A payment gateway is a technology that enables businesses to accept online payments by securely transmitting transaction data between a merchant’s website, a customer’s chosen payment method, and an acquiring bank, which ensures that every transaction is validated before funds move. It functions as the digital equivalent of a physical point-of-sale terminal, encrypting sensitive financial information and authorizing transfers in real time so that neither merchants nor customers expose raw payment details. Modern gateways also handle currency conversion, fraud screening, recurring billing, and reconciliation, which makes them indispensable for any company that wants to sell goods or services efficiently over the internet.
The best payment gateway in Hungary in our rating is NOWPayments because it combines broad crypto acceptance with SEPA fiat settlement that reaches Hungarian corporate accounts within one to three business days. Hungarian merchants increasingly serve international clients, and NOWPayments allows them to invoice in euros or stablecoins while avoiding the chargebacks and rolling reserves that are common in traditional card processing. Pricing stays highly competitive, with single-currency crypto deposits starting at 0.5% and volume partners able to push rates as low as 0.3%, which is well below most conventional payment processors.
Selecting the right payment gateway for Hungary is important in 2026 because local e-commerce is projected to exceed three and a half billion dollars, which intensifies competition for frictionless checkout experiences. Consumers expect HUF pricing, instant transfers, mobile wallets, and transparent fees, while merchants must comply with PSD2, GDPR, and local tax reporting rules. The wrong payment processor can inflate costs through hidden FX markups, delay settlements, or omit local payment methods that customers actually use.
Here’s a list of payment gateways in Hungary:
- NOWPayments
- Stripe
- SimplePay
- Revolut Business
- PayU
What We Considered When Choosing the Best Payment Gateway: Our Selection Criteria
Our comparison focuses on what Hungarian companies need for domestic and cross-border transactions. The three criteria below shaped every assessment:
- Fee Structure & Transparency: Predictable pricing preserves margins.
- Geo-Specific Suitability: Local currency and Hungarian payment methods determine fit.
- Integration & Developer Experience: APIs and plugins let merchants launch quickly.
The table below summarizes gateway scores:
| Payment Gateway | Fee Structure & Transparency | Geo-Specific Suitability | Integration & Developer Experience |
| NOWPayments | 0.5% single-currency crypto; 1% auto-conversion; volume discounts to 0.3% | SEPA EUR withdrawals to Hungarian banks; 350+ cryptocurrencies; 30+ stablecoins | WooCommerce, WHMCS plugins; POS; Payment Buttons & Widgets; REST API; Node.js |
| Stripe | 1.5% + 85 Ft for EEA consumer cards; 3.25% + 85 Ft for international cards; no monthly fee | HUF pricing; Apple Pay, Google Pay, Klarna, SEPA Direct Debit; no native AFR support | Industry-leading REST API; hosted Checkout; Payment Element; extensive webhooks |
| SimplePay | ~0.9–1.6% + HUF 30–50 for online cards; volume tiers down to ~0.7%; no monthly online fee | MNB-licensed; native qvik AFR instant transfer; OTP same-day settlement; NAV invoice integration | WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento, Unas, Shoprenter, Számlázz.hu, Billingo plugins |
| Revolut Business | Ft 3,800/month Basic plan; EEA cards 1% + 80 Ft; non-EEA cards 2.8% + 80 Ft | HUF business account; Revolut Pay; Pay by Bank; 35+ currencies; next-day settlement | REST API; hosted checkout; payment links; Shopify, WooCommerce, Xero, QuickBooks integrations |
| PayU | Custom negotiated pricing; typical CEE card range 1.2–2.0%; no public Hungarian rate card | HUF, EUR, USD settlement; CEE multi-market coverage; Klarna BNPL in Hungary | REST API; hosted checkout; drop-in components; plugins; dedicated CEE account managers |
NOWPayments
NOWPayments is the best crypto payment gateway, allowing Hungarian merchants to accept over 350 digital currencies and 30+ stablecoins through a single integration, while also accessing fiat on-ramps, off-ramps, mass payouts, and custody within the broader NOW ecosystem. As a crypto payment provider, it connects businesses to ChangeNOW’s instant exchange infrastructure and ChangeNOW PRO’s wallet ecosystem, enabling automatic conversion, zero-fee email payouts, and multi-asset treasury management. Hungarian sellers can display prices in 40+ fiat options, settle incoming crypto into euros or stablecoins, and withdraw to a local bank account via SEPA within one to three business days.
