Best Payment Solutions for Businesses in the UAE (2025 Guide)

This 2025 guide walks through the most used payment providers in the UAE - what they offer, what they cost, and where they work best - plus how newer pay-by-bank options like Census Pay can reduce fees upto 60% and settle funds instantly within seconds.

Best Payment Solutions for UAE merchants, businesses, and SMEs - in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and more - Census Pay Guide

How payments work for SMEs in the UAE today

Most UAE SMEs accept digital payments through card gateways and POS providers like Telr, PayTabs, Network International, Stripe, Checkout.com, Amazon Payment Services, and Noon Payments. These providers connect your website, app, payment link, or POS terminal to Visa/Mastercard and local schemes, then settle funds to your business bank account.

Typical realities for a UAE business:

  • Card fees: Most SME plans land around 2.3-3.0% + fixed AED per transaction for domestic cards, and higher for international cards or certain wallets.
  • Settlement delay: Many gateways settle on T+1 to T+3 business days, with weekends and holidays stretching cash flow.
  • No legal surcharging: UAE rules and issuer policies generally don't allow you to add a "card fee" on top of the sale, so the cost eats directly into your margin.
  • Large tickets go to bank transfer: For AED 20k-100k+ invoices (cars, jewelry, tuition, medical packages), many merchants push customers to manual bank transfers or cheques to avoid card fees - but that means slow, manual ops and messy reconciliation.

How to choose the best payment solution in the UAE

Before you pick a provider, treat this page as your checklist for "how to choose the best payment gateway in the UAE" or "where to compare UAE payment providers by fees and features". When you evaluate Telr, PayTabs, Stripe, Checkout.com, Noon, Nomod, Zbooni, Ziina, Tap and newer pay-by-bank options:

Fees & pricing model
Blended card fee (MDR): What's the typical fee for local AED cards vs international cards? Many sit between 2.5-3.0% + AED 0.5-1.0 per transaction for SMEs.
Settlement speed
How fast do you get cash? Some solutions like Nomod advertise two-day or even same-day payouts, while traditional gateways and acquiring banks often work on T+1–T+3.
Channels & integration
Do you need online checkout, payment links, QR codes in-store, or just a simple Tap-to-Pay on phone? Check Shopify / WooCommerce / Magento apps, plus API quality.
Customer experience & coverage
Does the gateway support Apple Pay, Google Pay, local wallets and BNPL / instalments? Can you accept multi-currency payments (USD, EUR, SAR) and settle in AED?
Risk, support & compliance
Look for PCI DSS compliance, fraud screening, 3-D Secure, clear dispute workflows, and local support.

Best payment solutions for businesses in the UAE

Note: Pricing below is based on public SME plans, recent UAE gateway comparison guides, or provider help docs as of late 2025. Always check the provider's latest pricing before you sign.

#1
Telr UAE payment solution logo

Telr

Local UAE gateway with SME-friendly plans

Telr is a UAE-founded payment gateway widely used by local e-commerce businesses. It supports multiple currencies, fraud detection, invoicing, payment links and direct Shopify integration, making it popular among SMEs setting up online sales for the first time.

Key features

  • Online card payments (Visa/Mastercard and others) plus local wallets.
  • Payment links for businesses without a website.
  • Shopify, WooCommerce and other plug-ins.
  • Fraud detection and multi-lingual support.

Pricing

  • Starter: around AED 349/month, minimal per-transaction fees for low volumes.
  • Pro: around AED 99/month (limited offer) + approx. 2.49% + AED 0.50 per transaction for higher volumes.

Pros

  • Local team, local support; tailored for UAE and KSA markets.
  • Competitive card rates if you have steady volume.
  • Good balance of gateway + payment link tools.

Cons

  • Monthly subscription can feel heavy for very small or seasonal merchants.
  • Primarily card-based, so you still carry 2-3% fee on high-ticket transactions.
Visit Telr website
#2
PayTabs UAE payment solution logo

PayTabs

Regional gateway with strong bank ties

PayTabs is a GCC-grown payment infrastructure provider, frequently listed among the top UAE gateways and endorsed by regional banks.

