- Most UAE gateways need a UAE trade licence, mainland or free zone, plus an AED bank account in the same company's name.
- Published card rates run from 2.25% + AED 0.50 (Telr's top tier) to 2.9% + AED 1 (Stripe and Shopify Payments Basic).
- Foreign cards cost extra: Stripe adds 1%, Ziina 1.5% and Telr 0.5%. Expats and tourists use them a lot.
- On Shopify, Shopify Payments usually wins, because any outside gateway adds Shopify's 0.2–2% fee.
- Tabby and Tamara need their own merchant contracts. Aani suits payment links and invoices more than web checkout.
The UAE is the easiest place in the Gulf to start taking online payments. Shoppers pay by card or Apple Pay, and cash at the door keeps shrinking.
It's also the only GCC country where Stripe and Shopify Payments onboard local businesses. That means a new store can go live in days, not months.
Below are the onboarding rules, 2026 fees, the methods to switch on and 11 independently researched gateways that serve the Emirates. For the wider region, see our main list of payment gateways in the Middle East.
When do you need a payment gateway in the UAE?
You need one as soon as you sell on your own website, app or social channels. The gateway checks the shopper's card, takes the money and pays it into your bank, usually within a few days.
You'll want a gateway when:
- You run your own store. Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento or a custom site.
- You sell on Instagram or WhatsApp. Payment links let shoppers pay inside the chat.
- You want fewer COD orders. Each prepaid order is one less refused parcel and one less cash collection fee.
- You sell to tourists and expats. They pay with cards from home, and your gateway has to handle them well.
Selling only on Amazon.ae or noon? The marketplace collects payment and pays you out, so you don't need your own gateway yet. Our guide to payments in the UAE shows how shoppers pay across every channel.
Who can onboard you in the UAE?
Most UAE gateways onboard companies with a UAE trade licence and an AED bank account. It doesn't matter whether the licence comes from a free zone or the mainland.
Here's what each setup opens up:
| Your company | What you can use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free zone company with an e-commerce activity | Shopify Payments, Stripe, Telr, Ziina, Tap, Network International, Checkout.com and the rest | The licence and the IBAN must be in the same company's name |
| Mainland company (DET or another emirate's DED) | The same list | Suits stores that also run a shop or showroom |
| Dubai eTrader licence (home-based sole owner) | Many self-serve gateways | Ask each gateway if it accepts the licence type before you apply |
| Company outside the UAE | Cross-border acquirers such as Checkout.com, or a marketplace | Local gateways and Shopify Payments need a UAE entity |
For example, Shopify Payments accepts four entity types: sole establishment, free zone sole establishment, LLC and free zone LLC. So pick your free zone on cost and permitted activities, not on payments.
No licence yet? Free zone packages start at about AED 6,000, and some zones issue a licence within a day. Compare options in our list of company formation providers in the UAE, or read UAE free zone vs mainland first.
Which type of UAE gateway fits your business?
UAE sellers choose from four broad types. The right one depends on your platform, your volume and whether you sell outside the UAE.
| Best for | Examples | Pricing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform payments | Shopify stores with a UAE licence | Shopify Payments | Published: 2.9% + AED 1 on Basic |
| Self-serve global gateways | Custom sites, SaaS and developers | Stripe (UAE) | Published: 2.9% + AED 1 |
| UAE fintechs and PSPs | Small and mid-size stores that want low published rates or payment links | Telr, Ziina, Tap Payments, PayTabs, Paymob | Published (Telr, Ziina) or quote-based |
| Large acquirers | High-volume, omnichannel or GCC-wide brands | Network International, Checkout.com, Amazon Payment Services | Quote-based, often interchange++ |
A simple rule of thumb:
- On Shopify? Start with Shopify Payments.
- On WooCommerce or a custom site? Compare Stripe, Telr and Ziina.
- Selling AED 500,000 a month or more? Get quotes from Checkout.com, Network International and Tap.
- Selling across the GCC? Look at Tap, Checkout.com or PayTabs, which list local debit networks in other Gulf countries.
How much do UAE payment gateways cost?
