UAE businesses selling online or in-person need a payment gateway to accept card and digital payments. Here is a comparison of the main UAE payment gateway options in 2025.
UAE Payment Gateway Comparison
| Gateway | Transaction Fee | Setup | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telr | 2.49% + AED 1 | Easy (online) | E-commerce, SMEs |
| PayTabs | 2.65% + AED 1 | Easy (online) | MENA-wide e-commerce |
| Checkout.com | 1.5–2.5% (negotiated) | Technical integration | High-volume enterprise |
| Stripe (UAE) | 2.9% + 30 fils | Developer-friendly | Tech startups |
| Network International | Negotiated | Bank-tied | Retail POS + online |
| Amazon Payment Services | 2.8% + AED 1.20 | AWS integration | Amazon ecosystem |
| Tap Payments | 2.5% | API + no-code | UAE/GCC focused |
UAE Payment Gateway Requirements
To activate a UAE payment gateway, you need: valid UAE trade licence, UAE business bank account (most gateways require a UAE bank, not a Wise or Airwallex account), website/app with clear product descriptions and refund policy, and SSL certificate on your website domain.
BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) in UAE
UAE BNPL options for merchants: Tabby (most popular in UAE, 6% merchant fee), Tamara (GCC-focused, 4–6% merchant fee), and Postpay (UAE-only). BNPL integration typically increases UAE e-commerce conversion rates by 20–30% for high-ticket items (AED 500+). Merchants pay the BNPL fee; consumer pays in 4 instalments with no interest.