopify Payments, eligible third-party payment providers and additional payment solutions that can complement their existing checkout setup.
4. When comparing payment gateways, look at transaction costs, payment methods, Shopify integration, settlement timelines, mobile checkout experience and payment success rates.
5. For D2C brands, the goal is not simply to find the cheapest payment gateway. It is to build a checkout experience that helps more customers complete their purchases and supports business growth.

Introduction

For an online D2C business, the payment page is one of the most important parts of the customer journey.

A shopper can discover your product, compare it with competitors, add it to the cart and still leave without purchasing if the final payment experience is slow, complicated or does not offer a preferred payment method.

This makes choosing the right Shopify payment gateway in India an important business decision, not just a technical one.

For Indian Shopify brands, UPI and cards are essential payment methods. However, D2C brands selling higher-value products may also benefit from offering flexible payment options such as EMI or Pay Later alongside conventional payment methods.

So, what is the best payment gateway for Shopify in India?

There is no single answer for every business.

The right choice depends on your customer base, average order value, monthly transaction volume, domestic versus international sales, preferred payment methods and the checkout experience you want to create.

In this guide, we compare 11 payment gateways and payment solutions that Shopify businesses can consider in 2026, along with the factors D2C brands should evaluate before making a decision.

What is a Shopify Payment Gateway?

A Shopify payment gateway is a service that enables an online store to accept and process customer payments.

Depending on the provider, customers may be able to pay using UPI, credit cards, debit cards, net banking, wallets, EMI and other supported payment methods.

Shopify supports its own payment solution as well as third-party payment providers. The providers available to a particular store can depend on factors such as the merchant's location, Shopify plan and payment configuration.

For a D2C business, however, the payment gateway is only one part of the checkout experience.

Your broader payment setup should make it easy for customers to choose how they want to pay, particularly when your products have a higher average order value.

Payment Gateway vs Payment Option: What Is the Difference?

A payment gateway processes a customer's payment, while a payment option determines how the customer chooses to pay.

For example, a Shopify store may use a payment gateway to process card and UPI transactions while also offering an EMI or Pay Later option at checkout.

This distinction matters for D2C brands because adding more relevant payment options can address different customer needs without replacing the primary payment gateway.

For example:

• UPI can serve customers who prefer instant digital payments
• Cards can serve customers who prefer credit or debit card payments
• EMI can make higher-value purchases more manageable
• Pay Later can give eligible customers greater payment flexibility

For a growing D2C brand, the objective should be to create a payment mix that matches customer intent rather than relying on one payment method.

Why Choosing the Right Payment Gateway Matters?

Choosing a payment gateway affects more than transaction processing.

It can influence the speed of checkout, payment success, customer experience, settlement timelines and the overall cost of accepting payments.

A suitable Shopify payment setup can help you:

• Offer customers their preferred payment methods
• Reduce unnecessary checkout friction
• Support mobile-first purchasing
• Improve payment completion
• Manage cash flow more efficiently
• Support domestic and international customers
• Offer flexible payment options for higher-value products

For D2C brands, there is another consideration: the relationship between payment flexibility and conversion.

A customer may want a product but hesitate at checkout because the upfront price feels too high.

Offering an appropriate EMI or financing option can give eligible customers another way to complete the purchase without requiring the brand to rely only on discounts.

Snapmint's merchant proposition is built around this use case, with its merchant offering highlighting cardless EMI, confirmed checkout and the potential to increase average cart value.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Shopify Payment Gateway

Now that we have established the importance of choosing the right Shopify payment gateway in India, here are the six major factors that should drive your decision to choose a Shopify payment gateway for your e-commerce business:

1. Transaction fees and setup costs

Transaction fees are the charge taken by the payment gateway per successful transaction. Some gateways charge a flat fee, while some take a percentage of the order value.

This fee, also known as MDR, often ranges between 1.5% to 3.5% in India, but can be dynamic according to the order value as well.

2. Supported payment methods

You must select a payment gateway that supports multiple payment methods like credit cards, UPI, pay-later, debit cards, wallets, etc.

This ensures that your customers find their preferred payment methods on your website while placing the order.

3. Ease of integration with Shopify

This is one of the most important factors when selecting a Shopify payment gateway. It should integrate seamlessly with Shopify, with minimal tech assistance and downtime.

4. Settlement time

Choose payment gateways with instant settlements or the shortest settlement time.

5. International payment support

This is a tricky part. Many payment gateways that support global transactions usually have a higher transaction fee (around 3 to 4%, along with a currency conversion fee). So, if you get 20-30% international orders, choose global payment gateways; otherwise, choose reliable Indian payment gateways.

6. Customer experience (checkout flow)

Customer experience plays a major role in reducing cart abandonment and improving conversion rate. Since 75% to 81% of all online shopping happens on mobile phones, your checkout flow on mobile matters significantly. Choose payment gateways with a simple checkout flow, minimal friction, and a smooth customer experience.

