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7 best marketplace payment solutions for secure payouts in 2026

Last update:

February 3, 2026

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The UK’s digital economy now relies on fast, dependable payouts just as much as it depends on strong product catalogues or competitive pricing.

As marketplaces scale, they become financial systems in their own right, coordinating thousands of payments, reconciling multiple currencies and meeting rising expectations from sellers, regulators and buyers alike.

Momentum in digital trade continues to build. UK Finance reports that digital and remote payments accounted for over 80% of all UK transactions in 2024. This shift places additional pressure on payout operations to be accurate, transparent and compliant at every step. Any delay or unclear fee structure disrupts sellers, slows fulfilment and affects overall marketplace performance.This guide outlines the seven best marketplace payment solutions equipped to meet these demands in 2026.

Key requirements for secure marketplace payouts

When evaluating payout solutions, UK marketplace operators should keep several core requirements in mind:

1. FX transparency and fair pricing

Unclear FX markups are among the fastest ways to erode seller earnings. Operators need providers that publish clear, competitive rates.

Some solutions apply modest conversion fees, while others take two to four percent on every currency exchange. Transparent pricing builds trust and protects seller margins.

2. Strong compliance and verification

Compliance expectations in the UK have grown sharply. The FCA’s latest enforcement data shows it revoked authorisation for more than 1,400 firms and issued fines totalling over £186 million in its 2024–25 cycle.

This signals a stricter regulatory environment in which marketplaces must rely on partners that support robust KYC, KYB and AML processes.

A reliable payout solution should automate verification, continuously monitor activity and comply with PCI-DSS standards. FCA-authorised providers or partners add an extra layer of assurance by operating under established UK regulatory frameworks.

3. Efficient seller onboarding and payout routing

Marketplaces grow by bringing sellers on quickly, so onboarding has to be fast and well-structured.

Modern payout platforms support this with API-based onboarding, white-label portals and automated split-payment flows that route commissions and seller earnings in a single step. Manual work for finance teams drops significantly and sellers start trading sooner.

4. Clear payout visibility and control

Operators and sellers need clarity around payment status. Real-time dashboards, notifications and exportable reports help finance teams reconcile transactions and give sellers confidence that their funds are moving as expected.

The more transparent the process, the easier it is to maintain trust across a growing seller base.

7 best marketplace payment solutions in 2026

The seven best marketplace payment solutions outlined below, along with the comparison table, highlight the providers that deliver fast, secure and cost-efficient payouts in 2026:

Provider	Currency accounts	Local receiving details	FX fees	Account fees	Payout / transfer tools
WorldFirst World Account	20+	USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, JPY, HKD, SGD and more	Typically under 0.75%	Free	Fast local payouts, marketplace connections, multi-currency balances
PayPal Commerce Platform	100+ currencies	PayPal wallet + Hyperwallet bank details	Variable, often higher for cross-border	Free for account; transaction fees apply	PayPal wallet, bank payouts, split payments
Stripe Connect	135+ supported currencies	Local details in supported regions	Varies by currency and region	No monthly fee; per-transaction charges	API payouts to bank accounts and cards, flexible routing
Checkout.com	150+ transaction currencies	Local acquiring in key regions	Market-based FX	Custom pricing	Unified pay-in/pay-out, split payments, detailed reporting
Adyen for Platforms	Multi-currency balance accounts	Local acquiring and payout rails	Market-based FX	Custom pricing	Balance accounts, split payments, Faster Payments, SEPA, ACH
Wise Business	40+	Local details in major currencies (GBP, EUR, USD, AUD, NZD)	Mid-market + small fee	One-off ~£45	Batch payouts, API transfers, low-cost FX
Payoneer	Multi-currency accounts	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD	Up to ~3.5% FX	Annual fee waived above earnings threshold	Mass payouts, bank transfers, Payoneer wallet, prepaid cards

1. WorldFirst World Account

WorldFirst is a UK-founded international business payments specialist (now part of Ant Group) offering the World Account, a multi-currency account designed for global e-commerce sellers. WorldFirst supports over one million customers worldwide and connects directly to more than 120 online marketplaces.

For UK marketplace operators and sellers, WorldFirst provides an efficient way to collect sales proceeds in foreign markets and repatriate or redistribute funds with minimal cost.

Key features:

Multi-currency accounts: Open local receiving accounts in 20+ currencies (GBP, EUR, USD, CAD, JPY, AUD, HKD and more) with one online application. This lets a UK business receive payments from marketplaces in those currencies as if they had a local bank account in each region
Extensive marketplace network: WorldFirst connects with 130+ marketplaces and 30+ payment gateways globally. These include Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, Etsy, Shopify, TikTok Shop and many others, meaning sellers can receive marketplace payouts directly into their WorldFirst account
Fast, fee-free local payouts: Using local banking networks, incoming payments reach your account in minutes or hours, not days. WorldFirst charges no fee to receive funds and no monthly account fees. You can then transfer GBP out to your UK bank or use the funds for other payments
Competitive FX rates: WorldFirst’s currency conversion rates are very competitive, with no hidden margins. The World Account reduces typical cross-border transfer costs (FX + fees) from 2–3% to under 0.75%. This transparent FX pricing protects your profits from excessive bank or marketplace conversion fees
Compliance and support: WorldFirst is FCA-authorised and holds client funds in segregated accounts with major banks for added security. The platform manages all required KYC checks and has a strong fraud-prevention record. Seller onboarding is fast, with accounts typically ready in under twenty-four hours and support is available in your local time zone via email or chat

Best for:

WorldFirst is best for UK and global sellers that earn in multiple currencies and want to manage those funds in one place without opening foreign bank accounts.