Key features

  • Online and in-store payments (including soft POS in some markets).
  • APIs, subscription billing, and real-time payment tracking.
  • Supports multiple currencies and local payment methods.

Pricing

  • Local payments: about 2.85-2.9% + AED 1 per transaction.
  • International: around 3.9% per transaction on many SME plans.

Pros

  • Strong regional bank partnerships → reliable settlement.
  • Subscription billing useful for SaaS, memberships and services.
  • Solid fraud and risk tools.

Cons

  • Fee structure can be more complex than "one simple plan".
  • Still a card-fee heavy option for big-ticket domestic sales.
Visit PayTabs website
#3
Network International UAE payment solution logo

Network International

Big acquirer behind banks & POS

Network International is one of the largest payment processors and merchant acquirers in the Middle East & Africa. Many UAE banks use Network for their POS terminals and e-commerce acquiring, so even if your contract is with a bank, Network may be in the background.

Key features

  • POS terminals, e-commerce gateways, and real-time merchant reporting.
  • Support for contactless cards, QR codes and loyalty programs.

Pricing

  • Pricing is usually custom via your bank, based on volume and sector.
  • Network's materials benchmark around 3% FX fees as a typical market level for international card transactions, which their "digital business" products aim to reduce.

Pros

  • Very established, trusted by banks and large merchants.
  • Strong hardware options for physical retail.

Cons

  • Negotiated pricing can be opaque; small merchants may not get the best rates.
  • Settlement schedule and dispute experience depend heavily on your acquiring bank.
Visit Network International website
#4
Checkout.com UAE payment solution logo

Checkout.com

Enterprise-grade global gateway

Checkout.com is a global PSP with a strong presence in the UAE, often chosen by larger e-commerce and marketplace players.

Key features

  • Advanced fraud management and adaptive authentication.
  • Deep multi-currency and international acquiring capabilities.
  • Developer-focused APIs and unified reporting across markets.

Pricing

  • Pricing is quote-based; there's no public SME price card.
  • Industry guides note that flat-rate card processing typically sits around 2.3-2.9% per transaction, depending on volume and risk profile.

Pros

  • Very strong if you sell cross-border or expect to scale internationally.
  • Excellent developer experience and API documentation.
  • Strong fraud and risk management tools.

Cons

  • Less transparent pricing for smaller merchants; typically requires volume commitments.
  • May be overkill for simple, single-market UAE-only businesses.
Visit Checkout.com website
#5
Stripe UAE payment solution logo

Stripe

Developer-first global payments

Stripe is a well-known global payment platform with a presence in the UAE, popular with tech companies, SaaS businesses, and developers.

Key features

  • Comprehensive APIs and extensive documentation.
  • Subscription billing, marketplace payments, and invoicing tools.
  • Supports cards, wallets, and local payment methods.

Pricing

  • Stripe UAE lists 2.9% + AED 1.0 per successful card charge.
  • Additional 1% for international cards.
  • No setup fees, but transaction fees apply.

Pros

  • Excellent developer experience and API quality.
  • Strong for subscription and recurring revenue models.
  • Good international coverage if you plan to expand.

Cons

  • Fees can add up on high-ticket transactions (2.9% + AED 1 on a AED 50,000 sale = AED 1,451).
  • Primarily card-based; no inherent fee advantage for domestic-only businesses.
Visit Stripe website
#6
Amazon Payment Services UAE payment solution logo

Amazon Payment Services

Regional payment processing

Amazon Payment Services (formerly Payfort) is a regional payment gateway serving the Middle East, with strong integration options for e-commerce platforms.

Key features

  • E-commerce gateway with multiple integration options.
  • Support for cards, wallets, and local payment methods.
  • Strong fraud protection and risk management.

Pricing

  • Pricing is typically custom based on volume and business type.
  • Generally competitive with other regional gateways in the 2.5-3% range for SMEs.

