Colombia’s payment ecosystem has changed rapidly, shaped by the expansion of e-commerce, the rise of mobile wallets, and a wave of regulatory updates. In 2024, the Colombian government accelerated its push for instant, digital payments by launching a Pix-inspired model, while open banking initiatives have encouraged a new generation of fintech solutions (Statista, 2024). For Colombian businesses, selecting the right payment gateways in Colombia means weighing security, compliance, and local preferences as never before.

This guide breaks down the leading platforms—both local and international—to help you navigate your options and make informed decisions.

For a broader overview of international payment trends, see The Ultimate Guide to International Payments for Colombian Businesses.

Mural Pay: Stablecoin-Powered Global Payments for Colombian Businesses

Mural Pay’s stablecoin payments infrastructure for the Americas enables Colombian businesses to send and receive funds instantly across 170+ countries. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in New York, Mural Pay was launched by fintech veterans Juan David Palacio and Sophia Chen. The platform stands out by combining instant, low-cost cross-border payments Colombia with full compliance and multi-currency support, including both fiat and digital currencies.

A notable case involved an Argentine virtual assistant agency, which achieved a 70% reduction in payout and reconciliation time through Mural Pay’s batch payment and reconciliation tools. Security is paramount: Mural Pay offers full KYB/KYC compliance, multi-factor authentication, and an end-to-end audit trail.

Mural Pay also guarantees payment delivery, eliminating risks of bounce-backs or lost wires for Colombian recipients. Its API-first approach means quick integration with existing financial and accounting stacks, making it a front-runner among secure payment gateways Colombia.

Learn more about automating bulk payouts in Colombia with Mural Pay’s API.

Mercado Pago: Colombia’s Leading Payment Gateway

Mercado Pago is the most popular payment gateway in Colombia, holding a 44.8% market share and a commanding position in online payments as of 2024 (WMTips, 2024). The platform offers smooth integration for e-commerce merchants, supporting card payments, bank transfers, and local cash-in methods like Efecty and Baloto.

For Colombian businesses, the merchant fee is 3.49% + COP 900 per transaction as of 2024 (Mercado Pago Colombia, 2024).

A recent example includes Grupo Éxito, a leading Colombian retailer, which expanded its online sales by integrating Mercado Pago to facilitate debit/credit card and bank transfer payments during high-traffic events like Cyberlunes.

For more on integrating major gateways, see E-commerce Payment Integration in Colombia.

PayU: Flexible International Payments and Subscriptions

PayU remains one of the most versatile Colombian payment processors, offering local and cross-border support for over 50 payment methods, including credit cards, PSE transfers, and cash. Its single API integration allows businesses to manage recurring billing, multi-currency transactions, and fraud protection—critical for recurring billing solutions Colombia.

PayU’s global reach is highlighted by its access to 300+ payment methods in over 50 markets, including 18 local payment ecosystems across Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (PayU Global, 2024).

For guidance on integrating payment APIs, see How to Integrate a Payment API for Colombian Businesses: Step-by-Step.

Wompi by Bancolombia: Local Integration and User Experience

Wompi, powered by Bancolombia, is a favorite among Colombian merchants seeking local payment processors Colombia. The platform’s user-friendly plugins for WooCommerce, Shopify, and other platforms facilitate quick onboarding and real-time payment confirmation.

Because Wompi is owned by Bancolombia, payments are backed by a trusted local bank, and merchants can settle directly in Colombian Pesos. As of 2024, Wompi charges a 2.79% + COP 900 per transaction for card payments (Wompi Fees, 2024).

A 2024 case saw Colombian fashion brand LiliPink scale its online revenue after switching to Wompi, citing improved checkout conversion rates and integration with local banks.

For more on compliance and local payment regulations, see Colombian Cross-Border Payment Compliance: A Complete Guide.

PlacetoPay: Enhanced Security and Fraud Prevention

PlacetoPay is best known for its security, PCI DSS compliance, and advanced anti-fraud module—making it a top choice among secure payment gateways Colombia. The company’s online transaction verification tools are trusted by major Colombian e-commerce businesses, including Avianca and Grupo Nutresa (PlacetoPay, 2024).

PlacetoPay’s commitment to security is further demonstrated by its regular security audits and real-time monitoring, using machine learning algorithms and a dedicated anti-fraud module to spot and prevent suspicious activity in real time.

For best practices in fraud prevention, see API-First Payments in Colombia: What Every Fintech Needs to Know.

ePayco: Scalable Solutions for Growing Businesses

ePayco offers an all-in-one digital payment platforms Colombia solution, supporting cards, PSE, cash, and mobile payments. As of 2024, ePayco charges a 2.99% + COP 700 fee per card transaction (ePayco Fees, 2024). Colombian SaaS provider Siigo integrated ePayco last year, enabling instant online payments for thousands of SMEs and reducing payment collection time significantly.

ePayco’s rapid scaling was enabled through technology partnerships and ongoing investment in platform security, which have made it a preferred choice for growing Colombian businesses. ePayco’s talent partnerships have also contributed to its rapid expansion and reliability.

