How to Set Up Payments on Shopify: PayPal, Stripe, and More
Introduction
One of the first things every Shopify store owner needs to do is set up payments. Without it, customers can’t complete their orders, and you’ll lose sales. The good news? Shopify supports all the major gateways like Shopify Payments, PayPal, and Stripe, along with dozens of local options.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to:
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Enable Shopify Payments, PayPal, and Stripe.
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Add local gateways for international customers.
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Choose the best payment method for your store.
- Optimize checkout to increase conversions.
Why Payment Setup Matters
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Builds trust → Customers feel safe when they see familiar providers like PayPal.
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Boosts conversions → A smooth checkout reduces abandoned carts.
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Supports global sales → Different regions prefer different gateways.
- Affects cash flow → Fees and payout times vary by provider.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up Payments on Shopify
1. Open Payment Settings
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Log in to your Shopify Admin Dashboard.
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Go to Settings → Payments.
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You’ll see a list of providers: Shopify Payments, PayPal, and third-party gateways.
2. Enable Shopify Payments (Default Option)
Shopify Payments is the easiest way to start if it’s available in your country.
How to set it up:
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Click Set up Shopify Payments.
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Enter your business and tax details.
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Add your bank account information for payouts.
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Enable credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
✅ Pros: Lower fees, easy integration, supports multiple currencies.
⚠️ Cons: Not available everywhere.
Learn how to set up multi-currency in Shopify
3. Connect PayPal
PayPal is automatically included when you create a Shopify store, but you need to activate it.
How to set it up:
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Go to Settings → Payments → PayPal.
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Click Activate PayPal Express Checkout.
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Log in to your PayPal Business Account.
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Confirm and save.
✅ Pros: Trusted worldwide, familiar for customers.
⚠️ Cons: Higher transaction fees compared to Shopify Payments.
4. Add Stripe (If Shopify Payments Isn’t Available)
Stripe is another powerful option, especially for international merchants.
How to set it up:
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In Third-party providers, choose Stripe.
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Connect your Stripe account or sign up.
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Complete verification with your business and bank details.
✅ Pros: Fast payouts, supports 40+ countries.
⚠️ Cons: More setup steps than Shopify Payments.
5. Add Local Payment Gateways
Shopify also supports regional gateways to cater to local buyers:
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Europe: Klarna, Sofort, Mollie.
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Asia: Razorpay, PayU, VNPay, MoMo.
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US & AU: AfterPay, ZipPay.
How to set it up:
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In Settings → Payments → Alternative methods, pick your provider.
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Enter the account details given by the provider.
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Save and activate.
Best Shopify apps for international stores
Comparison: Shopify Payment Options
|
Payment Method |
Best For |
Pros |
Cons |
|
Shopify Payments |
Most stores worldwide |
Low fees, quick setup, fast payouts |
Not in all countries |
|
PayPal |
Global buyers |
Widely trusted, easy integration |
Higher fees |
|
Stripe |
International merchants |
Flexible, developer-friendly |
Slightly complex setup |
|
Local Gateways |
Country-specific stores |
Familiar to local customers |
Limited outside region |
Tips to Optimize Checkout Payments
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Offer at least 2–3 payment options.
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Add trust badges and SSL to build confidence.
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Use Shopify multi-currency for global buyers.
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Track abandoned checkouts in Analytics.
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Test your checkout flow regularly.
Conclusion
Getting payments right on Shopify is crucial to making sales. Start with Shopify Payments, then add PayPal and Stripe. If you’re targeting specific countries, don’t forget to enable local gateways too. With a secure, flexible setup, you’ll build trust, reduce abandoned carts, and sell more.
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FAQs
1. Do I need PayPal Business for Shopify?
Yes, a Business account is required to receive payments.
2. What if Shopify Payments isn’t supported in my country?
Use Stripe or local gateways like VNPay, Razorpay, or PayU.
3. Can I enable COD (Cash on Delivery)?
Yes, Shopify supports manual payment methods like COD and bank transfer.
4. How fast are payouts?
Shopify Payments: 2–3 business days. PayPal: instant–3 days. Stripe: 2–7 days.
5. Can I use multiple gateways at once?
Yes, you can run Shopify Payments + PayPal + a local provider together.