7. Mobile Checkout Experience

Mobile checkout should be a major consideration when selecting a Shopify payment gateway for a D2C business.

Test the entire journey on a mobile device:

1. Add a product to cart
2. Proceed to checkout
3. Select a payment method
4. Complete payment
5. Return to the store
6. Confirm that the order is successfully recorded

Look for fast loading, minimal friction, clear payment instructions and easy payment retries.

8. Payment Flexibility for Higher-Value Orders

D2C brands should also evaluate whether their payment setup supports customers who prefer to spread the cost of a purchase.

This is where EMI and financing options can complement traditional payment gateways.

Instead of treating EMI as a replacement for UPI or cards, brands can use it as an additional payment option for customers who need greater affordability at checkout.

11 Best Shopify Payment Gateways for Businesses in 2026

We have compiled a payment gateway list with the best Shopify payment gateways for Indian brands.

1. Shopify Payments 

Shopify offers its own payment gateway, which is straightforward, simple, and easy to use. Since you can track orders and payments within one dashboard, it is best for small D2C businesses.

You do not need technical expertise, as it comes integrated with your website.

Best for: Seamless Shopify integration for start-ups and small businesses.

2. Snapmint

Snapmint is different from a conventional payment gateway. It can be positioned as an additional payment and financing option that helps eligible customers make purchases through EMI, including cardless EMI.

For D2C brands, this can be particularly relevant when product prices or average order values create hesitation at checkout.

Snapmint's merchant offering states that customers can choose Snapmint, receive approval, and the merchant can capture and process the order while Snapmint settles the amount and services the EMIs.

Best for:

D2C brands looking to offer EMI and increase payment flexibility at checkout

Consider if:

Your products have a higher average order value or you want to give eligible customers an alternative to paying the full amount upfront.

3. Stripe

If you have a subscription-based business model that operates internationally, Stripe is a solid choice for you.

It is ideal for bigger companies that have a technical set-up. You can easily support transactions in multiple currencies, customise the checkout, and set up advanced payment flows for subscribers.

Best for: Global SaaS businesses & subscription-based models.

4. PayPal

PayPal is among the most trusted payment gateways for international businesses. It is preferred by customers globally because it is a renowned name they can trust.

It has higher transaction fees, so if you get a high volume of international orders, PayPal is a good option for you. If the majority of your customers are from India, you can consider other Shopify payment gateways that are cost-effective.

Best for: International customers and bigger brands.

5. Razorpay

Razorpay is one of the most popular payment gateways for Indian D2C brands.

It supports all payment methods like UPI, cards, wallets, and even EMI options like Snapmint.

It also has a smooth Shopify integration, making it ideal for Shopify brands. It charges a 2% transaction fee, which is on the lower side compared to other payment gateways.

Best for: Indian Shopify stores

6. Cashfree Payments

Cashfree is known for its fast payout speed and faster settlements. Brands that prioritize cash flow should try Cashfree payments.

It also offers UPI AutoPay and subscription billing, making it a good option for subscription-based businesses.

Best for: Brands that prioritize cash flow/ subscription-based brands.

7. PayU

If your brand is handling higher transaction volumes (2 crore+ per month), PayU is a reliable payment gateway for you.

It works best for companies that are already scaling in India. It does not require a lot of tech support, and also supports EMI-based payments, which are preferred by Indian consumers.

Best for: Scaling businesses in India

8. CCAvenue

CCAvenue has gained popularity for being a multi-lingual payment gateway, which is a plus-point for a diverse country like India, especially when you target tier 2 or 3 cities. Started in 2001, it is one of the oldest payment gateways in India, offering multiple payment options like net banking, wallets, and UPI.

Best for: Multilingual checkout in India

9. Instamojo

If you are an entrepreneur who has just started your business, Instamojo is a good starting point for you. It is a simple payment gateway with all essential features, which is ideal for start-ups with a very small team.

However, it is not ideal for handling a large volume of orders.

Best for: Small businesses & beginners

10. Authorize.Net

Authorize.Net is a US-based payment gateway that has been around for a long time now.

Its key USP is the strong fraud protection. It is a stable gateway that can handle a large volume of transactions. If your primary market is the US, we would recommend Auhorize.Net for your business.

However, it is on the expensive side, so it is not recommended for small businesses.

Best for: Established businesses primarily targeting the US market.

11. Amazon Pay

Amazon Pay is a customer-friendly payment gateway. Since customers can access the cards and UPI information saved on their existing Amazon accounts, the checkout process becomes effortless.

It is a good option for mid-level start-ups with repeat customers.

Best for: Faster checkout experience

12. Adyen

Adyen is an enterprise-level gateway built for large companies. It supports over 250 payment methods globally and offers advanced features like fraud detection, data insights, and unified commerce solutions.

Best for: Enterprise & global brands

Best Payment Gateway for Shopify in India: Which One Should You Choose?

