Get Started →UAE Payment Gateway Comparison · Paymennt vs Stripe
The world's most connected payment platform vs one built for the UAE
Stripe is the global standard for integrations and developer tools. In the UAE, local card rates, Arabic support, and a team that answers during your business hours matter more to most SMEs than a 135-country API.
Start Free Compare PlansStripe is the right choice for developer-led companies building complex, multi-country infrastructure, or businesses that need to plug into a wide ecosystem of international platforms and software — Stripe's integration library is unmatched globally.
Paymennt is the right choice for UAE-focused businesses that want a lower rate on local UAE card transactions, Arabic support, a UAE-based support team, and a platform designed for how UAE merchants operate — payment links across any channel, built-in online shop, and events. Both gateways can be integrated into Shopify; Paymennt also has a dedicated Shopify plugin with AED settlement and local support.
| Plan | Paymennt | Stripe UAE |
|---|---|---|
| Entry plan | ✓ AED 0/month (Basic) | ✓ No monthly fee |
| Local UAE card rate | 2.9% + AED 1 (Basic) / 2.6% + AED 1 (Standard) | 2.9% + AED 1 (as publicly listed) |
| International card rate | 2.6% + 1.5% surcharge (Standard) = 4.1% | 3.9% + AED 1 (as publicly listed) |
| Category rates | From 1.85% or below (Premium) | Not available — flat rate only |
| AED-native settlement | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
AED 3,600/year at AED 100K volume. More at higher volume, more with Premium MCC rates.
| Feature | Paymennt | Stripe UAE |
|---|---|---|
| Payment links (any channel) | ✓ All plans — no setup required | ✓ Yes — via Stripe Payment Links |
| Shopify integration | ✓ Dedicated no-code plugin, AED settlement | ✓ Works as third-party gateway on Shopify |
| Subscriptions / recurring | ✓ Premium + AED 50/month | ✓ Stripe Billing — no developer required |
| Third-party platform integrations | Key UAE platforms covered (Shopify, WooCommerce, API) | ✓ Stripe: broadest global integration library |
| Built-in online shop | ✓ All plans — no setup required | ⚠ Stripe-hosted page — limited customisation |
| Arabic language support | ✓ Yes | ✗ English only |
| UAE-based support team | ✓ Yes — reachable during UAE hours | ✗ International support only |
| Multi-currency | ✓ 10+ currencies (Standard & Premium) | ✓ 10+ currencies |
| PCI DSS Level 1 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Stripe has the broadest integration library of any payment gateway in the world. If your business runs on platforms like Squarespace, Wix, Kajabi, Teachable, or hundreds of other international tools — there is almost certainly a native Stripe integration. This is a real advantage for businesses operating across international platforms or building custom products.
For UAE SMEs operating primarily in the local market — a restaurant, academy, grocery, retail shop — the relevant integrations are Shopify, WooCommerce, and an API. Paymennt covers all three. The additional 130+ Stripe integrations are largely international platforms that aren't the primary sales channel for a UAE-focused business.
The rate on local UAE cards: Paymennt Standard (2.6%) is lower than Stripe's published UAE local rate (2.9%). At AED 100,000/month, that's approximately AED 300/month, AED 3,600/year. For international-heavy card mixes, verify directly at your own traffic breakdown — the comparison shifts.
The operational difference: Paymennt has a UAE-based team, Arabic support, and a mobile app where payment links, online shop, subscriptions, and events are managed without any developer involvement. Stripe's tooling is developer-first. Most Stripe workflows that Paymennt handles from a phone screen require code or a third-party add-on on Stripe.
UAE-specific MCC category rates — from 1.85% or below for education and grocery, from 2.39% for F&B — are not available on Stripe. Flat rate only.
Competitor pricing and feature information on this page is sourced from publicly available sources and was accurate at time of writing. Rates and product features change — always verify current pricing directly with each provider before making a decision. Paymennt pricing is accurate as listed on paymennt.com/pricing.
Global reach is great. Local service matters more.
UAE rates, Arabic support, and a team that answers in your timezone.
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