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Opayo Review, Comprehensive Guide to UK’s Leading Payment Gateway
Discover key insights about Opayo’s payment solutions to see if it fits your business needs. Explore features, pricing, benefits, and how Opayo helps you save time and money in this concise review.
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Introduction to Opayo
Opayo stands out as one of the United Kingdom’s most established and regulated payment gateway providers, serving thousands of businesses with secure payment processing across online, in-store, and telephone channels. Operating under its new name after transitioning from Sage Pay, this platform has built a solid reputation through robust security infrastructure, reliable payment processing, and comprehensive integration capabilities with diverse ecommerce platforms and point-of-sale systems.
Whether businesses require streamlined payment workflows, recurring payment management, or PCI compliance solutions, Opayo delivers a complete ecosystem designed to scale with enterprises of all sizes. Merchants can be ready to accept payments quickly thanks to Opayo’s straightforward onboarding and expert support.
The platform's approach centres on comprehensive data protection and advanced fraud prevention, with fully PCI compliant systems that appeal particularly to UK businesses prioritising security and operational reliability. Supporting diverse payment methods including card processing, subscription billing, and mail order telephone order (MOTO) capabilities, Opayo enables merchants to accept payments seamlessly across all customer touchpoints—from online storefronts to mobile devices and physical retail locations. As the evolved brand of Sage Pay, it maintains the same operational standards while helping businesses optimise transaction costs, reduce processing fees, and build customer confidence through secure, dependable payment experiences.
What Opayo Offers
Opayo delivers secure online payment gateway services for UK businesses, with online payments as a core offering. The platform supports payments online, in-store, and over the phone, and also supports card machines for in-store payment processing, making it a versatile solution for various merchant needs. The system handles transactions through PCI compliant processing, with all transactions protected by advanced security features, and integrates seamlessly with popular ecommerce platforms including Magento, Shopify, and WooCommerce.
Key Features of Opayo
Opayo is a trusted payment gateway designed to meet the diverse needs of UK businesses by providing secure, reliable, and flexible payment solutions. Whether you operate online, in-store, or via telephone orders, Opayo offers a comprehensive suite of features to streamline your payment processing, enhance security, and improve customer experience.
- Recurring Payments and Subscription Billing: Manage flexible billing cycles and subscription plans with ease, catering to customers’ ongoing payment needs.
- Advanced Fraud Prevention Tools: Benefit from velocity checks, IP blocking, 3D Secure authentication, and tokenisation to protect against fraudulent transactions.
- Mobile Compatibility: Accept payments on the go with mobile-friendly interfaces and apps optimized for smartphones and tablets.
- Integration with Ecommerce and POS Platforms: Seamlessly connect Opayo with popular platforms like Magento, Shopify, WooCommerce, and various point-of-sale systems.
- Hosted Payment Pages and Flexible API: Use customisable hosted payment pages or build tailored payment solutions via Opayo’s robust API.
- Fast Settlement and Next Day Payments: Improve cash flow with quick fund settlements, including options for next day payments.
- Comprehensive Partner Network: Access additional support and integration options through Opayo’s extensive network of technology partners and resellers.
- Virtual Terminal and Mail Order Telephone Order (MOTO): Process secure card-not-present transactions easily for telephone and mail orders.
With these features, Opayo empowers UK businesses to accept payments securely and efficiently across multiple channels, backed by strong fraud protection and dedicated support. Whether you’re a small retailer or a growing enterprise, Opayo provides the tools and reliability needed to optimise your payment process and enhance customer satisfaction.
Pros and Cons
When choosing a payment gateway like Opayo, it’s important to weigh both the advantages and disadvantages to determine if it aligns with your business needs. Below, we provide a clear overview of the key pros and cons of Opayo, helping you make an informed decision about whether this UK-based payment solution is the right fit for your payment processing requirements.
Advantages
- Trusted UK brand with a long-standing industry presence
- Fully PCI compliant with strong payment security measures
- Comprehensive fraud prevention tools including 3D Secure and tokenisation
- Supports multiple payment channels: online, in-store, and telephone orders (MOTO)
- Seamless integration with popular ecommerce platforms like Magento, Shopify, and WooCommerce
- Fast settlement options including next day payments to improve cash flow
- Robust virtual terminal for secure card-not-present transactions
- Extensive partner network offering additional support and integrations
- Dedicated UK-based customer support available in multiple languages
- Flexible recurring payments and subscription billing management
Disadvantages
- Setup and onboarding process can be longer and more complex compared to aggregators
- Less flexible for rapid scaling startups or global-first digital businesses
- Requires more technical knowledge for API integration and customization
- Contract terms typically range from 12 to 36 months, which may limit flexibility
- Not ideal for businesses primarily focused on international payments
- Some businesses may find pricing less transparent without direct negotiation
- Limited number of hosted payment page customisation options compared to competitors
- May not offer as many alternative payment methods as some newer providers
- Early termination fees and notice periods apply in most contracts
- Less developer-friendly compared to platforms like Stripe
Pricing Overview
Opayo uses competitive and transparent pricing based on payment volume and transaction types. The provider offers pricing calculators to help estimate costs for different payment scenarios, making it easier for businesses to understand card fees and optimise their payment processing expenses.