It fits businesses that frequently move money internationally, collect revenue, hold balances, convert currencies when needed and pay suppliers, while keeping costs low and cash flow simple.

Case study:

Wild & Stone, a sustainable homeware brand from Kent, used WorldFirst to simplify its international finances as sales expanded across Amazon marketplaces.

Co-founder Andrew Dowley explained, “I came from a business prior to Wild & Stone where we’d been using WorldFirst, so WorldFirst was my go-to option for international currencies, paying and receiving.”

By collecting Amazon revenue in local currencies and paying overseas suppliers the same way, Wild & Stone reduced conversion costs and gained clearer control over margins as it scaled internationally.

2. PayPal Commerce Platform

PayPal is one of the most familiar names in online payments and the PayPal Commerce Platform brings that recognition to marketplace operators. In the UK, it gives platforms a straightforward way to accept buyer payments, onboard sellers and send payouts globally under PayPal’s regulated umbrella.

The solution combines PayPal’s checkout tools with Hyperwallet’s payout rails, enabling marketplaces to handle both pay-ins and payouts in one place.

Key features:

Global reach and multi-currency: Support for 200+ markets and 100+ currencies allows marketplaces to sell and pay out across borders while letting sellers hold or convert balances in their PayPal account
Marketplace tools via Hyperwallet: APIs and UI components cover seller onboarding, KYC, split payments and multi-method payouts, including PayPal wallet, bank transfer and card, where available
Built-in protections and risk controls: Buyer and seller protection programmes, chargeback handling and fraud monitoring reduce operational overhead for marketplace teams
Flexible integration options: Smaller platforms can start with hosted checkout and simple components, while larger operators can embed PayPal and Hyperwallet more deeply through REST APIs and webhooks

Best for:

PayPal Commerce Platform suits marketplaces that want a familiar payment brand at checkout, fast access to a global network of buyers and sellers and out-of-the-box payout infrastructure without building their own risk and compliance stack.

3. Stripe Connect

Stripe Connect is Stripe’s solution for platforms and marketplaces that want to control the full payment flow in code. It lets UK operators accept payments from buyers, create seller accounts and programmatically route funds, all on top of Stripe’s core payments infrastructure.

Connect is widely used by technology-led platforms that value flexibility and want a deeply integrated, branded payment experience.

Key features:

Full-funnel payment APIs: One API stack to onboard sellers as Connected Accounts, accept customer payments and move funds between the platform and sellers
Multi-currency and local methods: Support for 135+ currencies and a wide range of local payment options, including cards and wallets, bank debits and local acquiring in major markets
Compliance and onboarding tools: Hosted onboarding flows, KYC/KYB checks and PCI-DSS-compliant processing help platforms meet regulatory requirements without building their own infrastructure
Advanced payout controls: Configurable payout schedules, instant payouts to eligible debit cards in select markets and the ability to hold balances until specific conditions apply

Best for:

Stripe Connect is a strong fit for marketplaces with in-house engineering teams that want fine-grained control over onboarding, checkout and payouts.

4. Checkout.com

Checkout.com is a London-headquartered payment provider focused on performance, local acquiring and modern APIs. Its marketplace offering (Integrated Platforms) combines card acquiring, alternative payment methods and payout capabilities under a single platform.

For UK marketplaces, it brings the benefit of a local partner with strong coverage across Europe, the Middle East and beyond.

Key features:

Unified pay-in and pay-out stack: Accept cards, wallets and bank payments in 150+ currencies, then split and route funds to sellers in their local currency
Seller account management: APIs to create and verify seller entities, set up funding rules and manage balances from a central dashboard
Performance and acceptance optimisation: Tools like Intelligent Acceptance and local acquiring in key markets help increase authorisation rates and reduce false declines
Detailed reporting and reconciliation: Real-time dashboards and exportable reports support finance teams with settlement, fees and FX transparency

Best for:

Checkout.com is suited to mid-size and enterprise marketplaces that prioritise payment performance, want direct acquiring relationships and need a partner to help optimise complex multi-country payment flows.

5. Adyen for Platforms

Adyen is a Dutch payments company known for its single unified platform. Adyen for Platforms is its marketplace/payment facilitator offering that allows platforms to manage pay-ins and payouts seamlessly.

Adyen brings to the table a global banking and acquiring network, robust risk management and the ability to handle high transaction volumes.

