Choosing a payment gateway is no longer just about transaction fees. The real differences are now:
- how quickly you get paid
- whether payouts are automatic
- ease of setup
- international fees
- platform transaction penalties
- how much admin work is involved
For most Australian businesses, the biggest operational difference is simple:
Does the money automatically land in your bank account, or do you need to manually transfer it?
Below is a real-world comparison of the major ecommerce payment gateways for Australian stores.
Payment Gateway Comparison Table (Australia)
| Gateway | Domestic AU Fees | International Fees | Automatic Bank Payouts | Manual Transfer Needed | Typical Payout Time | Best Platform Fit | Setup Difficulty |
| Stripe | 1.7% + 30c | 3.5% + 30c (+ FX) | Yes | No | 2–3 business days | WooCommerce / custom sites | Easy |
| WooPayments | 1.75% + 30c | +1.5% international + 2% FX | Yes | No | 2–7 days initially | WooCommerce | Very Easy |
| PayPal | ~2.6–2.9% + fixed fee | Higher international fees | Usually no | Often yes | Instant to PayPal, then 1–3 days bank transfer | Any platform | Very Easy |
| eWAY | ~1.4–1.9% negotiated | Varies | Yes | No | Often next business day | WooCommerce / larger AU stores | Medium |
| Shopify Payments | 1.75%–2.9% + 30c depending on plan | Higher international fees | Yes | No | ~2 business days minimum | Shopify | Easiest |
| Wix Payments | ~2.9% + 30c | Higher international fees | Yes | No | ~3–7 days initially | Wix | Very Easy |
| Squarespace Payments | ~2.9% + 30c | Higher international fees | Yes | No | 1–3 business days | Squarespace | Easy |
| Square | ~1.9–2.2% online | Higher keyed/manual fees | Yes | No | Usually next business day | POS + online stores | Easy |
Fee structures and payout timing vary by card type, risk profile, currency conversion, and business history.
1. Stripe
Best for
- WooCommerce
- subscriptions
- custom ecommerce
- businesses wanting low admin
Why businesses like it
Stripe became popular because:
- payouts are automatic
- no manual withdrawals
- excellent Apple Pay/Google Pay support
- clean WooCommerce integration
Typical experience:
- customer pays
- Stripe processes payment
- funds automatically arrive in your bank account within a few business days
That “set and forget” payout flow is why many businesses prefer Stripe over PayPal.
Australian fees
- 1.7% + 30c domestic cards
- 3.5% + 30c international cards
- extra FX fees may apply
Setup guide
- Create Stripe account
- Verify identity/business
- Connect bank account
- Install plugin or enable in platform
Official links
2. WooPayments
Best for
- WooCommerce beginners
- store owners wanting easiest setup
WooPayments is heavily based on Stripe infrastructure, but integrated directly into WooCommerce.
Australian fees
According to WooCommerce’s official fee schedule:
| Payment Type | Fee |
| Cards | 1.75% + 30c |
| International card surcharge | +1.5% |
| Currency conversion | +2% |
| Disputes | $25 |
| Afterpay | 6% + 30c |
This means international transactions can become expensive quickly.
Example:
- base fee: 1.75%
- international card: +1.5%
- FX conversion: +2%
Effective total:
5.25% + 30c
Why people choose it
Pros:
- easiest WooCommerce setup
- payouts automatic
- refunds handled inside WooCommerce
- minimal technical setup
Setup guide
- Install WooCommerce
- Activate WooPayments plugin
- Connect WordPress.com account
- Verify business details
- Add bank account
Official links
- WooPayments Fees (Australia)
- WooPayments Setup Guide
3. PayPal
Best for
- customer trust
- international customers
- secondary payment option
PayPal still converts well because many buyers trust it more than entering card details directly.
The biggest operational downside
Unlike Stripe:
- money lands in your PayPal balance first
- not your bank account
Many businesses still:
- log into PayPal
- manually transfer funds
- wait another 1–3 business days
That extra admin step is why many stores no longer use PayPal as their primary processor.
