Colombia
Top Payment Gateways and Solutions in Colombia You Need for Online Payments
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Comparison of the Best Payment Gateways in Colombia
To help merchants in Colombia make the right choice, we’ve compiled a comprehensive comparison of the best payment gateways in Colombia. This table includes some of the most important factors such as transaction charges, a variety of payment methods available, features and services offered by each payment gateway provider.
What is a Payment Gateway and How to Choose the Right One in Colombia
A Colombia payment gateway is a digital service that helps process online payments in Colombia by securely connecting a merchant’s website or mobile app to banks or financial networks. In other words, it’s what links a customer who wants to make online purchases to the bank or payment processor confirming the transaction. These platforms provide safe, encrypted transfers and comply with payment card industry data security standards.
As the e-commerce market continues to boom in Latin America, choosing the right payment gateway has become a strategic decision for companies. The landscape in Colombia includes global players and strong Colombian payment gateways solutions that respond to specific needs of local buyers.
1. Security and Fraud Prevention
Fraud is still one of the largest fears when it comes to taking payments online. Fraud risk is also on the rise in markets experiencing rapid growth in digital payment usage. This is the reason why most popular payment gateways offer sophisticated features such as secure online bank transfers, tokenization, and AI-powered filters against fraud. It is key for businesses in Colombia to have pagos seguros en any transaction to build confidence among customers.
2. Relevant Payment Methods
Various customers opt for different supported payment methods available. Some prefer credit cards, others choose cash payment options or alternative payment methods like e-wallets. An ideal gateway must have a wide range of payment options that reflect the reality of Colombia payment methods in Colombia, including traditional payment methods such as PSE transfers, or mobile payment apps like Nequi or Daviplata. Multiple payment methods help reach a greater number of customers.
3. Integration and Compatibility
The ability to integrate a gateway with a company network is vital for businesses. A lot of payment gateways offer built-in plugins for Shopify, WooCommerce or Magento or custom APIs to ensure flexible payment options. Merchants should ensure the payment gateway they select integrates seamlessly with their existing website, mobile app, or POS infrastructure. A smooth process for online integration streamlines vendor’s operations and makes transfers easier for customers.
4. Transaction Fees and Costs
A lot of payment gateways solutions include fees. Some charge a flat transaction fee, while others apply various rates based on the payment method or the number of payments you process. For merchants in Colombia, cost efficiency becomes an important aspect in scaling their operations. By looking at the fees of many payment gateways, companies can find a happy medium of price and quality.
5. Range of Payment Options and Market Reach
The most popular payment gateway in Colombia may cover local cards and bank transfers, but foreign merchants also need global payment support. When you offer a range of payment types (for example, global payment options such as PayPal), it will be easier for you to accept payments online from other countries. A leading payment gateway should work with locally used payment methods and offer features to process cross-border payments for accepting online payments.
6. Customer Support and Reliability
Effective payment processing is not just about tech, it’s about people. It is very important to choose a payment service with enhanced support that you can relay on 24/7. A good support level guarantees that merchants in Colombia can accept online payments seamlessly and keep their customers happy.
7. Flexibility and Future Growth
The market in Colombia is growing fast, and nearly every year new payment technologies emerge. A suitable payment gateway will come forward with this change by offering several payment choices including that of instant payments and online money transfers. For companies based in Colombia, flexibility is key to having a payment system that scales with your business and stays relevant as consumer habits change.
