• Posted On: April 11, 2025
• Posted By: admin

The Rise of Digital Payments in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern market is experiencing a rapid shift towards cashless transactions, driven by the growth of e-commerce, fintech innovations, and mobile-first consumers in regions like Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Businesses in app development and web development are integrating secure and efficient payment gateways to meet the increasing demand for seamless digital payments.

With governments pushing for financial digitization—such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s cashless economy initiatives—the adoption of mobile wallets, contactless payments, and online transactions is at an all-time high. Businesses offering messaging app development in Saudi Arabia and high-end retail app development in Saudi Arabia must ensure that their payment systems are fast, secure, and user-friendly.

As we step into 2025, choosing the best payment gateway for mobile and web apps is crucial for businesses looking to thrive in this evolving digital landscape. In this guide, we’ll explore the top payment gateways that offer security, scalability, and seamless user experience in the Middle East.

Top Payment Gateways for Mobile & Web Apps in 2025

1. PayTabs – Best for Local & International Transactions

• Supports SAR, AED, USD, and 160+ currencies.
• Works with all major e-commerce platforms and mobile apps.
• Shariah-compliant, PCI DSS-certified.

2. HyperPay – Best for High-Volume Transactions

• Leading MENA processor active in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt.
• Supports Mada, STC Pay, Apple Pay, and credit cards.
• AI-driven fraud protection and analytics.

3. Telr – Best for Startups & SMEs

• Low-cost gateway with regional payment support (Mada, KNET, Fawry).
• Risk and fraud monitoring built-in.
• One-click checkout for seamless UX.

4. Checkout.com – Best for Global Expansion

• Accepts 150+ currencies with seamless mobile API.
• Powerful chargeback management tools.
• Optimized for both web and mobile payments.

5. Moyasar – Best for Saudi Arabian Market

• Tailored for KSA with support for Mada, STC Pay, and local cards.
• Simple API integration with mobile/web platforms.
• SAMA-compliant with detailed reporting tools.

6. Stripe – Best for Developers & Custom Projects

• Developer-friendly API for flexible integration.
• Apple Pay, Google Pay, BNPL supported.
• Excellent fraud and data protection tools.

7. 2Checkout (Verifone) – Best for Subscription Models

• Handles recurring billing, PayPal, local cards.
• Great for SaaS and content-based digital platforms.
• Detailed financial reports.

8. Amazon Payment Services (PayFort) – Best for Enterprises

• Backed by Amazon with enterprise-grade reliability.
• Localized for Mada, Meeza, KNET.
• Strong fraud detection using machine learning.

9. Tap Payments – Best for Regional Startups

• Based in Kuwait, fully integrated with KSA, UAE, Bahrain.
• Supports Mada, KNET, Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay.
• Comprehensive suite: Tap Pay, Tap Bill, Tap Checkout.

10. PayPal – Best for Global Customers

• Recognized globally and highly trusted.
• High fees, but ideal for international sales.
• Works with most e-commerce platforms.

11. Google Pay – Best for Android Ecosystem

• Contactless payments through Android apps.
• Available in UAE (limited in KSA).
• Tokenization for security.

12. Apple Pay – Best for iOS Ecosystem

• Widely used in KSA and UAE with support from major banks.
• Highly secure with Face/Touch ID.
• Perfect for premium product sales.

13. Network International – Best for GCC Integration

• Leading acquiring bank in UAE and wider GCC.
• Full support for local and international cards.
• Offers merchant services and payment solutions.

14. Fawry – Best for Egypt-Based Transactions

• Huge user base in Egypt.
• Supports utility payments, eCommerce, and digital goods.
• Good for businesses expanding into North Africa.

15. Payoneer – Best for Freelancers & International Payments

• Supports global bank transfers and client payouts.
• Great for SaaS, marketplaces, and cross-border businesses.
• High trust and USD/EUR support.

Comparison Table: Top 15 Payment Gateways for Middle East & GCC

Payment Gateway	Local Support (Mada, KNET, etc.)	Global Reach	Mobile App Friendly	Ideal For	Security/Compliance
PayTabs	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	E-commerce, High-End Retail in KSA	PCI DSS, Shariah-Compliant
HyperPay	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Messaging Apps, High-Traffic Sites	PCI DSS, AI-Driven Fraud Tools
Telr	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Budget Apps & SMEs	Risk Monitoring, PCI DSS
Checkout.com	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Global Expansion, Multinational Apps	Chargeback Tools, Secure APIs
Moyasar	✅ Yes (KSA)	❌ Limited	✅ Yes	KSA-Based Web & App Projects	SAMA-Compliant
Stripe	✅ Limited	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Developer-Heavy Projects, BNPL Models	AI Fraud Detection
2Checkout (Verifone)	✅ Limited	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	SaaS, Subscriptions, Digital Products	Recurring Billing, PCI DSS
Amazon Pay Services	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Enterprise E-commerce, Marketplaces	ML Security, PCI DSS
Tap Payments	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	MENA Startups, App-Based Payments	Local Gateway Compliance
PayPal	❌ No (No Mada/KNET)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Freelancers, Intl. eCommerce	Trusted Globally, High Fees
Google Pay	❌ Limited	✅ Yes	✅ Android Only	Android Apps, UAE Users	Tokenization
Apple Pay	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ iOS Only	Premium iOS Users, Retail Businesses	Biometric, Bank-Backed
Network International	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	GCC Enterprises, Regional Payment Services	PCI DSS, EMV, 3DS Secure
Fawry	✅ Egypt Only	❌ Limited	✅ Yes	Egyptian Users, Utilities, Retail	Central Bank Licensed (Egypt)
Payoneer	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Freelancers, SaaS, International Freelance Payouts	GDPR Compliant, Secure Transfers

How Payment Gateways Integrate with Apps & Web Development?

