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Top 9 payment gateways in the UAE: A guide to choosing the right solution
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Top 9 payment gateways in the UAE: A guide to choosing the right solution

Rabia Abbas
Rabia Abbas

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Payment gateway

You’ve set up your e-commerce store in the UAE and need to start accepting payments. The next step is to find a payment gateway that integrates seamlessly with your website builder, such as Shopify or WooCommerce.

A payment gateway is a tool that allows you to safely accept payments online. It acts as a transaction processor, enabling your customers to pay using cards, digital wallets, bank transfers, and other payment methods.

Chances are, you’ve already come across a few big-name options like Stripe during your research. The issue is that many payment gateways are built for established companies, not e-commerce sites that are just starting out.

In fact, you’ve probably experienced some of these challenges before:

  • During signup, you’ve been asked for a lot of extensive documentation you don’t yet have
  • If you’ve passed onboarding, the long payout timelines and high transaction fees make it difficult to manage your cash flow
  • If you sell on other channels, you may still need separate tools for payment links, QR codes, and in-person sales

What you really want is an all-in-one payment solution that’s simple and fast to set up, with a clear fee structure and solutions that support your business growth in the UAE.

We’ve written this guide to help you find exactly that. We’ll cover the nine best payment gateways in the UAE, and how they compare in terms of payout speed, available features, and more.

In this article:

  • Top 9 payment gateways in the UAE at a glance
  • Ziina
  • Stripe
  • Tap Payments
  • Telr
  • Paymob
  • PayPal
  • Mamo
  • CCAvenue
  • Foloosi

Ziina is a payment app and gateway that enables businesses to send and accept payments securely across the UAE. Get onboarded in minutes, add Ziina to your checkout flow, and settle up to your Ziina wallet quickly. Cashouts to UAE bank accounts are available in 1-2 business days (subject to bank processing times).

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Top 9 payment gateways in the UAE at a glance*

Payment gatewayTransaction feesSettlement timesCustomer supportBusiness card to instantly access your funds in the UAECustomized checkout
Ziina
2.6% + 1 AED
Instant to Ziina wallet; 1-2 days to UAE bank account
UAE-based Arabic & English support
Stripe
From 2.9% + 1 AED[1a]
2–5 days
Global support
Tap Payments
N/A
up to 5 days
Regional support
Telr
From 2.69% + 1 AED on a small plan with AED 149 monthly fee, or free with AED 349 on an entry plan[3a]
1–2 days
UAE-based support
Paymob
2.75%+3 EGP[4a]
Weekly on Sundays and Wednesdays
N/A
PayPal
3.40% + fixed fee for domestic transactions[5a]
1-3 days
Global support
Mamo
2.9% + AED 1[6a]
2-5 days
Dedicated Arabic & English support
CCAvenue
Around 3% + AED 1, with 200 AED monthly fee[7a]
2-3 days, express settlement available
24/7 support
Foloosi
3% with a Starter package, 2.5% with a Gold package[8a]
N/A
UAE-based support

Ziina: An all-in-one payment solution with fast onboarding for UAE businesses

Ziina.webp

Since we’re the ones writing this article, we’ll introduce ourselves first: Ziina is a payment platform that enables businesses and individuals to securely send and receive money in the UAE.

Ziina Payment L.L.C. is licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE as a Stored Value Facility, and through our payment gateway, you can add an online checkout to your e-commerce website in minutes.

Here are a few reasons businesses choose to accept payments with Ziina:

1. Get set up in minutes for free and integrate with Shopify, WooCommerce, WordPress, and other platforms

We built Ziina in 2020 because we saw the gap between the Middle East’s ambition and the outdated financial tools UAE professionals had to rely on: to be able to accept payments via a processor, startups and freelancers had to undergo lengthy onboarding times, face strict requirements, and navigate complex interfaces.

This often led to launch delays and unnecessary operational complexity.