Supported assets. NOWPayments focuses on stablecoin settlement, with USDT and USDC as the primary rails across multiple major blockchains. This stablecoin-first approach removes volatility risk while preserving the speed and global reach of crypto settlement. The platform also supports a broad range of digital assets, but the emphasis for business clients is on predictable, dollar-pegged treasury flows and seamless conversion options. Fiat settlement is available through integrated conversion partners, giving Romanian merchants flexibility to hold crypto or convert to traditional currencies as needed.
| Asset Category | Details |
| Stablecoins | USDT, USDC, and 30+ fiat-pegged stablecoins across major chains |
| Primary Chains | Ethereum, Tron, BNB Chain, Solana, Polygon, and more |
| Other Cryptocurrencies | BTC, ETH, LTC, XRP, SOL, ADA, BNB, DOGE, and 350+ others |
| Fiat Currencies | RON, USD, EUR, GBP, and 15+ fiat display currencies |
| Fiat Settlement | Available through integrated conversion partners |
| Coverage | Global, including EU and Romania |
Fees. NOWPayments charges 0.5% for single-currency crypto and 1% for auto-conversion. High-volume partners can reach 0.3%, with no setup or monthly fees. Mass payouts to ChangeNOW PRO wallets carry zero network fees and zero service fees, delivering funds to any email address in under one second. Traditional on-chain mass payouts pass through network costs, while custody swaps cost 0.5%.
| Fee Type | Rate |
| Single-currency crypto | 0.5% |
| Auto-conversion | 1% |
| Volume/verified rate | From 0.3% |
| Mass payouts to ChangeNOW PRO | $0 network + $0 service fees |
| Traditional on-chain mass payouts | Network fees apply |
| Custody swaps | 0.5% |
| Monthly or setup fees | None |
Speed. Most crypto transactions confirm within three minutes, and stablecoins often finalize in under sixty seconds. Confirmed funds appear immediately, avoiding multi-day card delays. Mass payouts to ChangeNOW PRO wallets arrive in under one second with no blockchain confirmation wait. SEPA fiat withdrawals complete within one to three business days.
| Step | Timing |
| Crypto confirmation | ~5 minutes; stablecoins often under 60 seconds |
| Stablecoin payout (USDT BEP20) | ~26 seconds |
| Crypto settlement | Immediate after confirmation |
| ChangeNOW PRO mass payouts | Under 1 second |
| SEPA fiat withdrawal | 1–3 business days |
Stripe
Stripe provides payment infrastructure for businesses of every size. In Hungary, it offers HUF pricing, local card processing, and a developer-first approach popular among SaaS companies. The platform combines cards, wallets, subscriptions, invoicing, and fraud prevention. Although Stripe lacks native AFR support, its international coverage and robust API make it a strong payment processor.
