What Payments Does Shopify Accept

Shopify supports a wide range of payment methods to make selling online easier for merchants and shopping simpler for customers. In the UK, Shopify Payments allows store owners to accept major debit and credit cards, mobile wallet payments, and popular local or buy now pay later options such as Klarna. Understanding what payment types Shopify accepts and how they work can help you create a checkout experience that is smooth, trustworthy, and tailored to your audience.

Payment Methods Supported by Shopify Payments in the UK

Shopify Payments, which is Shopify’s built-in payment gateway, enables merchants to accept a broad variety of payment types without needing to connect to third-party providers. This includes most of the common payment methods used by UK and international customers.

Merchants using Shopify Payments in the UK can accept major credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Maestro, Discover, Diners Club, and UnionPay. These card payments form the backbone of most online transactions and allow both domestic and international customers to make purchases easily.

Digital wallets are also supported, including Apple Pay and Google Pay. These options are particularly popular among mobile users because they allow customers to pay quickly and securely without needing to manually enter their card details. For many online stores, enabling these digital wallets can significantly improve checkout conversion rates.

Shopify Payments also supports local and regional payment methods relevant to the UK and European markets, including Klarna, Bancontact, and iDEAL. Klarna allows customers to choose flexible payment options, such as paying later or in instalments, which can help increase average order values. Finally, for certain merchants, Shopify supports payments in USDC, a stable cryptocurrency that provides another level of flexibility for tech-savvy buyers.

How Each Payment Type Works

When customers pay using traditional debit or credit cards, Shopify Payments processes the transaction directly within the Shopify system. The payment is authorised, captured, and then deposited into the merchant’s bank account based on their payout schedule. Because everything happens within Shopify, there is no need for external integrations or additional fees for using third-party gateways.

For digital wallet payments, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, customers simply tap or click to pay using their stored card details. This method removes friction from the checkout process, making it faster and more secure. Since many UK shoppers now use mobile devices for online purchases, offering these wallet options can help reduce abandoned carts and increase completed sales.

Local payment methods like Klarna, iDEAL, and Bancontact are especially valuable for merchants who sell across Europe. Klarna lets customers spread the cost of their purchase, which can attract shoppers who prefer flexible payment schedules. iDEAL and Bancontact are essential if you sell to customers in the Netherlands or Belgium, as these methods are widely trusted and commonly used in those markets.

For merchants offering cryptocurrency payments, Shopify’s support for USDC provides a modern alternative. Although it’s not yet mainstream among all customers, it can be useful for attracting buyers who value innovation and alternative finance options.

Why Offering Multiple Payment Methods Matters

Providing several payment options improves the overall customer experience and increases the likelihood of completing sales. Customers have individual preferences when it comes to how they pay, and giving them the freedom to choose can directly impact conversion rates.

Offering mobile wallet options is particularly effective for reaching younger audiences who prefer convenience and speed, while supporting Klarna and other buy now pay later options helps reduce purchase hesitation for higher-value items. Similarly, accepting both debit and credit cards ensures that customers from various countries can check out without difficulty.

For international merchants or those selling to a wide audience, local payment methods can also make a big difference. Customers in different regions often trust familiar systems, and displaying these options at checkout builds confidence that the transaction will be smooth and secure.

Setting Up Payment Methods on Shopify

To add or modify payment options, log in to your Shopify admin panel and navigate to Settings, then Payments. From there, you can choose Shopify Payments as your main gateway, or activate additional methods such as PayPal, Klarna, or other local providers.

If you’re using Shopify Payments, most card and wallet options are enabled automatically, but you may need to manually activate others like Klarna or Bancontact. It’s important to review your eligibility, as some payment types require business verification or specific regional settings.

Once activated, customers will see the available payment options at checkout. It’s recommended to test your checkout process after making any changes to ensure everything works as expected before going live.

Fees and Processing Considerations

Each payment method carries its own fee structure. When using Shopify Payments, the transaction cost depends on your Shopify plan. For example, Basic plan users pay a slightly higher percentage per transaction compared with Advanced plan users. Using Shopify Payments also removes the additional transaction fees that Shopify charges when using an external gateway, which can help lower costs overall.

If you accept international payments, currency conversion fees may apply when converting funds into GBP. It’s worth reviewing your reports regularly to see how much each payment type costs to process, as this can help you decide whether to keep or remove certain methods.

For manual payment options such as bank transfers or cash on delivery, there are no processing fees from Shopify, but these methods require more administrative work and can delay fulfilment times since payments are verified manually.

Ensuring Security and Compliance

Shopify Payments is fully PCI compliant, meaning it meets the strict standards required to handle card data securely. All transactions use encrypted technology, and sensitive payment information is never stored on your servers. The system also supports 3D Secure authentication, which helps prevent fraudulent transactions by requiring customers to verify their identity during checkout.

In addition, Shopify includes built-in fraud analysis tools that automatically flag high-risk orders. These insights allow merchants to make informed decisions about which transactions to review before shipping goods. Offering trusted payment methods such as Apple Pay or Klarna further reassures customers that their personal information is safe.

Customer Trust and Checkout Experience

Having familiar payment logos displayed at checkout creates an immediate sense of trust. Customers who see recognised brands such as Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, or Klarna are more likely to complete their purchase. Transparency and reliability in how you handle payments contribute to a strong reputation and encourage repeat business.

The checkout process should also be designed for simplicity. Minimising the number of steps and ensuring your payment options are clearly visible helps customers complete purchases faster. Testing the checkout experience across devices and browsers ensures it looks professional and functions smoothly for every user.

Choosing the Right Mix for Your Store

The best combination of payment methods depends on your products, audience, and business model. A UK-based fashion retailer, for example, might rely heavily on Shopify Payments, Apple Pay, and Klarna to appeal to young, mobile shoppers. A B2B supplier, on the other hand, might prioritise direct bank transfers or invoice payments to accommodate business clients.

It’s often best to start with Shopify Payments and add other popular options like PayPal or Klarna based on customer feedback. By reviewing your payment analytics over time, you can identify which methods are used most frequently and optimise your offerings accordingly.

Conclusion

Shopify accepts a wide range of payment methods, giving UK merchants flexibility and customers convenience. Through Shopify Payments, you can take card payments, digital wallets, and buy now pay later options directly from your store without needing additional integrations. This not only simplifies setup but also creates a seamless experience for buyers.

By combining the right payment mix, ensuring security compliance, and testing your checkout flow, you can create a payment system that supports both trust and growth. The more confidence customers have in how they pay, the more likely they are to return, making your store stronger and more competitive in the long term.