With Ziina, you can get onboarded quickly and with minimal requirements (subject to Ziina's terms and conditions and depending on use case and risk level). Our guides will show you how to:

  • Easily accept payments via Shopify, WooCommerce, and custom websites
  • Customize your checkout flow for your specific business needs
  • Provide Ziina wallet to your users so that they can request and transfer funds directly from your application

You can start with ready-to-go plugins for Shopify and WooCommerce, and if you require more customization, your developers can build and scale integrations with Ziina’s API and OAuth support.

At checkout, your customers can pay using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, and Google Pay (the latter two are currently supported for all website builders except Shopify).

Once a payment has been processed, it settles into your Ziina wallet immediately. Transfers to your bank are free and available in 1-2 business days (often within 24 hours). We also offer instant cashouts to eligible users.

Our transparent fees stand at 2.6% + 1 AED per transaction, plus 1.5% for international cards or currency exchange. There are no subscription or hidden fees. (To see current standard processing fees, look at Ziina’s pricing page).

And with team access available, your team members can collaborate within the app itself, each with their own user permissions.

2. Get paid in AED, access customer support in English and Arabic, and grow with a payment platform built to support UAE businesses

Many large payment gateways operate globally, which often translates into slower, less locally specialized customer support.

Ziina’s founders left Silicon Valley and moved back to Dubai to do things differently: they built an app specifically for UAE-based SMEs, with local support directly from the UAE in both English and Arabic.

Our goal is to answer your questions in less than 30 minutes, and with multi-currency support available, you can also sell internationally.

Here’s how it works: for links generated from the app, customers can choose their preferred currency (we currently support 10 currencies, including AED, EUR, GBP, and USD), and Ziina will convert the payment to AED at the time of payment using real-time currency exchange rates and settle it into your wallet.

currencies.webp

3. Scale with one app for all your payment needs

Most payment gateways solve just one problem: accepting payments on your website. But that’s not how most businesses in the UAE actually operate.

You might be selling through your e-commerce store, taking orders on WhatsApp, replying to Instagram DMs, and running pop-ups on the weekend. The result is a combination of tools – one for checkout, another for payment links, and another for in-person payments – and no single view of your revenue.

Ziina changes that. Accept payments across every channel your business uses and track all sales from one app:

  • Via a branded checkout on your website where the average checkout time stands at four seconds
  • In the app itself (all you need is your ZiiName)
  • Through payment links that allow you to accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Mastercard, and Amex, and which you can create directly from your keyboard with our ZiiBoard
  • Using QR codes that customers can scan to immediately transfer funds
  • With Tap to Pay to accept contactless card and phone payments directly on your mobile device using NFC
  • Via instant invoices that can be customized, set up to request prepayments, and exported into your CRM with collected customer data
PaymentLinks.webp

How OLAH Haircare reduced cart abandonment by 35% and achieved 30% month-on-month revenue growth with Ziina

OLAH Haircare is a beauty brand based in Dubai and founded by Alia Almarzooqi, who transformed her family’s natural haircare recipe into a modern business.

At the start, Alia and her mother handled payments by sharing bank details on Instagram and WhatsApp and waiting for payment screenshots. But with so many international customers paying across multiple currencies, payments soon slowed down, delaying shipments and adding time-consuming manual effort.

In February 2024, Alia launched her Shopify website and integrated Ziina’s payment gateway.

Customers can now pay using their preferred payment method at an online checkout or via branded payment links across social media platforms. Alia can also use the ZiiBoard to collect payments and share invoices directly from the keyboard on her phone.

As a result:

  • OLAH Haircare has seen a 35% decrease in cart abandonment, as well as higher order volumes
  • The brand has experienced a 30% month-on-month revenue growth

“What set Ziina apart was that it came highly recommended by a friend and it was a trusted, UAE-based company. The payment gateway integration was easy, and Ziina supported multi-currency payments for our GCC customer base. Ziina’s features are perfectly aligned with all our payment channels – website, Instagram, and WhatsApp.”
Alia Almarzooqi, CEO
Action block image

Read case studyDownload Ziina

Stripe

Stripe1 is a global payments infrastructure platform used by startups, marketplaces, SaaS companies, and large enterprises to accept payments online and in person.

Stripe is known for its developer-friendly APIs and wide range of payment products, from checkout pages and payment links to fraud prevention, billing, and in-person payments.

