UK whole-of-market comparison

Best UK online payment for Shopify stores 2026

Compare the UK shortlist below, then get matched quotes from the acquirers most likely to approve you and beat your current pricing.

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For UK Shopify storefronts: native Shopify Payments vs Stripe Checkout vs PayPal vs Klarna vs the Shopify-surcharge alternatives. The right choice depends on whether you want native checkout, ecosystem integration, BNPL, or want to avoid the Shopify 0.5% to 2% surcharge on non-Shopify-Payments gateways.

Based on MerchantHQ terminal reviews and our ranking methodology. Last reviewed 2026-05-11.

The ranking

1. Stripe Reader S700

4.0 / 5

Best for Shopify with omnichannel

Touchscreen handheld smart terminal (no built-in printer; external receipt printer via the optional dock or USB) · Custom (Stripe pricing) · Stripe terms

Stripe Checkout (1.5% + 20p UK online) paired with Stripe Reader S700 (£229 hardware) for in-person side runs as one merchant relationship across Shopify online + your physical shop. Shopify supports Stripe as a native gateway via Shopify Payments (which is Stripe under the hood). Avoids the Shopify alternative-gateway surcharge.

2. Square Terminal

4.1 / 5

Best for click-and-collect Shopify retailers

All-in-one countertop terminal with receipt printer · 1.75% per transaction (UK) · No contract

Square Terminal (£149) plus Square Online runs shared inventory between Shopify-like online store and in-person till. If you are already on Shopify but want a simpler in-person setup, Square Terminal pairs with Shopify via its POS app. 1.75% in-person, 1.4% + 25p online.

3. Adyen for Platforms

4.0 / 5

Best for high-volume Shopify Plus

Multiple terminals; mostly platform-bundled · Interchange-plus pricing; bespoke · Bespoke, often year-long

Adyen for Platforms on bespoke interchange-plus pricing wins above £1m monthly card volume. Direct UK acquirer relationship, AMEX rate negotiable, best-in-class SCA exemption flagging. Available via the Shopify Plus enterprise tier. Best for Shopify Plus merchants doing serious volume.

Quick comparison

Headline rate, hardware cost, contract and form factor at a glance.

Rank	Terminal	Rate	Hardware	Contract
#1	Stripe Reader S700	Custom (Stripe pricing)	£229	Stripe terms
#2	Square Terminal	1.75% per transaction (UK)	£149 to £199	No contract
#3	Adyen for Platforms	Interchange-plus pricing; bespoke	Bespoke per merchant; typically platform-bundled	Bespoke, often year-long

FAQs

What is the best UK payment gateway for a Shopify store?

For most UK Shopify stores: native Shopify Payments (Stripe under the hood) is the default winner because it avoids Shopify's 0.5% to 2% alternative-gateway transaction surcharge. For tech-led merchants wanting omnichannel: direct Stripe Checkout (1.5% + 20p) paired with Stripe Reader S700 for in-person. For Shopify Plus enterprise: Adyen on interchange-plus.

Why does Shopify charge extra if I use a non-Shopify payment gateway?

Shopify monetises Shopify Payments by taking a cut of the acquiring spread. Using an alternative gateway (Stripe direct, PayPal Checkout, Klarna direct) cuts Shopify out of that revenue, so they recoup with a transaction surcharge: 2% on Basic plan, 1% on Shopify plan, 0.5% on Advanced. Shopify Payments has no surcharge because Shopify already earns from it.

Can I use multiple payment gateways on Shopify?

Yes. Shopify supports running Shopify Payments alongside PayPal Checkout, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Klarna, Shop Pay, and any third-party gateway approved on the Shopify gateway list. Most UK Shopify stores run 2-3 gateways: Shopify Payments for card, PayPal for the wallet-preference customer, Klarna for BNPL. Customer picks at checkout.

How do I switch from PayPal to Shopify Payments on a Shopify store?

Add Shopify Payments in Settings -> Payments, complete UK KYC (Companies House, beneficial-ownership, business banking confirmation), wait 1 to 3 business days for activation. Then disable PayPal as primary gateway. Old PayPal transactions still settle through PayPal but no new ones flow through it. MerchantHQ manages the cutover via /switching-help/.

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Take any of these. We handle support, rate reviews and disputes.

Named UK account team for the life of the agreement. Acquirer pays our commission on completed introductions, so it costs you nothing on top.

24/7 dedicated support
Direct line to a named UK account manager, not a generic acquirer helpline. When your terminal goes down on a Saturday night you call us.
Quarterly rate reviews
As your card volume grows your rate should drop. We renegotiate against the 40+ UK acquirer panel every quarter, so you never overpay because you forgot to ask.
Chargeback and dispute help
UK chargeback fees vary by acquirer and are set out in your merchant agreement, and many disputes are friendly fraud that can be defended with the right evidence. We draft the response and escalate where the acquirer drags its feet.
Switching support when you outgrow
If a better acquirer fit emerges as you grow we manage the cutover. No exit-fee surprises, no dual-running gap. Same account team across acquirers.

How we work, end to end →

How we rank

Rankings are built by desk research from each provider's published rates, upfront costs, contract lengths and settlement terms, held in a dated record per terminal (last-reviewed date shown on this page) and re-checked when published pricing changes. We do not hands-on test every device; specs are taken from provider documentation and cited. No provider pays for inclusion or position. MerchantHQ is an introducer: acquirers, including some brands ranked here, pay us commission on completed introductions. Commission never affects a ranking. See our methodology and how we are funded.

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Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Director, Best Business Loans Ltd. Last reviewed: 2026-05-11.