Who Should Choose Opayo?
Opayo works best for UK businesses of all sizes that need versatile, reliable payment processing. The platform benefits merchants requiring online, phone, and in-store payment options, particularly those using Magento or Shopify platforms and businesses that value strong security features and fraud protection.
Industry Use Cases
The platform works effectively for ecommerce retailers, hospitality businesses processing phone orders, professional services requiring subscription billing, and any merchant needing secure virtual terminal capabilities for mail order and telephone payments.
Alternatives to Opayo
There are several other popular UK payment providers worth considering if you're exploring options beyond Opayo. Each offers unique features and benefits to suit different business needs.
Leading Alternatives to Opayo
Stripe
Known for its developer-friendly API and global reach, Stripe excels in providing flexible online payment solutions and supports a wide range of payment methods. It is ideal for businesses seeking rapid scalability and international expansion.
Worldpay
A long-established payment provider in the UK, WorldPay offers comprehensive payment services including in-store, online, and telephone payments. It is well suited for businesses requiring robust multi-channel payment processing and extensive support.
Square
Square is popular for its ease of use and integrated point-of-sale solutions, making it a great choice for small to medium-sized retailers and hospitality businesses looking for straightforward hardware and software payment setups.
These alternatives provide a range of options depending on your business size, sector, and payment processing preferences. Comparing features, fees, and support can help you choose the best solution for your payment needs.
Integration and Technical Setup
Merchants connect Opayo to their website, POS systems, or apps through straightforward account setup requiring basic company information, including the completion of an application form as part of the process. The platform provides secure application forms ensuring PCI compliance and regulatory requirements are met; once the form is submitted, the account undergoes verification and approval, with customer support available throughout the process.
Fraud Prevention and Security
Opayo places exceptional emphasis on fraud prevention, providing a comprehensive suite of security tools designed to maintain payment integrity and protect both merchants and their customers. As a fully PCI DSS Level 1 compliant payment gateway, Opayo ensures that every transaction is processed in strict accordance with industry standards.
Businesses benefit from sophisticated fraud screening capabilities, including velocity checks, IP blocking, 3D Secure authentication, and tokenisation. These tools work seamlessly across Opayo’s integrated payment gateway and virtual terminal infrastructure, giving merchants confidence that transactions are thoroughly protected.
Customer Reviews and Reputation
Opayo maintains a solid reputation among UK merchants for reliable payment processing and strong security measures, with positive feedback on ease of integration and customer support quality. Its UK-based support team is praised for responsiveness and expertise, available in multiple languages to assist diverse businesses.
Merchant Agreements and Contract Terms
Opayo offers transparent merchant agreements with clear pricing and terms. Contracts typically last between 12 to 36 months, with provisions for early termination subject to notice periods and potential fees. Understanding these agreements helps businesses plan their payment strategies and avoid unexpected costs.
How Independent Merchant Services Supports UK Businesses with Payment Gateway Selection
At IMS, we serve as an independent adviser to UK businesses seeking the right payment gateway by offering:
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FAQs about Opayo
Here are 10 common questions and answers about Opayo
Opayo is a United Kingdom-based payment service provider that offers secure online, in-store, and telephone payment processing solutions for businesses of all sizes.
Account setup typically takes a few business days after submitting the required business and banking information, subject to verification and compliance checks.
Yes, Opayo is fully PCI DSS Level 1 compliant, ensuring that all card payments are processed securely according to industry standards.
Yes, Opayo supports seamless integration with platforms such as Magento, Shopify, and WooCommerce, allowing easy setup for online stores.
Yes, Opayo offers tools to manage recurring billing and subscription payments with customisable intervals and payment plans.
Opayo includes advanced fraud prevention features such as velocity checks, IP blocking, 3D Secure authentication, and tokenisation to protect merchants and customers.
Yes, Opayo provides a virtual terminal that enables merchants to securely process mail order and telephone order (MOTO) payments.
Opayo supports major card schemes including Visa, Mastercard, and others, allowing businesses to accept a wide range of card payments.
Settlement times vary depending on the merchant agreement, but Opayo offers options for next day payments to improve cash flow.
Yes, Opayo provides dedicated UK-based customer support to assist with account setup, technical integration, and ongoing payment processing needs.
Contact Us for Expert Advice
Consider requesting guidance to compare Opayo with other UK payment providers to ensure you select the best solution for your specific merchant requirements. For tailored advice and expert insights, explore our free payment gateway comparison service today. Let us help you find the most cost-effective and reliable payment gateway that fits your business needs, start your comparison now and make confident payment decisions with ease.
Roger Milne Founder and CEO of Independent Merchant Services, has helped UK businesses access better payment gateways and lower transaction costs since 2012 through transparent advice and exclusive provider rates.
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