UAE card rates sit between about 2.25% and 2.9%, plus a small fixed fee. Only four big names publish their prices, which makes them easy to compare:
| Gateway | Domestic card rate | Foreign-card surcharge | Monthly fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify Payments | 2.9% + AED 1 (Basic) to 2.5% + AED 1 (Plus) | 2% if you charge in another currency | Your Shopify plan |
| Stripe (UAE) | 2.9% + AED 1 | +1%, plus 1% for currency conversion | None |
| Ziina | 2.6% + AED 1 | +1.5% | None |
| Telr | 2.45% + AED 1 down to 2.25% + AED 0.50, by monthly volume | +0.5% | AED 0–249, falling as volume grows |
Network International, Checkout.com, Tap, PayTabs and Amazon Payment Services quote on application. Large stores can often negotiate below the published rates.
On top of the card rate, budget for these:
- 5% VAT on the fee, not on the sale.
- Disputes. Stripe charges AED 60 per chargeback, for example.
- Minimum-volume fees. Some acquirers charge extra in months when sales fall below a set level.
- Shopify's own fee. Any gateway other than Shopify Payments adds 2% on Basic and 0.2% on Plus.
Worked example: which gateway costs least for your store?
Say your store sells AED 40,000 a month, with an average order of AED 200. One order in five is paid with a foreign card.
Here's the same month priced at four published rate cards, before 5% VAT:
| Fee line | Stripe | Ziina | Telr (Small tier) | Telr on Shopify Basic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Card rate on AED 40,000 | AED 1,160 (2.9%) | AED 1,040 (2.6%) | AED 940 (2.35%) | AED 940 |
| Fixed fee, 200 payments | AED 200 | AED 200 | AED 100 | AED 100 |
| Foreign cards (AED 8,000) | AED 80 | AED 120 | AED 40 | AED 40 |
| Monthly fee | None | None | AED 99 | AED 99 |
| Shopify's 2% fee | – | – | – | AED 800 |
| Total | AED 1,440 (3.6%) | AED 1,360 (3.4%) | AED 1,179 (2.9%) | AED 1,979 (4.9%) |
Off Shopify, Telr is the cheapest of the four once you pass AED 25,000 a month. Below about AED 7,000, its flat AED 249 Startup plan costs more than Stripe or Ziina.
On Shopify, it flips. Shopify Payments Basic charges AED 1,360 on the same sales, with no extra Shopify fee. That beats Telr by about AED 600 a month.
Try your own numbers, including your share of foreign cards:
Payment gateway fee comparator
Estimated monthly cost of gateways that publish their rates
Where is your business registered?
These gateways need a UAE trade licence and an AED bank account.
Average ticket: AED 250.00
Apple Pay is priced as the card inside it. Exception: Amazon Payment Services charges Apple Pay at its card rate, even for mada.
Store platform
Shopify plan
Shopify adds a 2.0% transaction fee to every order paid through a third-party gateway. Shopify Payments (UAE only) has no extra Shopify transaction fee.
Cheapest published option: Shopify Payments
effective rate: 3.68%
Estimated monthly cost
- Processing (% + fixed)
- Monthly fee
- Shopify transaction fee
- VAT on gateway fees (5%)
#1Shopify PaymentsCheapest
AED 1,838 · 3.68%
Rate depends on your Shopify plan. +1% on Amex and international cards. 2% conversion fee if you charge in other currencies (not included).
#2Telr UAE
AED 2,339 · 4.68%
Tier picked from your volume: Medium (AED 0/mo).
#3Ziina
AED 2,733 · 5.47%
+1.5% on international cards. First AED 1,000 free for new sign-ups (not included).
#4Stripe UAE
AED 2,838 · 5.68%
+1% on international cards. Another +1% if currency conversion applies (not included).
Quote-based gateways
These do not publish rates, so we can't rank them. Ask each for a written rate card split by method.
- Tap Payments — Native Shopify checkout app; mada, Apple Pay, Jaywan (UAE), KNET.
- Checkout.com — Enterprise acquirer, flat-rate or interchange++. mada for KSA entities only.
- Network International (N-Genius) — Largest MEA acquirer; sold through sales teams and banks.
- PayTabs (UAE gateway) — UAE gateway rates not published.
Shopify adds a 2.0% transaction fee to every order paid through a third-party gateway.
