Pakistan

The convenience, variety, and accessibility of products are driving demand that cries out for a robust payment gateway.

• Over 220 million people stay here, with an increasingly growing number of Internet users;
• About 124 million internet users, with a penetration of about 54%;
• Only 21% of the population above 18 operates a formal bank account.
• Only about 2% use credit cards.
• By 2024, the B2C e-commerce market will be worth over $4 billion.
• The total e-commerce retail continues to increase as more centers, both urban and rural, continue to adopt online shopping.

The choice of a proper payment gateway often makes a lot of difference to the success of a business in terms of customer satisfaction and efficiency in each transaction. Among the options available, a number of factors have to be considered by the owners of businesses. It’s not surprising, as businesses rely on security, transaction speed, charges, and many other critical factors. This article will discuss which payment gateway is best in Pakistan.

Regional Figures

Let’s look at some critical numbers that indicate the potential of the payment gateways:

• 👤 Population:

  220 million
• Online population:

  124 million
• Banked population:

  21%
• Credit card population:

  2%
• BC2 e-commerce:

  US$4 billion
• E-commerce of Total Retail:

  2%

These figures indicate that more and more e-commerce gateways will be needed to reliably support local and international transactions for better domestic and global business expansion.

What is a Payment Gateway?

The payment gateway is an e-commerce application service through which organizations can receive credit card, debit card, and other forms of online payments for products and services. A gateway is linked with the customer's bank and that of the business for faster and safe transactions. Information about the customers' credit cards is encrypted to protect both the customer and the merchant from fraud.

Such gateways make viable an e-commerce Web store, online retailer, service provider, or small trader. Gateways accept a range of paying modes, including credit and debit cards, bank transfers, digital wallets, and mobile payments. Besides offering the facility for bills, these gateways have extended the use of services that include automated billing, multichannel support, and integration with e-commerce platforms.

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Payment Gateway For Your Business

For an online business, especially those needing to accept international transactions, the choice of the best gateway is very important. Here are key factors to consider the best system.

• Security and data protection.The gateway should support the latest in terms of security, including compliance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard.
• Transaction fees. Compare rates of different companies to ensure cost-effectiveness and good-quality services.
• Integration capability. The international payment gateway in Pakistan should integrate well with e-commerce platforms such as WooCommerce, Shopify, or even a custom-built platform.
• Supported methods. A good online gateway should have an ecosystem of support for a variety of options—be it through credit or debit cards, mobile wallets, or even bank transfers.
• Multi-currency support. Such a gateway for businesses targeting foreign markets should at least support multi-currency transactions to get money through the conversion hassles.
• Customer support and dispute resolution. A responsive, 24/7 customer support system will help resolve any type of dispute or other issues regarding a transaction.
• Mobile optimization.A mobile version of a gateway will ensure seamless transactions across devices.

Those are the things to keep in mind when figuring out a gateway that will work best for you and your customers.

Top Payment Gateways

This chapter will review some of the top options available, examining each gateway's feature set, as well as its pros and cons.

Here’s a payment gateway list we’ll cover in detail:

• Bank Alfalah
• EasyPaisa
• HBLPay Checkout
• JazzCash
• NayaPay Arc
• SadaPay
• United Bank Limited (UBL)
• XPay Payment Solution
• FonePay
• Keenu Wallet

These payment gateways in Pakistan were chosen based on their presence in the market, reliability, customer support, and capability to handle local and international transactions. Let’s take a closer look at them and see what each offers.

🔥 Bank Alfalah

Website: bankalfalah.com
Bank Alfalah is one of the leading banks, which has the best payment gateway in the country. It offers comprehensive solutions, suitable for both local and international transactions. Due to its strong credibility in the market, Bank Alfalah’s gateway is widely used by e-commerce platforms, online retailers, and service providers.

Main features

• Secure transaction processing with compliance with PCI DSS.
• It supports both Credit and Debit card settlements.
• Integrates well with WooCommerce, Magento, and Shopify.
• Support for multiple currencies when venturing into cross-border transactions.
• Advanced reporting and analytics keep track of your operations to keep your finances in order.

Advantages

• Excellent reputation; truly trusted service.
• Accepts both local and international transactions.
• Good customer support that handles transaction issues.

