PayU has become one of the most recognizable payment providers in Poland and across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).
It processes over 10 million transactions daily and supports more than 450,000 merchants worldwide, which is a scale that builds trust.
When customers see the PayU logo at checkout, they often feel more confident paying. For many businesses, that recognition alone helps improve conversion rates.
Merchants also praise how easy PayU is to use once everything is set up, thanks to its user-friendly dashboard.
But to get to this point, you need to go through PayU’s onboarding process. And according to user reviews, this step is often “unclear, slow, and poorly communicated.”
Customer support is another weak spot, often labeled as “unresponsive” both during the initial setup and later on.
If you don’t want to deal with a complicated onboarding process or chase support for answers, it may be worth considering an alternative.
The good news is that there are strong PayU alternatives both in Poland and across CEE that offer similar functionality with a simpler setup and more responsive support. We’ve put together a list of the seven best ones to help you find the right fit for your business.
Key takeaways
- Local strength matters in CEE
Many PayU alternatives win by going deep in one market. Przelewy24 dominates BLIK in Poland, Netopia leads in Romania, and GoPay or Comgate shine in the Czech Republic and Slovakia thanks to strong local bank integrations. - Payment methods directly impact conversion
Supporting what customers already trust, such as BLIK, local bank transfers, instalment cards, or mobile wallets, can significantly reduce abandoned carts and improve approval rates. - Pricing transparency is a major differentiator
Several alternatives focus on clear, transaction-based pricing with no monthly fees or long-term contracts, which makes cost planning easier for small and mid-sized businesses. - Scalability should match your growth plans
If you plan to expand across CEE, choose a provider that supports multi-currency settlement, recurring billing, split payments, and cross-border selling without forcing you to rebuild your checkout. - For cross-border growth with BNPL in one setup, Paypercut stands out
If you want one integration that covers cards, wallets, instalments, and multi-country expansion with fast digital onboarding and human support, Paypercut offers a scalable solution built specifically for CEE merchants.
7 leading PayU alternatives at a glance
*Prices apply to CEE countries and may vary depending on transaction circumstances, your region, and chosen plan. Check providers’ official websites for up-to-date, relevant pricing information.
1. Paypercut
Paypercut is an EU-based payment platform built for small and mid-sized businesses, helping merchants across CEE—and the wider European Union—accept online payments quickly and easily.
It brings cards, digital wallets, QR codes, recurring payments, payment links, and a BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) aggregator together in one dashboard, so businesses manage everything through a single setup.
Where Paypercut stands out compared to PayU is in its faster, fully digital onboarding and human-first support: You talk to real people who understand your business, not bots.
It also solves common CEE-specific headaches that larger platforms often overlook, like hybrid billing models, deep local payment method coverage, and BNPL aggregation.
Key features
Paypercut builds its features around one simple idea: give merchants everything they need to accept payments and instalments in CEE without adding technical complexity. Its standout tools include:
- Hosted, embedded, and Express Checkout: Launch quickly with a ready-made payment page, integrate checkout directly into your website, or let customers pay in one tap with digital wallets from the product page.
- E-commerce plugins and API integration: Install free plugins for major platforms or build custom flows through API, depending on your needs.
- Payment links and QR codes: Collect payments instantly without building a website, perfect for small teams and offline channels.
- BNPL aggregator: Connect multiple BNPL providers through one integration and manage them from a single dashboard, improving approval rates across markets.
- Multi-currency settlement: Accept and settle in over 12 European currencies, reducing FX costs and enabling local payouts.
- Recurring payments and subscriptions: Automate repeat billing with secure card storage, retry logic, and customer notifications.
- Split payments: Distribute funds automatically between multiple vendors or partners, ideal for marketplaces.
- Pre-authorisation and delayed capture: Reserve funds first and charge later, protecting against cancellations or no-shows.
- Merchant dashboard: Monitor payments, payouts, fees, providers, and performance in real time through a clean and transparent interface.
Cennik
Paypercut follows a simple pay-per-transaction model, with no activation fees, monthly minimums, hidden maintenance or support charges, or long-term contracts.
Pricing adapts to your volume, country, and payment mix, with volume-based discounts available.
