A payment gateway lets your website accept UPI, cards, net banking and wallets. In India, published standard fees are commonly around 2% per transaction plus taxes, with no setup fee from the main providers, and higher rates for some methods such as international cards. Choose on total cost, payment success, settlement speed and support, not only the headline fee.
A low fee means little if customers' payments fail. Ask about success rates and test the checkout on a real phone.
What the main gateways publish
We read these pages on 31 October 2026. Offers and rates change, and each provider has its own terms, so confirm your rate in writing before you sign up.
How UPI charges work
This is the most common question. PayU's pricing page says UPI person-to-person payments have zero merchant discount rate as per government guidelines, and that pricing for merchant UPI categories varies by business type and volume. Cashfree says its UPI charges are as per the applicable law. So ask each gateway directly: "What will I pay on a UPI order for my business type, at my expected volume?"
What your total cost looks like
Add these together for a realistic number:
- Gateway fee on each successful payment, plus taxes on the fee.
- Platform fee if your store platform charges for outside gateways.
- Refund costs: ask whether the original fee comes back when you refund an order.
- Instant settlement: faster payouts can cost extra.
- Chargebacks: disputed payments take time and may carry charges.
What you usually need to apply
Exact needs vary by provider and business type, but prepare these before you start:
Gateway reviewers look at your website, and a missing policy page is a common reason for delay.
How to choose
- Settlement time. PayU, for example, states T+2 as its standard settlement. Check this against your cash flow.
- Payment methods. Make sure your customers' preferred methods are covered, including EMI if your products are costly.
- Platform support. Check for a ready plugin for WooCommerce, Shopify or your custom store.
- Support. Find out how you reach a person when money is stuck.
- International sales. If you sell abroad, compare the fee and the currency rate.
Mistakes that cost sales
- Sending customers to an unfamiliar page with no store name or logo.
- Showing no UPI option on phones.
- No message after a failed payment, so the customer does not know whether to retry.
- Never testing the live checkout with a real small payment.
Common questions
Can I use a personal bank account?
Providers have different rules by business type. Many ask for a current or business account, so check before you apply.
Is there a free payment gateway?
Some offers advertise 0% for a limited period or volume. Razorpay's own pricing page warns that such offers may apply only to certain payment modes or carry other charges, so read the terms.
Can I accept cash on delivery as well?
Yes. Most stores can offer both. Plan for failed deliveries, and consider rules such as phone confirmation for larger cash orders.
Next step
We set up UPI, card and cash-on-delivery checkout on our online stores. See our e-commerce service, check pricing, or ask us which gateway fits your store.