What Are the Best Payment Solutions for UK Marketplace Platforms?

What Are the Best Payment Solutions for UK Marketplace Platforms?

The best payment solutions for UK marketplace platforms are Ryft, Stripe Connect, Adyen, Mangopay, and PayPal for Marketplaces. These providers offer split payment functionality, seller onboarding, and PSD2 compliance for UK and European markets.

Choosing payment infrastructure affects conversion rates, seller retention, and regulatory compliance. Generic payment gateways process single-party transactions whilst marketplace platforms require split payments, escrow functionality, and automated seller payouts. UK marketplace operators face additional regulatory requirements including FCA licensing, PSD2 Strong Customer Authentication, and KYC verification for multiple sellers.

This guide compares the five leading payment solutions purpose-built for marketplace and platform operations. You will understand key features, pricing structures, integration timelines, and which provider matches your marketplace size and growth stage.

Understanding Marketplace Payment Requirements

Marketplace payment processing differs fundamentally from standard ecommerce. Traditional online stores collect payment from buyers and receive funds into a single merchant account. Marketplaces distribute funds across multiple sellers whilst collecting platform commissions.

UK marketplace platforms require three core capabilities. Split payment functionality divides transactions amongst platform owners, sellers, and third parties automatically. Seller onboarding systems verify multiple merchant identities through KYC and AML checks. Escrow functionality holds funds until delivery confirmation or service completion.

PSD2 regulations mandate Strong Customer Authentication for UK and European payments. Marketplace operators must implement 3D Secure verification for card transactions above £30. FCA-licensed payment providers ensure compliance with Payment Services Regulations 2017.

Volume-based pricing delivers better economics than flat-rate processing. Marketplaces processing £100,000+ monthly benefit from interchange-plus pricing models. Platform commission structures require flexible fee splitting between buyers, sellers, and the marketplace operator.

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Top payment solutions for UK Marketplaces 2026

Ryft: Omnichannel payment platform built for UK marketplaces

Ryft provides purpose-built payment infrastructure for UK and European marketplace platforms. The platform offers automated split payments, rapid seller onboarding, and omnichannel processing for online and in-person transactions.

FCA licensing ensures full regulatory compliance for UK marketplace operations. Ryft's infrastructure supports PSD2 Strong Customer Authentication and automated KYC verification. UK-based support teams provide 24/7 assistance rather than outsourced customer service.

Volume-based pricing reduces processing costs compared to flat-rate models. The platform's pricing adjusts based on transaction volumes rather than charging fixed percentages.

Split payment functionality distributes funds to 50+ sellers per transaction automatically. Seller onboarding completes within 24 hours through streamlined KYC processes.

OrderTiger, a digital ordering platform, streamlined its payment operations by switching to Ryft's omnichannel solution.

Best suited for: UK and European marketplaces seeking FCA-licensed infrastructure with dedicated support and volume-based pricing.

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Stripe Connect: Developer-Friendly platform for global marketplaces

Stripe Connect powers international marketplace payments with extensive API documentation and developer tools. The platform supports 135+ currencies and processes payments across 46 countries.

Three integration patterns accommodate different marketplace structures. Express accounts provide rapid seller onboarding with Stripe-branded interfaces. Custom accounts offer white-label experiences where the platform controls the entire payment flow.

Pricing follows an interchange-plus model with 1.5% + 20p for UK card transactions plus additional fees for international payments. Platform fees add to standard processing costs. Integration requires technical development resources and engineering teams to build custom implementations.

Best suited for: International marketplaces with technical teams seeking maximum customisation and global payment coverage.

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Adyen: Enterprise payment infrastructure for large platforms

Adyen delivers payment processing for enterprise marketplaces operating across multiple regions. The platform powers eBay, Uber, Spotify, and Etsy with infrastructure designed for massive transaction volumes.

Regional payment method support includes 250+ local payment options across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Advanced fraud prevention tools use machine learning to identify suspicious transactions.

Adyen's enterprise focus requires significant technical resources for integration. Custom pricing requires sales negotiations without transparent published rates.

Best suited for: Large international marketplaces processing millions in monthly transactions with technical resources for implementation.

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Mangopay: European marketplace payment specialist

Mangopay focuses exclusively on marketplace and platform payments across European markets. The platform provides e-wallet functionality for buyers and sellers with built-in compliance for EU payment regulations.

E-wallet architecture creates digital accounts for each marketplace participant. Buyers load funds into wallets before purchasing whilst sellers receive payments into segregated accounts. European market specialisation ensures compliance with PSD2, GDPR, and local payment regulations.

Pricing uses a flat-rate model with 1.8% + €0.18 for card transactions plus wallet management fees. Implementation timelines range from two to six weeks depending on marketplace complexity.

Best suited for: European marketplaces prioritising e-wallet functionality and regional payment method coverage.

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PayPal for Marketplaces: Trusted brand for consumer platforms

PayPal for Marketplaces leverages global brand recognition to build buyer and seller trust. The platform processes payments in 200+ markets with 426 million active accounts worldwide.

Buyer Protection programmes increase conversion rates by providing purchase guarantees. Customers recognise PayPal branding which reduces checkout abandonment compared to unfamiliar payment providers.

Pricing includes 2.9% + 30p for UK transactions plus additional fees for international payments and currency conversion. The pricing structure exceeds volume-based alternatives for high-transaction platforms.

Best suited for: Consumer-focused marketplaces where PayPal brand recognition improves conversion rates despite higher processing costs.

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Best payment solutions comparison: features and pricing

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Choosing the right payment solution for your marketplace

Marketplace size determines appropriate payment infrastructure. Platforms processing under £50,000 monthly benefit from simple integration and transparent pricing. Mid-sized marketplaces between £50,000-£500,000 monthly require balance between features and costs. Enterprise platforms above £500,000 monthly justify custom implementations and dedicated support.

Geographic focus affects payment method requirements. UK-only marketplaces prioritise FCA licensing and GBP processing. European platforms need SEPA transfers and multi-currency support. Global marketplaces require 135+ currency coverage and regional payment methods.

Technical resources influence implementation complexity. Marketplaces with in-house development teams handle API integrations and custom workflows. Platforms without technical staff need pre-built solutions and responsive support teams.

Regulatory compliance becomes critical as platforms scale. FCA licensing ensures UK marketplace operators meet Payment Services Regulations 2017 requirements. PSD2 compliance automates Strong Customer Authentication without manual intervention. KYC verification systems onboard sellers whilst maintaining compliance standards.

Cost structure impacts long-term profitability. Flat-rate pricing provides predictability but higher costs at scale. Volume-based models reduce fees as transaction volumes increase. Calculate total costs including processing fees, platform charges, and integration expenses.

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Why choose Ryft as your Payment Service Provider 

Ryft is a leading Payment Services Provider (PSP) that specialises in marketplace payment solutions, ensuring full compliance and offering 24/7 support from humans. Using Ryft, businesses can accept payments anywhere, automate split payments, onboard sellers, set up delayed payments and recurring billing, earn commission from payment escrow, and much more.   

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