Best Payment Gateways in the Philippines

The article reviews the top payment gateways in the Philippines, comparing their features, fees, and benefits to help businesses choose the best option for accepting secure and efficient online payments. It covers a range of providers, each catering to different business needs.

Best Payment Gateways in the Philippines

E-commerce is expanding rapidly in the Philippines, and choosing the right payment gateway is essential for any online business. With more people shopping online weekly, businesses need secure, efficient, and easy-to-use payment solutions to stay competitive. 

As online transactions grow, so do concerns about fraud, which could lead to significant losses in the coming years. 

HitPay, an all-in-one payment platform trusted by over 15,000 businesses in Southeast Asia and worldwide, offers secure, efficient, and user-friendly solutions to help businesses manage transactions effortlessly.

This article will explore the best payment gateways available in the Philippines looking at their key features, pricing, and how they cater to businesses of different sizes.

Key Takeaways

  • Many payment gateways in the Philippines are known for being reliable and efficient.
  • Choosing a gateway with low fees can help businesses save money on transactions.
  • It's also important to select a payment option that meets the different needs of online shoppers to keep customers happy.
  • Businesses can benefit from payment gateways that support multiple transaction types including point-of-sale and e-wallet payments.

What Are the Best Payment Gateways in the Philippines?

When exploring the best payment gateways in the Philippines, there are many options available to suit different business needs.

Each payment gateway offers unique features and benefits, such as ease of integration, support for various payment methods, security, and competitive fees.

Some gateways provide additional services like currency conversion, customer support, and tools for managing transactions, making them ideal for businesses looking to grow both locally and internationally.

HitPay

HitPay is an increasingly popular choice for small and medium-sized businesses due to its flexibility, user-friendly interface, and cost-effective pricing. Offering a wide range of payment methods—including credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers—HitPay enables businesses to accept payments quickly, with no setup fees or contracts. Its quick setup process requires no coding, and businesses can get verified within 1-2 days, allowing them to start selling immediately.

HitPay also provides valuable business tools like inventory management, sales tracking, and invoicing at no extra cost, making it easy for business owners to manage operations efficiently. 

With features like fast payouts, seamless integration with popular e-commerce platforms, and advanced checkout optimization to reduce fees and increase conversion rates, HitPay stands out as an ideal payment gateway for businesses looking to simplify payment processes and boost growth.

PayPal

PayPal is a well-known payment gateway that works for both local and international transactions. It's great for businesses reaching out to customers worldwide and payments usually get approved in 2-3 working days. 

It's worth taking into account that these fees may vary based on specific conditions, such as the type of account (personal vs. business), transaction volume, or other factors.

PayMaya

Now known as Maya, this e-wallet has a big user base and low transaction fees. It supports many payment methods, like QR codes and cards. This makes it easy for businesses to accept payments. The fees depend on the payment method used, making it flexible for different business needs.

DragonPay

DragonPay has been a leader in online payments in the Philippines. It offers many options, including recurring payments and mass payouts, which are great for businesses with payroll. Its fixed pricing is good for small businesses that want predictable costs. 

GCash

GCash is a popular mobile wallet in the Philippines that makes handling payments easy. It's widely accepted by many stores, both online and in-person, so users can pay without much trouble.

GCash has become well-known because it's available almost everywhere and is simple to use. However, it doesn't always stand out compared to other digital wallets that might offer more advanced features or work in more countries.

Stripe

Stripe is known for its easy integration with online stores. It's great for businesses looking for strong e-commerce solutions. Its user-friendly design makes managing payments easy, especially for new online entrepreneurs.

Payment Gateway

Special Features

Best For

HitPay

Multiple payment methods, express onboarding

Small and medium enterprises

PayPal

Global transactions

Businesses with international outreach

PayMaya (Maya)

QR code payments, wide user base

Consumers seeking convenience

DragonPay

Fixed price structure

Small businesses managing predictable costs

GCash

Widely accepted retail mobile wallet

Retailers and consumers

Stripe

High e-commerce integration flexibility

Online businesses seeking robust solutions

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HitPay lets you accept a variety of payment methods, including local and international options like cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers, catering to a wider audience and reducing cart abandonment.

How to Choose the Best Payment Gateway for Your Online Business?

Choosing the right payment gateway is key for your online business. You need to look at several factors that affect your payment processing. These factors can change how efficient you are and what you spend.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Payment Gateway

  • Transaction Fees: Compare the fees charged by different payment providers, including costs per transaction, monthly charges, and currency conversion fees, as these can impact your overall profitability.
  • Compatibility and Payment Options: Ensure the payment gateway integrates seamlessly with your online store and supports the payment methods you want to offer, which can help you avoid technical issues and save time.
  • Customer Support: Choose a payment provider with reliable and responsive customer support to assist with technical problems, such as failed transactions or account issues. This is crucial, as companies that prioritise customer experience can achieve revenue growth 4-8% higher than their competitors.