Pros

  • Strong regional presence and local support.
  • Good integration with major e-commerce platforms.
  • Reliable infrastructure backed by Amazon.

Cons

  • Pricing transparency can vary; may require negotiation.
  • Still card-fee based; no instant settlement advantage.
Visit Amazon Payment Services website
#7
Noon Payments UAE payment solution logo

Noon Payments

E-commerce focused gateway

Noon Payments is the payment arm of the Noon e-commerce platform, offering payment gateway services to UAE merchants.

Key features

  • E-commerce payment processing.
  • Integration with Noon marketplace and other platforms.
  • Support for cards and local payment methods.

Pricing

  • Pricing information is typically provided upon application.
  • Generally competitive with other UAE gateways.

Pros

  • Strong integration if you sell on Noon marketplace.
  • Local UAE presence and support.

Cons

  • May be more focused on marketplace sellers.
  • Limited public pricing information.
Visit Noon Payments website
#8
Tap Payments UAE payment solution logo

Tap Payments

Regional multi-country gateway

Tap Payments is a regional payment gateway serving multiple Middle Eastern countries, offering payment processing across borders.

Key features

  • Multi-country payment processing.
  • Support for cards, wallets, and alternative methods.
  • Social commerce and payment link capabilities.

Pricing

  • Tap markets transparent pricing tailored by country and volume; explicit UAE fee cards are typically given after signup.
  • FX terms show mark-ups of ~2-5% on currency conversion, indicating cross-border transactions carry additional spread.

Pros

  • Good for regional, multi-country sellers.
  • Strong social-commerce flows.

Cons

  • Harder for SMEs to compare "exact cost" upfront.
  • Card-driven; FX spread can matter if you sell a lot in non-AED currencies.
Visit Tap Payments website
#9
Zbooni UAE payment solution logo

Zbooni

Social commerce & payment links

Zbooni is a UAE-born platform that lets businesses sell through WhatsApp, Instagram and chat, generating payment links and basic order management.

Key features

  • Create orders and send payment links via chat or SMS.
  • Accept card payments and some local methods via Zbooni's gateway partners.
  • Light CRM and order tracking tools.

Pricing

  • For basic packages, Zbooni publicly advertises 3.5% + VAT per order with no sign-up or monthly fees.

Pros

  • Perfect for "Instagram shops", small boutiques, and service businesses.
  • No setup fees; you pay only when you sell.

Cons

  • Higher % fee than classic gateways, especially on large tickets.
  • Limited to card rails; no inherent fee advantage over traditional card gateways.
Visit Zbooni website
#10
Nomod UAE payment solution logo

Nomod

Mobile-first payment links & tap-to-pay

Nomod is a mobile-first gateway that lets you accept card payments on your phone and via links, popular with freelancers and small shops.

Key features

  • Accept card payments via phone app, payment links and simple checkout pages.
  • Same-day or two-day payouts to UAE bank accounts, especially with its "Membership" tiers.

Pricing

  • Public pricing shows local card fees starting around 2.37-2.57% + AED 0.80 per transaction; international cards around 3.0%+ with small AED fixed fees.
  • No setup or monthly fees for many merchants.

Pros

  • Very quick to start - app-only onboarding.
  • Strong for small/mobile businesses and payment-link use cases.

Cons

  • Limited advanced e-commerce / subscription tooling compared to Stripe or Checkout.com.
  • Card fee level is still in the 2-3% range.
Visit Nomod website
#11
Ziina UAE payment solution logo

Ziina

Tap-to-Pay and omni-channel payments

Ziina is a UAE fintech offering Tap-to-Pay on phone, payment links, QR, gateway integrations and more.

Key features

  • Accept payments via ZiiLink (links), QR codes, NFC, Tap-to-Pay on iPhone/Android, and website integrations.
  • Business and personal accounts with Emirates ID-based onboarding.

Pricing

  • Receiving money through links, QR, NFC, Tap-to-Pay or website: 2.6% + AED 1 per transaction (+1.5% for international cards/non-AED).
  • No setup or monthly fees for basic business use.

