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Argentina

What Is a Payment Gateway and How to Choose the Right One

A payment gateway in simple terms is the technology that businesses use to securely accept and process electronic payment. It serves as a link between buyers, merchants, and banks, which aim is to encrypt and transmit payment information securely. For websites, mobile apps, or marketplaces, a payment gateway is crucial for seamless and safe online purchases.

Local businesses should take into account a number of important things when choosing a payment gateway. These are efficiency, compliance, and high conversion rates. 

Security and Compliance

The gateway must be compliant with PCI DSS and other international security standards. These options ensure that sensitive financial information is encrypted and stays confidential while being processed. Rebill and Mercado Pago, for example, provide advanced protection in accordance with Argentina's digital payment standards.

Local Payment Method Support

Widespread use of local payment methods and currencies underscores the importance of the provider having access to Argentine payment methods such as Rapipago, PagoFacil, and bank transfers. Argentinian clients usually opt for cash-based or hybrid digital methods, thus if the gateway provides the abovementioned options, your conversion rates may significantly increase. 

Currency and Localization

A good payment gateway Argentina supports ARS (Argentine Peso) and the UI (User Interface) in Spanish. All this helps in building trust with users and lesser cart abandonment at the checkout. You need gateways that can process online and offline transactions in ARS.

Fees and Transparent Pricing

Don't forget about setup fees and transaction fees to get an idea on how much the costs actually are. Some payment gateways offer free onboarding or zero transaction charges for small businesses. Check if there is a fee for things like recurring payments, cross-border transfers, or money transfers from several payment providers.

Checkout Customization and UX

A gateway that permits you to fully modify and integrate payment buttons or customize checkout flows will benefit your payment experience. A wide range of front-end design options makes it easier to keep branding consistent and reduce friction. This is essential for businesses selling goods and services directly on-site.

Multi-Device and Platform Compatibility

Mobile usage in the country is on a rise, thus your gateway has to work seamlessly on mobile devices. Find services that support mobile payment and are web-compatible with responsive checkout. A smooth payment process across all platforms drives sales.

Settlement Speed and Payout Cycles

Timing matters. Seek out those gateways that have quick payout cycles and give you the option to withdraw to local banks. This is very helpful, especially for small and medium local businesses, to maintain steady cash flows and transfers on a daily basis.

Onboarding and Technical Support

Easy online onboarding process makes business go-live instantly. Some services provide integration assistance, sandbox testing, and local account managers. Even better if that support extends to payment routing systems or technical setup.

Flexibility for Scaling

Select a platform that grows with your company. Multi-functional white-label payment gateways like Akurateco enable full control over UI, routing logic and even launching your own payment service under your brand. Such flexibility is very important for a fast changing Argentine online payment gateway market.

Rebill

Rebill is a fast, reliable payment gateway designed for businesses with recurring billing demands and high-volume transactions. The service is widely used especially for verticals such as SaaS, EdTech, and e-commerce, providing smart subscription management or automatic retries for failures. According to Rebill, it has the best success rates when compared to other services due to its adaptive checkout rules and advanced payment routing system.

FeatureDescription
RequirementsBusiness registration, email, KYC documents
Accepted Methods of PaymentCredit/debit cards, bank transfers, digital wallet integrations like Mercado Pago
Available InArgentina (early access), Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Uruguay
Supported CurrenciesARS, USD, BRL, MXN
RequirementsBusiness registration, email, KYC documents
Accepted Methods of PaymentCredit/debit cards, bank transfers, digital wallet integrations like Mercado Pago
Available InArgentina (early access), Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Uruguay
Supported CurrenciesARS, USD, BRL, MXN

Pros

  • Up to 71% of failed payments recovered
  • Great analytics and A/B testing solutions
  • Seamless API integration

Cons

  • Currently in beta for Argentine merchants
  • Not very good for low-volume users

Mercado Pago

Mercado Pago is one of the most popular local payment gateways, created by Mercado Libre to facilitate e-commerce and digital payment activities in Latin American many countries. It provides QR code payments, payment links, checkout buttons, and integration with Rapipago and PagoFacil, two popular local payment options. Given its dominance in both digital and physical commerce, Mercado Pago is considered a reliable payment choice for businesses.