2. GoPay
GoPay is a Czech-based payment gateway mainly serving merchants in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland.
Compared to PayU, GoPay has stronger local bank integrations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, making it a better fit in markets where many shoppers still prefer paying through their online banking.
Key features
GoPay focuses on strong local payment coverage and reliability in its core Central European markets, offering features like:
- Wide local payment method coverage: Accept cards, bank transfers, and regional wallets across multiple CEE currencies from a single gateway.
- Local banking buttons: Connect customers directly to even smaller regional banks, increasing checkout completion.
- Instant bank transfers: Settle payments quickly through direct local bank accounts, improving cash flow and reducing delays.
Cennik
GoPay works with tiered, transaction-based pricing that depends on your business size and payment method.
You receive separate conditions for card payments and bank transfers, and better rates are available as your volume grows.
3. Comgate
Comgate is a Czech-based payment service provider offering online payment gateways and POS solutions to merchants across the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Romania.
Comgate is a more affordable PayU alternative, providing transparent pricing and a stronger focus on cost efficiency for small and mid-sized businesses in Central Europe.
Key features
Comgate focuses on practical tools and flexibility that make everyday payment operations easier for regional merchants:
- Online payment gateway: Accept card payments and local bank transfers through a single integration, covering the most common checkout preferences in Central Europe.
- POS Terminals: Combine online payments with physical card terminals, making it easier to manage both e-commerce and in-store sales under one provider.
- Fast local bank transfers: Connect customers directly to supported regional banks, helping increase approval rates in markets where bank payments are widely used.
Cennik
Transparency is central to Comgate’s pricing, with publicly available rates, transaction-based fees, and conditions that are generally more accessible for smaller merchants.
4. Przelewy24
Przelewy24 (P24) is a Poland-based payment provider that mainly serves the Polish market while supporting cross-border sellers with multi-currency capabilities.
In Poland, especially, Przelewy24 often has a stronger “local-first” position than PayU, particularly when it comes to BLIK payments and brand recognition among Polish shoppers.
Key features
Przelewy24 is built around Polish payment habits, making checkout feel familiar and fast for local buyers. Polish merchants will benefit from the following features:
- BLIK 0-click payments: Enable returning customers to complete purchases without entering a BLIK code each time, reducing checkout time and increasing repeat conversions.
- Wide local method coverage: Support online transfers, cards, digital wallets, instalments, and deferred payments within one gateway tailored to Polish consumers.
- Multi-currency settlement: Accept payments in different currencies while settling locally, making it easier for Polish merchants selling abroad.
Cennik
Fees are structured around transaction-based commissions with no monthly or integration charges, keeping the model simple and predictable for merchants.
5. Netopia Payments
Netopia Payments is a Romania-based payment provider serving mainly the Romanian market, where it supports thousands of local merchants and processes a significant share of national e-commerce transactions.
In Romania, Netopia often has stronger local brand trust than PayU, with a checkout experience that feels more familiar to Romanian shoppers.
Key features
Netopia focuses on reliability and local consumer preferences with features like:
- SMS payments: Enable customers to pay via mobile phone billing, supporting digital goods and services where SMS payments remain popular.
- Instalment card support: Offer payments in instalments through Romanian card issuers, helping customers spread costs without external BNPL providers.
- Localized checkout experience: Present payment flows tailored to Romanian banks and consumer expectations, increasing trust and reducing drop-offs.
Cennik
Transaction-based commissions vary depending on card type and payment method, with conditions structured around the Romanian market rather than fixed global packages.
6. Tpay
Tpay is a Poland-based payment gateway serving mainly the Polish market, with strong integrations for local banks, cards, and mobile wallets.
Compared to PayU, Tpay has built a reputation for faster onboarding and a more agile, developer-friendly setup, making it attractive for growing e-commerce businesses.
Key features
Tpay focuses on speed, mobile-first payments, and practical tools that help Polish merchants launch quickly, including:
- Fast digital onboarding: Complete verification fully online and start accepting payments quickly, without heavy paperwork.
- Mobile wallet integrations: Support popular wallets and mobile payment flows that match how Polish shoppers prefer to pay.
