Quick Answer: Payment processing fees are charges deducted from each transaction when a customer pays digitally — typically comprising interchange, scheme, and gateway components bundled into a single merchant discount rate (MDR). For SMBs in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines, fees vary by payment method, card type, and whether the transaction
Quick Answer: Singapore businesses should prioritise PayNow (instant bank transfer, lowest fees), GrabPay, ShopeePay, Atome, and cards (Visa/Mastercard). For merchants serving tourists, cross-border wallets including WeChat Pay, Alipay (tourist mode), PromptPay, QRIS, and DuitNow are increasingly relevant. Singapore's MAS regulates all licensed payment service providers under
Quick Answer: When choosing a payment gateway in Singapore, SMBs should evaluate four important criteria: payment method coverage (PayNow, GrabPay, ShopeePay, cross-border wallets), fee structure (per-transaction vs monthly), payout speed (next business day for SGD is standard), and MAS licensing under the Payment Services Act. No single provider
Quick Answer: Malaysian businesses should prioritise DuitNow QR (instant transfer, low fees), FPX (online banking), Touch 'n Go, GrabPay, ShopeePay, and cards. For merchant payouts, domestic MYR transactions typically settle at T+2 calendar days. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) regulates payment service providers under the Financial Services Act 2013.
Quick Answer: The best payment gateway for Southeast Asian SMBs depends on which markets you operate in, which local payment methods your customers use, and how you prioritise fees versus features. This guide compares six providers across those criteria for Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Southeast Asia's payment
Quick Answer: The best Stripe alternative for Southeast Asian SMBs depends on your market and payment method mix. Providers with strong local method coverage — including PayNow, DuitNow QR, FPX, and GCash — are typically better suited than Stripe for businesses whose customers primarily pay via local e-wallets and QR methods.
Quick Answer: A payment gateway securely captures, encrypts, and authorises payment data between a customer and a merchant's bank. It handles the transaction flow from checkout to settlement — covering cards, QR codes, and digital wallets. In Southeast Asia, merchants should look for a gateway that supports local methods
Quick Answer: When choosing a payment gateway in Malaysia, evaluate: DuitNow QR and FPX support (the dominant domestic payment rails), e-wallet coverage (Touch 'n Go, GrabPay, ShopeePay), fee structure, and BNM regulatory standing under the Financial Services Act 2013. Domestic MYR transactions on most gateways settle at T+
A POS system does more than process payments — it manages inventory, tracks sales, and connects your in-store and online operations. Here's how it works and what to look for in Southeast Asia.
A payment API is what lets your software accept payments, send payouts, and manage billing programmatically. Here's how it works, who needs one, and what to look for if you're building in Southeast Asia.
Cross-border payments are both an opportunity and a source of friction for SEA small businesses. Here's how to accept from international buyers, which methods matter by market, and what to look for in a provider.