Supported assets. Stripe lets merchants settle in HUF and 135+ currencies, including HUF, EUR, or USD. Methods include major card schemes, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Klarna. This breadth serves domestic and international buyers without separate regional providers. Businesses needing Qvik or AFR instant transfers will require an additional Hungary payment gateway integration.
| Asset Category | Details |
| Currencies | 135+ presentment currencies; settlement in HUF, EUR, and USD |
| Cards | Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Maestro |
| Wallets | Apple Pay, Google Pay, Revolut Pay |
| Other methods | SEPA Direct Debit, Klarna |
Fees. Stripe charges 1.5% + 85HUF for EEA consumer cards and up to 3.25% + 85HUF internationally. Currency conversion adds 2% when currencies differ. In-person terminal transactions cost 1.4% + 20HUF, and instant payouts carry 1%. There is no monthly platform fee.
| Transaction Type | Fee |
| EEA consumer cards online | 1.5% + 85 HUF |
| Premium EEA cards | 1.9% + 85 HUF |
| UK cards | 2.5% + 85 HUF |
| International cards | 3.25% + 85 HUF |
| Currency conversion | +2% |
Speed. Stripe’s first Hungarian payout arrives about seven days after the first transaction, with later payouts around three business days. Instant Payouts move funds to an eligible debit card in about thirty minutes for a 1% surcharge. Recurring revenue follows the same schedule as one-time charges. This timeline supports cash-flow planning, though slower than crypto or Revolut transfers.
| Payout Type | Timing |
| First payout | ~7 calendar days |
| Standard payouts | ~3 business days |
| Instant Payouts | ~30 minutes |
| Recurring billing | Same schedule as one-time charges |
SimplePay
SimplePay is an online payment gateway operated by OTP Mobil and dominates Hungarian e-commerce card transactions. It offers native Qvik instant payments, QR codes, and direct settlement to OTP accounts. Merchants value its MNB license, built-in NAV Online Számla integration, and local support. For businesses focused on Hungary, SimplePay is the most locally trusted online processing option.
Supported assets. SimplePay processes HUF, EUR, and USD transactions across Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, and Amex. It enables quick instant bank transfers through AFR, letting shoppers pay directly from Hungarian banking apps. Payment links, QR codes, and saved wallets extend checkout across mobile and desktop. These features make SimplePay the most geo-specific solution reviewed here.
| Asset Category | Details |
| Currencies | HUF, EUR, USD |
| Cards | Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Amex |
| Local instant transfer | Qvick / AFR |
| Checkout options | Payment links, QR codes, saved wallets |
Fees. Online card payments typically cost 0.9–1.6 % + HUF 30–50. Volume rates fall near 0.7–1.1%. POS transactions range from 0.59% to 0.99%, with terminal fees often waived above HUF 300,000 turnover. A one-time connection fee applies, but the gateway has no monthly subscription.
| Transaction Type | Fee |
| Online cards | 0.9–1.6% + HUF 30–50 |
| High-volume online cards | From ~0.7–1.1% |
| POS / SoftPOS | 0.59–0.99% |
Speed. SimplePay offers daily, weekly, or monthly settlements, with same-day transfers to OTP and next-day transfers to other Hungarian banks. Qwik payments settle almost immediately after customer authorization. Card transactions follow standard scheme timelines but remain competitive locally. This rapid settlement improves liquidity compared with many alternatives for international payment gateways.
| Settlement Type | Timing |
| OTP bank account | Same day |
| Other Hungarian banks | Next day |
| qvik instant transfer | Almost immediate |
| Card transactions | Standard scheme timelines |
Revolut Business
Revolut Business combines a multi-currency business account with built-in payment acceptance. Hungarian companies can open HUF accounts, accept cards, and hold more than 35 currencies. The service appeals to existing Revolut users and businesses with significant EEA card volume. Next-day settlement, including weekends and holidays, gives it a cash-flow advantage over traditional providers.
