Online payment gateways: a buyer's guide to fees and features
Compayr Research · · 7 min
Online is where the small print earns its keep. A gateway quoting a tidy percentage can still cost more than a rival once the fixed per-transaction fee, the international card loading and the payout timing are counted. This guide shows how to compare online payment providers on the number that matters — your card processing costs.
The 30-second version
- Online pricing is usually a percentage plus a fixed fee per transaction (e.g. 1.75% + 30c). The fixed part hurts most on small baskets.
- International cards almost always cost more — check the loading if you sell overseas.
- Match features to how you actually sell: hosted checkout, payment links, subscriptions or a full API.
- Watch payout timing and any instant-transfer fees.
- The reforms don't ban online surcharging the same way, but transparent, low-cost acceptance still wins.
Pricing models, decoded
Most Australian gateways use blended flat pricing — one rate plus a fixed fee on every transaction, regardless of card. It's simple and predictable. A few offer interchange-plus, which can be cheaper at scale but is harder to reconcile.
The fixed per-transaction fee is the part merchants underestimate. On a $20 order, 30c is another 1.5% on top of the headline rate; on a $200 order it barely registers. If your average order value is low, weight the fixed fee heavily. Our online provider comparison lets you enter your own average transaction so the ranking reflects your basket, not a generic one.
Features worth paying for
- Hosted checkout — the provider hosts the payment page, reducing your compliance burden. Good for most small stores.
- Payment links & invoices — send a pay-by-link for phone or social sales without a full store.
- Recurring billing — essential if you sell subscriptions or memberships.
- Fraud & chargeback tools — screening, 3-D Secure and dispute handling. Ask who wears the chargeback fee.
- Multi-currency & FX — if you sell overseas, settling in local currencies can beat per-transaction conversion loadings.
The costs that hide in online pricing
| Cost | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Fixed per-transaction fee | Disproportionately hits small baskets |
| International loading | Extra percentage on overseas-issued cards |
| Chargeback fee | Charged per dispute, win or lose |
| Payout timing | "T+2" vs next-day affects cash flow |
| Instant payout fee | A percentage to get funds sooner |
Choosing for your business
A low-volume store with small orders should minimise the fixed fee. A subscription business needs rock-solid recurring billing. An exporter should scrutinise international and FX costs. A high-volume merchant should model interchange-plus against flat pricing on real numbers.
When you've narrowed it down, our head-to-head comparisons — like Stripe vs PayPal or Stripe vs Airwallex — lay two gateways side by side with a clear verdict.
What to ask before you sign
- What's the fixed fee per transaction, and does it change by card type?
- What's the international card loading?
- How fast are payouts, and is faster settlement an extra cost?
- Who covers the chargeback fee, and what fraud tools are included?
- Are there monthly or gateway fees on top of transaction pricing?
You can run your own numbers in the Compayr calculator, browse the full provider comparison, or see our head-to-head matchups.
References
- [1] Reserve Bank of Australia, "Review of Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging — Conclusions Paper", 31 March 2026. https://www.rba.gov.au/
- [3] Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, "Card payments and surcharging". https://www.accc.gov.au/
See what you'd really pay — compare the major providers we track at your turnover
Compare nowRates and provider details are indicative, last verified July 2026 — verify with providers. Compayr may earn a referral fee when a merchant switches via our comparison.
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