Stripe
Stripe is one of the world's leading global payment platforms, used by tech entrepreneurs and start-ups around the world. Launched in 2010 in San Francisco, the company rose to prominence because of its easy to use, developer-friendly API that can be integrated within almost any website or app. Today, Stripe processes billions of dollars in online payments in Colombia and more than 40 countries.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Requirements | A registered business entity, valid tax ID, and a Colombian bank account for local settlements. |
| Accepted Payment Methods | Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover, JCB, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and secure online bank transfers. |
| Available in | Over 40 countries worldwide, including coverage for Latin America via cross-border solutions. |
| Supported Currencies | More than 135 global currencies. |
| RequirementsA registered business entity, valid tax ID, and a Colombian bank account for local settlements. | |
| Accepted Payment MethodsVisa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover, JCB, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and secure online bank transfers. | |
| Available inOver 40 countries worldwide, including coverage for Latin America via cross-border solutions. | |
| Supported CurrenciesMore than 135 global currencies. |
Pros
- Simple and quick integration with most e-commerce platforms
- Transparent and competitive transaction charges
- Wide range of payment options including local and international cards
- Enhanced fraud prevention tools
- Available in most major markets
Cons
- Customer support sometimes reported as slow for smaller merchants
- Settlement times may vary depending on the bank
- Requires technical knowledge for advanced customization
PayU
PayU LatAm is a top payment gateway in Latin America with presence in 7+ regions such as Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. Merchants choose this service for its local solutions, support for KNET-style bank transfers and options which enable processing local and international payments. PayU is among Colombia's most-trusted providers for businesses as it has a deep integration with local banks and payment habits.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Requirements | Registered business in Colombia (or other supported country), merchant account verification, and compliance with KYC/AML requirements. |
| Accepted Payment Methods | Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover, local debit cards, cash vouchers (Efecty, Baloto, OXXO, Boleto Bancário), and bank transfers. |
| Available in | Available across Latin America including Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, and Chile. |
| Supported Currencies | Local currencies in each market (COP, BRL, MXN, ARS, CLP, PEN) plus USD and EUR. |
| RequirementsRegistered business in Colombia (or other supported country), merchant account verification, and compliance with KYC/AML requirements. | |
| Accepted Payment MethodsVisa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover, local debit cards, cash vouchers (Efecty, Baloto, OXXO, Boleto Bancário), and bank transfers. | |
| Available inAvailable across Latin America including Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, and Chile. | |
| Supported CurrenciesLocal currencies in each market (COP, BRL, MXN, ARS, CLP, PEN) plus USD and EUR. |
Pros
- Strong focus on local payment preferences in Colombia and other LatAm markets
- Ability to accept both domestic and cross-border payments
- Multiple integration options for different business sizes
- High approval rates due to direct links with local banks
- Wide acceptance of alternative and cash-based methods
Cons
- Transaction charges can be higher for international cards
- Settlement times may vary between countries
- Customer support mainly localized, may lack global responsiveness
dLocal
dLocal is a cross-border payment gateway that targets developing regions such as LATAM, African and Asian. It enables global companies to receive payments in over 40 countries with settlements in USD or EUR. For merchants based locally in Colombia, dLocal provides access to local cards, bank transfers and cash-based payments for reaching customers who either do not have or do not use international credit cards.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Requirements | Business registration, compliance with international KYC/AML, and verified merchant account. |
| Accepted Payment Methods | Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, local debit cards, bank transfers, cash vouchers (Efecty, Baloto in Colombia), wallets, and alternative payment methods. |
| Available in | Active in 40+ emerging markets including Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Chile, India, Nigeria, Egypt, and more. |
| Supported Currencies | Local currencies in each market (COP, BRL, MXN, ARS, NGN, INR, EGP) with settlement in USD or EUR. |
| RequirementsBusiness registration, compliance with international KYC/AML, and verified merchant account. | |
| Accepted Payment MethodsVisa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, local debit cards, bank transfers, cash vouchers (Efecty, Baloto in Colombia), wallets, and alternative payment methods. | |
| Available inActive in 40+ emerging markets including Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Chile, India, Nigeria, Egypt, and more. | |
| Supported CurrenciesLocal currencies in each market (COP, BRL, MXN, ARS, NGN, INR, EGP) with settlement in USD or EUR. |
Pros
- Strong focus on cross-border payments with local settlement options
- Extensive coverage across Latin America, including in Colombia
- High local transaction approval ratios
- Flexible recurring and subscription billing
- Designed for global merchants targeting local customers
Cons
- Some fees can be higher than local gateways
- Settlement mostly in USD/EUR, not always in local currency
- May not be ideal for small businesses due to volume requirements
- Customer service can be slow when compared to local providers
PlacetoPay
PlacetoPay is one of the leading payment Colombia, led by Evertec. It offers companies secure and smooth processing of online payment with extensive coverage of local banks and cards. E-commerce stores, airlines and the Colombian government use the platform widely.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Setup Fee | Varies depending on business type and volume |