Estimates based on published fees as of October 2026; confirm with the provider. Excludes refunds, chargebacks, FX, payout and setup fees. Shopify plan subscriptions not included.
The full tool, with Saudi gateways too, lives on our payment gateway fee calculator page. To see how UAE card rates compare with mada and KNET, read our guide to GCC payment methods.
Which payment methods should your UAE checkout offer?
Most UAE stores need four things: Apple Pay, cards, BNPL and a controlled cash option. Your gateway covers the first two, and the rest come from separate partners.
Apple Pay has been live in the UAE since 2017, and wallets now carry most online payments. Put it first on mobile.
- You pay the rate of the card inside the wallet, with no extra fee.
- Visa, Mastercard and Amex cover nearly everyone else.
- Shopify Payments and Stripe switch on Apple Pay and Google Pay automatically.
Keep cash on delivery as a fallback, but confirm each COD order by WhatsApp before it ships. A small discount for paying by card also helps.
How do you choose a payment gateway in the UAE?
Start with your platform and your monthly sales, not the logo. Then compare written rate cards side by side.
- 1
Get your licence and bank account in one name
A UAE trade licence with an e-commerce activity, and an AED business account with an AE IBAN. Gateways check that the names match.
- 2
Match the gateway to your platform
Shopify Payments on Shopify. A gateway with a maintained plugin on WooCommerce or Magento.
- 3
Estimate your mix
Monthly sales, average order and the share of foreign cards. These three numbers decide which rate card wins.
- 4
Get two or three written quotes
Ask for domestic and foreign card rates, fixed fees, monthly fees, payout timing and any reserve.
- 5
Apply with complete documents
Trade licence, IBAN letter, owner's Emirates ID or passport, and a live site with refund, delivery and contact pages.
- 6
Test before launch
Pay with a UAE card, a foreign card and Apple Pay. Then refund one order from your admin.
- 7
Keep a backup approved
A second gateway keeps you selling if your main account is paused during a sale weekend.
Payment gateways serving the UAE
The gateways below were independently researched, all serve the UAE and are listed in no particular order. Here's the mix:
- Published prices. Telr lists its UAE rates and says it is licensed by the CBUAE for retail payment services. Stripe publishes its rates too.
- Large local acquirer. Network International runs N-Genius Online and merged with Magnati, First Abu Dhabi Bank's payments arm, in October 2025.
- GCC-wide gateways. Tap says it holds a CBUAE retail payment services licence and lists Jaywan, Apple Pay and Tabby in the UAE. PayTabs, MyFatoorah and Amazon Payment Services also cover several Gulf countries.
- Global acquirer. Checkout.com lists Jaywan, Tabby and Tamara, plus mada and KNET, under one contract.
Tap Payments
Best for: GCC-wide merchants that want one gateway with mada, KNET-region coverage and marketplace splits
- Calls itself a licensed payment institution in Saudi Arabia, licensed across the GCC
- mada payment gateway certification
- PCI DSS Level 1
HyperPay
Best for: Mid-size and enterprise Saudi merchants wanting gateway plus payouts and spend tools
- Says it holds a Saudi Central Bank licence
- PCI DSS Level 1, ISO 27001 and ISO 27701
- Claims to serve hundreds of thousands of clients and partners across the Arab world
PayTabs
Best for: Multi-country GCC/MENA sellers that need local debit schemes (mada, KNET, OmanNet) on one contract
- Accepts mada, KNET, OmanNet, Meeza, UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB
- Wallets: Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, STC Pay, URPAY, PayPal
- BNPL at checkout: Tabby, Tamara, valU, Souhoola
Telr
Best for: Small UAE/KSA stores that want transparent published pricing and payment links
- Says it is licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE for retail payment services
- Publishes its full price list
- Unlimited payment links and branded invoices on all plans
Checkout.com
Best for: Cross-border and high-volume brands that want one global acquirer with GCC local acquiring
- Says it has local acquiring in 50+ countries including the Middle East
- 19 offices worldwide
- Publishes an annual MENA consumer payments report
Stripe (UAE)
Best for: UAE-registered D2C brands and SaaS that want self-serve onboarding and good developer tools
