If you’ve ever tried setting up a Shopify store in India, chances are you ran into this annoying hurdle — Shopify Payments isn’t supported here.
It’s a common problem. You build your store, get your products ready, design your homepage, and when it’s time to accept payments… roadblock. No Shopify Payments. Now what?
Don’t worry. You’re not stuck — far from it. Thousands of Indian businesses are running just fine on Shopify using alternate payment solutions. In this post, I’ll walk you through why Shopify Payments doesn’t work in India, what you can use instead, and how to get it all set up without pulling your hair out.
Why Shopify Payments Isn’t Available in India
Shopify Payments is basically Shopify’s in-house payment system. It’s powered by Stripe, a U.S.-based payment processor that helps you accept cards, wallets, and more — without needing to set up a third-party payment gateway.
The catch? Stripe hasn’t fully launched in India yet. And since Shopify Payments runs on Stripe, Indian users can’t access it. It’s not a tech issue — it’s a regulation and compliance thing.
Until Stripe becomes officially available in India, we need to rely on third-party payment providers. And thankfully, we’ve got a few excellent ones.
The Best Shopify-Compatible Payment Gateways in India
Here are some reliable, fast, and widely-used options that plug right into your Shopify store.
Razorpay
Probably the most popular option right now. Razorpay is known for being quick to set up, smooth to use, and full of helpful features.
Why people love it:
- Supports UPI, credit/debit cards, wallets, and net banking
- Clean, beginner-friendly dashboard
- Quick KYC process
- You can also create payment links, offer subscriptions, and send invoices
If you’re just starting out, Razorpay is a strong, trustworthy choice.
Cashfree
Cashfree is another well-known option that’s made a name for itself with fast payouts and flexible features.
What makes it a great pick:
- Instant settlements (your money shows up fast)
- Easy to generate payment links (great for WhatsApp or DM selling)
- Built-in support for recurring payments and COD follow-ups
If your store needs speed and flexibility, Cashfree is worth checking out.
PayU
PayU’s been around for years and is popular with mid to large-sized brands. It’s got a strong track record and can handle heavy traffic.
Why it works:
- Offers EMI and BNPL options (Buy Now, Pay Later)
- Easy to scale as your store grows
- Checkout experience is smooth and customizable
It’s a great option if you’re planning for long-term growth.
CCAvenue
An old-school, reliable option. CCAvenue supports multiple currencies and has been serving Indian businesses since the early days of e-commerce.
Good for:
- Stores with international customers
- Those wanting multilingual checkout options
- Accepting payments in multiple currencies
It’s not the flashiest interface, but it works well — especially for cross-border sales.
How to Set It Up on Shopify
Getting your payment gateway connected to Shopify isn’t as complicated as it sounds. Here’s how to do it:
- Sign up with the payment gateway of your choice.
- Complete the KYC (this usually takes 1–3 days).
- Once you’re approved, you’ll get API keys or credentials.
- Log into your Shopify admin.
- Go to Settings → Payments.
- Click on Third-party providers, select your payment gateway, and enter your API details.
- Save, test it with a dummy order — and you’re good to go!
That’s really it. Shopify makes the integration pretty smooth.
Some Friendly Advice
A few things I’ve picked up from working with Indian Shopify stores:
- Enable UPI. Most shoppers in India prefer UPI. If it’s not available, you’re probably missing out on conversions.
- Keep your checkout clean. Too many payment options can overwhelm buyers. Stick to what people actually use: UPI, cards, net banking.
- Customize your confirmation page. A short thank-you message plus order update helps build trust after someone pays.
- Watch failed payments. Some customers will try again if you follow up politely. Don’t ignore those!
What If You Want to Sell Internationally?
If your audience is global, you might want to add something like:
Stripe Atlas — If you’re serious, you can register a U.S. entity through Stripe Atlas and unlock Shopify Payments. Not for beginners, but a great option for scaling
PayPal — Accepts international cards and has buyer protection.