Your payment gateway affects more than whether a customer can enter a card number. It controls which payment methods appear at checkout, whether Apple Pay or Google Pay is available, how refunds and disputes are handled, which countries you can sell in, and whether subscriptions or in-person payments work with the rest of your WooCommerce setup.
There is no single best gateway for every store. For this roundup, I compared checkout experience, supported payment methods, WooCommerce Blocks compatibility, wallet support, recurring payments, refunds, regional availability, reporting, and how closely each plugin works with its payment platform. If you are improving the wider checkout flow, see our WooCommerce checkout plugins and subscription plugins.
TL;DR
- WooPayments: best for stores that want payments managed directly inside WooCommerce.
- Payment Plugins for Stripe WooCommerce: best for stores that want a strong direct Stripe integration.
- WooCommerce PayPal Payments: best when PayPal and Pay Later matter to your buyers.
- Mollie Payments for WooCommerce: best for European stores that need local payment methods.
- Square for WooCommerce: best for businesses selling both online and in person.
Quick Comparison
| Plugin | Best for | Pricing model |
|---|---|---|
| WooPayments | Native WooCommerce payment management | Free plugin + transaction fees |
| Payment Plugins for Stripe | Direct Stripe checkout | Free plugin + Stripe fees |
| WooCommerce PayPal Payments | PayPal and Pay Later | Free plugin + PayPal fees |
| Mollie Payments | European local payment methods | Free plugin + Mollie fees |
| Square for WooCommerce | Online + physical retail | Free plugin + Square fees |
How I Chose These WooCommerce Payment Plugins
I looked for gateways that are actively maintained, work with modern WooCommerce checkout flows, support common wallets or local methods, and make refunds and order management practical for store owners. I also considered whether the plugin supports subscriptions or express checkout, but availability still depends on your country, account eligibility, and the processor itself.
1. WooPayments – Best Native WooCommerce Option

WooPayments is WooCommerce’s own payments solution. It lets eligible merchants accept cards and supported wallets while managing payments, refunds, disputes, deposits, and transaction activity from the WordPress dashboard.
I would start with WooPayments when you want the payment experience to feel like part of WooCommerce rather than a separate service bolted onto it. It is especially convenient for small and mid-sized stores that value one dashboard and do not need a specialized regional gateway.
Key features
- Card payments and supported digital wallets
- Payments and refunds inside WordPress
- Dispute management
- Deposit and payout reporting
- Multi-currency features in supported markets
- Integration with WooCommerce subscriptions and checkout tools
Pros: Tight WooCommerce integration, simple dashboard workflow, and fewer moving parts for store staff.
Cons: Merchant availability is country-dependent, and processing fees vary by market and payment method.
Pricing: The plugin is free; payment processing fees apply.
2. Payment Plugins for Stripe WooCommerce – Best Direct Stripe Integration

Payment Plugins for Stripe WooCommerce is a focused Stripe integration with support for cards, express wallets, local methods, WooCommerce Blocks, and subscription workflows.
I prefer it when a business already uses Stripe and wants more direct control over Stripe payment methods and checkout behavior. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other methods can provide a faster experience for eligible customers without forcing them to type full card details.
Key features
- Stripe card payments
- Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Supported local payment methods
- WooCommerce Blocks support
- Express checkout options
- WooCommerce Subscriptions compatibility
Pros: Strong Stripe coverage and a checkout experience that stays close to WooCommerce.
Cons: Available payment methods depend on your Stripe account, country, currency, and customer location.
Pricing: Free plugin; normal Stripe processing fees apply.
3. WooCommerce PayPal Payments – Best for PayPal Buyers

WooCommerce PayPal Payments is the official PayPal integration for WooCommerce. Depending on eligibility and location, it can support PayPal, card processing, Pay Later, express checkout, and other PayPal services.
PayPal is still useful as a second payment option even when cards are handled elsewhere. Some customers trust their existing PayPal account more than entering card information into a store they are visiting for the first time.
Key features
- PayPal checkout
- Eligible card processing
- Pay Later options where available
- Express checkout buttons
- WooCommerce Blocks support
- Subscription support in compatible setups
Pros: Familiar payment brand and a useful alternative for customers who prefer PayPal.
Cons: Features, fees, and account requirements vary by country and merchant eligibility.
Pricing: Free plugin; PayPal transaction fees apply.
4. Mollie Payments for WooCommerce – Best for European Local Methods

Mollie Payments for WooCommerce is especially useful for European stores because it combines cards with regional methods such as iDEAL, Bancontact, and other options supported by Mollie.
I would shortlist Mollie when local payment preferences are more important than choosing a globally familiar brand. A Dutch shopper who expects iDEAL, for example, may convert better when the method is visible at checkout instead of being forced into a card-only flow.
Key features
- Cards and European local payment methods
- iDEAL and Bancontact support
- Refund handling
- WooCommerce checkout integration
- Recurring payments for compatible methods and extensions
- Mollie dashboard reporting
Pros: Excellent regional payment coverage for European ecommerce.
Cons: It is less relevant if most of your customers are in markets where Mollie has limited coverage.
Pricing: Free plugin; Mollie processing fees apply.
5. Square for WooCommerce – Best for Online and In-Person Sales

Square for WooCommerce connects WooCommerce with the Square payment ecosystem. It is most attractive to merchants that already use Square for physical retail and want online orders, customer data, and product or inventory workflows to stay closer together.
Key features
- Online card payments
- Square account integration
- Product and inventory sync options
- Refund management
- Online and physical retail connection
- Square reporting ecosystem
Pros: Strong fit for omnichannel businesses already using Square in stores.
Cons: It makes less sense if Square is not supported in your market or is not part of your physical retail workflow.
Pricing: Free plugin; Square processing fees apply.
Which WooCommerce Payment Gateway Should You Choose?
WooPayments is the easiest place to start if you want a native WooCommerce workflow. Choose a direct Stripe integration when Stripe is already central to the business, PayPal when buyer familiarity matters, Mollie for strong European local methods, and Square when online sales need to connect with a physical store.
Conclusion
Do not choose a gateway by plugin popularity alone. Compare your target countries, currencies, payment methods, subscription needs, refund workflow, and real processing costs. In many stores, the best setup is one primary card gateway plus one trusted alternative such as PayPal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best payment gateway for WooCommerce?
WooPayments is a convenient all-round choice for eligible stores. Stripe, PayPal, Mollie, or Square may be better depending on your region and business model.
Can I use more than one payment gateway in WooCommerce?
Yes. Many stores use a primary card gateway plus PayPal or a local payment method. Keep the list focused so checkout does not become cluttered.
How do I add Apple Pay or Google Pay to WooCommerce?
Use a compatible gateway such as Stripe or WooPayments and meet the processor’s account, domain, browser, and regional requirements.
Do WooCommerce payment plugins charge extra fees?
The plugin may be free, but the payment processor normally charges transaction fees. Some extensions or premium services may add separate costs.
Which gateway is best for both online and physical sales?
Square is a strong option when you already use Square in a physical store and want WooCommerce to connect with the same ecosystem.

