WooCommerce connects to dozens of payment gateways, but not all of them
WooCommerce, the WordPress plugin that turns a website into a store, works with payment gateways through two routes: built-in support and third-party extensions. The gateways WooCommerce includes by default are Stripe, PayPal, Square, and Klarna. Beyond those, you can add hundreds more through paid or free extensions from the WooCommerce marketplace or other developers. Which gateway you can use depends on your location, the type of business you run, and whether you are willing to install and maintain an extension.
The difference matters because a built-in gateway requires no extra software—you authenticate it and it works. An extension adds code to your site that you or a developer must keep updated. Some gateways charge transaction fees, some charge monthly, and some do both. Before you choose, check whether the gateway operates in your country and whether it handles the currency your customers use.
Key Takeaways
- Stripe, PayPal, Square, and Klarna are built into WooCommerce and need no extension to function.
- Hundreds of additional gateways are available through extensions, including Authorize.net, 2Checkout, and Wise, but each requires installation and ongoing updates.
- Payment gateway availability varies by country—a gateway that works in the US may not work in Canada or the UK, so verify before you commit.
- Transaction fees, monthly costs, and currency support differ widely between gateways, so compare the total cost of processing a typical sale before you choose.
The four gateways that come built in
Stripe processes credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and bank transfers in over 135 countries. It charges 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction for card payments in the US, with different rates in other regions. Stripe does not charge a monthly fee. You need a Stripe account and an API key to connect it to WooCommerce.
PayPal accepts PayPal accounts, credit cards, and debit cards. It charges 2.99% plus $0.49 per transaction in the US for standard payments, or 1.99% plus $0.49 if you use PayPal Commerce Platform. PayPal operates in over 200 markets but not all payment methods are available everywhere. You authenticate through your PayPal account; no extension is required.
Square processes cards, digital wallets, and bank transfers. Square charges 2.9% plus $0.30 per online transaction in the US. It does not charge a monthly fee. Square is available in the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and the UK. You connect through your Square account dashboard.
Klarna offers buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) checkout, where customers split a purchase into installments. Klarna charges a percentage of the transaction value, which varies by region and order size. Klarna is available in the US, UK, Europe, and Australia. It appears as a payment option at checkout if the customer qualifies.
How to add gateways beyond the built-in four
The WooCommerce marketplace and third-party developers offer extensions for hundreds of additional gateways. Common ones include Authorize.net (US-focused, 2.9% plus $0.30), 2Checkout (global, 3.5% to 5.5% depending on payment method), Wise (for international transfers), and Mollie (strong in Europe). Some are free; others cost $50 to $300 per year.
To add an extension, you install it through your WordPress dashboard, activate it, and authenticate it with your account at the payment processor. The extension then handles the connection between your store and the gateway. You are responsible for keeping the extension updated when new versions are released. If the extension breaks or the developer stops maintaining it, your store may lose that payment option until you fix or replace it.
Before you install an extension, check the reviews and the date of the last update. An extension that has not been updated in over a year may not work with the latest version of WooCommerce or WordPress, and it could create security gaps. The WooCommerce marketplace shows compatibility information for each extension.
Regional and currency limitations
Not every gateway works everywhere. Stripe and PayPal have the widest reach, but even they do not operate in every country. Some gateways are designed for specific regions—Mollie for Europe, Razorpay for India, Adyen for global enterprise merchants. Before you commit to a gateway, verify on its website that it operates in your country and that it supports the currencies your customers will use.
If you sell to customers in multiple countries, you may need more than one gateway. A customer in Germany might prefer Mollie or SEPA bank transfer, while a customer in the US expects Stripe or PayPal. Adding multiple gateways gives customers choice and can reduce cart abandonment.
Transaction fees and monthly costs compared
| Gateway | Transaction Fee (US) | Monthly Fee | Built-in or Extension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 2.9% + $0.30 | None | Built-in |
| PayPal | 2.99% + $0.49 | None | Built-in |
| Square | 2.9% + $0.30 | None | Built-in |
| Authorize.net | 2.9% + $0.30 | $25 | Extension |
| 2Checkout | 3.5%–5.5% | None | Extension |
| Mollie | 1.8%–3.5% | None | Extension |
The lowest-cost gateways for a typical US transaction are Stripe, PayPal, and Square, all charging around 2.9% plus a small flat fee. Authorize.net charges the same percentage but adds a $25 monthly fee, which makes sense only if you process high volume. Mollie charges less per transaction but is designed for European merchants. Calculate your expected monthly volume and compare the total cost, not just the percentage.
If you process $5,000 per month, Authorize.net's $25 monthly fee adds $0.30 to every transaction on average, making it more expensive than Stripe or PayPal unless you negotiate a lower rate. If you process $50,000 per month, the $25 fee becomes negligible and Authorize.net's rate becomes competitive. Run the math for your own volume before you choose.
Testing a gateway before going live
WooCommerce and most payment gateways offer sandbox or test mode, which lets you process fake transactions without charging real money. Before you launch your store, switch to test mode, create a test order, and verify that the payment goes through and that the order appears in your WooCommerce dashboard. This catches configuration errors before a real customer tries to pay.
To enable test mode, go to WooCommerce settings, find the payment gateway you are testing, and look for a checkbox labeled "Test Mode" or "Sandbox Mode". Use the test card numbers provided by the gateway (Stripe publishes theirs publicly; PayPal and others do the same). After you confirm everything works, switch back to live mode and your store is ready to accept real payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use multiple payment gateways at the same time?
Yes. You can enable Stripe, PayPal, Square, and any number of extensions simultaneously. Each appears as a separate option at checkout, and customers choose which one to use. This is common practice and helps reduce cart abandonment because customers can pick their preferred method.
What happens if a payment gateway stops working?
If a built-in gateway like Stripe stops working, it is usually because your API key expired, your account was suspended, or WooCommerce updated and broke compatibility. Check your gateway settings first. If an extension stops working, the extension may be outdated or incompatible with your WordPress version. Update the extension or contact the developer. Until you fix it, customers cannot use that payment method, but other gateways still work.
Do I need a separate merchant account for each gateway?
Yes. Each gateway requires its own account with that processor. You sign up with Stripe, you sign up with PayPal, you sign up with Square—they are separate companies. Some gateways like Authorize.net require a separate merchant account with a bank, which takes longer to set up. Check the gateway's requirements before you choose.
Which gateway is best for international sales?
Stripe and PayPal both work in over 135 countries and support multiple currencies. Stripe is faster to set up; PayPal has higher brand recognition. For specific regions, Mollie is strong in Europe, Razorpay in India, and Adyen for global enterprise. Check the gateway's website to confirm it operates in your customers' countries.
Can I switch gateways after I launch my store?
Yes. You can disable one gateway and enable another at any time. Existing orders stay in your WooCommerce database regardless of which gateway processed them. Customers will see only the active gateways at checkout going forward. There is no penalty for switching, but tell your customers if you are removing a payment method they use.