Key features:

Unified commerce platform: Support for online, in-app and point-of-sale transactions, all feeding into balance accounts that hold seller funds until payout
Balance accounts and split payments: Seller balance accounts act as ledgers for incoming and outgoing funds, enabling flexible split payments, delayed settlement and escrow-style flows
Integrated KYC and compliance: Automated onboarding, identity checks and transaction monitoring managed by Adyen’s regulated infrastructure
Global acquiring and local payouts: Local card acquiring and payout capabilities across many regions, including Faster Payments in the UK, SEPA in Europe and ACH in the US

Best for:

Adyen for Platforms is best suited to high-volume or enterprise marketplaces that need global reach, direct access to card schemes and a partner capable of handling complex, regulated flows across many regions.

6. Wise Business

Wise Business focuses on affordable, transparent cross-border transfers rather than complete marketplace processing.

It offers multi-currency accounts and batch payment tools that allow UK businesses to send and receive funds internationally at close to the mid-market rate.

Key features:

Multi-currency account: Hold and manage balances in 40+ currencies and receive funds in major currencies like GBP, EUR and USD with local account details
Batch and API payouts: Bulk payment tools and APIs to send up to hundreds or thousands of payouts in one go to bank accounts worldwide
Low, transparent FX fees: Conversion uses the real mid-market rate with a small, visible fee, often materially lower than those of traditional banks or consumer wallets
Simple interface and accounting links: A user-friendly dashboard and integrations with tools such as Xero and QuickBooks support finance workflows

Best for:

Wise Business works well for marketplaces and platforms that already have a way to collect customer payments but need an efficient, low-cost method to pay out international sellers and suppliers in multiple currencies.

7. Payoneer

Payoneer built its reputation as a payout partner for global marketplaces and freelancer platforms. It provides multi-currency receiving accounts for sellers and a mass payout platform for operators.

Many international sellers already use Payoneer, making it a natural choice for marketplaces looking to tap into a broad, global seller base.

Key features:

Global payout coverage: Pay out to 190+ countries and territories in 150+ currencies via bank transfer, Payoneer account balances and, in some cases, prepaid cards
Receiving accounts for sellers: Sellers receive local account details in major currencies so they can collect funds from multiple marketplaces and platforms into one Payoneer wallet
Mass payout infrastructure: Marketplaces fund a single Payoneer account, then use APIs or portals to distribute payments at scale, with Payoneer handling the last mile
Value-added services: Working capital offers, tax tools and multilingual support teams that deal directly with sellers on payout questions

Best for:

Payoneer is ideal for marketplaces with a globally distributed seller base, particularly in regions where banking access varies and operators want a specialist partner to handle seller accounts, compliance and multi-method payouts.

For more Payoneer alternatives, see our complete comparison guide.

Why WorldFirst stands out among the best marketplace payment solutions in 2026

2026 is a year of even greater global e-commerce connectivity. UK marketplaces must equip themselves with payment solutions that are fast, secure, transparent and tailored for multi-party platforms.

WorldFirst emerges as a compelling choice for UK marketplaces focused on international growth. It effectively addresses international business payments, FX transparency, compliance, onboarding and visibility:

Clear and competitive FX: Transparent margins typically below 0.5% help sellers keep more of their earnings. WorldFirst supports holding 20+ currencies, allowing payouts in the same currency a seller earns, avoiding double conversions
Strong compliance and safeguarding: FCA regulation, safeguarded client funds in major UK banks and a long-established fraud-prevention record give marketplaces confidence that payouts are secure and compliant
Fast seller onboarding: Accounts are usually ready within twenty-four hours. Familiarity with WorldFirst across global e-commerce means many sellers can link their local currency details quickly, reducing friction at setup
Complete payout visibility: Sellers can track incoming payments, view multi-currency balances and manage conversions in one portal. Clear notifications and time-zone-aligned support reduce payout queries for marketplace teams
Built for scale: With over one million customers and a long track record in cross-border e-commerce, WorldFirst supports high-volume, multi-market expansion and offers integration options that grow with the platform

WorldFirst allows a UK marketplace to offer sellers a “borderless” payments experience under your payout program. Sellers get paid faster, often in hours rather than days, at competitive rates and with greater control over their currency.

There is also a strategic advantage: the right payout partner makes it easier to attract and retain global sellers.

Sellers in the US might be hesitant to sell on a UK site if they worry about repatriating earnings. By enabling easy, low-friction cross-border payouts through a trusted provider such as WorldFirst, marketplaces remove much of that concern and make it easier for international sellers to join.

Open a WorldFirst account to support your marketplace payment solutions with faster, more transparent international payouts.

Power your global growth with one account

Get local currency accounts, fast payments and competitive FX – all in one place.

Sources:

How long do wire transfers take in the UK?

Shawn Ma leads business development at WorldFirst UK, with a deep expertise in fintech, risk management and cross-border commerce.

Shawn Ma

Author

Head of Business Development, WorldFirst UK

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