Payment Gateway: Definition, Types & Benefits

As cashless payments surge and shopping portals increase, a secure payment portal was needed to protect customers’ bank details. A payment gateway is one such innovation—ensuring seamless payment experiences for both businesses and customers.

A payment gateway is a digital payment service that is used as a channel to make and receive payments. This technology is the simplest way to collect payments digitally. The utility of a payment gateway ranges from sending and collecting payments to a bank or an e-commerce site. Thus, using this electronic equivalent of a physical or credit card reader makes it easy for businesses to process payments easily.

Here’s what we’ll be finding out about payment gateways.

What is Payment Gateway?

A payment gateway is a transaction medium between a merchant and a consumer. It may be on an offline outlet or online website or through a payment service like UPI, NEFT, RTGS.

For example, PayU is one of the leading payment gateways in India, trusted by thousands of businesses. It plays a crucial role in online transactions by transferring customer payment details securely between the merchant, acquiring bank, and issuing bank.

As a payment gateway, PayU doesn’t just transfer customer payment details, it acts as an intermediary that enables businesses to securely accept and process payments, including credit cards, debit cards, UPI, and net banking, through websites or mobile applications.

PayU’s reputation in the payment gateway India is built on reliable performance, compliance, and broad integration capabilities.

How does Payment Gateway works?

There are four parties that involve in the payment gateway process: the customer, the merchant, the issuing bank, and the receiving payment or acquiring bank. It is an easy and simple process.

Step 1: The customer initiates a purchase and enters payment details on the merchant website.
Step 2: The payment gateway encrypts and securely transmits this data to the acquiring bank.
Step 3: The acquiring bank forwards the request to the card networks or payment processors (Visa, Mastercard, UPI, etc.).
Step 4: The issuing bank authenticates the transaction and approves or declines based on balance and other checks.
Step 5: The response travels back to the acquiring bank and then to the payment gateway.
Step 6: The customer receives a transaction success or failure message, and funds are settled to the merchant.

What is the difference between a payment gateway and a payment processor?

Here’s how a payment gateway compares to a processor:

Most businesses need both a payment gateway and a payment processor to complete digital transactions securely and efficiently. The gateway handles the customer-facing interface and encryption, while the processor manages the back-end transaction validation and fund transfer. Here’s a clear comparison:

Payment Gateway	Payment Processor
Receives customer’s payment information and encrypts it.	Verifies the card or bank details and facilitates fund movement.
Forwards encrypted data to the payment processor.	Relays the transaction data to issuing and acquiring banks.
Communicates transaction approvals or declines to both merchant and customer.	Sends the final approval or decline message to the gateway after bank verification.
Uses SSL encryption and is ISO 8583-compliant for data security.	Requires deeper integration and typically involves higher development effort.
More affordable in terms of setup and certification—ideal for startups and SMBs.	Usually comes with higher development and maintenance costs.

When do you need both?

In most cases, online businesses need both a payment gateway and a processor. The gateway ensures secure front-end communication, while the processor ensures that funds are accurately transferred between customer and merchant bank accounts. Together, they form a complete and secure payment ecosystem.

What are the types of payment gateways?

With the advancement of technology, many businesses have moved from direct bank transfers to a more convenient, secure, and credible way of accepting payments using a payment gateway.

When choosing the best payment gateway for your website or app, start by thinking about your business needs and how your system is set up.

The key difference between the four types of payment gateways lies in how they’re integrated. Some require ongoing technical maintenance, while others provide built-in support from the provider, making them easier to manage.

Here are some of the most common types of payment gateways, as per their integration:

1. Hosted Payment Gateways

In a hosted payment gateway, customers are redirected to the payment service provider’s secure page (like PayU’s hosted checkout) to enter their payment information. After the transaction is complete, they are brought back to the merchant’s website.

Pros:
- Easy to implement
- PCI compliance is handled by the provider
- High level of security
Cons:
- Redirect may cause drop in conversion
- Limited customization of checkout experience

PayU offers branded hosted pages that allow merchants to display their logo to retain customer trust during checkout.

2. Self-Hosted Payment Gateways (Pro-Hosted)

In this setup, customers enter their card or bank details directly on the merchant’s website. The information is then forwarded to the payment gateway (like PayU) for processing.

Pros:
- Better user experience without redirection
- Faster checkout
Cons:
- Merchant must ensure compliance with data handling standards
- Format requirements may apply for data submission

PayU’s self-hosted solutions offer simple integration for businesses seeking full control over the checkout journey.

3. API-Hosted Payment Gateways

With API-hosted gateways, transactions are completed through HTTPS queries or APIs, without redirecting customers to another site. Payment details are collected and processed within the merchant’s environment.

Pros:
- Seamless checkout flow
- Full customization and control
Cons:
- Requires strong in-house development team
- Merchants must have SSL and PCI-DSS certification

PayU APIs are developer-friendly and secure, offering robust integration options for businesses that prioritize experience and flexibility.

4. Bank-Integrated Gateways

In this model, customers are redirected to their bank’s interface to complete the payment. It is commonly used in net banking or UPI transactions.

Pros:
- Trusted by users familiar with their bank’s interface
- No need to store customer data
Cons:
- Less control over branding and flow
- Limited to certain payment modes

PayU integrates with all major Indian banks, providing seamless bank redirection services that support net banking and UPI payments.

Each payment gateway type offers distinct advantages. The right choice depends on your business’s size, development resources, and customer experience goals. PayU’s flexible solutions ensure that startups, SMEs, and large enterprises can all find the model that fits their strategy.