Disadvantages

• Higher transaction fees compared to other competitors in this arena.
• Minimal digital wallets are supported.

Setup fee

None

Requirements

• Business registration
• Bank account with Bank Alfalah.

Accepted methods

Alfa wallet, Bank Alfalah account, Credit/Debit card

Available Countries

Pakistan, UAE, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bahrain

Supported Currencies

PKR, USD, AED, EUR, BDT, AFN, BHD

🔥 EasyPaisa

Website: easypaisa.com.pk
EasyPaisa is one of the leading digital solutions in the country, powered by Telenor. It offers a secure transaction facility through mobile wallets and bank transfers. EasyPaisa has expanded from local to international payment methods in Pakistan.

Main features

• Provides an online wallet to make smooth transactions locally.
• International remittances can be easily made via EasyPaisa, which thus provides an easy choice for cross-border operations.
• Integrates with websites and mobile applications for seamless checkout
• Multi-lingual, 24 x 7 customer support.
• Besides basic solutions, bill payments and mobile top-ups, amongst others, are also provided

Advantages

• Superb market reputation and a huge customer base
• Easy integration with multiple ecommerce platforms and apps
• International transactions and remittances supported

Disadvantages

• Credit card support is partial
• Transaction charges for some facilities are higher.

Setup fee

None

Requirements

• CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card)
• Bank account or mobile number registration.

Accepted methods

EasyPaisa mobile account, OTC

Available countries

Pakistan

Supported currencies

PKR

🔥 HBLPay Checkout

Website:hbl.com/business/digital-payments/hblpay-checkout
HBLPay Checkout, powered by Habib Bank Limited (HBL), is one of the most popular international payment gateways in Pakistan designed for e-commerce. It houses multiple local and global modes, making it highly suitable for local and cross-border transactions. Given its robust security standards, HBLPayCheckout remains in high demand for handling online transactions for many businesses.

Main features

• It supports both local and international card transactions.
• It complies with PCI DSS to ensure data handling is secure.
• Real-time monitoring and reporting of transactions.
• Integrates with leading e-commerce platforms such as WooCommerce, Magento, and Shopify.
• It also offers recurring paying options for subscription-based services.

Advantages

• International transaction support is great.
• Advanced reporting and analytics tools.
• Seamless integrations with major e-commerce platforms.

Disadvantages

• More expensive to set up, especially for smaller businesses.
• Less support for digital wallets.

Setup fee

PKR 50,000

Requirements

• Business registration
• Bank account with HBL.

Accepted methods

VISA, MasterCard, Union Pay International, PayPak debit/credit cards, E-Wallets, Card-less transactions

Available countries

Pakistan

Supported currencies

PKR, USD, CAD, GBP, AED, EUR

🔥 JazzCash

Website:jazzcash.com.pk
JazzCash, a leading mobile financial company, is a popular Pakistan payment gateway for local and online transactions. It offers convenient digital solutions for individuals, businesses, and freelancers, making it one of the go-to platforms for seamless mobile operations.

Main features

• Provides a digital wallet for easy money transfers.
• Supports bills, mobile top-ups, and online shopping.
• Integrates with e-commerce websites, allowing merchants to accept money directly from JazzCash accounts.
• Offers QR code-based operations for in-store transactions.
• Supports international remittances, facilitating global transactions.

Advantages

• Wide user base and strong brand presence.
• Easy mobile integration and fast transaction processing.
• Offers both local and international remittance support.

Disadvantages

• Limited support for credit cards.
• Customer service can be slow during peak times.

Setup fee

None

Requirements

• CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card)
• Mobile registration.

Accepted methods

Debit/Credit Card, Mobile Account, Voucher, Direct Debit

Available countries

Pakistan

Supported currencies

PKR

🔥 NayaPay Arc

Website: nayapay.com
NayaPay Arc is one of the fastest-growing platforms and is considered the best international payment gateway in Pakistan. It offers online operations for freelancers, small businesses, and e-commerce. It focuses on simplifying financial transactions and ensuring top-notch security and compliance.

Main features

• Provides a digital wallet for easy transactions;
• Supports international transactions for freelancers and businesses that went global.
• It is PCI DSS-compliant, thus assuring security in transaction processing.
• It provides support to various e-commerce platforms and mobile applications through integrated API.
• It offers a business account with financial management tools and analytics.