Integrating a payment gateway into your mobile app or website is essential for enabling secure, fast, and seamless transactions. Whether you’re developing a messaging app in Saudi Arabia, a high-end retail app in Dubai, or an e-commerce platform, choosing the right integration method can impact your user experience, security, and overall business success.

Here’s how payment gateways integrate with app development and web development in the Middle Eastern market.

1. API Integration – The Most Flexible Approach

Best for: Custom-built mobile apps and websites requiring full control over transactions.

How it works:

• Developers use payment gateway APIs (e.g., PayTabs, Stripe, HyperPay) to connect the payment processor with the app.
• API calls handle payment authorization, processing, refunds, and transaction tracking.
• Offers a fully customizable checkout experience.

🔹 Example: A high-end retail app in Saudi Arabia can integrate an API-based gateway to offer one-click checkout, BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later), and multi-currency support.

2. Hosted Payment Gateways – Easiest to Set Up

Best for: Small businesses, startups, and fast-growing web platforms that need a quick solution.

How it works:

• Customers are redirected to a secure external payment page (e.g., PayPal, Telr, Amazon Payment Services).
• The gateway handles all payment security & compliance.
• Once payment is completed, users are redirected back to the app/website.

🔹 Pros:

No compliance headaches – The provider handles PCI DSS security.

Faster integration – No need for complex backend coding.

🔹 Cons:

Less control over UI/UX – Users leave the app for payments.

Can impact conversion rates if the external page is slow or unoptimized.

🔹 Example: A messaging app development in Saudi Arabia can use Telr’s hosted payment solution to quickly accept payments for in-app purchases.

3. Embedded Payment SDKs – Best for Mobile App Development

Best for: Native iOS & Android apps needing a smooth in-app payment experience.

How it works:

• Developers integrate an SDK (Software Development Kit) provided by the gateway (e.g., Stripe SDK, PayTabs SDK, Checkout.com SDK).
• Payments happen directly within the app, without redirection.
• SDKs handle encryption, tokenization, and fraud protection.

🔹 Pros:

Smooth user experience – Payments happen without leaving the app.

Secure & PCI-compliant – Built-in fraud detection and encryption.

🔹 Cons:

Requires more development effort compared to hosted gateways.

Limited customization options depending on the SDK.

🔹 Example: A food delivery app in Dubai can integrate Stripe’s SDK to enable one-click payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay.

4. Plugins for E-Commerce & CMS Platforms

Best for: Web development projects using WooCommerce, Magento, Shopify, or WordPress.

How it works:

• Developers install pre-built payment gateway plugins (e.g., CCAvenue for WooCommerce, HyperPay for Magento).
• The plugin connects the website to the payment provider, handling transactions securely.
• No custom coding required – just configure and start accepting payments.

🔹 Example: A retail e-commerce website in Saudi Arabia can use the HyperPay Magento plugin to integrate local payment options like Mada and STC Pay.

5. Payment Links – No-Code Solution for Quick Payments

Best for: Freelancers, consultants, and businesses needing fast, one-time payments.

How it works:

• The gateway generates a secure payment link that can be shared via email, WhatsApp, or social media.
• Customers click the link, enter payment details, and complete the transaction.
• Ideal for low-volume businesses or businesses without a website or app.

🔹 Example: A digital marketing agency in Dubai can send PayTabs payment links to clients for quick invoicing.

Key Considerations for Payment Gateway Integration

When integrating a payment gateway into your mobile or web app, consider:

🔹 Regulatory Compliance – Ensure PCI DSS compliance and adhere to local regulations (e.g., Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) guidelines).

🔹 User Experience (UX) – Choose API or SDK integration for a seamless checkout process.

🔹 Security Features – Look for fraud detection, tokenization, and encryption to protect customer data.

🔹 Localization – Support Arabic UI, local payment options (Mada, STC Pay, KNET), and multi-currency transactions.

🔹 Scalability – Ensure the payment gateway can handle high transaction volumes as your business grows.

Payment Gateways Used by Infin Mobile Solutions

At Infin Mobile Solutions, we integrate a wide range of secure and scalable payment gateways for mobile and web apps in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and Africa. Some of the key gateways we work with include:

Telr – Best for the Saudi Arabia & Dubai, supporting multi-currency transactions.

Stripe – Ideal for global payments and subscription-based models.

M-Pesa – Africa’s leading mobile money solution.

iPay – Fast digital transactions for businesses in Africa.

Peach Payments – Secure payment processing in South Africa.

Flutterwave – Seamless cross-border transactions in Africa.

Paystack – Popular among African startups and digital businesses.

PaisaPal – Reliable for online payments and e-commerce in emerging markets.

…and many more, ensuring compliance, security, and seamless integration for every business.

Need the right payment gateway for your app? Infin Mobile Solutions has you covered!

Conclusion: Future-Proof Your App’s Revenue

Choosing the right payment gateway is no longer just a technical decision—it’s a strategic move to maximize revenue, improve customer experience, and ensure compliance in fast-evolving markets like Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and the broader Middle East and Africa.

At Infin Mobile Solutions, we integrate secure, scalable, and region-specific payment solutions like Telr, Stripe, M-Pesa, iPay, Peach Payments, Flutterwave, Paystack, PaisaPal, and many more to help businesses seamlessly process transactions and scale globally.

Need expert guidance on integrating the best payment gateway for your mobile or web app? Contact Infin Mobile Solutions today and future-proof your app’s revenue!