FeatureDescription
RequirementsValid business or personal account, national ID
Accepted Methods of PaymentCredit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), bank transfers, Rapipago, PagoFacil, Mercado Pago balance
Available InArgentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, Peru
Supported CurrenciesARS, USD, BRL, MXN
RequirementsValid business or personal account, national ID
Accepted Methods of PaymentCredit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), bank transfers, Rapipago, PagoFacil, Mercado Pago balance
Available InArgentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, Peru
Supported CurrenciesARS, USD, BRL, MXN

Pros

  • Strong presence in local digital payment solutions
  • Quick payouts and easy onboarding
  • Integration with mobile payments and wallets

Cons

  • The fees for international transactions are higher
  • Account verification may take time

Pago Nube

Pago Nube is the preferred payment gateway for merchants using the Tiendanube e-commerce platform in the country. Designed for seamless integration, it eliminates transaction fees for active Tiendanube users and ensures efficient payment processing through its built-in system. With high-security standards and a clean interface, it offers seamless payment operations tailored to small and mid-sized businesses.

FeatureDescription
RequirementsTiendanube store account, valid tax info
Accepted Methods of PaymentCredit/debit cards, local transfers, installment plans
Available InArgentina (as part of Tiendanube)
Supported CurrenciesARS
RequirementsTiendanube store account, valid tax info
Accepted Methods of PaymentCredit/debit cards, local transfers, installment plans
Available InArgentina (as part of Tiendanube)
Supported CurrenciesARS

Pros

  • Full integration with Tiendanube
  • Competitive pricing with no transaction fees for active users
  • Localized features for payments in Argentina

Cons

  • Limited to Tiendanube stores
  • Fewer options for offline sales or third-party integrations
4.7

PayU is a global online payment gateway that supports thousands of merchants in Latin America, including many businesses in the country. It offers fast onboarding, multi-currency support, and a developer-friendly API for merchants looking to integrate payment solutions without hassle. Its reputation for security and scalability makes it a strong option for growing businesses.

FeatureDescription
RequirementsLegal business entity, tax ID, bank account
Accepted Methods of PaymentCards, cash vouchers, bank transfers, alternate payment methods
Available InArgentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, more
Supported CurrenciesARS, USD, BRL, COP, MXN, EUR
RequirementsLegal business entity, tax ID, bank account
Accepted Methods of PaymentCards, cash vouchers, bank transfers, alternate payment methods
Available InArgentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, more
Supported CurrenciesARS, USD, BRL, COP, MXN, EUR

Pros

  • Trusted international provider
  • Extensive documentation and API access
  • Accepts both local and international cards

Cons

  • Setup may be complex for small teams
  • Transaction fees slightly higher for international payments

PayPal

Lear more
4.6

PayPal is one of the most popular international online payment solutions. Although its availability in Argentina is limited, this platform allows for cross-border e-commerce transactions as well as freelance work. Using this service, companies and individuals can accept digital payments from global customers with no need for a local acquiring bank.

FeatureDescription
RequirementsEmail address, linked credit/debit card
Accepted Methods of PaymentVisa, Mastercard, Amex, PayPal balance
Available InOver 200 countries, including Argentina (limited features)
Supported CurrenciesOver 20, including USD, EUR, ARS
RequirementsEmail address, linked credit/debit card
Accepted Methods of PaymentVisa, Mastercard, Amex, PayPal balance
Available InOver 200 countries, including Argentina (limited features)
Supported CurrenciesOver 20, including USD, EUR, ARS

Pros

  • Highly trusted worldwide
  • Easy to use for buyers and sellers
  • Great for freelancers and service exports

Cons

  • You cannot withdraw to local bank accounts
  • Currency conversion fees are relatively high

Mobbex

Mobbex is a modern payment gateway, providing online and offline digital payment solutions. The service, which stands out for its adaptability and commitment to innovation, became the first local processor using Binance Pay cryptocurrency. It enables a wide range of payment methods in the country to suit SMEs and tech-savvy businesses.