This ensures you can quickly fix any problems, keeping your business running smoothly.

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HitPay understands the unique needs of small and medium-sized businesses. Our tailored support is available through your preferred communication platform, ensuring you get the help you need promptly.

Understanding Your Business Needs for Payment Processing

It's important to know the size of your business and how much you sell, as this will help you choose the right payment gateway.

Small businesses with fewer sales might not need advanced features like multi-currency support or extra fraud protection that larger companies often use. Instead, they might do better with a simple and cheaper option that covers the basics.

Understanding your needs will help you pick a payment gateway that fits your business. This way, you avoid paying for features you don't need or missing out on important ones, helping you reach your business goals by making transactions smoother, keeping customers happy, and managing costs better.

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With HitPay, you only pay per transaction. No contracts, setup fees, or recurring charges—just a straightforward, cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes.

Evaluating Payment Methods Supported by Gateways

It's important to choose a payment gateway that offers the payment methods your customers prefer. Make sure the gateway you select accepts a wide range of options, such as credit and debit cards, e-wallets like PayPal or Apple Pay, and local bank transfers.

This is especially important because many customers will abandon their purchase if they can't find a payment method they trust or usually use; in fact, about 45% of shoppers leave their carts if their preferred payment option isn't available.

By providing multiple payment options that match what your customers want, you reduce the chances of losing sales due to limited payment choices.

This not only helps boost your sales by making it easier for customers to complete their purchases but also enhances their shopping experience, leading to greater satisfaction and loyalty to your business.

What Payment Methods Do Payment Gateways Support?

It's important for both merchants and consumers in the Philippines to know about the payment methods supported by payment gateways. 

The number of online shoppers in the Philippines is expected to rise as high as 31.6 million people by 2029, so having different ways to pay is key for success. Payment gateways offer various options that fit what Filipinos like to pay with.

Online shopping in the Philippines relies on a variety of payment methods tailored to the preferences of local consumers. The most commonly used options include:

  • Credit and Debit Cards: These are widely accepted for online purchases and offer convenience and security for customers. Both Visa and MasterCard are popular choices, and many consumers use them for their regular transactions.
  • E-Wallets: Digital wallets like GCash and PayMaya are increasingly preferred by Filipinos due to their ease of use, quick transaction times, and additional features like discounts and cashback offers.
  • Bank Transfers: Online banking is also a common payment method, allowing direct transfers from a customer’s bank account to the merchant. This method is favoured by those who prefer a secure, direct way of managing their finances.
  • Cash on Delivery (COD): Despite the growth of digital payments, COD remains a popular option, especially for those wary of online fraud or who do not have access to credit cards or digital wallets. This method allows customers to pay with cash upon receiving their goods.
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With HitPay, integrating various payment methods into your existing software is a breeze. Our payment gateway requires no additional integration, making the process simple and efficient.

Local Payment Options for Filipino Consumers

Many Filipinos still prefer traditional payment methods, such as cash or local bank transfers  due to concerns about online security or a lack of access to digital payment platforms. For these consumers, payment gateways that offer flexible, in-person payment options are particularly appealing.

Cash remains a preferred choice for those who are wary of potential fraud or scams associated with online payments, as it provides a tangible and direct way to settle transactions.

Additionally, a significant portion of the population may not have access to credit cards or feel comfortable using digital wallets, especially in rural areas where banking services and internet connectivity may be less reliable.

How Does Payment Processing Work with Different Gateways?

For online businesses, knowing how payment processing works is key. It involves steps to make transactions smooth for customers.

Each payment gateway has its own way of handling payments. This includes steps like customer checkout, processing the payment, getting approval, transferring funds, and letting the customer know it's done.

Each step is important for a good customer experience and keeping data safe.

Steps Involved in Online Payment Transactions

  1. Customer Initiates Purchase: The customer selects an item and proceeds to checkout on your website.
  2. Payment Information Entry: The customer enters their payment details (e.g., credit card or e-wallet information).
  3. Data Encryption: The payment gateway encrypts the payment information to ensure secure transmission.
  4. Authorization Request: The encrypted data is sent to the customer's bank for approval.
  5. Transaction Approval: If approved, the bank notifies the payment gateway, and the transaction is confirmed.
  6. Funds Transfer and Confirmation: The funds are transferred to the merchant’s account, and both the customer and the merchant receive confirmation of the successful payment.

These steps should be quick and secure to ensure a smooth customer experience.