Typical Australian fees
- around 2.6–2.9% + fixed fee
- higher for international payments
Setup guide
- Create PayPal Business account
- Verify identity/business
- Link bank account
- Connect to ecommerce platform
Official links
4. eWAY
Best for
- established Australian businesses
- local support
- higher-volume retailers
eWAY is one of the oldest Australian payment providers and still widely used by larger retailers.
Why some businesses prefer it
- local AU support
- bank integrations
- negotiated pricing
- often faster settlements
Typical fees
eWAY pricing is commonly negotiated:
- around 1.4–1.9% domestic cards
- varies by bank and turnover
Payouts
Usually:
- direct to bank account
- often next business day
Setup complexity
More “traditional merchant banking” feel than Stripe:
- may require merchant facility
- additional paperwork possible
Setup guide
- Apply for merchant facility
- Create eWAY account
- Verify business
- Connect to ecommerce platform
Official links
- eWAY Pricing & Plans
- eWAY WooCommerce Setup
5. Shopify Payments
Best for
- Shopify stores
- easiest overall ecommerce setup
For Shopify users:
Shopify Payments is usually the obvious choice.
Australian fees by plan
| Shopify Plan | Online Card Fee |
| Basic | 1.75% + 30c |
| Grow | 1.6% + 30c |
| Advanced | 1.4% + 30c |
If you use an external gateway instead:
- Shopify charges additional transaction fees
That’s why most Shopify stores simply use:
- Shopify Payments
- plus PayPal
Payouts
Automatic payouts to your bank account.
Australia minimum settlement time:
- 2 business days
Setup guide
- Create Shopify store
- Go to Settings → Payments
- Activate Shopify Payments
- Verify identity/business
- Add bank account
Official links
Shopify payout timing and fees are documented in Shopify’s Help Centre.
6. Wix Payments
Best for
- beginners
- small businesses wanting simplicity
Typical fees
- approximately 2.9% + 30c
Some users have reported newer transaction commissions on certain Wix plans.
Payouts
Automatic payouts are supported, but:
- first payouts can be slower
- verification delays are common initially
Setup guide
- Upgrade to Wix Business plan
- Enable Wix Payments
- Verify business details
- Add bank account
Official links
- Wix Payments Overview
- Wix Payments Setup Guide
7. Squarespace Payments
Best for
- creators
- service businesses
- simpler ecommerce stores
Squarespace Payments uses Stripe infrastructure underneath.
Typical fees
- around 2.9% + 30c
Additional commerce fees may apply on lower-tier plans.
Payouts
Automatic payouts:
- generally 1–3 business days
Setup guide
- Upgrade to Commerce plan
- Enable Squarespace Payments
- Verify business details
- Connect bank account
Official links
- Squarespace Payments Overview
- Squarespace Payment Setup
8. Square
Best for
- physical retail + ecommerce
- cafes
- market stalls
- POS integration
Typical fees
- approximately 1.9–2.2% online
Why businesses love it
Square’s biggest advantage is:
- unified online + in-person sales
Excellent if you:
- attend markets
- run a physical shop
- use POS hardware
Payouts
Automatic.
Often:
- next business day
Setup guide
- Create Square account
- Verify business
- Connect bank account
- Install ecommerce integration
Official links
- Square Australia Pricing
- Square Online Setup
Which Payment Gateway Should You Choose?
Choose Stripe or WooPayments if:
- you use WooCommerce
- you want automatic payouts
- you hate admin
- you want best flexibility
Choose Shopify Payments if:
- you run Shopify
- you want the easiest setup
- you want lowest friction
Choose PayPal if:
- customer trust matters
- you sell internationally
- you want it as a secondary checkout option
Choose eWAY if:
- you’re an established AU retailer
- you want local support
- you process high volume
Choose Square if:
- you sell both online and in-person
Final Recommendation
For most Australian ecommerce businesses in 2026, the best setup is:
| Platform | Recommended Stack |
| WooCommerce | WooPayments or Stripe + PayPal |
| Shopify | Shopify Payments + PayPal |
| Wix | Wix Payments + PayPal |
| Squarespace | Squarespace Payments + PayPal |