Best UK online payment for WooCommerce 2026
For UK WooCommerce stores running on WordPress. Unlike Shopify, WooCommerce has no preferred-gateway monetisation, so you pick the cheapest UK acquirer outright. Stripe, Square, Adyen, PayPal, Klarna, Mollie all have first-party WooCommerce plugins. WooCommerce-specific extensions like WooCommerce Subscriptions add recurring billing.
The ranking
1. Stripe Reader S700
4.0 / 5Best WooCommerce gateway overall
Touchscreen handheld terminal with built-in receipt printer · Custom (Stripe pricing) · Stripe terms
Stripe Checkout via the WooCommerce Stripe Payment Gateway plugin (first-party). 1.5% + 20p UK online. Strongest developer ecosystem, best documentation. Pairs with Stripe Reader S700 for in-person omnichannel. WooCommerce Subscriptions integrates natively for recurring SaaS or membership.
2. Adyen for Platforms
4.0 / 5Best for high-volume WooCommerce
Multiple terminals; mostly platform-bundled · Interchange-plus pricing; bespoke · Bespoke, often year-long
Adyen Web via the official WooCommerce Adyen plugin. Bespoke interchange-plus pricing wins above £200k monthly card volume. Direct UK acquirer relationship, best-in-class SCA exemption flagging (preserves UK ecommerce conversion 2-5 percentage points). AMEX rate negotiable.
3. Square Terminal
4.1 / 5Best WooCommerce for click-and-collect
All-in-one countertop terminal with receipt printer · 1.75% per transaction (UK) · No contract
Square Online via the WooCommerce Square plugin. 1.4% + 25p UK online. Shared inventory between your WooCommerce store and Square Terminal POS in-person setup. Best for SMB retailers running both rails.
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) | £329 | Stripe terms |
| #2 | Adyen for Platforms | Interchange-plus pricing; bespoke | Bespoke per merchant; typically platform-bundled | Bespoke, often year-long |
| #3 | Square Terminal | 1.75% per transaction (UK) | £149 to £199 | No contract |
FAQs
What is the best payment gateway for a UK WooCommerce store?
Stripe Checkout via the first-party WooCommerce Stripe plugin is the strongest default at 1.5% + 20p UK online: best developer ecosystem, WooCommerce Subscriptions native support, omnichannel via Stripe Reader S700. Adyen for £200k+ monthly via the WooCommerce Adyen plugin. Square for click-and-collect retailers via the WooCommerce Square plugin.
Does WooCommerce charge extra for non-default payment gateways?
No. Unlike Shopify, WooCommerce has no transaction surcharge on alternative gateways. You pick whichever UK acquirer wins on TCA for your shape, plug in the gateway, and only pay the gateway's per-transaction rate. This is the structural advantage of self-hosted WooCommerce over Shopify.
How do UK WooCommerce stores handle subscription billing?
WooCommerce Subscriptions plugin (£200/year first-party) paired with Stripe Billing or Adyen Subscriptions handles recurring card-on-file via Merchant Initiated Transaction exemption. Customer SCA-authenticates at sign-up, recurring charges go through without challenge. Alternative: GoCardless via the WooCommerce GoCardless plugin for Bacs Direct Debit at 1% + 20p (capped £2), cheaper than card on recurring.
Can a UK WooCommerce store accept Klarna and Apple Pay?
Yes. Klarna via the WooCommerce Klarna plugin handles BNPL (Pay-in-3, Pay-in-30, Pay-Later). Apple Pay and Google Pay are supported by Stripe and Square automatically. Most UK WooCommerce stores run Stripe + PayPal + Klarna + Apple Pay simultaneously to maximise checkout conversion.
Methodology
Rankings are based on direct hands-on testing, published rates, settlement timing, contract terms, and acquirer reliability. We do not accept payment for ranking position. See our full methodology and editorial policy.
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Open quote form →Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Director. Last reviewed: 2026-05-11.