Security Measures in Digital Payment Systems

Digital payment systems use several security measures to protect customer information and prevent unauthorised transactions.

In the Philippines alone, 8.3% of all digital transactions by consumers in 2023 were suspected to be fraudulent, highlighting the need for stronger security measures and consumer awareness to protect against potential online scams and unauthorised transactions

These measures include data encryption, which scrambles payment details to keep them safe during transfer, and tokenization, which replaces sensitive information with a unique code.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds extra security by requiring users to provide more than one form of identification, like a password and a code sent to their phone.

Fraud detection systems watch transactions in real-time to spot any unusual activity and can quickly take action, like blocking a transaction or notifying the customer.

Additionally, businesses follow industry standards, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), to ensure they are using the best practices for protecting customer data. Together, these security measures help keep digital payment systems safe and build trust with customers.

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Secure Payment Processing Security is paramount when handling online transactions. HitPay protects your data through encryption and adherence to industry standards.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Payment Gateway Provider?

Using a payment gateway provider brings many benefits to your business. These digital solutions make transactions smoother and improve how your online sales work.

Advantages of Digital Payment Solutions for Businesses

Payment gateways make it easier for businesses to accept payments online, like credit cards and e-wallets. They provide a secure way to transfer customer payment information to banks, ensuring transactions are safe and quick. 

These gateways also help prevent fraud by using encryption and security protocols to protect sensitive data.

Additionally, they automate many manual processes, freeing up time for businesses to focus on growth and customer service. On average, it's believed that automating processes saves employees 6 weeks of time per year, allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks, improving productivity, and reducing the chances of human error in routine activities.

Using these digital solutions can also help reduce costs by lowering transaction fees and simplifying payment management.

Enhancing Customer Experience with Payment Gateways

Payment gateways enhance the shopping experience by offering different payment options, such as credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. This flexibility helps meet various customer preferences, reducing the chances of cart abandonment and making customers more satisfied.

A smooth and fast checkout process encourages customers to complete their purchases, increasing sales and building loyalty.

Support for Online Sellers Through Payment Solutions

Payment gateways offer valuable support for online sellers with features like real-time updates, automatic payment confirmations, and tools to track sales.

These features help businesses manage operations better, provide good customer service, and quickly resolve any issues. Access to useful data also helps businesses make smarter decisions and plan more effectively.

Feature

Description

Benefit

Security Measures

Protects customer information with SSL encryption and PCI compliance.

Builds customer trust, leading to more sales.

Multiple Payment Options

Offers credit cards, e-wallets, and other payment methods.

Improves customer satisfaction and sales conversion.

Automated Processes

Makes transactions easier and links with accounting software.

Saves time and reduces errors in managing finances.

Real-Time Notifications

Provides instant updates on payments.

Better control over transactions and customer communication.

By using these features, businesses can improve their payment processes, better serve their customers, and grow sales.

Get Started With HitPay’s Secure Payment Gateway

When choosing a payment gateway in the Philippines, consider your business needs, such as transaction volume, customer preferences, and the types of payments they use. 

As online shopping grows in the Philippines, there is a significant opportunity for businesses to adopt effective payment solutions. By comparing different providers, you can find options that ensure a smooth payment experience for customers while keeping costs manageable.

Selecting the right payment gateway involves balancing costs with service quality. With the rapid growth of fintech, it's crucial to stay updated and be prepared to adapt to new developments in this dynamic field.

Enhance your e-commerce business with HitPay's advanced payment gateway. Accept local and international payments with seamless integration and no coding required. Enjoy low fees, fast payouts, and extensive plugin support.

Get started today with HitPay's simple, pay-per-transaction pricing and no hidden costs. Sign up now and start selling within days.

Have questions? Our support team is ready to assist you on your preferred platform. Elevate your payment process with HitPay!

Frequently Asked Questions About Payment Gateways

What is a payment gateway?

A payment gateway is a service that makes online transactions safe. It sends transaction info between the customer's payment method and the merchant's bank securely.

What are the transaction fees for HitPay?

HitPay has no setup fees and low transaction fees. This makes it great for small and medium businesses looking for affordable options.

What factors should I consider when selecting a payment gateway?

Think about transaction fees, how well it works with your online store, customer support, and features you need. Look for fraud protection and transaction limits.

Popular payment methods include credit and debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and cash on delivery. These options help merchants increase sales.

How are transaction fees structured across different gateways?

Each payment gateway has its own pricing. They charge a percentage of the transaction and sometimes a fixed fee. It's important to match these costs with your profits.

What advantages do digital payment solutions offer businesses?

Digital payment solutions make sales easier, allow payments from anywhere, improve transaction speed, and simplify money management for businesses.