Top 10 Payment Gateways in India 2027: Compare Charges, Features & International Payments

A customer puts a ₹1,499 item in his cart, and then clicks Pay and receives the message "transaction failed".

They may attempt to repeat the process, but many will NOT.

For one small business owner / freelancer / online seller, one transaction can be more expensive than a month's worth of savings by selecting a slightly cheaper payment gateway.

This is why it's not just about transaction fees when you compare the top 10 payment gateways in India.

The speed of settlement, customer support, payment success rates, international transactions and refund processing are all things that could impact your business.

This updated list of payment gateway companies in India and published fees for 2026 should have you covered if you've been looking for the best payment gateway in India and which companies may suit your business.

Quick Answer: Which Payment Gateway Is Best in India?

Razorpay can be an excellent overall solution for ecommerce businesses and website integrations. The standard published domestic fee on Cashfree’s platform is lower at 1.95% while PayU and Razorpay have a 2% standard published domestic fee. Paytm offers 1.99% while PhonePe offers a conditional free-fee offer. If you're sending money to someone overseas, then evaluate and compare the fees and currency options of the payment gateway you are using, such as Cashfree, Razorpay or PayU and Paypal.

What Is a Payment Gateway?

A payment gateway is a financial technology service that helps businesses accept online payments through websites, mobile applications and payment links.

Customers can make payments using:

• UPI

• Debit cards

• Credit cards

• Netbanking

• Digital wallets

• Supported international cards

A payment gateway handles payment instructions and transaction status. A payment aggregator may also collect funds from customers and settle them with merchants.

Several online payment gateway service providers in India offer both functions.

India's digital-payment ecosystem continues to expand. For example, Pocketly recently covered Fibe's UPI payment launch, which includes support for bank-account payments, RuPay cards and eligible credit lines.

For consumers evaluating card-related costs, Pocketly's credit card comparison guide explains fees, rewards and repayment considerations.

Top 10 Payment Gateways in India: Comparison Table

The following list of payment gateways in India compares 10 providers according to their published pricing and suitability for different businesses.

Rates checked: 6 November 2026.

These are published standard rates, not guaranteed merchant-specific quotations. GST, promotional offers, transaction categories and optional services can affect the final charges.

List of Payment Gateways in India: Top 10 Providers Explained

1. Razorpay

Razorpay is among the payment gateway companies in India worth considering for an ecommerce website.

Its products include online checkout, payment links, subscriptions and developer APIs.

Key details:

• Standard platform fee: 2% + GST

• Standard setup fee: ₹0

• Standard annual maintenance fee: ₹0

• International payments: Supported, subject to activation and applicable charges

Razorpay can suit businesses that need payment reporting, checkout integrations and subscription management.

2. Cashfree Payments

Cashfree is worth comparing if your business processes substantial payment volumes.

Its published standard domestic platform fee is 1.95% + GST.

Cashfree also advertises a conditional promotion for eligible newly onboarded merchants, offering zero platform fees on up to ₹20 lakh of eligible domestic transactions until 31 March 2027.

The offer excludes certain payment methods, and GST treatment follows the published terms.

Its international Visa/Mastercard standard pricing is approximately 2.99%.

3. PayU

PayU provides an online payment gateway in India for businesses accepting domestic and overseas payments.

Its published pricing includes:

GST is additional.

PayU lists standard settlement at T+2, with faster options subject to eligibility.

4. PhonePe Payment Gateway

PhonePe is an option for businesses looking for UPI and card acceptance.

Its pricing page currently advertises a conditional free-fee promotion against a standard 1.99% plan.

Businesses should confirm when the promotion ends, which payment methods qualify and what charges apply afterward.

5. Paytm Payment Gateway

Paytm lists a standard platform fee of 1.99% plus GST.

It supports payment methods including cards, UPI, netbanking and EMI.

Its published standard plan has no setup or annual maintenance fee.

International-card acceptance requires additional merchant verification.

6. CCAvenue

CCAvenue offers payment acceptance across cards, wallets, netbanking and UPI.

Its standard online pricing page lists a 2% platform fee plus GST.

Businesses handling several payment methods or requiring customised commercial arrangements can request enterprise pricing.

7. Instamojo

Instamojo can be useful for freelancers, online creators and businesses collecting payments through links.

Its gateway page lists:

• Physical goods: 2% + ₹3 + GST

• Digital goods: 5% + ₹3 + GST

• Payment links and store plans: Pricing depends on the selected service

Charges for digital products deserve particular attention.

For people managing irregular freelance income, Pocketly also explains loan options for freelancers.

8. Easebuzz

Easebuzz provides digital payment collection and API-based payment services.

Its website describes customised pricing based on merchant requirements.

It may suit businesses collecting education fees, service payments or recurring customer payments.

Obtain a written quotation before comparing it with providers advertising fixed standard rates.

9. BillDesk

BillDesk provides online and recurring payment infrastructure for merchants and institutions.

Its developer documentation covers website checkout, APIs, recurring collections and ecommerce integrations.

Commercial pricing depends on the merchant arrangement.

10. PayPal

PayPal is primarily relevant to Indian businesses receiving international payments.

Its India merchant terms state that domestic India-to-India transactions are not supported.

The published international receiving fee is 4.40% plus a fixed fee, with potential currency-conversion costs.

Freelancers should compare the amount ultimately received in their Indian bank account.

Payment Gateway Charges in India: What Do Businesses Pay?

Payment gateway charges in India generally depend on the transaction amount, payment method, merchant category and pricing plan.

GST is typically charged at 18% on the gateway's service fee, rather than on the entire transaction amount.

Example: Payment Gateway Charges on ₹10,000

These calculations assume the specified rate applies to the transaction and exclude other possible charges.

