Most popular online payment methods by country
Online payments have long ceased to be just a way of paying — they are now an integral part of everyday life for billions of people around the world. But despite the general digitalisation, approaches to payment vary greatly depending on the region.
What is familiar to residents of Europe or North America may not be suitable for users in Asia or Latin America. Therefore, the right choice of payment methods is key to the success of any company planning to enter the international market.
Today, we will look at the most popular online payment methods by country and find out what factors influence the choice of one method or another. This will allow us to form a comprehensive picture of the situation on the global market and provide practical recommendations for adapting payment solutions for business.
Global trends in online payments
Rapid development and constant changes are familiar companions of the modern online payment market. The high dynamics of the industry is influenced by the widespread use of smartphones and mobile devices, the active development of payment infrastructure, and increased confidence in non-bank payment technologies.
Among the most popular online payment methods, several groups stand out:
- Bank cards (credit and debit) remain the leader in Western countries, but are gradually losing ground in the Asian region.
- Digital wallets (such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay) are showing impressive growth thanks to their convenience and level of security.
- Direct bank transfers (SEPA Credit Transfer, Automated Clearing House) are particularly popular in Europe and Latin America.
- Mobile payments (SMS, QR codes) are gaining recognition mainly in developing countries.
- Cryptocurrencies remain a niche category, but one that has been actively expanding in recent years.
According to forecasts by research company Juniper Research, by 2030, the volume of contactless payments will exceed $18,1 trillion, with digital wallets accounting for about 40% of all online transactions.
The most popular credit cards and online payment methods
Here are the 10 most popular credit cards and online payment methods worldwide.
Visa
Visa confidently maintains its leadership position in the global market, covering more than 200 countries and accounting for approximately one-third of the global market. Its advantage lies in its broad geographical coverage and high level of consumer trust. In 67 countries around the world, VISA credit and debit cards remain the market leader in e-commerce. The popularity of these cards is also influenced by their widespread use in everyday life. They can be used to pay in physical stores, receive salaries or make frequent transfers.
Mastercard
Mastercard is close behind Visa, with similar coverage and a focus on premium products. It is particularly popular among the middle class and the wealthy. The payment system is especially widespread in Europe. Mastercard has a large market share in France, Italy and Germany.
UnionPay
In 2002, China created its own card payment system, UnionPay. In terms of global popularity, it lags significantly behind VISA and MasterCard, but in the Asian region, the system is very popular.
In China, card payments rank second after digital wallet payments, but this share includes not only UnionPay but also other cards. In total, the system serves customers from more than 150 countries, but the main flow of payments is in the domestic market.
American Express
AmEx is traditionally associated with the premium segment and is highly valued by users in the United States and a number of European countries. Despite its smaller reach, the brand is renowned for its quality of service and exclusive privileges for cardholders.
In South America, the operator ranks second in terms of the number of e-commerce transactions, second only to VISA. In North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania, American Express is less popular than VISA and MasterCard, but it is among the top 5 most popular payment methods for online purchases.
Discover
Discover is mainly prevalent in the United States, while its presence outside the country is limited. Nevertheless, it remains an important player in the American financial market. Discover differs from VISA and other operators in that it issues cards through its own bank, while other operators use partners for this purpose.
Alipay
Alipay has become a real phenomenon in the Chinese market, bringing together over a billion active users. The uniqueness of the service lies in its deep integration with the QR payment system, which makes it an indispensable tool for local residents. Alipay is owned by the Alibaba Group and is integrated with many popular e-commerce platforms in China.
PayPal
PayPal has earned a reputation as a reliable digital wallet with an audience of over 400 million users worldwide. It has achieved the greatest recognition in the field of e-commerce and international transfers.
PayPal ranks first in Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania in terms of e-commerce transaction volume. In North and South America, the digital wallet is losing out to card payments. VISA ranks first in the New World, while PayPal ranks third in North America and fourth in South America.
PayPal has earned a reputation as a reliable digital wallet with an audience of over 400 million users worldwide. It has achieved the greatest recognition in the field of e-commerce and international transfers.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay leads in countries with a high proportion of Apple product owners, offering the highest level of security thanks to biometric authentication and data tokenisation.
This digital wallet is not among the top five payment methods only in South America. In Europe, Oceania and North America, it ranks fifth, and fourth in Asia.
Google Pay
Google Pay is gaining momentum in regions where Android devices predominate, constantly improving the user experience and introducing innovative solutions. In the global e-commerce market, Google’s wallet ranks eighth with a 4.3% share.
Klarna
Installment services are becoming an increasingly important payment method. They allow you to buy goods in instalments, which makes it possible to purchase expensive items without overpaying or taking out loans. According to experts, the ‘buy now, pay later’ market will grow to $167.58 billion in 2032, with an average annual growth rate of 20%.
Each of the most popular credit cards and online payment methods has its own strengths and features that determine its appeal to a particular group of users and regions.