Advantages

• Very friendly to international transactions.
• Special care for freelancers and SMEs.
• Smooth onboarding and seamless integration with websites and apps.

Disadvantages

• Poor support for specific local methods.
• Still relatively new into the market, that may raise some kind of issue with trust.

Setup fee

None

Requirements

• CNIC
• Business registration for merchants or freelance registration.

Accepted methods

Visa, Mastercard, PayPak, UnionPay, e-wallets, bank transfer, NayaPay consumer wallet

Available countries

Pakistan

Supported currencies

PKR

🔥 SadaPay

Website:sadapay.pk
SadaPay is an innovative solution that simplifies online transactions for businesses and consumers. It offers an easy-to-use mobile app and online payment gateway to facilitate seamless local and international operations.

Main features

• Offers a digital wallet and a prepaid debit card for local and global transactions.
• Provides integration with e-commerce platforms, enabling businesses to accept money directly on their websites.
• PCI DSS-compliant, ensuring data security and protection for all transactions.
• Supports real-time notifications and detailed transaction reports for businesses.
• Zero maintenance fees and competitive exchange rates for international transactions.

Advantages

• No maintenance or hidden fees.
• Strong international transaction support with competitive rates.
• Easy-to-use interface and mobile app for seamless transactions.

Disadvantages

• Limited physical presence for customer support.
• Restricted to card-based transactions.

Setup fee

None

Requirements

• CNIC
• Mobile registration
• Business details for merchants.

Accepted methods

Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay, Google Pay

Available countries

Pakistan

Supported currencies

PKR, USD

🔥 United Bank Limited, UBL

Website: ubldirect.com
United Bank Limited is a strong online payment gateway in Pakistan for large and small businesses. Due to ample banking experience and better infrastructural support, UBL is capable of local and international transactions, which makes it a demand for many online retailers and e-commerce websites.

Main features

• Supports credit/debit cards, mobile banking, and bank transfers.
• Compliance with PCI DSS for secure transaction processing.
• Integrates well with popular e-commerce to offer a frictionless pay experience.
• It supports various currencies, so it can meet the needs of the business in accepting or paying in multiple currencies.
• Supports real-time transaction tracking, reporting, and analytics for businesses.

Advantages

• Strong brand and is generally very reliable.
• Supports any forms of paying, both national and international.
• Very good customer support and dispute resolution.

Disadvantages

• Generally higher transaction fees than purely digital gateways.
• Longer onboarding time for newer businesses.

Setup fee

PKR 40,000

Requirements

• Business registration
• Bank account with UBL.

Accepted methods

Visa, MasterCard

Available countries

Pakistan

Supported currencies

PKR, USD, GBP, EUR, AED, SAR

🔥 XPay Payment Solution

Website: xpay.pk
XPay is an integrated gateway for businesses seeking security and efficiency. It allows both 2D and local options, making it ideal for businesses offering multiple online transaction services. XPay strives to provide fast, reliable, secure services in the broadest industries.

Main features

• It does support 2D payments; therefore, it is ideal for e-commerce and online service platforms.
• It provides real-time transaction processing and reporting.
• The 2d payment gateway in Pakistan follows PCI DSS standards for high-level security regarding customer information.
• Because of seamless integration with many e-commerce platforms, the money received is quickly given to the owner.
• It also supports multi-currency transactions in case of cross-border deals.

Advantages

• The transaction processing and reporting are fast.
• It is highly secure because it is compliant with PCI-DSS.
• It offers 2D and multi-currency options.

Disadvantages

• It has limited awareness and market penetration compared to other big players.
• Mainly centers its transactions around card usage, limiting other forms of available methods.

Setup fee

None

Requirements

• Business registration
• CNIC
• Bank account details.

Accepted methods

• 2D payments
• Credit/debit cards
• Bank transfers
• E-wallets
• BNPL

Available countries

Pakistan

Supported currencies

PKR, USD

🔥 FonePay

Website: fonepay.pk
FonePay is a popular digital solution. It offers users speedy, secure, and convenient services. It enables customers and retailers to facilitate transactions easily through QR codes, mobile numbers, or bank accounts.

