European Payment Processing & Gateways compared
Payment processing and gateway software lets businesses accept online transactions, from card payments to bank transfers and digital wallets. The tools differ in the payment methods they support, the regions they cover, and whether they focus on one-off sales, subscriptions, or both. European providers often stand out for their local payment options, transparent pricing, and compliance with GDPR and other regional regulations, with server location in the EU a key consideration for data-sensitive sectors.
In short
- GoCardless specialises in recurring bank debit and open banking payments, cutting admin work for businesses with high-value or subscription invoices
- Payrexx fits Swiss and DACH merchants who need 200+ payment methods, QR-bill and POS terminals in one self-service platform
- Klarna serves retailers that want to reduce cart abandonment with buy-now-pay-later and installment plans
- Adyen covers omnichannel payments for global merchants with consistent performance across online, in-store and mobile
Providers
All providers at a glance
| Provider | HQ | From | Rating | Free plan | EU hosting | Open source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mollie | 🇳🇱 NL | On request | 4.4 / 5 · 10307 reviews | |||
| GoCardless | 🇬🇧 GB | £4 | 2.7 / 5 · 2903 reviews | |||
| Adyen | 🇳🇱 NL | On request | 2.0 / 5 · 538 reviews | |||
| Payrexx | 🇨🇭 CH | 12.00 CHF/mo | 2.9 / 5 · 35 reviews | |||
| Klarna | 🇸🇪 SE | On request | 3.4 / 5 · 3515659 reviews |
What users care about in payment processing & gateways
Recurring themes across the user reviews we collected for the tools on this page.
Payment method coverage
Users expect broad support for local and global methods. Payrexx and Adyen are praised for wide coverage, while GoCardless is criticised for lacking cards and wallets.
Ease of setup and onboarding
Fast, low-friction onboarding is a recurring demand. Payrexx and Mollie are praised for quick setup, while Mollie and GoCardless receive criticism for inconsistent or slow processes.
Customer support quality
Responsive, knowledgeable support is critical. Adyen and Payrexx are praised for effective help, but Adyen and Mollie are criticised for slow or inconsistent responses.
Recurring payment reliability
Businesses with subscription models prioritise low failure rates. GoCardless is praised for reliability, while Klarna is criticised for delays in processing and disbursement.
Praised for this:GoCardless
Pricing transparency
Clear, predictable pricing is expected. GoCardless and Payrexx are praised for transparent models, but Mollie and Klarna face criticism for perceived opacity or high fees.
Praised for this:GoCardlessPayrexx
What to look for
Payment method coverage
Check which local and international payment methods the gateway supports, from cards to bank transfers, digital wallets, and buy-now-pay-later options.
Subscription and recurring billing
If you need recurring payments, ensure the tool handles subscriptions, mandates, and automated retries for failed transactions.
Integration depth
Look for native connectors to your ecommerce platform, accounting software, or CRM to avoid custom development for core workflows.
Compliance and data hosting
For regulated sectors, verify GDPR compliance, PCI-DSS certification, and whether processing and server location stay within the EU.
Frequently asked questions
What does payment gateway software actually do?
It acts as an intermediary between your website or app and the payment processor, securely transmitting transaction data and authorizing payments. Gateways like Adyen or Mollie handle the technical and compliance aspects so you don’t have to build them yourself.
Which European payment gateways support local EU payment methods?
Mollie specializes in local European methods like iDEAL, Bancontact, and Sofort, while Adyen covers a broad range including local cards and wallets across the EU. Klarna also supports region-specific options like BNPL in several European markets.
Do any European payment gateways offer a free plan?
Payrexx is the only one in our directory with a free plan. Adyen, Mollie, GoCardless, and Klarna do not offer free tiers.
How do European gateways compare to Stripe or PayPal?
European providers like Adyen and Mollie often emphasize local payment methods, EU data hosting, and compliance with regional regulations such as GDPR. Stripe and PayPal are global but may process data outside the EU, which can be a dealbreaker for regulated industries.
Which payment gateways integrate with Shopify?
Adyen, Mollie, Klarna, and Payrexx all offer native Shopify integrations. GoCardless does not list Shopify among its supported integrations.
Are there European gateways for recurring payments?
GoCardless specializes in recurring bank debit and open banking payments. Adyen and Payrexx also support subscription-based models, while Mollie and Klarna focus more on one-off and installment payments.
Can I use these gateways for in-person payments?
Payrexx supports POS terminals and QR-bill for in-person transactions. Adyen and Mollie are primarily online-focused, though Adyen does offer some in-person solutions for larger enterprises.
Do European gateways comply with GDPR and PCI-DSS?
Yes, all listed European gateways (Adyen, Mollie, GoCardless, Klarna, Payrexx) are GDPR-compliant and hold PCI-DSS Level 1 certification, the highest standard for payment security.
What integrations do Adyen and Mollie support?
Adyen integrates with major ecommerce platforms like Shopify, Magento, and Salesforce Commerce Cloud, as well as ERP systems like SAP and Oracle. Mollie connects to Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento 2, and Shopware, among others.
Which gateway is best for subscriptions?
Payrexx and GoCardless are the strongest for subscription-based models. Payrexx offers built-in subscription management, while GoCardless specializes in recurring bank debit payments.