For more on scaling payment operations, see Building a Fintech in Colombia: Lessons from Real API Integrations.

PayPal: International Reach for Colombian Merchants

PayPal remains a global standard for cross-border transactions, with a 2024 Colombian merchant fee of 4.4% + USD 0.30 per transaction (PayPal Fees, 2024). However, local integration can be limited—fund withdrawals often require a Bancolombia account or third-party service, and settlement occurs in USD, not COP.

The Bancolombia-PayPal alliance facilitates direct USD withdrawals to Colombian bank accounts, making PayPal more accessible than it once was. Colombian merchants should be aware that PayPal is best suited for international clients, as local payment method support and direct COP settlement are currently limited.

To understand how to collect USD payments without a US entity, see How to Collect USD Payments in Colombia Without a US Entity.

Stripe: Modern API and Global Expansion

Stripe’s API-driven model supports 135+ currencies and payment methods, appealing to tech-savvy Colombian businesses aiming for international reach. In 2024, Stripe announced expanded support for onboarding Colombian merchants directly, with settlement in USD or EUR (Stripe Colombia Announcement, 2024). Agua Bendita, a leading Colombian fashion brand, now processes 70% of its payments via Stripe, with over 80% of sales outside Colombia.

Stripe’s developer tools and transparent pricing have made it popular among startups and established brands seeking a flexible, scalable payment solution. Stripe also offers code-free integration tools for businesses with limited technical resources.

For more on API-first payment solutions, see API-First Payments in Colombia: What Every Fintech Needs to Know.

BitPay, CoinGate, and Crypto Payment Options

Are there payment gateways in Colombia that accept cryptocurrency? As of 2024, adoption remains limited but is growing among e-commerce and freelance sectors. BitPay and CoinGate provide crypto payment processing to Colombian merchants, but regulatory caution persists—Colombia’s financial regulators require strict AML/KYC controls for crypto-related businesses (Superfinanciera, 2024). Nequi partnered with Bitso to pilot crypto wallets, but mainstream adoption is still in early stages.

Several Colombian fintechs are testing stablecoin payment integrations, reflecting growing interest in digital asset solutions. Colombian businesses considering crypto payments should stay updated on regulatory changes, as compliance requirements and market acceptance continue to develop.

For more on stablecoin-to-fiat integration, see Best Practices for Stablecoin-to-Fiat API Integration in Colombia.

Addi & RappiPay: BNPL and Digital Wallets Transforming Consumer Payments

The rise of buy now pay later Colombia and digital wallets is reshaping consumer payments. Addi, Colombia’s leading BNPL provider, surpassed 1.5 million active users in 2024 and recently closed a $100M funding round (Addi Press Release, 2024). RappiPay, meanwhile, has issued over 200,000 credit cards and grown to more than 1 million wallet users, making it a top digital wallet for everyday spending (RappiPay Colombia, 2024).

These platforms are driving financial inclusion and providing flexible payment options for both consumers and merchants.

By focusing on underbanked Colombians, both companies help more people access digital finance tools for the first time.

For more on digital wallets and payment trends, see Managing FX Risk for Colombian Businesses: Practical Strategies.

Choosing the Right Payment Gateway: Key Considerations for 2025

Selecting the best payment solutions involves weighing several factors: security and PCI DSS compliance, ease of integration with your platform, support for local and international payment methods, and alignment with consumer preferences. Leading gateways now offer advanced fraud prevention, compliance, and API access for customizing workflows.

For a compliance checklist, see Checklist: Is Your Colombian Business Ready for Global Payments?.

Frequently Asked Questions About Payment Gateways in Colombia

What fees should I expect?
Most gateways charge between 2.79%–4.4% per transaction, plus a fixed fee in COP or USD. Check each provider’s site for updated details.

How do I integrate a gateway with my e-commerce platform?
Most leading gateways, such as PayU, Wompi, and ePayco, offer plugins for Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento, as well as RESTful APIs for custom builds.

Can I accept PayPal or crypto payments?
PayPal is supported by some international gateways, but withdrawal and settlement options may be limited. Crypto payments are possible via BitPay or CoinGate, but adoption is still emerging.

Do gateways offer recurring billing?
Yes, PayU and ePayco support subscription and recurring billing models, ideal for SaaS and membership businesses.

What are the most popular payment methods among Colombian consumers?
Credit/debit cards, PSE bank transfers, and cash-based services like Efecty and Baloto remain widely used.

For more in-depth answers, visit our Glossary.

References

• Mercado Pago Colombia. (2024). Tarifas y comisiones. https://www.mercadopago.com.co/ayuda/costos-comisiones_220

• Wompi Colombia. (2024). Precios. https://wompi.co/colombia/precios

• ePayco. (2024). Tarifas. https://epayco.co/tarifas

• WMTips. (2024). Payment technologies market share Colombia. https://www.wmtips.com/technologies/payments/country/co/?utm_source=openai

• Statista. (2024). Digital payments landscape in Colombia. https://www.statista.com/topics/12122/digital-payments-landscape-in-colombia/?utm_source=openai

• Addi. (2024). Press release on funding and user base. https://www.addi.com/press