There is no universally best Shopify payment gateway in India. Your choice should depend on what you need your payment stack to achieve.

For many D2C brands, this should not be an either-or decision. A strong checkout can combine a conventional payment gateway with additional payment options that address different customer preferences.

Which Payment Gateways Work Best for Indian D2C Businesses?

For most Indian D2C businesses, the ideal payment setup combines reliable UPI and card payments with additional options that can address different purchase barriers.

Consider your:

• Average order value
• Monthly transaction volume
• UPI versus card payment mix
• Domestic versus international orders
• Refund volume
• Settlement requirements
• Mobile traffic
• Customer payment preferences

If your AOV is high, also consider whether customers would benefit from an EMI option.

For example, a customer may be comfortable buying a ₹1,500 product upfront but hesitate at ₹15,000. Giving that customer a flexible payment option can address affordability friction without relying entirely on a discount.

Best Payment Gateway for Shopify Mobile Checkout

There is no single payment gateway that is automatically the best for every mobile Shopify store.

Instead, test your checkout experience across:

• UPI
• Debit cards
• Credit cards
• EMI or financing options
• Payment failures
• Payment retries
• Redirects
• Slow mobile connections

The best payment setup is the one that lets customers complete payment with minimal friction and gives them a payment method that fits their needs.

Shopify Payment Methods in India

Indian Shopify stores can offer different payment methods depending on their payment provider and store configuration.

Common options include:

• UPI
• Credit cards
• Debit cards
• Net banking
• Wallets
• EMI
• Pay Later
• International cards

For D2C brands, the right payment mix should reflect customer behaviour rather than simply maximising the number of payment options.

How EMI Can Complement Your Shopify Payment Gateway

Your payment gateway handles payment processing, but an EMI solution can address a different part of the customer's decision: affordability.

This distinction is particularly useful for D2C businesses selling higher-value products.

For example:

Traditional payment gateway → Helps the customer pay

EMI option → Gives eligible customers the flexibility to pay in instalments

Together, these options can create a more flexible checkout experience.

Snapmint's merchant offering is designed around this model, allowing merchants to offer Snapmint financing while Snapmint handles the EMI servicing.

Should D2C Brands Choose a Payment Gateway Based Only on Transaction Fees?

No.

A lower transaction fee does not automatically mean a better payment solution.

You should also consider:

• Payment success
• Checkout speed
• Payment-method coverage
• Settlement timelines
• Mobile experience
• Refund experience
• Customer support
• EMI or financing availability
• International payment requirements

The right question is not “Which payment gateway is cheapest?” but “Which payment setup gives my customers the easiest path to completing their purchase at an acceptable cost to my business?”

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Shopify Payment Gateway

We have discussed the best Shopify payment gateways for different types of businesses. But you still need to be aware of the common mistakes that founders make. Choosing the wrong payment gateway can cost you in the long run.

So, here are some mistakes that you should avoid when choosing the payment gateway for your Shopify business:

1. Choosing based only on low fees

Cheaper isn’t always better. Most CEOs and founders try to cut costs and choose the gateway with the lowest transaction fee. But it ends up hurting the checkout experience of the shoppers if the payment gateway is slow or cannot handle a high volume of transactions.

2. Local payment preferences

You need to know what your customers prefer. If you are selling specifically in India, you need to offer UPI and EMI options as Indian shoppers prefer them over credit cards. When you have your buyer’s preferred payment method, they are less likely to choose the cash-on-delivery (COD) option, which ultimately reduces your RTO in e-commerce.

3. Not checking settlement timelines

You chose the platform with the lowest transaction fee, without checking their settlement time. Now, your cash is stuck for weeks, while you pay the opportunity cost.

This is a huge mistake that brands make. You need proper cash flow to run and scale your business.

4. Poor checkout experience

If you only think from the brand’s perspective, you’ll choose a payment gateway that charges less transaction fees, provides quick settlement, and needs minimal tech support. But what about your customer’s experience? You also need to see that the payment gateway is quick and smooth.

Around 70% of the carts are abandoned due to a poor checkout experience. So, never ignore your customer’s checkout experience when choosing a payment gateway for your e-commerce brand.

Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts

The best Shopify payment gateway in India is not simply the one with the lowest transaction fee. It is the payment solution that gives your customers a reliable, convenient and flexible way to complete their purchase.

For Indian D2C brands, UPI and card payments form the foundation of the checkout experience, while EMI and other flexible payment options can help address affordability and higher-AOV purchase friction.

Instead of asking which single payment gateway is best, D2C brands should ask whether their overall payment setup gives customers enough flexibility to complete the purchase.

For brands looking to add EMI to their checkout, Snapmint can complement an existing payment setup by giving eligible customers access to cardless EMI and helping merchants create a more flexible checkout experience.

The goal is simple: reduce payment friction, give customers relevant ways to pay and make it easier for more shoppers to complete their purchase.

FAQs: