A payment gateway is a technology that enables businesses to accept online payments by securely processing credit card and digital wallet transactions. It acts as the bridge between the customer and the business, ensuring that funds are transferred securely and efficiently. In 2026, payment gateways are more essential than ever, as businesses in South Korea continue to expand their digital operations and cater to a tech-savvy, mobile-first consumer base.
The best payment gateway for South Korea in our rating is NOWPayments because of its seamless integration with cryptocurrencies, which are gaining popularity in the region. Additionally, it offers low transaction fees and supports a wide variety of payment methods, making it a versatile solution for businesses of all sizes. This global payment gateway caters to the growing demand for digital payment methods and provides secure payment options, which are increasingly important in South Korea’s payment market.
Choosing the right payment gateway matters significantly in 2026 for businesses in South Korea due to the country’s dynamic e-commerce landscape and the increasing demand for digital payment solutions. With South Korean consumers preferring quick, secure, and flexible payment methods, businesses must adapt to meet these needs. Moreover, as mobile payment solutions like Samsung Pay and Kakao Pay continue to dominate the market, businesses must ensure they provide popular local payment methods, as well as reliable payment options for cross-border transactions. A secure and efficient payment service allows businesses to stay competitive and offer a superior payment experience for South Koreans, which can lead to higher conversion rates and customer loyalty.
Here’s a list of payment gateways for South Korea:
- NOWPayments
- Konbini
- PayPay
- LINE Pay
- Toss
What We Considered When Choosing the Best Payment Gateway: Our Selection Criteria
Our goal was to create an unbiased comparison of each payment gateway based on features that truly matter for online and in-store businesses operating in South Korea. In 2026, the South Korean payment market is shaped by advanced digital payment technologies, high mobile usage, and strong demand for secure, efficient, and reliable payment solutions tailored to local and international business needs.
We focused on the following three criteria, which are especially critical within South Korea’s payment system and the broader Korean market:
- Supported Payment Methods: A top priority in the South Korean market, as businesses must support popular local payment methods such as Kakao Pay, Samsung Pay, Naver Pay, card payments, digital wallets, and other mobile payment options preferred by South Korean consumers.
- Transaction Speed: Instant and efficient payment processing is essential for delivering a smooth payment experience in South Korea’s fast-paced e-commerce and mobile payment landscape, where customers expect real-time online transactions and seamless payment transfers.
- Integration Tools: Strong integration tools are crucial for enabling businesses to quickly connect a payment gateway to their e-commerce platforms, mobile apps, and existing payment infrastructure, reducing setup time and ensuring compatibility with modern digital payment solutions.
The comparative table below summarizes how each gateway performs in these three decisive categories, which we will explore in detail for each provider.
| Payment Gateway | Supported Payment Methods | Transaction Speed | Integration Tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOWPayments | 300+ cryptocurrencies, 40+ fiat, debit cards, digital wallets | 3–5 minutes (crypto settlement) | API, Plugins (WooCommerce, ), Payment Links, POS |
| Konbini | Cash-based convenience store payments | Instant at store, 2–3 days for merchant settlement | PSP/API integration, no direct merchant API |
| PayPay | Mobile wallet, QR payments, debit/credit cards | Instant (~1–2 seconds) | APIs, SDKs for e-commerce, mobile apps |
| LINE Pay | Mobile wallet, debit/credit cards, QR payments | Instant | API/SDK for POS, in-app payments |
| Toss | Mobile wallet, debit/credit cards, bank transfers, QR payments | Instant | API, Hosted Checkout, SDKs |
NOWPayments as the best payment gateway in South Korea
NOWPayments is the best crypto payment gateway that allows businesses to accept a wide variety of cryptocurrencies, including over 350 crypto options, and more than 40 fiat currencies, such as KRW (South Korea’s currency). This payment service enables South Korean businesses to tap into the growing global payment network while offering secure and efficient payment options. NOWPayments stands out for its flexibility in supporting both traditional and digital payment methods, making it a top choice for merchants looking to accept international payments. Its seamless integration into e-commerce platforms makes NOWPayments a reliable payment provider for online transactions in South Korea’s rapidly evolving payment landscape.
Supported Payment Methods. NOWPayments supports over 350 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, and Litecoin, making it a top choice for businesses interested in accepting popular payment methods like crypto. In addition, NOWPayments offers support for 40+ fiat currencies, including South Korea’s KRW, allowing businesses to reach both local South Korean consumers and international customers. The platform also accepts debit card payments, ensuring a wide range of payment options for different customer preferences. By supporting a diverse set of payment methods, NOWPayments offers an efficient payment solution for online purchases and cross-border transactions.
Transaction Speed. NOWPayments provides instant payment processing for cryptocurrency transactions, typically settling payments within 3–5 minutes depending on the cryptocurrency’s blockchain. This quick processing time ensures that businesses can confirm and fulfill orders almost immediately, enhancing the overall payment experience. The platform’s ability to deliver fast transactions, paired with real-time payment notifications, ensures secure payment processing. This efficient payment solution is particularly valuable in South Korea’s payment system, where speed and reliability are essential for maintaining customer satisfaction in an increasingly digital economy.
Integration Tools. NOWPayments offers seamless integration tools, including a simple API, plugins for platforms like WooCommerce, and payment links that allow businesses to accept payments directly via embedded URL. The platform also supports POS (Point-of-Sale) integration, enabling brick-and-mortar stores to accept card payments and crypto payments efficiently. These tools make it easy for businesses in South Korea’s payment market to integrate NOWPayments into their existing e-commerce systems and physical stores. By offering flexible integration tools, NOWPayments ensures businesses can accept payments quickly, whether they are conducting online transactions or in-store purchases.
Konbini payment gateway in South Korea
Konbini is a unique payment gateway used primarily for cash-based transactions through convenience store voucher payments in South Korea. This service allows businesses to offer an alternative payment option for customers who prefer traditional methods over digital payments. It is especially popular for local South Korean merchants, as it provides an easy and familiar way for South Korean shoppers to complete their purchases. Konbini is part of a broader trend in South Korea’s payment landscape, where local payment methods remain essential for certain consumer groups.
Supported Payment Methods. Konbini is centered around voucher payments at South Korea’s convenience stores like 7-Eleven and FamilyMart, which makes it an ideal choice for offline payments. Customers use cash or prepaid options to purchase vouchers, which they can then redeem online. This is particularly attractive for South Korean consumers who may prefer not to use debit or credit cards for online purchases. By offering traditional payment methods, Konbini is a valuable addition for businesses targeting customers who favor cash-based transactions.
Transaction Speed. Konbini offers instant confirmation at the convenience store when a customer completes the payment, but the settlement to the merchant’s account typically takes 2–3 business days. This means that while the transaction is confirmed immediately at the store, there is a delay in funds being transferred to the merchant. For businesses that rely on real-time payment processing, this could be a downside compared to faster digital payment systems. However, Konbini’s speed at the point of sale is still a key benefit for offline transactions.
Integration Tools. Konbini requires merchants to use a third-party PSP (Payment Service Provider) for integration since Konbini doesn’t offer a direct API for businesses. These PSPs offer the necessary API integration for businesses to accept Konbini payments, making it a more complex setup for local payment methods. While this adds a layer of complexity, it still provides businesses with the opportunity to integrate Konbini as a payment option for customers in South Korea’s local markets. PSPs facilitate integration by supporting voucher payments alongside other payment options.
PayPay payment gateway in South Korea
PayPay is a leading mobile payment solution that allows businesses in South Korea’s payment market to accept QR code-based payments and mobile wallet transactions. It stands out for its instant payment processing and widespread adoption, particularly in South Korea’s tech-savvy communities. PayPay’s global reach makes it an appealing choice for businesses looking to engage both Korean consumers and international customers. By offering popular payment methods like QR codes and mobile wallets, PayPay helps merchants create a smoother payment experience for their customers.
Supported Payment Methods. PayPay supports mobile wallet payments, QR code transactions, and debit/credit cards, allowing merchants to offer a variety of payment options. It also integrates with popular mobile wallets such as Samsung Pay, Google Pay, and Apple Pay, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of mobile payment platforms. PayPay’s support for card payments and digital wallets makes it an attractive option for businesses looking to cater to South Korean shoppers. By offering multiple payment methods, PayPay enhances the convenience and flexibility of the checkout process for customers.
Transaction Speed. PayPay boasts instant payment processing, with transactions typically completed within 1-2 seconds. This instant payment solution ensures quick and efficient checkout for customers, providing businesses with a fast way to accept payments. PayPay’s real-time processing is ideal for online transactions as well as in-store purchases, making it a preferred solution for merchants who need rapid payment settlement. With high transaction throughput, PayPay maintains a secure payment system that handles large volumes of payments with ease.
