Online Payment Gateway Singapore: Compare Gateways from MAS-Licensed Providers
An online payment gateway lets your website, online store or app accept credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets and local methods such as PayNow. 1pospay compares gateways and rates from MAS-licensed payment providers and matches you with the one that fits how you sell online.
Which type of online payment gateway does your business need?
Most Singapore businesses take online payments in one of four ways: a hosted payment page, an embedded checkout built with the provider's API, a plugin for their e-commerce platform, or payment links sent to customers. Many providers offer several of these under one merchant account.
| Gateway set-up | Best for | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hosted payment page (redirect) | New online shops and businesses without a developer | Customers are sent to the provider's checkout page to pay | Fastest to launch; card details are handled on the provider's page |
| Embedded checkout / API | Custom websites and apps that want checkout on their own page | Developer integration with the provider's API or SDK | More control over design; more security and integration work |
| E-commerce platform plugin | Shops on WooCommerce, Shopify and similar platforms | Install the provider's plugin or app and enter your keys | Check that the provider supports your platform and its version |
| Payment links and invoices | Selling through WhatsApp, social media, email or quotes | Create a link in the provider's dashboard and send it | No website needed; often offered by the same gateway provider |
What are online payment gateway charges in Singapore?
Online payment gateway charges are mostly transaction fees: a percentage of each payment, sometimes plus a fixed fee, that varies by payment method and card origin. Set-up, monthly, refund and chargeback fees and settlement terms also affect the total. Compare full quotes at your expected monthly volume and average order value rather than the headline rate alone.
Transaction fee (MDR)
A percentage of each online payment kept by the provider. It usually differs by payment method and between local and international cards.
Fixed per-transaction fee
Some gateways add a fixed amount per transaction on top of the percentage. It weighs most on small orders.
Setup, monthly and other fees
Ask about set-up, monthly, refund, chargeback, currency conversion and minimum-volume fees before you sign.
Settlement timing and reserves
How many business days until funds reach your bank account, and whether the provider holds a rolling reserve.
Integration effort
A ready plugin or hosted page costs little to set up. A custom API integration needs developer time.
Why use a MAS-licensed online payment gateway provider?
In Singapore, providing an online payment gateway to merchants is usually part of a regulated payment service. Under the Payment Services Act, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) lists merchant acquisition, which is accepting and processing payment transactions for a merchant under a contract, as a payment service. MAS notes that it usually includes a point-of-sale terminal or online payment gateway. Providers need a MAS licence unless they are exempt.
Before you sign, look the provider up in the MAS Financial Institutions Directory. Source: MAS, Types of Payment Services. 1pospay only matches businesses with MAS-licensed payment providers.
How to choose an online payment gateway: 6-point checklist
- Payment methods your customers use online: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay, JCB, PayNow QR, e-wallets and buy now, pay later
- Whether the provider is licensed by MAS (or exempt) for merchant acquisition. Check the MAS Financial Institutions Directory
- Total cost at your real monthly volume and average order value, not only the headline rate
- Ready plugins for your website or e-commerce platform, or a clear API if you build your own
- Fraud protection such as 3-D Secure, plus how chargebacks and refunds are handled
- Settlement time, multi-currency support, contract length and local support
How 1pospay matches you with an online payment gateway
- 1
Tell us how you sell online
Your website or platform, payment methods, monthly online volume and average order value.
- 2
We compare providers
We compare gateways, transaction fees and features from MAS-licensed payment providers and explain the trade-offs.
- 3
Apply and go live
We help with the application and documents, so you can start accepting online payments.
Already chosen Fiuu? Use our Fiuu online payment gateway application. No website? Send payment links instead. Taking payments in store too? Compare payment terminals in Singapore for restaurants, retail stores and other businesses.
Online payment gateway FAQs
What is an online payment gateway?
An online payment gateway is the service that accepts card and digital wallet payments on a website, app or payment link. It securely collects the customer's payment details, sends the payment for authorisation, and the provider settles the money to the merchant's bank account.
How much does an online payment gateway cost in Singapore?
There is no single price. Your total cost is the percentage fee on each transaction, any fixed per-transaction fee, and any set-up, monthly, refund or chargeback fees. Rates differ by provider, payment method, card origin, business type and volume, so compare full quotes at your expected monthly volume. 1pospay can collect quotes from several providers for you.
Does an online payment gateway provider need a MAS licence?
MAS lists merchant acquisition, which is accepting and processing payment transactions for a merchant under a contract, as a payment service under the Payment Services Act. MAS notes that this service usually includes a point-of-sale terminal or online payment gateway. Providers need a licence unless exempted, and you can check a provider's status in the MAS Financial Institutions Directory.
Can an online payment gateway accept PayNow?
Many gateways in Singapore offer PayNow QR at checkout alongside cards, but support depends on the provider. Confirm the exact list of accepted payment methods, and the fee for each one, in writing before you sign.
Do I need a website to accept online payments?
No. Many gateway providers also offer payment links and online invoices, which you can send through WhatsApp, social media or email. A website or e-commerce store with an integrated checkout suits businesses with a larger online catalogue.
What is the difference between a payment gateway and a payment processor?
The gateway is the part your customer sees: it captures the payment details on your checkout and passes them on securely. The processor or acquirer handles the authorisation with the card networks and settles the funds. In Singapore, many providers offer both as one merchant account.
Get an online payment gateway quote
Tell us how your business sells online and we will compare gateways and rates from MAS-licensed providers for you.
