What’s the best e-commerce payment solution?

Did you know that 58% of online shoppers abandon their shopping baskets at checkout? Among them: 22.8% because the payment failed, 17.7% for lack of a suitable solution and 16.9% because the process was too complex. If you’re an online retailer, your e-commerce payment solution is more than just a technical module: it’s a strategic lever that directly impacts your conversion rate, customer satisfaction and the credibility of your store.

Today’s buyers expect flexibility. Being able to pay with the card of their choice, an e-wallet, or by instalments has become the norm.

It’s up to you to meet these demands by offering a fast, smooth and secure payment process. A high-performance payment solution, well integrated into your site, will remove disincentives to purchase, inspire confidence… and encourage your customers to complete their order. Let’s find out together how to choose the right solution

The importance of choosing your e-commerce payment solution

An e-commerce payment solution is a technical tool that enables your customers to pay for their purchases on your site smoothly and securely. This all-too-often underestimated step influences conversion, loyalty and your brand’s image.

There are three main types of solution:

• Payment gateways (e.g. Stripe, Adyen): they connect your site directly to banking networks and process transactions in real time.
• Payment Service Providers (PSPs) (e.g. PayPal, Mollie, PayPlug, Worldline): these offer turnkey solutions, including flow management, regulatory compliance and tracking tools.
• Direct banking solutions (e.g. Paybox, traditional bank offerings): these are often perceived as reassuring, but are not always adapted to the specificities of e-commerce.

Making the right choice will enable you to offer your customers the payment methods they prefer, limit cart abandonment and guarantee secure payments, without unnecessary redirections.

Let’s take two concrete examples:

• A buyer encounters slowness, can’t find his usual payment method, suffers confusing redirections… he gives up. In their eyes, your site is unreliable.
• Another scenario: the buyer accesses a fast, clear interface offering his preferred options: bank card, e-wallet or virtual payment solution, such as a prepaid card or an online account not linked to a traditional bank. They pay quickly and receive immediate confirmation. They’re reassured, satisfied… and ready to come back.

What are the criteria for choosing an online payment solution?

Choosing an online payment solution is a strategic decision. It’s not just a question of adding a module to your site, but of analyzing technical, commercial and operational criteria to identify the solution best suited to your business. Here’s how to narrow down your choice:

Solution price

The cost of an online payment solution depends on many parameters. Some are obvious: installation costs, transaction fees (fixed or percentage-based), monthly subscriptions, chargebacks or even exchange rates for foreign sales. These factors vary greatly from one provider to another, and have a direct impact on your profit margin.

But other, more discreet costs can also be added:

• Transfer fees to your bank account
• Refund fees in the event of cancellation
• Dispute or chargeback fees in the event of dispute
• Fees for refused transactions

These hidden charges can add considerably to the final bill.

Good to know: To avoid unpleasant surprises, read the terms and conditions carefully and compare offers line by line before choosing your payment provider

Payment options

Your online payment solution needs to be aligned with buyers’ habits: they want to be able to choose their payment method according to the amount, the type of product purchased and their purchasing path.

Options to consider :

• Credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express
• E-wallets: PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay
• Instant transfers
• Direct debits (ideal for subscriptions)
• Prepaid cards

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) is becoming increasingly popular. With Klarna, Alma or Oney, your customers can spread their payment over time, free of charge. This payment method reduces cart abandonment and increases conversion, especially for larger amounts.

Habits are changing: 46% of online shoppers use electronic payment solutions, and 22% opt for direct debit or credit transfers¹.
Offering a limited choice can slow down the purchase process right from the checkout page.

Easy integration into your e-commerce site

Three integration approaches are available, with varying requirements in terms of budget, time and technical skills:

• CMS plugins: modules compatible with major e-commerce CMS such as Shopify, WooCommerce, PrestaShop or Magento. Quick installation from the administration interface
• API: advanced integration via code. Perfectly aligns the payment module with the user experience. Requires specific technical skills and budget
• Hosted solutions: redirect to an external secure payment page. Easy to activate, no development required. On the other hand, you lose control over the design and payment experience.

Trust and payment security

Security remains the decisive criterion when choosing an e-commerce payment solution. Your customers expect secure, reliable transactions. Check that your provider complies with the following standards:

• PCI DSS certification: guarantees compliant processing of banking data
• 3D Secure: adds an authentication step to reinforce validation
• Strong authentication (SCA): required by DSP2, it secures every payment
• Anti-fraud protection systems: automatically detect suspicious behavior

Another important point: some online payment solutions display your store’s name on the bank statement, reinforcing transparency and inspiring confidence at the moment of payment.

International payment management

When selling abroad, opt for an e-commerce payment solution that supports local currencies. It automatically converts your customers’ currencies, without manipulation, and ensures a seamless experience that reinforces your store’s credibility.

Our partner WorldFirst has established itself as a key player for sellers active on marketplaces such as Rakuten. This service provider enables you to :

• Manage your cash receipts with multi-currency accounts
• Benefit from more advantageous exchange rates than those charged by traditional banks, with total transparency on conversion fees
• Easily integrate its solution into your site

WorldFirst helps you deploy international payments without compromising your margins or the fluidity of the customer experience

Comparison of the best e-commerce payment solutions

Faced with such a wide range of offers, choosing the best e-commerce payment solution depends entirely on your needs: sales volume, structure of your store, target clientele, available technical resources… This comparison helps you see clearly so you can deploy an online payment solution perfectly aligned with your objectives.

Complementary solutions to consider

Depending on your activity, certain solutions can reinforce your main payment module:

– PayPlug: French PSP for very small businesses
– Mollie: easy-to-integrate European alternative
– Alma: French BNPL with dedicated support
– Oney: fractional payment specialist, partner of major retailers

Beforeintegrating an online payment solution, analyze its fees, accepted methods, security and compatibility with your site.

Going one step further, integrating a BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) service improves your conversions by facilitating high-value or seasonal purchases. Here are the most popular solutions to link to your main module:

– Klarna: fluid interface, optimized web integration
– Floa: French solution, quick to install, ideal for small e-tailers
– Alma and Oney: turnkey fractional payment solutions, renowned for their reliability and personalized support

Sources :

¹Fevad, Chiffres clés e-commerce 2025