Why the Lowest Gateway Fee May Not Save the Most Money

Suppose your business processes ₹1 lakh of eligible payments.

At 1.95%, your gateway costs approximately ₹2,301 including GST.

At 2%, the cost is ₹2,360.

The difference is only ₹59.

If a payment gateway's checkout problems cause even one ₹1,499 order to fail permanently, the financial impact could exceed those fee savings.

For that reason, compare successful payments and customer experience alongside the rate card.

Are UPI Payments Free for Merchants?

Standard bank-account UPI transactions may carry zero merchant discount rate (MDR).

However, a payment service provider can separately charge a platform or technology fee.

For more background, read Pocketly's article about UPI charges above ₹2,000.

Best Payment Gateway in India for International Transactions

Businesses receiving money from overseas customers should compare international payment charges separately from domestic rates.

Example: Receiving $500 From an International Customer

Suppose an international client makes a $500 card payment.

At 2.99%, the processing fee is $14.95 before other charges.

At 4.40%, the percentage-based fee is $22, plus any applicable fixed fee.

The actual amount received depends on the provider's currency conversion, taxes and merchant-specific conditions.

When selecting the best payment gateway in India for international transactions, check the final settlement amount rather than comparing percentages alone.

How to Choose the Best Payment Gateway for a Website in India

Before selecting one of the top payment gateways in India, follow these steps.

1. Identify your customers' payment methods. Check whether most transactions use UPI, cards or international payment options.

2. Compare complete charges. Include GST, fixed fees, refunds, chargebacks and accelerated settlements.

3. Test the payment process. Attempt successful payments, failed transactions and refunds on mobile devices.

4. Check settlement schedules. Understand how quickly money reaches your bank account.

5. Verify authorisation and security. Check applicable RBI permissions, PCI-DSS practices and customer support.

Are New Payment Gateway Companies in India Safe?

A new payment gateway in India may offer competitive pricing or useful checkout features.

However, its age or advertised features cannot establish whether the service is appropriately authorised.

The RBI's Payment Aggregator Directions, issued in September 2025, address authorisation, merchant due diligence, fund settlement and cross-border payment activities.

Businesses should verify the provider's legal entity and relevant permissions.

Financial security also deserves attention. Pocketly recently covered the Spandana Sphoorty cyber fraud involving ₹7.80 crore, illustrating the potential consequences of payment-security failures.

Managing Personal Cash Flow With Pocketly

Payment gateways help businesses collect payments.

Personal loans address a different financial need.

A freelancer waiting for client payments, for example, may face difficulty meeting an unexpected personal expense. Before borrowing, they should determine whether the expense can wait and whether repayments would remain affordable.

For eligible personal expenses, Pocketly instant personal loans offer:

Pocketly isIndia's Most Trusted Financial App and cites 20M+ users..

Pocketly is a technology platform; loans are provided by its identified lending partner.

To understand the lending arrangement, read how NBFCs differ from banks and Pocketly's trusted online loan app guide.

Before applying, explore:

• EMI, interest and loan fees

• Pocketly EMI calculator

• Responsible lending guidelines

• Emergency fund guide for young Indians

A loan should be assessed using its APR, total repayment and the borrower's ability to repay.

Conclusion

This list of payment gateways in India offers a starting point for businesses comparing transaction charges, payment acceptance and settlement features.

For most small online businesses, Razorpay, Cashfree and a UPI-focused alternative are reasonable providers to test first.

Compare the final amount credited to your account, checkout success and support quality before committing.

For an unrelated personal financial emergency, eligible borrowers can check Pocketly loan eligibility for amounts up to ₹50,000.

Review the applicable loan offer, charges and repayment schedule before accepting. You can also read how Pocketly's fast personal-loan application works.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which payment gateway is best in India?

Razorpay is a versatile option, while Cashfree lists a lower standard domestic platform fee. The best provider depends on transaction methods, success rates and settlement requirements.

2. What are the top 10 payment gateways in India?

Razorpay, Cashfree, PayU, PhonePe, Paytm, CCAvenue, Instamojo, Easebuzz, BillDesk and PayPal are ten providers to compare. PayPal is relevant primarily for international receipts in India.

3. What are typical payment gateway charges in India?

Several standard domestic plans advertise rates around 1.95%–2% plus GST. Actual payment gateway charges depend on payment methods and commercial terms.

4. Which is the best payment gateway in India for international transactions?

Cashfree, Razorpay, PayU and PayPal are useful options to compare. Check international transaction fees, currency conversion and settlement support.

5. Is there a free online payment gateway in India?

Some providers offer limited-period fee promotions. Review eligibility, GST treatment and the charges that apply when the promotion expires.

6. Which payment gateway is best for a small website?

Instamojo can suit payment links, while Razorpay, Cashfree, PayU and PhonePe provide options for ecommerce checkout integrations.

7. Do payment gateways charge for UPI transactions?

A gateway may charge a platform fee even when standard bank-account UPI transactions carry zero MDR.

8. Can freelancers accept payments without a website?

Yes. Eligible freelancers can collect payments using payment links or invoicing services without maintaining a full ecommerce website.

9. Is PayPal available for domestic payments in India?

PayPal's published India merchant terms state that its service supports international payments, not domestic India-to-India merchant payments.

10. What documents are required for payment gateway registration?

Providers typically require merchant KYC, bank-account verification and business details. Requirements vary by merchant category and legal structure.

11. How should I compare a new payment gateway in India?

Compare RBI authorisation where applicable, transaction charges, security, checkout success rates, settlement schedules and customer support.

12. What is the difference between a payment gateway and a payment aggregator?

A payment gateway provides technology for processing payments. A payment aggregator may additionally collect and settle funds for merchants under applicable regulations.