Main features

• QR-code-based options ensure quicker checkout.
• Inclusion of bills, mobile top-ups, and online shopping.
• E-commerce integrations for seamless processing of orders and operations online.
• A digital wallet by the provider makes peer-to-peer transactions much easier.
• PCI DSS compliance guarantees secure and encrypted processing.

Advantages

• This payment gateway for Pakistan supports almost all methods, including QR code-based.
• Integration with most e-commerce sites is easy.
• Security and compliance are superb.

Disadvantages

• Limited international transaction support.
• Transaction fees can be higher for certain services.

Setup fee

None

Requirements

• CNIC
• Mobile registration

Accepted methods

QR codes, digital wallets, bank transfers, credit/debit cards.

Available countries

Pakistan

Supported currencies

PKR

🔥 Keenu Wallet

Website: keenu.pk
Keenu Wallet is a processing facility that delivers a secure, convenient, and real-time gateway payment to consumers and businesses. It is committed to encouraging a cashless culture. It offers users multiple paying ways, making Keenu Wallet one of the most versatile options for e-commerce websites and general usage.

Main features

• A digital wallet can be used for peer-to-peer transfers, bill payments, and in-app purchases.
• It provides POS integration for in-store payments and integrates e-commerce for online merchants.
• It has QR code-based feature transactions, enabling customers to have fast and quick checkout.
• It is PCI-DSS compliant and very safe and secure for processing.
• It also allows promoting loyalty programs and running promotions to retain customers.

Advantages

• Multi-channel modes: POS, digital wallet, and QR code.
• Strong security measures to prevent leakage of transactions.
• Integration of online-offline payment systems.

Disadvantages

• Partial international transaction support capability.
• It may provide slower onboarding of the business.

Setup Fee

None

Requirements

• CNIC
• Business registration for merchants.

Accepted methods

Digital wallet, QR codes, POS, Visa, MasterCard

Available countries

Pakistan

Supported currencies

PKR

🔥 Paykassma

Website:paykassma.com
Paykassma is a global payment aggregator facilitating seamless online transactions for businesses and consumers in Pakistan.

Main Features

• Offers a wide range of payment methods tailored to the Pakistani market, including EasyPaisa and JazzCash, enhancing accessibility for users.
• Enables transactions in multiple currencies, simplifying cross-border payments.
• Implements advanced security protocols to ensure safe and secure transactions.

Pros

• Compatible with numerous currencies, facilitating international transactions.
• Does not impose rolling reserves or chargebacks, allowing immediate access to all funds.
• Offers an intuitive platform for managing payments.

Cons

• Certain transactions may incur higher fees, particularly for currency conversion and withdrawals.
• Fees can vary depending on the type of transaction or currency conversion.

Setup Fee

—

Requirements

• Registered business entity
• Completion of Know Your Customer (KYC) process

Accepted Methods

Visa, MasterCard, Bank transfers, EasyPaisa, JazzCash

Available Countries

125 countries, including Pakistan

Supported Currencies

PKR, USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, BDT, BRL, INR, IDR, MYR, MXN, NPR, PKR, PHP, PLN, LKR, THB, VND

Comparison Table of 10 Most Popular Payment Gateways

Let's compare each payment gateway Pakistan in the table below:

Conclusion

As more corporate entities continue to adopt this digital means of paying, the list of payment gateway in Pakistan we reviewed above will drive financial inclusion and the growth of e-commerce. The right ​​choice will make a huge difference in transaction speed, cost efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

FAQ

Which is the best payment gateway?

For businesses focusing on local transactions, JazzCash and EasyPaisa offer comprehensive solutions. Bank Alfalah, HBLPay Checkout, and NayaPay Arc are the best payment gateways in Pakistan for international transactions due to their multi-currency support and global reach.

What is the most used payment method?

The most used online payment gateways in Pakistan include digital wallets (e.g., EasyPaisa, JazzCash), credit/debit cards, and bank transfers. QR code payments are also gaining popularity, especially for retail transactions.

Is Razorpay available?

No, Razorpay is not currently available in this country. However, there are several local payment gateways Pakistan, such HBLPay Checkout, NayaPay Arc, and Bank Alfalah, which offer similar services for handling both local and international operations.