| Requirements | Local business registration in Colombia, merchant account, and compliance with KYC/AML rules |
| Accepted Payment Methods | Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, PSE bank transfers, local debit cards, and recurring payments |
| Available in | Primarily Colombia |
| Supported Currencies | COP (Colombian Peso) |
| Setup FeeVaries depending on business type and volume | |
| RequirementsLocal business registration in Colombia, merchant account, and compliance with KYC/AML rules | |
| Accepted Payment MethodsVisa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, PSE bank transfers, local debit cards, and recurring payments | |
| Available inPrimarily Colombia | |
| Supported CurrenciesCOP (Colombian Peso) |
Pros
- Specializing in the Colombian market with extensive banking coverage
- Integration with major e-commerce software is provided
- High trust among local customers and businesses
- Options for recurring payments and subscription services
Cons
- Mainly focused on Colombia, limited global reach
- Transaction fees can be higher than regional competitors
- Settlement only in COP
- More complicated setup compared to international gateways
ZonaPAGOS
ZonaPAGOS is a Colombian online payment system that is built to ensure secure and seamless transactions for businesses and government. It supports merchants to accept multiple forms of payments and is extremely popular throughout Colombia for bill, payment, e-com and services.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Setup Fee | Depends on business agreement |
| Requirements | Registered business in Colombia, verified merchant account, compliance with local regulations |
| Accepted Payment Methods | Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, PSE bank transfers, local debit cards, payment links |
| Available in | Colombia |
| Supported Currencies | COP (Colombian Peso) |
| Setup FeeDepends on business agreement | |
| RequirementsRegistered business in Colombia, verified merchant account, compliance with local regulations | |
| Accepted Payment MethodsVisa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, PSE bank transfers, local debit cards, payment links | |
| Available inColombia | |
| Supported CurrenciesCOP (Colombian Peso) |
Pros
- Well-established in Colombia with strong local market presence
- Adaptable offers for both enterprises and public centres
- Supports different methods of payment, via payment links
- Backed by major corporations and government agencies
- Simple API integration for merchants
Cons
- Only available for businesses operating in Colombia
- Settlement exclusively in COP
- Not designed for global expansion
- Transaction fees can be higher than newer competitors
Wompi
Wompi is a Colombian payment gateway managed by Bancolombia, aimed to facilitate online payments for businesses of any size. It offers businesses solutions for receiving payments through POS, ecommerce and payment links, and has become one of the most popular gateways in Colombia.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Setup Fee | Depends on Bancolombia’s onboarding |
| Requirements | Registered business or individual merchant in Colombia, Bancolombia account recommended, compliance with local regulations |
| Accepted Payment Methods | Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, PSE bank transfers, Nequi, Bancolombia accounts, QR payments |
| Available in | Colombia |
| Supported Currencies | COP (Colombian Peso) |
| Setup FeeDepends on Bancolombia’s onboarding | |
| RequirementsRegistered business or individual merchant in Colombia, Bancolombia account recommended, compliance with local regulations | |
| Accepted Payment MethodsVisa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, PSE bank transfers, Nequi, Bancolombia accounts, QR payments | |
| Available inColombia | |
| Supported CurrenciesCOP (Colombian Peso) |
Pros
- Supported by Bancolombia, ensuring trust and financial stability
- Wide adoption across Colombia with robust local payment support
- Multiple channels (web, app, links, QR) for flexibility
- Transparent pricing and fee structure
Cons
- Available only for Colombian merchants
- Settlements only in COP
- Limited features compared to international gateways
- Not suitable for global merchants
FAQ
What is the best payment gateway in Colombia?
In Colombia, popular gateways are Wompi, PlacetoPay, and ZonaPagos, since they work with local banks and offer regional payment methods. They are considered the top choices for companies looking to reach Colombian consumers.
Is PayPal allowed in Colombia?
Yes, PayPal is available in Colombia but it is not so widespread as local solutions. Many Colombians continue to favour domestic gateways or cash-based solutions.
What money apps do they use in Colombia?
Colombians usually prefer Nequi, Daviplata, and Movii for digital payments. These apps enable instant transfers, bill payments and online shopping.
How to pay online in Colombia?
Clients can make online payments with credit/debit cards, PSE (online bank transfers) or wallets like Nequi. Several websites are also connected to local gateways like Wompi and PayZen.
What is the best service provider in Colombia?
Wompi by Bancolombia and PlacetoPay are among the most notable ones. They have strong local integration and are widely trusted by Colombian merchants.
Which country is no 1 in online payments?
China is the world’s leader in online payments, with Alipay and WeChat Pay both maintaining a stranglehold on the market. The U.S. also ranks high with a broad use of PayPal, Stripe and Apple Pay.
What is the best way to transfer money to Colombia?
For in-country transactions, Wompi, PlacetoPay, and ZonaPagos are common, enabling quick and secure payments directly to Colombian bank accounts. For cross-border transfers, companies like 2Checkout and Rapyd allow enterprises and individuals to send money internationally with ease.
What is the best bank to use in Colombia?
Bancolombia and Banco de Bogotá are the most trustworthy banks. They have wide coverage, powerful digital tools and integrate with popular gateways.
Is Google Pay accepted in Colombia?
Google Pay is not widely available for in-store payments in Colombia. Online use is limited, and most people in Colombia use local wallets instead.
