Cheapest Online Payment Processing UK: How to Compare Total Cost

The cheapest online payment processing option depends on your transaction size, volume, card mix, payment methods, refunds and international sales. A low headline rate is not automatically the lowest total cost.

Start with your numbers

Write down monthly online sales, number of transactions, average order value, UK versus overseas share and typical refund rate. Then compare providers using the same assumptions.

Watch fixed fees

Fixed charges can matter more for low-value transactions, while percentage charges become more significant as transaction values rise. Model both components together.

Look beyond the transaction fee

• Monthly platform charges.
• Refund and dispute charges.
• International-card and currency costs.
• Plugin or ecommerce costs.
• Optional fraud or billing products.