Best Payment Gateways In Australia (2026 Review)

Australians spent more than $82 billion online in 2025, with a sizable percentage flowing through digital channels. At the same time, checkout friction remains a major issue, with up to 70% of high-value shoppers abandoning purchases due to poor payment experiences.

That tension creates a clear reality: the payment gateway you choose can directly affect conversion rates, cash flow and customer trust. This guide compares the best payment gateways in Australia in 2026, focusing on what actually matters in practice: pricing, ease of use, integrations and reliability.

The goal is to help you choose a system that works consistently in the background while you focus on what you do best.

Payment gateway comparison: key takeaways

The 10 best payment gateways in Australia

1. Eway

Eway is an Australian-owned payment provider offering both a payment gateway and merchant facility in one system. This removes the need to manage multiple vendors, which is often where complexity builds. It supports one-off and recurring payments, integrates with over 250 platforms and meets PCI DSS Level 1 security standards.

• Reporting and reconciliation are handled through a single dashboard, which keeps admin manageable.
• The trade-off is that it is less globally recognised than Stripe or PayPal.
• Best suited to startups or SMBs that want a reliable, straightforward solution that runs in the background.

2. Stripe

Stripe is widely used for its flexibility and developer-first approach. It supports a broad range of payment methods, including cards, wallets and buy now pay later options. Its API allows deep customisation, making it a strong fit for businesses with in-house technical capability. However, that flexibility comes with some complexity.

• Setup, maintenance and optimisation often require developer input.
• Best suited to fast-growing eCommerce businesses with technical resources and a need for custom payment flows.

3. Square

Square combines payments, POS hardware and business tools into one platform. It’s popular for quick setup and ease of use, particularly for those operating both online and in-person.

• Its ecosystem includes invoicing, inventory and reporting features.
• It is less flexible for complex eCommerce setups compared to Stripe or dedicated gateways.
• It’s best for retail, hospitality and service businesses that need a simple omnichannel setup.

4. Tyro

Tyro is an Australian payments provider focused primarily on in-person transactions. It integrates with a broad range of POS systems and is preferred across hospitality and healthcare settings.

• Settlement times are competitive, and local banking integration is strong.
• Its online payment capabilities are limited compared to other providers on this list.
• Best suited to businesses with a strong in-store presence rather than online-first operations.

5. GoCardless

GoCardless is designed specifically for bank-to-bank payments using direct debit. It is widely used by service businesses, SaaS companies and membership organisations that rely on recurring billing. Because it bypasses card networks, fees are typically lower and payment failure rates can be reduced over time.

• It integrates well with accounting platforms like Xero, which simplifies reconciliation.
• It is not a full payment gateway and does not support standard card payments.
• Great for businesses prioritising predictable recurring revenue over one-off transactions.

6. PayPal

PayPal remains one of the most recognised payment methods globally, and it boasts strong consumer trust built over decades. That familiarity can reduce checkout hesitation, especially for new or infrequent customers. It also supports express checkout, which shortens the payment process and can improve conversion rates. The clear trade-off, however, is cost and control.

• Fees are typically higher, and the checkout experience sits partly outside your own environment.
• It’s a reliable option for businesses looking to maximise conversion through brand recall.

7. SecurePay

SecurePay is a payment gateway owned by Australia Post and backed by NAB, offering a traditional bank-aligned solution. It supports major card schemes, digital wallets and a range of integrations with eCommerce platforms.

• The infrastructure is built around compliance and security, which appeals to businesses with stricter operational requirements.
• Onboarding and configuration can be more involved compared to newer providers. Pricing structures may vary depending on banking arrangements.
• It’s great for established businesses that prefer a bank-backed vendor with a more conventional setup.

8. Pin Payments

Pin Payments is an Australian provider focused on simplicity and transparency. It offers flat-rate pricing, no monthly fees and straightforward integrations with platforms like WooCommerce and Magento. The onboarding process is relatively quick, which makes it a fine choice for many budding startups.

