Are you a non-US resident looking for a reliable payment gateway to process online payments?
If so, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll discuss the best payment gateways available for non-US residents.
We’ll also provide an overview of the pros and cons of each service so that you can make an informed decision when choosing one.
Let’s get started!
Overview: Best Payment Gateways for International Transactions
People from outside the US often get discouraged when they realize that most of the popular payment gateways are not available to them.
Luckily, there are still plenty of services out there that you can use:
| Country | Top payment gateway | What to know | Processing fees |
| France | Authorize.net | – No setup fees – Fixed monthly plan plus transaction fees |
Starts from 2.9% + 30¢ plus fixed $25 |
| United Arab Emirates | Stripe | – Protection against fraud and chargebacks – 24×7 phone, chat, and email support – Automate dispute handling |
Starts from 2.9% + AED1 per transaction |
| New Zealand | Shopify Payments | – Fraud analysis tool – Quick integration with the platform – Automatic currency conversion |
Starts from 2.4% to 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction |
| Australia | Mollie | – Pay per transaction only – Cancel anytime – Custom pricing for over $50.000 in revenue |
Starts from $0.25 + 1.8% per transaction |
| Spain | Verifone | – Sell in 200 countries – No credit card requirement – Access to recurring billing |
Starts from 3.5% + €0.30 per transaction |
| Sweden | Adyen | – No setup fee – Flexible payouts – One integration |
Starts from €0.10 + a fee will be defined by the chosen payment method |
| Canada | PayPal | – Seamless integration into most ecommerce platforms – Widely accepted payment gateway |
Starts from 2.90% plus a fixed fee based on the currency received |
| Italy | Skrill | – Mainly used in the gambling industry – Instantly process payments |
Free from bank transfer; otherwise, it starts from 1% to 5 % |
How do you pick the right payment gateway?
Before diving deep into the payment gateway options, here are some of the things you should consider to make sure it fits your needs:
- Make sure the gateway offers security measures for protecting customer data.
- Read reviews to determine which gateway is right for you.
- Look for a reliable payment gateway with reliable customer support to help you troubleshoot any issues.
9 Popular payment gateways for non-US residents
Here are the nine best payment gateways for international transactions and non-US residents:
1. Authorize.net
Authorize.net is a payment gateway that provides secure, reliable, and convenient services for non-US residents.
It offers no setup fees and has a fixed monthly plan of $25 plus transaction fees that start from 2.9% + 30¢.
It also provides protection against fraud and chargebacks, 24/7 phone, chat, and email support, and automated dispute handling with programmatic submission:
Despite the company’s popularity, it has a lot of negative reviews on Trustpilot, which is something we strongly advise you to check before deciding to use any payment gateway. It is still widely used by non-US residents.
Note: There seems to be no response from the company to those reviews, which is concerning and could be a red flag.
Most popular countries for using Authorize.net
Authorize.net is one of the most popular payment gateways for non-US residents, with users worldwide.
It is particularly popular in countries like:
- United Arab Emirates
- Germany
- Sweden
- Austria
- Norway
- Poland
- Switzerland
2. Stripe
Stripe is one of the most widely used payment processing services on the web.
It facilitates payments and money transfers faster and more reliably than traditional methods.
Stripe allows online businesses to securely accept and manage all major credit cards, as well as other forms of digital payment.
It also provides real-time analytics so business owners can track transaction volume, consumer trends, and, most importantly, profit margins.
Also, Stripe powers Shopify Payments, a popular payment processor widely used by Shopify users, so it’s a great option if you’re looking to build a Shopify store.
Stripe offers a range of features to make it easy to accept payments from customers in 47 countries and multiple currencies, including the euro, pound sterling, and US dollar.
The fees are transparent and start at 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
If you have a dropshipping store, we have a comprehensive guide on dropshipping with Stripe here.
Most popular countries for using Stripe
When it comes to payment processors, Stripe is one of the giant players in the market. It has a huge user base from all around the world, but it is particularly popular in countries like:
- Japan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Poland
- Portugal
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Also, this list may not be exhaustive, and Stripe’s availability in these countries is subject to change.
We’d recommend double-checking with Stripe’s website for the latest information.
3. Shopify Payments
Shopify Payments is a payment gateway that is integrated with the popular ecommerce platform, Shopify.
It allows online businesses to accept payments on their store without signing up for a third-party payment processor.
Shopify Payments also offers fraud protection, multiple currency support, and real-time analytics.
