Payment Gateway Solutions
Payment Circle
Payment Gateway Solutions for Modern Businesses
Connect your business to secure online payment processing with a compatible payment gateway. Payment Circle helps eligible businesses explore gateway solutions for ecommerce, online payments, recurring billing, virtual terminals, and other supported payment channels.
Gateway availability, features, pricing, approval, and compatibility depend on the selected provider, processor, merchant account, and technical requirements.
Connect Customers to a Secure Payment Experience
Learn How Payment Gateways WorkA payment gateway is the technology that securely transmits payment information between a customer, business, and the payment processing system during an online transaction. It enables businesses to accept supported payment methods through websites, ecommerce stores, mobile experiences, and other digital channels.
Payment Circle helps eligible businesses explore compatible payment gateway solutions based on their website, payment methods, transaction requirements, and processing setup.
A payment gateway works alongside payment processing and, where applicable, a merchant account to complete eligible transactions.
Tools That Support Your Payment Operations
A payment gateway can support more than basic online card payments. Depending on the gateway and processing setup, businesses may be able to connect multiple payment channels and payment management tools.
Online Payment Acceptance
Accept supported customer payments through your website or ecommerce store.
Recurring Billing
Support eligible recurring payment arrangements through compatible gateway and processing solutions.
Virtual Terminals
Process supported card-not-present transactions through a compatible virtual terminal.
Payment Links
Use supported payment-link functionality to give customers another way to complete eligible transactions.
Customer Payment Options
Provide customers with supported payment methods based on your gateway and processing setup.
Transaction Management
Access available tools for monitoring and managing eligible payment transactions.
How Does a Payment Gateway Work?
A payment gateway acts as a secure connection between the customer's payment information, the merchant's website or payment environment, and the systems involved in processing the transaction.
Customer Starts Payment
The customer enters or selects their payment information through the business's supported checkout experience.
Gateway Transmits Payment Data
The gateway securely transmits the relevant transaction information to the appropriate payment processing system.
Payment Is Authorized
The transaction is sent through the applicable processing network and financial institutions for authorization.
Transaction Is Completed
Once approved, the transaction proceeds toward settlement according to the applicable processor and funding terms.
Payment Gateways for Different Business Models
Payment gateway requirements vary depending on how a business sells and collects payments. Payment Circle helps eligible businesses explore compatible solutions for different online and card-not-present payment environments.
Explore Your Gateway OptionsEcommerce Businesses
Connect eligible online stores with compatible payment gateway and processing solutions.
High-Risk & Online Businesses
Explore payment gateway options that support online payment acceptance based on your business needs.
Subscription Businesses
Support eligible recurring payment models through compatible gateway and billing capabilities.
Professional Services
Accept supported online or remote payments from customers through compatible payment solutions.
Digital Businesses
Explore gateway solutions for businesses that primarily operate and accept payments online.
Multi-Channel Businesses
Connect supported online, remote, and other payment channels with an appropriate gateway setup.
Payment Gateway vs. Merchant Account: What's the Difference?
A payment gateway and a merchant account serve different functions within a payment processing setup. The gateway securely transmits payment information for a transaction, while the merchant account is the account used to receive and process card payment funds for the business. Depending on the provider and processing arrangement, a business may use both a merchant account and payment gateway to accept online card payments.
| Payment Gateway | Merchant Account |
|---|---|
| Transmits payment information | Supports merchant card-payment processing |
| Connects checkout to processing | Used in the flow of receiving card-payment funds |
| Commonly used for online payments | Required in many traditional card-processing setups |
| Works with supported websites/ecommerce systems | Associated with the business's processing relationship |
Secure Payment Gateway Processing
Payment gateways are designed to securely transmit payment information between the customer, business, and payment processing environment. Available security features vary by provider, gateway, integration, and processing setup.
Encrypted Data Transmission
Payment information is transmitted using applicable security technologies.
Customer Authentication
Supported authentication and verification features may help protect eligible transactions.
Fraud Prevention
Some gateway solutions offer tools designed to identify or reduce potentially fraudulent payment activity.
PCI Considerations
Businesses accepting card payments must consider applicable payment security and PCI requirements.
Information That May Be Needed Before Setup
Setting up a payment gateway may require information about your business, website, products or services, payment channels, and expected transaction activity. The applicable provider or processor may request additional information during review.
Legal business name, business structure, contact information, and other business details.
Your website, ecommerce platform, checkout environment, and online payment setup.
Details about what your business sells and how customers purchase from you.
Estimated monthly transaction volume and average transaction size.
The payment types you want to accept, such as credit and debit cards.
Information about whether you accept payments online, by phone, through payment links or across multiple channels.
Additional documentation, verification, or technical requirements may apply depending on the gateway and processor.
Payment gateway integration guide
Building a checkout for your site or a client? Compare integration methods, see the official NMI and Authorize.net tools, copy example code and print the go-live checklist.
Common Questions About Payment Gateways
Review common questions about gateway setup, merchant accounts, integrations, recurring billing, and provider availability.
Ask a Payment SpecialistA payment gateway is technology that securely transmits payment information between a customer's payment environment and the systems involved in processing a transaction. It is commonly used for online and card-not-present payments.
A customer submits payment information through a supported checkout experience. The gateway securely transmits the transaction information for authorization, after which the transaction can proceed toward processing and settlement if approved.
A payment gateway handles the secure transmission of payment information, while a merchant account supports the business's card-payment processing relationship. Businesses may use both depending on their payment setup.
It depends on the payment provider and gateway arrangement. Some gateway setups work with a dedicated merchant account, while other payment solutions combine payment acceptance and processing under a single provider.
Yes, eligible businesses, including high-risk merchants, can explore payment gateway solutions for supported websites, ecommerce stores, and other online payment channels.
Some payment gateways support recurring billing and subscription payments, such as auto-ship programs for supplement merchant accounts. Availability depends on the gateway, processor, business model, and applicable terms.
Consider your website or ecommerce platform, payment methods, transaction volume, recurring billing requirements, integration needs, customer experience, and the applicable gateway and processing terms.
Ready to Explore a Payment Gateway?
Find a payment gateway solution that fits your online payment needs. Payment Circle helps eligible businesses explore compatible gateway and payment processing options based on their business model, sales channels, and transaction requirements.
Gateway availability and activation are subject to provider, processor, technical, compliance, and underwriting requirements.