• The platform is designed to be easy to manage without technical expertise.
• It does not offer the same depth of features or global capabilities as larger platforms, particularly around advanced reporting or multi-currency support.
• Best suited to small eCommerce businesses that want a clean, low-maintenance payment setup.

9. Shopify Payments

The obvious strength of Shopify Payments is the fact that it’s integrated into the Shopify ecosystem. Merchants can accept payments without adding a third-party gateway. Setup is immediate, and it supports major cards, digital wallets and local payment methods. The limitation, however, is also that ecosystem lock-in.

• It removes additional transaction fees that Shopify charges when external gateways are used.
• It cannot be used outside Shopify, and flexibility is reduced if you need custom payment flows or external integrations.
• The superior choice for businesses fully committed to Shopify as their eCommerce platform.

10. Airwallex

Airwallex is designed for businesses operating in multiple markets. It offers multi-currency accounts, competitive foreign exchange rates and the ability to accept payments in different regions without relying on traditional banking infrastructure.

• The platform can be more complex than local-first providers, and some features may be unnecessary for purely domestic businesses.
• Ideal for scaling eCommerce businesses with international customers and multi-currency needs.

How to choose the best payment gateway in Australia

Comparing payment gateways should be less about features on paper and more about how well it fits into your day-to-day. The right setup should reduce checkout friction, simplify admin and support steady cash flow. The wrong one tends to create hidden issues that pull you away from your core, income-producing functions.

1. Start with how your business takes payments

Different business models require different capabilities. Ecommerce stores need seamless checkouts with card and digital wallet support. Service providers may rely more on invoicing, virtual terminals or recurring billing. Meanwhile, retail and hospitality often need POS integration alongside online payments. Choosing a gateway that aligns with your primary payment flow reduces complexity later.

2. Look beyond headline transaction fees

When searching for the cheapest payment gateways in Australia, remember that pricing is rarely as simple as the advertised rate. Transaction fees vary based on card type, volume and whether payments are domestic or international. On top of that are indirect costs like chargebacks, refund processing and foreign exchange margins. Flat-rate pricing can offer predictability, while interchange pricing may be more cost-effective at scale.

3. Assess integration with your existing systems

Your payment gateway should connect cleanly with the tools you already use. This typically includes eCommerce platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce, accounting software such as Xero and any CRM or booking systems. It might seem like a small issue, but poor integration creates more manual work that you might realise.

4. Prioritise security and compliance

Handling payment data carries tremendous responsibility. At a minimum, your provider should meet PCI DSS standards, which are designed to protect cardholder data and reduce fraud risk. Also look for features like tokenisation, encryption and built-in fraud detection. Besides safeguarding your customers, these reduce the likelihood of disputes, financial loss and reputational damage.

5. Consider operational impact over time

The best Australian payment gateway is the one you don’t have to think about often. Reporting should be clear and accessible, reconciliation should be straightforward and settlements should be timely and predictable. If your team spends time chasing transactions, fixing errors or navigating complex dashboards, that is a cost in itself.

6. Factor in support and local expertise

When something goes wrong with payments, it has to be resolved quickly to salvage revenue and customer experience. Access to knowledgeable support, particularly within your local market, can make a significant difference. Local support teams often have a better understanding of Australian banking systems, compliance requirements and common integration setups.

7. Match the gateway to your stage of growth

Early-stage businesses often benefit from simplicity. An all-in-one solution with minimal setup and clear pricing can reduce overhead and allow you to focus on growth. As you scale, requirements may shift towards customisation, international payments or more complex reporting. The right gateway should support where you are now while still allowing room to grow without needing a full rebuild later.

Take control of how you get paid

There is no single payment gateway that suits every business, because each provider has strengths depending on how you operate. For many Australian SMBs, the priority is simpler: a system that’s easy to set up and is dependable day to day.

Eway stands apart by combining a payment gateway and merchant facility in one, with clear pricing and strong security baked in. If you’re after a payment solution that works reliably without constant oversight, Eway is definitely worth exploring. With support for one-off and recurring payments, over 250 integrations and a locally based team, it’s a practical approach to managing online payments.

Take a closer look at Eway and see whether it fits your operations today.