Payment gateway benefits include:

Security: End-to-end encryption, tokenization, and compliance with PCI-DSS standards ensure that customer data remains protected throughout the transaction process. This builds trust and reduces the risk of data breaches.
Speed: Transactions are processed in real-time, allowing for instant payment authorizations and faster fund settlements. This improves cash flow and enhances the customer experience.
UPI & EMI Options: Widely used in India, UPI offers seamless real-time payments, while EMI options increase affordability for customers—both of which can improve conversion rates.
Global Payments: Payment gateways like PayU allow businesses to accept payments in multiple currencies, enabling them to scale internationally without additional complexities.
Fraud Detection: Advanced fraud prevention tools use AI and machine learning to identify suspicious activity and block fraudulent transactions before they occur, protecting both businesses and customers.

PayU enables all of the above, supporting over 4.5 lakh businesses in India with reliable, secure, and scalable digital payment solutions tailored to a variety of industries and transaction volumes.

How to choose the right payment gateway for your business?

A reliable payment provider is essential for merchants to ensure secure, seamless, and convenient transactions. It helps build customer trust and loyalty, enhances their overall shopping experience, and increases payment success rates.

Today, customers can make quick and secure payments through apps offered by payment service providers. One such example is the Bharat QR code in the Android app.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a payment gateway:

Payment Methods and Currency Support: Consider how many payment methods (cards, UPI, net banking, wallets) and currencies you want to offer. The more payment options available, the more comfortable and satisfied your customers will be, especially for global businesses or cross-border eCommerce.
Transaction Success Rate: To provide good customer service, the speed of the entire sale process is essential. This includes the transfer of funds from the customer’s account to the merchant’s account. Look for gateways that offer near-instant or same-day settlements.
Fees and Pricing: Another aspect to consider is the transaction fees and service costs. These can vary based on transaction volume and frequency. For startups and small businesses, choosing a gateway with flexible or volume-based pricing can help manage costs better.
Integration and Ease of Use: A gateway should integrate easily with your website, app, or platform. Look for ready plugins for eCommerce platforms and developer-friendly APIs for custom applications.
Support and Service Reliability: 24×7 customer support, onboarding assistance, and quick issue resolution are essential—especially for businesses operating across different time zones or selling at scale.
Security Compliance: Payment gateways must be 3D secure and compliant with PCI data security standards-the highest level of security.

Tips for startups, apps, and eCommerce businesses:

Choose a gateway that balances low cost with high scalability. Opt for easy integrations, localized payment options like UPI, and strong tech support to grow your business faster. PayU, for example, offers startup-friendly solutions with fast integration, robust security, and multi-channel support.

Is a Payment Gateway Secure? What Security Features Should I Look For?

Security is non-negotiable when handling financial data. A secure payment gateway should comply with the following:

Key Security Features:

PCI-DSS Compliance: Industry-standard protocol for handling card data securely.
SSL Encryption: Ensures data transmitted is encrypted and protected.
Tokenisation: Replaces sensitive data with unique tokens for added safety.
3D Secure Authentication: Extra layer of validation for card payments.
Fraud Management Tools: Real-time alerts, velocity checks, and blacklisting.

PayU complies with PCI-DSS standards, uses advanced fraud detection, and provides end-to-end encryption—ensuring both business and customer data stays protected.

Conclusion

After reading the above article, you should have a fair idea of what a payment gateway is. Analyze your business needs and then choose the right payment gateway. Today, payment gateways like PayU come with a variety of web and mobile applications. It is a complete payment gateway solution with low processing fees, competitive pricing and enhanced security. Build your automated payment process with PayU.

Frequently asked Questions:

Do I need a payment gateway for my online store?

Yes, if you want to securely accept online payments from customers through cards, UPI, net banking, or wallets. Without a payment gateway, digital transactions cannot be processed reliably.

Can I use multiple payment gateways on my website?

Yes. Using more than one gateway offers redundancy, helps manage transaction fees better, and ensures higher uptime. It also improves success rates by routing payments through the most reliable channel.

Is PayU a payment processor or payment gateway?

PayU functions as both a payment gateway and a payment processor. This dual role allows for seamless integration, quicker settlements, and reduced technical friction for businesses.

What are the transaction fees of using a payment gateway?

Transaction fees usually differ basis payment method and scale of operations. For accurate pricing details, you can refer to the PayU pricing page.

How long does it take for the money to reflect in my account?

For most transactions, PayU settles payments within T+1 or T+2 days, where T is the transaction day. Timelines may vary by method—UPI is faster, while credit card payments may take longer.

Can I use a payment gateway without a website?

Yes. PayU allows link-based payments and payment buttons that you can share via email, SMS, or social media. This is ideal for freelancers, consultants, and solopreneurs who don’t have a full website.

What is the difference between UPI and a payment gateway?

UPI is a payment method, while a payment gateway is the infrastructure that processes UPI, card, and other payment types. Gateways support multiple methods and offer encryption, security, and fraud checks.

What is an example of a payment gateway?

PayU is one of the popular payment gateways. PayU stands out for its India-focused offerings, fast integration, and wide acceptance across UPI, cards, wallets, and EMI options.

How do international payment gateways work?

International payment gateways like PayU enable businesses to accept payments in foreign currencies, convert them securely, and settle them in the business’s local currency. PayU supports global cards and cross-border payments.

What’s the setup process for a payment gateway in India?