Risks and challenges of payment systems
The different share of payment methods in countries is related to the specifics of their work and competition:
- Fraud and cybersecurity. Phishing, fraud with card details. Attacks on digital wallets, for example, hacking PayPal accounts. Threats when using BNPL are unfair applications. Security measures: 3D Secure, biometrics, AI transaction analysis.
- Regulatory restrictions. GDPR (EU) and similar data protection laws. Data localization requirements, currency controls in developing countries.
- Technological risks. Transaction processing failures. Dependence on infrastructure, for example, an Internet connection for QR payments. Vulnerabilities of NFC and contactless technologies.
- Competition and localization. Pressure from local payment systems, for example, M‑Pesa in Africa. The need to adapt to local habits.
Regional overview: the most popular payment methods by country
Now let’s take a closer look at the situation in individual regions and countries to see how user preferences vary.
United States
The American market has traditionally been oriented towards the use of plastic cards, with Visa (about 40%) and Mastercard (about 30%) being the clear favourites. PayPal has firmly secured third place (about 15%), and Apple Pay (about 10%) rounds out the top four. Local solutions are represented by the social payment services Venmo and Cash App, which are very popular among young people.
European Union
An interesting picture can be observed in the EU: alongside the classic Visa and Mastercard cards, SEPA Credit Transfer direct bank transfers account for a significant share. The reason lies in low fees and strict regulatory standards, such as the PSD2 directive. It is noteworthy that some countries have their own leaders, such as the Dutch iDEAL or the Belgian Bancontact.
In Spain, credit and debit cards remain the most popular payment methods, followed by PayPal. The country is developing a network of instant transfers by phone number. Bizum remains the leader in this segment. In Italy, the top two places are similar to those in Spain. Among the differences, we can highlight the popularity of local Postepay cards and the Nexi and Bancomat Pay payment systems.
Many European countries have unique payment methods that are used almost exclusively within their territory. Here are some of them:
- BLIK is a popular mobile banking app in Poland.
- Bancontact is the main card payment method used in Belgium.
- iDEAL — the main method of online payment in the Netherlands.
- TWINT — the leading online payment app in Switzerland.
- Cartes Bancaires — the leading card payment network in France.
Overall, however, card payments and PayPal e-wallet payments are the most popular in Europe.
China
China stands out with its unique combination of dominant digital wallets Alipay (more than half of the market) and WeChat Pay (about 40%), while traditional plastic cards account for only a small share. This imbalance is due to the convenience of mobile apps and active government support for digital solutions.
Best payment methods in United Kingdom
The British market is similar in structure to the American market, but there is a significantly higher penetration of digital wallets, especially PayPal and Apple Pay. Traditionally, the British prefer to use the services of proven international players, while simultaneously developing their own fintech ecosystem.
Southeast Asia (Singapore, Indonesia)
This region is characterised by the rapid growth of mobile wallets such as GrabPay (up to a third of the Singapore market) and OVO (about a quarter of the Indonesian market). Classic Visa and Mastercard cards retain a significant share, but are gradually losing ground under pressure from young and tech-savvy competitors.
Latin America
Latin America is a unique region with a rich diversity of payment habits and preferences. Modern digital technologies and traditional forms of payment intertwine here, forming a complex and multi-layered ecosystem of financial interactions.
Latin America is a unique region with a rich diversity of payment habits and preferences. Modern digital technologies and traditional forms of payment intertwine here, forming a complex and multi-layered ecosystem of financial interactions.
Card payments continue to play an important role in Latin America’s online economy, accounting for almost half of all purchases made. Alongside well-known international systems such as Visa and Mastercard, local card networks reflecting national characteristics and consumer preferences are also widespread in the region:
- Hipercard (Brazil) — a major local card popular among Brazilians.
- Elo (Brazil) — a national product competing with international giants.
- Naranja (Argentina) — an Argentine brand known for its service and customer loyalty.
- Redcompra (Chile) — Chile's leading card system, providing convenience and security for transactions.
Digital bank transfers are becoming increasingly popular in Latin America due to their security and ease of use. Consumers are happy to pay for purchases directly from their bank accounts, avoiding the need to use physical cards.
Two well-known platforms are leading the way in this segment:
- Pix (Brazil) — a revolutionary digital platform launched by the Central Bank of Brazil that provides instant and inexpensive domestic transfers.
- SafetyPay is an international platform operating in several Latin American countries, providing a convenient and secure environment for online transfers.
These solutions are attractive to consumers who are concerned about privacy and personal data protection, as well as those who prefer to avoid additional fees and delays.
BNPL trends Latin America
The BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) market in Latin America is showing significant growth driven by financial inclusion, the development of e-commerce and macroeconomic factors. According to forecasts, the market volume may reach $41.7 billion by 2030, and the average annual growth rate (CAGR) in the period 2025-2030 will be 20.9%.
Key trends:
- Financial inclusion. BNPL is becoming an important tool for people who do not have access to traditional banking services. In Brazil, Mexico and Colombia, more than 40% of the population do not use formal credit products.