- Developer-friendly API: Build custom checkout experiences with clear documentation and flexible integration options for modern e-commerce stores.
Cennik
Pricing is structured in clear tiers, from starter plans for small merchants to business and enterprise packages, combining transaction-based fees with optional service plans depending on your needs.
7. Barion
Barion is a Hungary-based payment provider regulated by the Hungarian National Bank, serving merchants across Hungary and several CEE markets with online payments and wallet-based solutions.
Unlike PayU, Barion leans heavily into data-driven optimization, rewarding merchants who share transaction insights with more tailored pricing and marketing benefits.
Key features
Barion combines payments and data tools to help merchants improve both checkout performance and marketing efficiency:
- Barion Wallet: Enable faster repeat purchases through stored payment credentials and wallet balances, reducing friction at checkout.
- Barion Pixel: Collect transaction and behavioral insights that support fraud prevention and marketing optimization.
- Online and POS acceptance: Process both e-commerce payments and in-store transactions under one provider, supporting omnichannel businesses.
Cennik
Merchants can select between fixed-rate and interchange-plus pricing models, with regular plan reviews to ensure conditions match their transaction volume and card mix.
How to choose the best PayU alternative for your business
There isn’t a universal payment provider that fits every business model or market. The right solution depends on how and where you sell, who your customers are, and how you plan to grow.
The best PayU alternative for your business will depend on several key factors:
- Target market: Some providers are deeply specialized in one country, while others are better suited for selling across multiple CEE markets with local currencies and settlement options.
- Preferred payment methods: Supporting the payment options your customers already trust can directly improve checkout completion rates.
- Scalability: A provider should be able to grow with you, whether that means handling higher transaction volumes or expanding into new countries without rebuilding your integration.
- Business model compatibility: Features like recurring billing, split payments, or pre-authorisation are essential for subscriptions, marketplaces, bookings, or service-based businesses.
- Onboarding and support: Fast verification and access to real human support can save time and reduce stress, especially during launch or peak sales periods.
- Pricing structure: Transparent, predictable pricing that aligns with your margins is crucial for long-term sustainability.
- Local brand recognition: In many CEE markets, a familiar payment logo at checkout can increase customer trust and reduce abandoned carts.
Our list of the best PayU alternatives intentionally brings together both strong local players and providers built for broader regional growth.
If you’re focused purely on Poland, where PayU has built a particularly strong presence over the years, Przelewy24 remains one of the thanks to its deep integration with Polish payment habits.
For businesses looking beyond a single country, Paypercut’s cross-border flexibility, BNPL aggregation, and multi-market support make it a compelling option to consider.
If you’ve already made your decision, sign up for Paypercut now and experience the fully digital onboarding firsthand.
If you’re still comparing PayU alternatives, talk to our team and get clear answers about pricing, integration, and the best setup for your business.
FAQ
What is the alternative to PayU?
There isn’t one single PayU alternative that fits everyone. In Poland, providers like Przelewy24 or Tpay are strong local options. In Romania, Netopia stands out. For cross-border growth across CEE with instalments and multi-currency support in one setup, Paypercut is a scalable PayU alternative.
Which country is PayU from?
PayU is from the Netherlands, but the company operates internationally, with a strong presence in Central and Eastern Europe.
How good is PayU?
PayU is a well-established and widely trusted payment provider that processes millions of transactions daily. It offers strong brand recognition and a broad payment method portfolio, but some merchants report slow onboarding and inconsistent customer support.
Can I switch payment providers without rebuilding my checkout?
Yes. Most providers on this list offer API and plugin-based integrations, so migration is usually a matter of replacing one integration rather than rebuilding from scratch. The main effort is in testing and re-verifying your account.
Which PayU alternative is easiest to get started with?
Providers like Tpay and Paypercut are the easiest to get started with, as they offer fully digital onboarding with no paperwork. Others, like GoPay and Comgate, may require more back-and-forth during verification.
Do I need a separate provider for each CEE country?
Not necessarily. Some providers on this list, including Paypercut, support multi-country selling and local payment methods through a single integration and contract, which simplifies operations significantly.