Integration Tools. PayPay provides robust API and SDK integration tools for both e-commerce payment and mobile payment solutions. Merchants can integrate PayPay with e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce, or use it for in-app purchases. The gateway also offers QR code-based payments for physical store locations, enabling a versatile payment experience. PayPay’s developer tools make integration smooth for businesses operating in South Korea’s payment infrastructure.
LINE Pay payment gateway in South Korea
LINE Pay is a highly popular mobile payment system in South Korea, embedded within the LINE messaging app. It allows customers to pay using their LINE Pay wallet, QR codes, and linked debit/credit cards. LINE Pay stands out for its integration within a widely used social app, making it a convenient choice for South Korean consumers who are already familiar with the LINE ecosystem. By offering both mobile payments and online transactions, LINE Pay provides an efficient and flexible payment solution for businesses in South Korea.
Supported Payment Methods. LINE Pay supports debit and credit card payments, QR code transactions, and its own LINE Pay mobile wallet. It provides flexibility for customers by allowing them to use their preferred payment option, whether it be linked cards or the LINE Pay app itself. This diversity ensures that businesses in the South Korean market can reach a wide range of customers. LINE Pay’s integration with local payment methods makes it ideal for businesses that want to cater to Korean consumers.
Transaction Speed. LINE Pay offers instant payment processing, allowing businesses to receive payments within seconds of authorization. This fast transaction speed ensures minimal delays during checkout, which is essential for providing a positive payment experience. LINE Pay’s ability to handle real-time payments also makes it a top choice for e-commerce payment solutions. The system is designed to process a high volume of transactions quickly, making it suitable for both online and in-store purchases.
Integration Tools. LINE Pay offers API and SDKs for integrating payment solutions into e-commerce platforms, mobile apps, and POS systems. The platform supports QR code payments for both physical stores and online transactions, offering a seamless payment experience. Businesses can choose from hosted checkout pages or embedded checkout options to suit their needs. LINE Pay provides detailed developer documentation, making it easy for businesses to integrate its payment services quickly.
Toss payment gateway in South Korea
Toss is a major digital wallet in South Korea that allows businesses to accept mobile wallet payments, bank transfers, and QR code-based transactions. It is known for its real-time payment processing and a seamless user experience. With over 22 million registered users, Toss is one of South Korea’s top mobile payment platforms, offering businesses a chance to tap into a massive customer base. Toss stands out for its integration with South Korea’s banking system, making it a highly trusted and reliable payment service provider.
Supported Payment Methods. Toss supports bank transfers, mobile wallet payments, and QR code payments, providing South Korean businesses with a wide range of payment methods. The platform allows customers to link their debit/credit cards to the Toss app for easy mobile payments. It also supports prepaid cards and debit card payments, making it a versatile solution for businesses in the Korean market. By offering a variety of local payment methods, Toss ensures that businesses can cater to diverse consumer preferences.
Transaction Speed. Toss provides instant transaction processing, allowing businesses to receive payments in real-time. The platform ensures that payments are processed quickly, reducing any delays during the checkout process. This instant payment system is perfect for businesses that require rapid payment settlements. The speed of Toss’s processing also supports efficient and secure payment solutions for both online transactions and in-store payments.
Integration Tools. Toss offers robust API integrations for websites and mobile apps, allowing businesses to accept payments through Toss seamlessly. It also supports hosted checkout pages and embedded checkout options, making integration easy for merchants. The platform provides detailed SDKs and webhooks to support various payment infrastructures. Toss’s developer tools ensure smooth integration with South Korea’s payment system, making it ideal for local businesses.
Conclusion: Why NOWPayments is the Best Payment Gateway in South Korea
In this article, we have examined the key payment gateways for businesses in South Korea, including NOWPayments, Konbini, PayPay, LINE Pay, and Toss. Each of these gateways offers unique features tailored to specific business needs, but NOWPayments emerges as the best choice for businesses looking to stay ahead in South Korea’s payment market. NOWPayments stands out by supporting over 350 cryptocurrencies and 40+ fiat currencies, providing flexibility for businesses to accept a wide range of payment options. Its instant crypto payment processing and seamless integration tools, such as API and the WooCommerce plugin, make it an ideal choice for e-commerce businesses and physical stores alike.
With its robust global reach, low fees, and support for cross-border payments, NOWPayments is well-equipped to meet the demands of South Korean businesses as well as international merchants. The ability to offer multiple payment methods, from cryptocurrency to debit cards, ensures that businesses can cater to diverse customer preferences. Given its efficient payment process and advanced security features, NOWPayments is the optimal solution for forward-thinking businesses in South Korea looking to embrace the future of payments.