As a UAE business, Stripe is probably one of the first names that has come up in your research on payment gateways. It can be a strong option for those who want advanced customization and global payment methods, though smaller businesses might find it a bit too technical and comprehensive for their needs – especially if you’re looking for something simple to set up and manage day to day.

Key features:

  • Online payment gateway: Accept payments through your website using cards, wallets, and other local payment methods.1b
  • Stripe Checkout: A pre-built checkout page that can be embedded on your site or hosted by Stripe.1c With Stripe Elements, you can also build a more customized checkout experience.1d
  • 100+ payment methods: Support for cards, wallets, BNPL options, bank debits, real-time payments, and other payment methods depending on the market, with 135+ currencies.1e
  • Developer tools and APIs: Extensive documentation, SDKs, webhooks, test environments, and APIs for custom payment flows.1f

Tap Payments

If your goal is to sell primarily across the MENA region and offer 20+ payment methods that local customers are familiar with, from mada and KNET to Tabby, Benefit, or Oman Net, Tap Payments2 – a payment gateway focused on the Middle East and North Africa – might be a good option.

With Tap, you can also receive payouts to local banks across the region.

Key features:

  • Online payment gateway: Accept local, regional, and international payments through one integration. Tap offers plugins for major e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, WooCommerce, Zoho, Prestashop, and Zid.2a
  • Tap Checkout: A secure, customizable checkout built for MENA, with localized language, currency, and preferred payment methods by market.2b
  • Developer tools: APIs, SDKs, plugins, webhooks, sandbox access, and developer documentation for custom payment flows.2c

Telr

Telr3 is a UAE-based payment gateway that supports payments across websites, mobile apps, and other channels. Telr is especially focused on startups and SMEs, with multiple integration options3b and support for 15+ payment methods3c and 120+ currencies.3d

Key features:

  • Online payment gateway built 100% in-house: Accept payments through websites, apps, and shopping carts with high customizability and responsiveness thanks to Telr’s fully proprietary technology.3e
  • Buy now, pay later: Telr offers BNPL through its partnership with Tabby, allowing customers to pay in interest-free instalments.3f
  • Telr Incepta: A business hub for managing payments, expenses, invoicing, payroll, accounting, and other business operations.3g

Paymob

Paymob4 is a payments infrastructure provider based in Egypt that serves businesses across the Middle East and Africa. It supports online and in-person payments, including a payment gateway, as well as cashless ecosystem solutions like Paymob Sync.4b

Paymob offers plugins for platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, OpenCart, and CS-Cart.4c

Key features:

  • Online payment gateway: Accept payments on your website or app using cards, wallets, installments, payment links, and other payment methods. You can add multiple payment methods to your e-commerce website with a single code integration.4c
  • 20+ local and international payment methods: Supports cards, mobile wallets, Apple Pay, Google Pay, BNPL options, cash on delivery, loyalty points, and kiosk payments in supported markets.4d
  • Installments, BNPL, and subscriptions: Offer flexible payment options, including 0% interest installment programs and selected BNPL providers.4e Paymob also supports recurring payments, automated billing cycles, and tokenized customer payment details for subscription businesses.4f
  • Developer tools: APIs, hosted checkout, embedded checkout, mobile SDKs, plugins, API explorer tools, and documentation for custom integrations.4g

PayPal

PayPal5 is a global payments platform that helps businesses accept payments online, in person, and across international markets. Through PayPal Open, businesses can access a suite of payment and financial tools, such as an online checkout.