Depending on your chosen plan, Shopify payments charge from 2.4% to 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
That said, oftentimes, where Shopify Payments is available, Stripe isn’t, and vice versa, since Stripe, as mentioned earlier, powers Shopify Payments.
Related article: Shopify Payments Alternatives: Best Payment Gateways for You
Most popular countries for using Shopify Payments
Shopify Payments is a popular payment gateway, especially in countries like:
- Australia
- Austria
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Spain
- Sweden
4. Mollie
Mollie may not be as popular in native English-speaking countries as other payment processors such as Stripe, but it has an impressive customer base in Europe.
Mollie charges fees depending on the card you’re using and the location you’re based on.
For the European Union customers using Mastercards and Visa, it is a flat rate of € 0.25 + 1.8 %, while worldwide, it is 2.8%.
Mollie is a secure, reliable, and convenient payment processor that supports over 30 different payment methods and multiple currencies, including euros, pounds sterling, and the US dollar.
They have a decent score on Trustpilot, but more importantly, the customer service is actually responding to their inquiries, which is a good sign!
Most popular countries for using Mollie
Here are the most popular countries for Mollie:
- Netherlands
- United States
- Germany
5. Verifone (Formerly 2Checkout)
Verifone, formally known as 2Checkout, is a global payment provider that offers a wide range of payment solutions.
Verifone services are available in over 150 countries and support multiple currencies.
It has impressive security and fraud protection and provides real-time data analysis to help merchants make informed decisions.
The company’s fees and rates vary depending on the country, but it generally charges 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction.
That said, they also have an additional fee if you reside in what they call a highly ‘risky’ country, meaning your fees could be higher due to fraudulent activities in your area.
You can learn more about it here.
Most popular countries for using Verifone
Verifone is particularly popular in countries like:
- Germany
- France
- Greece
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Spain
6. Adyen
Adyen is another great payment processor for non-US residents.
It is a Dutch company and is widely used in Europe. Founded in 2006, Adyen is a secure and reliable payment provider that supports over 40 payment methods.
The company provides all-in-one solutions to help businesses accept payments from customers worldwide. It also offers real-time analytics and fraud protection.
The beautifully designed interface makes it easy for users to find the payment methods they need in just a few clicks.
Adyen changes a fixed processing fee of EUR 0.10 per transaction plus the interchange fees of the payment methods used.
Most popular countries for using Adyen
Adyen is most used in the US.
However, it also started gaining popularity in other global markets. These countries include:
- China
- Brazil
- Russia
- Japan
- Mexico
- Argentina
- Chile
7. PayPal
PayPal is one of the oldest and most trusted payment gateways available. It has been around since 1998 and is used by millions of people worldwide.
PayPal offers fast, secure, and reliable payments in more than 200 countries, including the US. It supports multiple currencies, including the euro, pound sterling, and the US dollar.
With PayPal, for international transactions, we’re looking at a rate of 2.9%, depending on the currency:
PayPal is also extensively used by dropshippers.
That said, it is also worth mentioning that they don’t have the best reputation amongst dropshippers and merchants.
In general, they tend to ban or restrict accounts quite often, and since they don’t even respond to people’s inquiries on Trustpilot, that should tell you a lot about their customer service.
If you have a dropshipping store, we have a comprehensive guide on PayPal for dropshipping here.
Most popular countries for using Paypal
You’ll need to know where they make their services available, so below are the most popular countries for using Paypal:
- Egypt
- Israel
- South Africa
- India
- Japan
- Singapore
- Philippines
- Malaysia
The list is much longer, but these are the most popular countries, so if your country isn’t in one of these mentioned above, you can learn more about the full list here.
8. Skrill
You may not have heard of Skrill if you aren’t in the gambling industry. However, it is a great payment processor for non-US residents.
It is based in the UK and provides a quick, secure, and reliable way to send and receive money online.
They have partnered with all major ecommerce platforms to extend the reach of their services to more countries.
It supports 40 countries, and payments are settled in real time, making it a great payment gateway for businesses.
Their low fees with no hidden charges and their proudly shown Trustpilot score make them an appealing choice, so it is an excellent option for non-US residents.
Skrill offers a free service charge for money sent by bank transfer and an average of 1% to 4.99% for international transfers.
Also, bear in mind that their service fees may change depending on the currency you are using.