Supported assets. Revolut Business supports HUF, EUR, USD, GBP, and more than 30 additional currencies from one account. Accepted methods include major card schemes, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Revolut Pay, and pay-by-bank transfers. This range covers most Hungarian consumer preferences and adds modern wallet options. Multi-currency holding reduces FX conversion frequency and protects cross-border margins.
| Asset Category | Details |
| Currencies | HUF, EUR, USD, GBP, 30+ others |
| Cards | Visa, Mastercard, Amex |
| Wallets | Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Revolut Pay |
| Other methods | Pay by Bank open-banking transfers |
Fees. Payment acceptance requires a paid plan starting at Ft 3,800 per month. EEA consumer cards cost 1% + 80HUF, and non-EEA cards cost 2.8% + 80HUF. Revolut Pay and Pay by Bank cost 1% + 80HUF. In-person payments start at 0.8% + 10 HUF, while excess FX incurs 0.6%.
| Plan | Fee |
| Basic plan | HUF 3,800/month |
| EEA consumer cards online | 1% + HUF 80 |
| AmEx online | 1.7% + HUF 80 |
| Non-EEA cards online | 2.8% + HUF 80 |
| Pay by Bank | 1% + HUF 80, capped at €5 |
Speed. Card and open-banking funds settle the next day, including weekends and public holidays. Internal Revolut transfers occur instantly, simplifying payments between partners. External Hungarian bank withdrawals follow standard SEPA or SWIFT timelines. This cadence attracts merchants who prioritize rapid access to working capital.
| Settlement Type | Timing |
| Card and open-banking funds | Next day, including weekends |
| Internal Revolut transfers | Instant |
| External bank withdrawals | Standard SEPA/SWIFT timelines |
| Working capital access | Faster than most traditional providers |
PayU
PayU is a CEE-focused provider with a strong presence in Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the Czech Republic. It offers a unified gateway for cards, wallets, bank transfers, and BNPL services. Hungarian merchants benefit from local account management, HUF settlement, and multi-market expansion. PayU suits larger businesses or those planning CEE cross-border growth.
Supported assets. PayU supports HUF, EUR, USD, PLN, RON, and other regional currencies. Methods include major card schemes, digital wallets, Klarna, and bank transfers. Local account managers understand regional regulations, tax reporting, and consumer preferences. Settlement typically occurs within one to three business days depending on method and risk.
| Asset Category | Details |
| Currencies | HUF, EUR, USD, PLN, RON, CZK, TRY |
| Cards | Visa, Mastercard |
| Wallets | Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| Other methods | Klarna, bank transfers |
| Support | Dedicated CEE account managers |
Fees. PayU does not publish a Hungarian rate card, so pricing is negotiated individually. Comparable CEE card agreements often fall between 1.2% and 2.0%, but exact quotes require direct contact. Setup and monthly fees vary by contract, and smaller merchants may face an initial transaction limit. Klarna BNPL and alternative methods are priced separately.
| Fee Component | Typical Range |
| Card acquiring | Custom; CEE reference 1.2–2.0% |
| Setup fee | Varies by contract |
| Monthly fee | Varies by contract |
| Klarna BNPL | Priced separately |
Speed. Card settlements usually complete within one to three business days for CEE merchants. Bank transfer and wallet transactions follow similar timelines after customer authorization. Account managers help optimize payout schedules for high-volume merchants. PayU provides predictable timing across multiple regional markets.
| Settlement Type | Timing |
| Card settlements | 1–3 business days |
| Bank transfers | Similar timeline |
| High-volume optimization | Available through dedicated account managers |
| Multi-market timing | Predictable settlement schedules across CEE markets |
Conclusion
We have analyzed the main online payment gateways available to Hungarian businesses in 2026, such as NOWPayments, Stripe, SimplePay, Revolut Business, and PayU. Each provider serves a distinct use case, from local e-commerce to multi-currency banking and CEE expansion. SimplePay leads for domestic merchants, Stripe excels for international SaaS, Revolut Business attracts companies in its ecosystem, and PayU suits larger merchants expanding across Central and Eastern Europe.
For Hungarian businesses, NOWPayments emerges as the best option because it combines the features of a cryptocurrency payment gateway with fiat settlement through SEPA. Its ability to accept crypto payments, convert them into stablecoins or euros, and withdraw to a Hungarian bank account bridges digital assets and traditional finance. The service also shows customers how to pay with crypto, while merchants gain a crypto processor.