German customers are rather more conservative when they are shopping online. Germany offers lots of different payment methods: online payment services, credit/debit cards, direct debits, prepaid cards, and more. If we take a closer look into which ones are doing better in popularity, we can see that online payment services are dominating as of right now.
Online payment services refer to digital platforms and systems that facilitate electronic transactions over the Internet. These services enable individuals and businesses to make payments, transfer funds, and conduct financial transactions without the need for physical cash or checks. They are getting more and more popular among the new generations.
If we look at the survey, only 38% of Germans make payments by debit card, much less than online payment services, which are used by some 68% of German consumers.
But for being a company, it is best to invest in getting as many payment options as possible, as if they do so, the likelihood of customers converting increases, and so does the platform for growth in the market.
In the aforementioned survey, we can look at the top three. In the ranking of most common online payments by type in Germany as of June 2023, the podium is occupied by:
- online payment services – 68%
- Invoices – 54%
- direct debits – 48%
Why are they so popular in Germany?
Due to their convenience and efficiency. Germans value secure and reliable financial transactions, and these methods offer just that. They streamline payments, reduce the need for physical cash, and align with the nation’s preference for efficient and secure digital transactions.
We’ve gathered the most significant payment providers in the German Market. Keep on reading to get familiar with them and choose the best ones for your online store.
Stripe is an online payment processing platform that facilitates electronic transactions for businesses. It includes tools that allow companies to integrate payment functionality into their websites and apps. It is known for its user-friendly interface. It allows businesses to accept a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets.
Alviere Hive is a comprehensive embedded finance platform designed for enterprises. It enables seamless integration of financial products and services into existing offerings through proprietary technology and partner integrations. The platform offers modularity, scalability, proprietary security features, and integrated capabilities. It provides a range of financial products, including accounts, payments, branded cards, global money transfers, and more, with a shared revenue model and white-label solutions.
Adyen empowers businesses to accept payments securely and efficiently, enhancing revenue while reducing complexity. It offers a wide range of payment methods tailored to customers’ preferences, from credit cards and bank transfers to digital wallets and mobile payments. Adyen leverages cutting-edge technology and data insights to optimize revenue and manage risk, making it a versatile choice for businesses looking to streamline their online payment processes.
PayPal is an online payment system that enables global money transfers and transactions. Users can link their bank accounts, credit cards, or debit cards to their PayPal account, and even maintain a balance within the platform. It offers a secure and convenient way to make purchases, send money, and manage finances. With PayPal, you can shop online without repeatedly entering card details, split bills, send money worldwide, access credit options, and even explore cryptocurrency.
Google Pay is a secure digital payment platform offered by Google that allows users to make online and in-store payments, send money to others and store their payment information for quick and convenient transactions. It offers features like tap-to-pay, autofill for card details, and built-in security measures to protect users’ financial information. Google Pay is designed to offer a convenient and safe way to manage payments across various devices and platforms.
Worldline is a global payment service provider offering a range of payment solutions for both merchants and financial institutions. They help businesses of all sizes accept payments in-store and online, facilitate cross-border transactions, and deliver services like issuing and acquiring. With a presence in over 170 countries, Worldline is a major player in the payments industry, processing billions of transactions annually. They also offer consulting services and solutions to help businesses adapt to evolving consumer behaviors and regulations in the rapidly changing financial landscape.
Checkout.com is a global digital payment platform that offers a comprehensive range of solutions for businesses. It provides a flexible and modular platform, allowing businesses to choose the products they need. It offers online payment processing, subscription payments, mobile payments, payouts, authentication, issuing, fraud detection, and more. It focuses on continuous innovation, easy integration, and global coverage with access to multiple currencies.
Mollie is a payment provider specifically tailored to the needs of small and mid-sized online retailers in the retail sector. Mollie offers customized solutions for online and POS payments, as well as financing options for SMEs including local support. With a growing customer base of 210,000 merchants across Europe, Mollie stands as a important provider in the industry.
Paytm is India’s leading payment app offering a wide range of financial services. It has a Paytm Wallet for easy in-store and online payments, UPI money transfers, and credit services like Paytm Postpaid. Additionally, Paytm offers credit cards, banking services, investment options, insurance, and personal loans. It caters to businesses with payment solutions, in-shop payments, and business tools.