Most popular countries for using Skrill
Skrill is most used in the UK and Europe, but it is becoming increasingly popular in other parts of the world. These countries include:
- Australia
- Canada
- India
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Russia
- Mexico
- Brazil
9. Payoneer
Many companies around the world simply prefer paying you in their own currency.
With Payoneer, you can receive payments from more than 150 countries in various currencies.
What’s more, they offer live chat support even if you’re not a customer, making it even faster if you want to ask something about the service right from the get-go.
What about their service fees? Payoneer has been around for 18 years, so they know how to please their customers.
Their fees are quite low. From Payoneer to Payoneer accounts, the fees are zero, and payments involving exchange rates in different currencies will be calculated at the time of transaction.
On average, the fees are around 2% per transaction, while if you transfer money from a Payoneer account to another Payoneer account, they won’t charge you anything.
Awesome, right?
That said, they are pretty active in answering customers’ queries on many platforms, including Google Play.
Now, even though they do get some complaints, which is normal in any business, they address those issues quite quickly, plus their overall rating in other reviewing platforms is quite solid.
Most popular countries for using Payoneer
Since Payoneer has been around for a very long time, they’ve expanded their service, and so have the countries they do business with.
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- India
- Canada
- Japan
- South Africa
- Mexico
- Brazil
3 Tips for choosing the right payment gateway for your needs
First and foremost, there are many things to consider when choosing the right payment gateways.
However, for the purpose of this article, we’ll summarize three of them:
1. Compare fees and charges
Every gateway company makes money by charging fees, so depending on the country you live in, you should compare the fees they charge and their services.
Generally, these fees include a setup fee, a transaction fee, and sometimes an authorization fee or monthly maintenance fee.
For example, Skrill has a monthly service fee of EUR 5.00 if you don’t make a transaction within six months.
2. Check security features
When choosing a payment gateway, security is of the utmost importance.
Make sure you check and understand the security features offered by each payment gateway before choosing one.
In general, you’ll need to check they have at least the following features:
- Encryption
- Fraud protection
- Multi- or Two-Factor Authentication
- Data privacy
- Address verification system
3. Read reviews
Read, read, and read! Reading reviews from other users can provide valuable insight into a particular payment gateway, so make sure you take your time to do this research.
Why do we want to emphasize this particular part?
Well, it is known that some payment gateways hold funds for long periods of time, and that’s why you need to make sure they are reliable.
That’s especially crucial if you’re running a business and you need constant cash flow in order to run ads and campaigns.
To combat this unfortunate situation, ensure that platforms like Trustpilot or G2 are checked for reviews.
Types of payments accepted by payment gateway for non-US residents
Regarding non-US residents, payment gateways can accept various forms of payment.
These include but are not limited to credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, bank transfers, and e-wallet services like Apple Pay and PayPal.
Each payment gateway may offer different types of payment options.
In addition, some payment gateways also offer alternative payment methods such as cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and even cash payments through money transfer services such as Western Union or MoneyGram.
But let’s see more in detail.
Cash Payments
Cash payments are still a viable option for many non-US residents.
Money transfer services such as Western Union and MoneyGram are commonly used, allowing customers to send money across borders safely and securely.
However, while the process is fairly simple, it isn’t fast since you’ll have to commute to your local money transfer office and wait in line.
Plus, you’ll also have to wait for a minimum of working days, which is usually one or two.
Digital Wallets
Digital wallets have been around since the 90s. Is it only with the recent smartphone revolution that they’ve increased in popularity.
Digital wallets allow customers to store their payment information and make transactions with a single click.
Popular digital wallets include Apple Pay, PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and Venmo.
For example, you can use Skrill or PayPal to connect it through Apple Pay and avoid bringing physical cards.
Debit and credit cards
These are the most common forms of payments, not just for non-US residents.
Usually, payment gateways offer their users a MasterCard or Visa card within their plan.
They are still popular, though. However, the trend is going more and more toward digital wallets.
Summary
Before we go to the final verdict, we’ve created a quick summary of this article for you, so you can easily remember it:
- Ensure to check the reviews. Nobody likes to have their money on hold.
- Check the platform interface since it’s the one you’ll interact with.
- Double-check the integration with Apple Pay or Google Pay for a better user experience.
Final verdict
That’s it, there you have it!
So, after mentioning all the payment gateways for non-US residents and discussing their features, we would consider filtering them through Trustpilot, in this case, Mollie, Payoneer, and Skrill.
Then, choose the one that best suits your needs, considering the payment methods they offer, their fees and charges, and most importantly, their security features.
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