A payment gateway is a piece of technology that merchants use to receive debit or credit card payments from customers. The phrase refers to both physical card-reading machines used in physical retail establishments and payment processing gateways found in internet businesses. However, in recent years, brick-and-mortar payment gateways have begun to accept phone-based purchases using QR codes or Near Field Communication (NFC) technologies.
How Online Payment Gateways Work?
Payment gateway systems are constantly changing to match new customer preferences and technological capabilities. Previously, terminals accepted credit cards with magnetic strips and needed paper signatures from customers. The signature step might be replaced with a personal identification number (PIN) inserted directly into the payment gateway hardware as chip technologies advance. Contactless transactions are now possible, with many consumers opting to use smartphones as payment devices rather than traditional credit cards.
The architecture of a payment gateway will change depending on whether it is an in-store gateway or an online payment portal. Online payment gateways will necessitate application programming interfaces (APIs) that allow the website in question to connect with the underlying payment processing network. In-store payment gateways will use a POS terminal to connect to the payment processing network electronically through a phone line or an Internet connection.
Difference between Online Payment Gateways and Payment Processors
A payment gateway differs from a payment processor, which is a service that links the customer’s bank to the merchant account and allows money transfer. Consider these to be two parts of the same transaction: a payment gateway gathers client information for payment, and a payment processor utilizes that information to contact the customer’s bank and the merchant account, debiting one and crediting the other.
Best Online Payment Gateways
Razorpay
The payment gateway enables you to take payments via a variety of ways, including credit/debit cards, net banking, UPI, and wallets. Razorpay may be used as a payment gateway on a variety of websites, including WooCommerce, Magento, CS-Cart, and OpenCart.
Unacademy, UrbanClap, Zoomcar, Groffers, and BookMyShow have all used the Razorpay payment system.
RazorpayX is Razorpay’s business banking arm that facilitates end-to-end money transfer. It is a safe method of doing transactions.
Paypal
A prominent payment gateway in India with a global reputation might be a smart choice for your business. The payment software behemoth operates in over 200 countries and has over 325 million active clients.
For conducting an online transaction, PayPal provides world-class security. Almost every foreign credit and debit card is accepted. Furthermore, it facilitates international currency settlement. Merchants can withdraw funds in 56 different currencies. The company offers frictionless shopping with an 82 percent greater checkout conversion than alternative payment options.
PayPal also monitors transactions 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to safeguard consumers from fraud. There is also a recurring payment option.
SBI
SBI is India’s largest bank, with headquarters in Mumbai. The bank provides an online payment gateway via which clients may make payments using credit cards, debit cards, and foreign cards. According to Statista, the State Bank of India’s brand value in 2020 will be more than 6.4 billion US dollars.
Because it is the most reputable public sector bank, the SBI payment gateway may be the best alternative for your business with Indian customers.
Paytm
Paytm is a well-known name in the world of digital payments. Paytm provides a sophisticated payment gateway for companies to use in addition to their widely used consumer app. The Paytm Payment Gateway is based on the same technology that runs some of India’s most well-known companies, as well as the Paytm App. All major payment methods, including domestic and foreign cards, net banking, UPI, Paytm Wallet, and Paytm PostPaid, are supported by the payment gateway. The payment gateway has been developed so that consumers of all types may simply understand how to make a payment. Paytm Payment Gateway is India’s only payment gateway that accepts UPI payments with no transaction fees.