- The growth of e-commerce. BNPL services are integrated into key e-commerce platforms such as MercadoLibre, Amazon Latin America and Dafiti. This stimulates the adoption of BNPL among new buyers and small businesses.
- Macroeconomic instability. Inflationary instability in key countries in the region is pushing consumers to use installments to stabilize their purchasing power.
- Regulatory changes. Increased regulatory oversight is aimed at consumer protection and financial stability. Companies investing in compliance, risk management, and partnerships with regional e-commerce platforms will be market leaders.
- Expansion into new sectors. BNPL is penetrating areas such as travel, healthcare, and small business finance, which opens up additional growth opportunities.
Key market players include MercadoPago (Mercado Crédito), Kueski, Addi, Aplazo, PayPal, Nelo Mobile, RecargaPay, PicPay, PagSeguro, and RappiPay. For example, Kueski in Mexico and Nelo are attracting investments and expanding their partner network, including major brands like Steve Madden and Ben & Frank.
Cases of implementation of payment solutions
Examples of using different payment methods to increase conversion and turnover:
- Marketplace in Yugo‑East Asia. Task: to increase the conversion of payments. Solution: integration of Alipay and GrabPay for local users, PayPal for international clients.
- A retailer in the EU. The goal: to reduce the refusals of purchases due to the lack of cards. Solution: adding Klarna and Apple Pay.
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How to implement a payment gateway
Below is a step-by-step guide for integrating new payment methods.:
- Audience analysis. Determine the geography of customers and their preferences (cards, wallets, BNPL). Study the average receipt and typical purchase scenarios.
- Choosing a provider. Compare the fees, supported methods, and integration capabilities. Consider regulatory requirements (for example, PCI DSS).
- Technical integration. Use the API of payment aggregators or direct connections.
- Testing and launch. Conduct a pilot launch with a limited group of users. Collect feedback and optimize the UX.
- Monitoring and optimization. Track the following indicators: conversion, bounces, fraud. Update your payment methods regularly (for example, add new BNPL services).
For comprehensive implementation, we recommend using proven payment gateways. For example, BillBlend specializes in integrating payment solutions for international businesses, including the high-risk sector.
Practical recommendations for businesses
For maximum efficiency and to minimise payment failures, we recommend following these principles:
- Analyse your target markets. Identify the top 3-5 most popular payment methods in each country where you operate.
- Use multi-processor systems. Platforms such as BillBlend support over 70 currencies and hundreds of payment methods, greatly simplifying integration.
- Optimise fees. Always compare rates: for example, European SCTs are cheaper than traditional cards, and Brazilian PIX is free.
- Localise payment pages. They should be in the user's native language and include local payment methods.
- Actively integrate APIs. Most modern processors provide ready-made solutions for popular CMS (Shopify, WooCommerce).
- Manage currency risks. Apply dynamic conversion rates or set fixed prices.
- Conduct A/B testing. Experiment with the order in which payment methods are displayed (for example, put QR codes first in China).
Conclusion
Global preferences in the choice of online payment methods are extremely diverse and depend on many factors, ranging from cultural traditions to the level of technological development. No single method can be called universal — what works perfectly in one region may not be suitable for another.
However, a proper understanding of these differences opens up enormous opportunities for business. Well-chosen payment solutions can significantly increase sales, reduce the number of refusals and win customer loyalty. Investments in studying regional trends and implementing flexible payment systems pay off many times over, turning potential barriers into real competitive advantages.
By following our recommendations and regularly monitoring global trends, your company will be able to confidently develop in any chosen market, while remaining attractive and reliable for your customers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the safest method of online payment?
The safest methods are digital wallets with biometric authentication (Apple Pay, Google Pay) and cards with 3D Secure. They use tokenisation and data encryption.
Why are QR payments so popular in China?
QR payments are integrated into everyday life through Alipay and WeChat Pay. They are instant, do not require cards, and are supported by the government and small businesses.
Why are different online payment methods popular in different countries?
This is due to a number of factors: the level of development of the banking infrastructure, the degree of trust in certain brands, legislative norms, cultural characteristics, and the availability of local payment solutions. For example, Alipay and WeChat Pay mobile wallets dominate in China, while direct bank transfers are common in Germany.
Is it legal to use foreign payment systems in my country?
The legislation of most countries allows the use of foreign payment systems, subject to compliance with local tax and currency regulations. It is recommended that you consult with a solicitor or tax advisor beforehand.
What should I do if the payment did not go through or the money was debited incorrectly?
Contact your bank or payment system immediately to block further transactions. Request transaction details and contact the seller’s support service for a refund. Keep all documentation for possible dispute of the transaction.
How do I choose the best payment method for my online store?
Analyse your target audience and delivery regions, then select the 3-5 most popular payment methods in those countries. Check the fees and integration with your CMS. Test the convenience of the checkout process and conduct A/B tests to evaluate conversion rates.
