Man choosing between payment methods as he makes a purchase online

Online Payment Methods: A Comprehensive Guide

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Payment Methods Comparison

Payment Method Description Supports Recurring Payments? Supports Disputes? Payment Confirmation
Debit and credit cards Most widely used payment method, accepted globally. Yes
Yes (chargebacks)
Immediate
Digital wallets Stores payment details for quick, secure checkouts. No No Immediate
Bank transfers Direct account-to-account transfers, common for high-value transactions. No No Delayed
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Allows customers to split purchases into installments. No Yes (depending on provider) Immediate
Cryptocurrency Decentralized payment option with lower fees. No No Immediate
Prepaid cards Preloaded cards for controlled spending without a bank account. No Yes (depending on the issuer) Immediate
Mobile payments Peer-to-peer and mobile-first payment apps. No No Immediate
Autopay (recurring payments) Automatically charges customers on a set schedule. Yes No Immediate
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Online payment methods FAQs

Some platforms let businesses accept payments without setup fees, but most charge a processing fee per transaction. Fees vary by provider and payment method‌ — ‌credit cards typically charge around 2-3%, while bank transfers may have lower costs.

Many alternatives exist, including digital wallets, prepaid cards, BNPL services, and direct bank transfers. These options provide flexibility for customers who prefer not to use credit cards or don’t have access to traditional banking.

The most common payment methods include credit and debit cards, digital wallets, and bank transfers. However, regional and generational preferences vary, with mobile payments and BNPL services gaining traction in many markets.