Key features:

  • Online checkout: Accept payments through PayPal Checkout or Expanded Checkout, with support for major credit and debit cards, PayPal, Pay Later, and other payment methods depending on the checkout setup.5b
  • Guest checkout: PayPal’s Fastlane product helps autofill payment and shipping details for a faster checkout experience.5c
  • Multiple integration options: Businesses can connect PayPal through e-commerce platforms, use REST APIs and JavaScript SDKs, or create no-code payment links, buttons, and QR codes.5b
  • Reporting tools: PayPal Business accounts include reporting and analytics for sales, disputes, refunds, fees, checkout performance, and more.5d

Mamo

Mamo6 is a UAE-focused financial platform that helps businesses accept payments, manage expenses, issue corporate cards, and handle payouts from one place. It supports integrations with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, PrestaShop, and Magento.6b

Key features:

  • Online payment gateway: Accept payments through integrated checkout on e-commerce websites using Mamo’s APIs and plugins.6c
  • Multiple payment methods: Accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, mada, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Tabby.6d
  • Multi-currency support: Accept payments in 15+ currencies and sell to international customers.6c
  • Developer tools and APIs: Use Mamo’s APIs, webhooks, sandbox environment, and mobile integrations to build custom payment flows.6b
  • Arabic and English support: Mamo offers dedicated technical support in both Arabic and English for integrations and daily operations.6c

CCAvenue

CCAvenue7 is a payment provider that helps businesses accept payments across different channels, including websites. CCAvenue may be a good option for UAE e-commerce businesses that want a more traditional payment gateway with additional tools like invoice payments and phone-based payments.

Key features:

  • Online payment gateway: Accept payments on websites and apps through credit cards, debit cards, net banking, rewards payments, and Easy Payment Plan options.7b CCAvenue also supports payments through other channels, for example, mobile via PhonePay.7c
  • Multi-currency processing: Collect payments in major currencies, including AED, USD, GBP, EUR, SAR, QAR, BHD, OMR, and KWD.7b
  • Multilingual checkout and iFrame integration: CCAvenue offers a responsive checkout page in 18 major Indian and International languages, customizable branding, and iFrame integration so customers can pay without leaving your website. The payment gateway integrates with platforms like Shopify, Magento, Wordpress, ZenCart, and more.7b
  • Smart Dynamic Routing, transaction retry options, and live monitoring: Improve transaction success rates and reduce abandoned payments.7b

Foloosi

Foloosi8 is a UAE payment platform you can use to accept payments in your online store, as well as across other channels. Foloosi integrates with a wide range of e-commerce plugins and platform SDKs, including WooCommerce, Opencart, and CS Cart.8b

Key features:

  • Online payment gateway: Accept debit cards, credit cards, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and other payment methods through a website or app.8b
  • Online store and product links: Build an online store, manage products, share product links on social media, and accept payments without having to build a separate website.8c
  • Developer tools: Robust, clean, and developer-friendly APIs, with plugins and libraries for all major languages.8b

Start accepting payments in minutes and grow your business with Ziina

While some providers are built for scale and deep customization, others focus on regional payment methods, and some are designed to help you get started as quickly as possible.

For many UAE businesses, the main goal is to get set up easily, access funds quickly, keep fees transparent, and accept payments wherever their customers are, be it through a website checkout, social media, or pop-up events.

Ziina was built with this in mind: as an omnichannel payment app, it enables you to accept payments across your website, app, WhatsApp, Instagram, QR codes, Tap to Pay, invoices, and branded payment links – all from one platform.

Get onboarded quickly, add a fast checkout to your e-commerce store, and track all sales from one app built specifically for UAE businesses.

Get the Ziina app
*Disclaimer: All information relating to third-party products and companies featured in this article has been sourced solely from their respective public websites and official publications at the time of writing. Ziina makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or currency of this information. Product features, positioning, and company details may have changed since publication. Readers should refer to each provider's official website for the most up-to-date information before making any purchasing decisions.
**Disclaimer: Availability of Ziina products and features is subject to eligibility, successful verification, device compatibility, applicable transaction limits, Ziina’s terms and conditions, and regulatory requirements. Customers are responsible for ensuring they hold any trade license, permit, tax registration, or other approval required for their business activities. Fees, limits, payout timelines, and product features may vary and are subject to change. Please refer to Ziina’s latest terms and pricing for full details.
This article was published in July 2026.
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Frequently asked questions

What should I look for when choosing a payment gateway in the UAE?
Can I accept payments outside of my website?
How easy is it to integrate a payment gateway with my store?
Are there any hidden fees I should be aware of when setting up a payment gateway?