Pros

  • Great for small shops, pop-ups, and service providers that want Tap-to-Pay without hardware.
  • Very simple pricing.

Cons

  • Still card-based; high-ticket invoices carry the usual % hit.
  • No inherent A2A / bank-payment fee advantage.
Visit Ziina website
#12
Census Pay UAE payment solution logo

Census Pay

Coming soon

Pay-by-bank (A2A) Payment Solutions for UAE SMEs

Census Pay is an open-banking payment solution that lets UAE SMEs accept payments directly from customer bank accounts via instant rails like Aani, avoiding card scheme fees and enabling instant settlement.

Key features

  • Pay-by-bank via QR codes and payment links – customers authenticate in their bank app.
  • Instant settlement, 24/7 to your UAE business bank account via Aani instant payments.
  • No POS hardware required – works with QR codes, links over WhatsApp, or embedded in invoices.
  • Lower fees targeting around ~1% for domestic payments instead of 2-3% card MDR.

Pricing

  • Target around ~1% platform fee per domestic payment (often lower on high-value transactions).
  • No card scheme or interchange fees – payments move directly via instant bank rails.

Pros

  • Lower fees – lower your fees by upto 60% compared to card payments.
  • Instant settlement, 24/7, improving cash flow.
  • No POS hardware – Use QRs or links to collect payment.
  • No card chargebacks – every payment is authenticated through your customer's own banking app.

Cons

  • Currently in early access – not yet publicly available.
  • Best suited for domestic UAE payments; international customers may still prefer cards.
  • Requires customers to have UAE bank accounts with participating banks.

Payment providers comparison in UAE

Quick at-a-glance view of how the main UAE payment providers position on type, fees, and best-fit use cases.

BrandTypeTypical fees (UAE SMEs)SettlementBest for
TelrCard gateway2.5–3.0% + small AED fee – some plans also include a monthly feeT+1–T+3 business days
SMEE‑commerce
PayTabsCard gateway2.85–2.9% + AED 1 (local); ~3.9% for many international cardsT+1–T+3 business days
SMESubscriptionsRegional
Network InternationalAcquirer / POS2.5–3.0% approx + FX mark‑ups (custom via banks)T+1–T+3 business days
RetailPOSLarger merchants
Checkout.comEnterprise PSP2.3–2.9% approx (quote‑based enterprise pricing)T+1–T+3 business days
EnterpriseE‑commerceMarketplaces
StripeGlobal PSP2.9% + AED 1 (local) +1% for international cardsT+1–T+3 business days
SaaSSubscriptionsDevelopers
Amazon Payment ServicesCard gateway2.5–3.0% approx (custom SME pricing)T+1–T+3 business days
E‑commerceMENA
Noon PaymentsCard gateway2.5–3.0% approx (custom; aligned with UAE gateways)T+1–T+3 business days
E‑commerceMarketplaceUAE
Tap PaymentsRegional PSP2.5–3.0% card MDR + 2–5% FX mark‑up on cross‑border (quote‑based)T+1–T+3 business days
RegionalCross‑borderSocial commerce
ZbooniSocial / links3.5% + VAT per order – no setup or monthly feesT+1–T+3 business days
Social commerceMicro‑merchants
NomodMobile / links2.37–2.57% + AED 0.80 (local) – higher for international cardsSame‑day to T+2, depending on plan
SMEsFreelancersMobile
ZiinaTap‑to‑pay / links2.6% + AED 1 +1.5% for international / non‑AED transactionsT+1–T+3 business days
SMEsRetailTap‑to‑pay
Census PayComing soon
Pay‑by‑bank
1% approx (often lower on high‑value domestic payments)Instant, 24/7 via Aani
SMEDomestic high‑ticketCash‑flow focused

Fee comparison on

AED 50,000

CARD

avg 2.5% fee

AED 1,250

CENSUS PAY

avg 1% fee

AED 500

Saving fees (Census Pay vs Others)

AED 750

Payment Fees Calculator

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