GoCardless to usługa płatności online, która upraszcza pobieranie płatności dla firm. Oferuje możliwość pobierania jednorazowych lub zautomatyzowanych płatności cyklicznych bezpośrednio z rachunków bankowych klientów, zmniejszając potrzebę ścigania opóźnionych płatności. GoCardless jest używany przez różnorodne firmy, od małych przedsiębiorstw po większe korporacje na całym świecie. Ponadto obsługuje płatności międzynarodowe i inteligentnie ponawia nieudane płatności.
Worldpay, now a part of FIS, offers solutions to streamline online payments and checkout experiences, reducing cart abandonment and boosting sales. They enable businesses to accept various payment methods globally, ensuring customers can pay conveniently and securely. Worldpay also addresses multicurrency barriers and fraud prevention.
BlueSnap is a Global Payment Platform that simplifies international payments. It offers comprehensive payment solutions for over 200 regions, with customization options. BlueSnap enhances authorization rates, accepts 100+ currencies and payment types, ensures compliance with global regulations, and provides expert guidance for businesses seeking efficient payment processing.
Authorize.net is a payment gateway service that enables businesses to accept various forms of payments, including credit cards, eChecks, and mobile payments. It allows for online, in-person, and mobile payment processing, making it convenient for businesses and customers alike. With 24/7 support and tools for managing recurring billing, it offers a comprehensive solution for payment processing needs.
Klarna is a payment service that allows shoppers to buy items online at their favorite stores, check out with Klarna, and enjoy the flexibility to pay later. Klarna offers exclusive deals, rewards, and a store directory for a wide range of products. It also includes a browser extension and a mobile app for convenient shopping and payment management. Klarna aims to make the shopping experience smooth by offering flexible options for payment.
Skrill is an online payment platform that offers secure and convenient ways to pay online, transfer money globally in multiple currencies, and withdraw funds hassle-free. Users can make online payments without revealing their bank account or credit card details, ensuring privacy and security. It is accepted by leading gaming sites, offers VIP benefits, and is accessible via a mobile app for easy money management.
Cybersource is a global payment solutions provider that offers a secure and flexible platform for accepting payments across 160+ countries and territories. It specializes in advanced fraud detection, payment security, and payment acceptance services. Cybersource caters to businesses and developers with APIs and tools for seamless integration, making it a trusted partner for over 480,000 customers, powering secure transactions exceeding $691 billion annually.
Paymill is an online payment gateway solution that connects merchants with banks to facilitate secure and efficient online transactions. It authorizes and transfers customer payment information to Internet Merchant Accounts, reporting back the transaction results. PAYMILL ensures security with PCI DSS Compliance, 3-D Secure, and encryption. It offers easy integration, detailed reporting, support, global expansion, and transparent pricing, making it a valuable choice for businesses looking to provide secure and convenient online payment options.
Amazon Pay is an online payment solution offered by Amazon that enables businesses to accept payments from customers using their Amazon accounts. It facilitates a secure and convenient way for customers to make purchases on various websites and platforms by using their Amazon credentials. This service aims to enhance shopper engagement, increase brand visibility, and improve the checkout experience for both customers and businesses.
Blockonomics is a user-friendly platform that enables online merchants to accept Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash payments on their e-commerce stores. It offers a seamless checkout experience, doesn’t require KYC/documentation, and supports various e-commerce platforms. It has assisted over 10,000 businesses in embracing cryptocurrency payments since 2015, making it a trusted choice for Bitcoin transactions in the e-commerce sector.
Spreedly is a Payment platform that connects businesses to the global payments ecosystem through its API. It allows companies to integrate multiple payment services and creates a robust enterprise-grade payment infrastructure. Spreedly’s platform securely stores payment methods, streamlines transactions, and provides valuable cross-industry insights to optimize payments.
Payoneer is a global payment platform that offers businesses the capability to conduct cross-border transactions, pay suppliers, and receive payments in various currencies. With support for over 70 currencies in more than 190 countries and available in 22 languages, Payoneer simplifies global financial operations and compliance with local regulations.
You might also want to check out the following payment providers:
As you can see, there are a lot of payment businesses that operate in Germany. While choosing the best options, consider your target group and its preference, as well as the security and liability of a given system.
Offer your customers at least a few payment methods and make the checking out process smooth and mobile-friendly to increase customer experience.