FeatureDescription
RequirementsTax ID, business bank account
Accepted Methods of PaymentCredit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, QR, cryptocurrencies
Available InArgentina
Supported CurrenciesARS, USDT (for crypto), BTC, and others
RequirementsTax ID, business bank account
Accepted Methods of PaymentCredit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, QR, cryptocurrencies
Available InArgentina
Supported CurrenciesARS, USDT (for crypto), BTC, and others

Pros

  • Accepts crypto, cards, and bank transfers
  • Local support and fast onboarding
  • Strong developer tools and documentation

Cons

  • Limited presence outside the region
  • Technical glitches sometimes reported by users

PayWay

PayWay is a powerful payment gateway developed by Prisma Medios de Pago, tailored for large-volume businesses in Argentina. It provides a robust suite of tools for online and offline transactions, including custom integrations, payment routing system, and reconciliation services. With its wide acceptance and technical infrastructure, PayWay remains a top choice among businesses in Argentina.

FeatureDescription
RequirementsBusiness registration, tax ID, bank account
Accepted Methods of PaymentDebit and credit cards, bank transfer, QR, automatic debit
Available InArgentina
Supported CurrenciesARS
RequirementsBusiness registration, tax ID, bank account
Accepted Methods of PaymentDebit and credit cards, bank transfer, QR, automatic debit
Available InArgentina
Supported CurrenciesARS

Pros

  • Excellent infrastructure for scaling
  • Trusted by major Argentine retailers
  • Extensive payment channel support

Cons

  • Requires technical integration
  • Less suitable for very small businesses

NOWPayments

NOWPayments is one of the best international payment gateway platforms, known for supporting over 300 cryptocurrencies. It allows businesses of all sizes to accept crypto payments and automatically convert them to fiat if needed. With Argentina’s growing interest in digital assets, NOWPayments bridges the gap between digital assets and local currencies, offering flexibility and innovation.

FeatureDescription
RequirementsEmail only for basic setup; advanced plans require business details
Accepted Methods of PaymentCryptocurrencies only
Available InWorldwide
Supported Currencies300+ crypto, optional fiat conversion
RequirementsEmail only for basic setup; advanced plans require business details
Accepted Methods of PaymentCryptocurrencies only
Available InWorldwide
Supported Currencies300+ crypto, optional fiat conversion

Pros

  • Massive crypto support
  • Easy API and plugin integration
  • No KYC for basic use

Cons

  • No direct local bank support in Argentina
  • Crypto volatility might be a risk for some merchants

FAQ

What is the payment gateway in Argentina?

A payment gateway in Argentina is a technology platform that enables businesses to accept and process payments from customers, through different payment methods in Argentina (cards, bank transfers, and cash-based systems like Rapipago or PagoFacil).

Which payment method is used in Argentina?

Credit, debit cards, bank wires, digital wallets, and prepaid payment systems such as Rapipago and PagoFacil are very popular in Argentina. Cash and hybrid offline solutions are quite common as well, although cards are still the number one choice.

Is Argentina using PayPal?

Yes, PayPal works in Argentina, but suits better for international provider transactions. Local usage is restricted because of currency controls and integration issues with local banks.

What are the digital wallets in Argentina?

The most widespread e-wallet payment options are Mercado Pago, Ualá, Naranja X, and Modo. They enable mobile payments, QR codes and linking to bank accounts.

What are the online payment apps in Argentina?

The leading online payment apps are Mercado Pago, Ualá, PayWay, and Mobbex. They facilitate mobile payments, online shopping, bill pay, and money transfers from several payment providers.

What is the best way to pay in Argentina?

The best payment gateway or method depends on the type of purchase. Speaking about shopping online, such solutions as credit cards or Mercado Pago are popular. Rapipago Argentina is a popular and widely used option.