- No setup, monthly or hidden fees
- 135+ currencies
- Merchant must be a UAE business; not available to Saudi entities
Amazon Payment Services (formerly PAYFORT)
Best for: Established mid-to-large merchants in the UAE/KSA wanting a brand-name gateway with instalments
- Says it is available in 9 MENA countries
- Claims 3,500+ business customers
- Named clients include Air Arabia, Ticketmaster, Vodafone, InstaShop, Ounass
MyFatoorah
Best for: Social-commerce and invoice-led sellers in Kuwait and KSA who sell through WhatsApp/Instagram links
- Claims 80K+ merchants and 4.5B+ transactions
- Says its Saudi company is supervised by SAMA (licence 21/م ش م/1444)
- Integrated natively with Salla
Geidea
Best for: Omnichannel retailers in KSA that want POS and online payments from one provider
- Says it serves 530,000+ establishments
- 300+ support agents across Saudi Arabia
- Operates under SAMA supervision
Network International (N-Genius Online)
Best for: UAE businesses that want a large local acquirer with in-store and online acquiring together
- Taken private by a Brookfield-led consortium (Bidco); deal completed 17 Sep 2024; merged with FAB's Magnati in Oct 2025
- N-Genius Online ready-made plugins for WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento 2, PrestaShop and OpenCart (developer docs)
Paymob
Best for: SMEs on Shopify in the UAE/KSA/Oman that want an embedded checkout
- Says it processes millions of transactions
- PCI-certified
- Expanded embedded Shopify payments across MENA in July 2024 (see platforms-shopify.md)
What should you ask a UAE gateway before you sign?
Send these questions to every gateway on your shortlist. Clear, written answers are a good sign, and vague ones tell you just as much.
Many gateways ask for the same pack, so prepare it once. With it ready, approval is usually quick.
Notes for Shopify stores
- Shopify Payments first. It's the only card option that avoids Shopify's extra fee. Approval needs your UAE licence and an AE IBAN.
- BNPL still pays the fee. Tabby and Tamara install as separate apps, so Shopify's 2% (Basic) or 1% (Grow) applies to those orders.
- Keep a backup. Stripe or Telr approved in the background protects your busiest weekends.
Plans, payouts and setup are in our guide to Shopify in the UAE.
Notes for foreign and Chinese sellers
- No UAE company yet? Sell on Amazon.ae or noon first. They collect payment and pay you out.
- A free zone company is often the quickest route. It can be 100% foreign-owned, and some zones license non-residents.
- Cross-border gateways work too. A global acquirer can charge UAE cards and settle abroad, but expect foreign-card pricing.
- Price in AED. Shoppers trust prices they don't have to convert, and BNPL settles in dirhams.
Notes for sellers expanding to Saudi Arabia
- Your UAE gateway can charge Saudi cards, but mada cards go through as Visa or Mastercard, with more declines.
- Domestic mada needs a Saudi entity and a SAMA-licensed gateway.
- One contract can bridge both. Tap, Checkout.com and PayTabs serve both countries, though each entity is onboarded separately.
When Saudi orders grow, compare payment gateways in Saudi Arabia.
Get payment gateway quotes for the UAE
Share your company and sales details once. We'll match you with gateways that can onboard your licence and fit your platform.
Frequently asked questions
Among gateways that publish prices, Telr's Medium tier is lowest at 2.25% + AED 0.50 with no monthly fee, once you sell AED 50,000 a month. Ziina follows at 2.6% + AED 1. Stores selling around AED 500,000 a month or more can negotiate below that with Checkout.com, Network International or Tap.
Sources & further reading
- Stripe UAE pricing — Stripe
- Telr pricing — Telr
- Ziina for Business — Ziina
- Shopify Payments supported countries — Shopify Help Center
- Add payment methods — Checkout.com Docs
- Aani: 12.5 million users and instant transfers in 3 seconds — Al Etihad Payments
- Dubai's ecommerce market to reach $13 billion by 2029 — Digital Commerce 360 (Invest in Dubai data)
- Network International — Wikipedia
- 4th annual MENA report: cash on delivery usage halved — Checkout.com
- Jaywan — Wikipedia
This guide is for general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change — always confirm with the official source or a licensed advisor.
Maya is MiddleEastEcom's lead guide and editor. She researches GCC marketplaces, payments and regulations and turns them into practical playbooks for sellers.
Meet Maya