Best Payment Options for Saudi Online Stores
Choosing the right payment methods is one of the most critical success factors for online stores in Saudi Arabia. Saudi consumers expect a seamless payment experience with multiple options — from mada cards to Apple Pay to installments via Tamara and Tabby. This guide compares the best payment options available and helps you choose the right ones for your store.
Also read: How to Start an E-Commerce Business in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Payment Behavior — 2026 Numbers
| Indicator | Percentage |
|---|
| Digital payments | 70% of total transactions |
| mada cards | 48% of electronic payments |
| Apple Pay / digital wallets | 22% |
| Credit cards (Visa/MC) | 18% |
| Cash on delivery (COD) | 15% (declining annually) |
| Installments (BNPL) | 12% (growing rapidly) |
The lesson: If your store doesn't support mada + Apple Pay + installments, you're losing over 80% of potential buyers.
Major Payment Gateways
1. HyperPay
| Item | Details |
|---|
| Fees | 2.5–2.9% + SAR 1 per transaction |
| Supports | mada, Visa, MC, Apple Pay, STC Pay |
| Integration | Salla, Zid, Shopify, WooCommerce |
| Settlement | T+2 (2 business days) |
| Best for | Medium and large stores |
2. Tap Payments
| Item | Details |
|---|
| Fees | 2.5–2.75% + SAR 0.50 |
| Supports | mada, Visa, MC, Apple Pay |
| Integration | Salla, Zid, Shopify, WooCommerce |
| Settlement | T+2 |
| Best for | Startups and small stores |
3. Moyasar
| Item | Details |
|---|
| Fees | 2.5% + SAR 1 (mada: 1.5%) |
| Supports | mada, Visa, MC, Apple Pay, STC Pay |
| Integration | Flexible API, Salla, Shopify |
| Settlement | T+1 to T+3 |
| Best for | Developers and tech-savvy stores |
4. Payfort (Amazon Payment Services)
| Item | Details |
|---|
| Fees | 2.4–2.9% (volume-based) |
| Supports | mada, Visa, MC, Apple Pay |
| Integration | API, Shopify |
| Settlement | T+2 to T+5 |
| Best for | Large stores and enterprises |
Installment Options (Buy Now Pay Later)
1. Tamara
| Item | Details |
|---|
| Model | 3 or 4 interest-free payments |
| Maximum | SAR 5,000 |
| Merchant fee | 4–6% of transaction value |
| Trust | Highest in Saudi Arabia, 10+ million users |
| Sales impact | 20–35% increase in average basket value |
2. Tabby
| Item | Details |
|---|
| Model | 4 interest-free payments |
| Maximum | SAR 5,000 |
| Merchant fee | 4–7% |
| Trust | Very high, 8+ million users |
| Sales impact | 15–30% increase in basket value |
How to Choose the Right Payment Gateway
| If you are... | Choose... | Reason |
|---|
| Small beginner | Tap or Moyasar | Easy activation, low fees |
| Store on Salla/Zid | Any built-in gateway | Integration ready in one click |
| Shopify store | HyperPay or Tap | Best Shopify integration |
| Large company | Payfort or HyperPay | Volume-negotiated pricing |
| Selling high-price items | Add Tamara + Tabby | Installments increase sales 20%+ |
Optimal Setup for Your Store
Minimum payment options to enable:
- ✅ mada — essential, represents about half of payments
- ✅ Apple Pay — represents 22% and growing
- ✅ Visa / Mastercard — for foreign residents and visitors
- ✅ Tamara or Tabby — for products over SAR 200
- ⬜ STC Pay — recommended if your audience skews young
- ⬜ COD — only if essential (increases cancellation rate)
Tips to Improve Checkout Completion Rate
- Show logos: Display accepted payment method logos on every product page
- Fast checkout: Apple Pay + mada reduce payment steps from 5 to 1
- Mention installments early: "Starting from SAR 125/month with Tamara" on product page
- Visible security: SSL and PCI DSS badges increase trust
- No surprises: Show all costs before the payment page
FAQ
Do I need a commercial registration to open a payment gateway account?
Yes, all licensed payment gateways in Saudi Arabia require a commercial registration and a business bank account.
What's the difference between Tamara and Tabby?
Both offer interest-free installments. Tamara has a larger user base in Saudi Arabia and offers 3 or 4 payment options. Tabby is stronger in the UAE and focuses on 4 payments.
Is cash on delivery still necessary?
It's declining rapidly (from 40% in 2020 to 15% in 2026). Only enable it if your audience strongly requests it — it increases cancellation rates by 15–25%.
