How do I enable alternative payment methods in my Shopify store?

Go to Settings > Payments and choose from available APMs based on your region.

Are APMs secure for my customers?

Yes — Shopify and partners use advanced encryption and are PCI compliant.

Will using APMs affect my transaction fees?

Some APMs have different fees — check with each provider for pricing.

Can I offer multiple payment methods simultaneously?

Absolutely — enable several APMs alongside credit cards.

Are APMs available on all Shopify plans?

Most are, but availability varies by region and provider; some advanced gateways need extra setup.

Glossary Term

A

Alternative Payment Methods

Non-traditional options like digital wallets, buy-now-pay-later, and crypto that let customers pay flexibly at checkout.

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Key Takeaways
APMs include digital wallets, BNPL, bank transfers, crypto, and cash on delivery.
They are configured under Settings > Payments, via Shopify Payments or third-party gateways.
Availability varies by country and provider — match methods to your markets.
BNPL raises AOV while you are paid upfront; wallets speed up mobile checkout.
APMs reduce cart abandonment by removing checkout friction at the final step.

Overview

Alternative Payment Methods (APMs) go beyond standard credit/debit cards. In Shopify they offer flexibility across regions and buyer demographics, including digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay), BNPL (Afterpay, Klarna, Affirm), bank transfers (iDEAL, Bancontact, Sofort), crypto (Coinbase Commerce, BitPay), and Cash on Delivery.

Shopify supports APMs via Shopify Payments or third-party gateways, configured in the Payments section. Availability varies by country and provider.

APMs are a conversion rate optimization lever, not just a payment option. Offering the method a shopper already trusts removes the last piece of checkout friction — and for cross-border stores, local favorites like iDEAL or Tabby are often the difference between a sale and an abandonment.

1

Why Alternative Payment Methods Matter

1
Reduce Cart Abandonment
Offering familiar payment options removes a top checkout friction point.
2
Expand Globally with Localized Payments
Local favorites like Sofort (Germany) and iDEAL (Netherlands) build trust and lift conversion.
3
Enhance Mobile Checkout
Digital wallets enable one-tap mobile payments.
4
Improve Cash Flow with BNPL
Split payments increase AOV while you're paid upfront.
5
Align with Future Trends
Accepting crypto positions your brand as forward-thinking.

2

Matching Payment Methods to Your Markets

1
US stores
Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and BNPL (Afterpay, Affirm) cover most US shoppers.
2
UAE and GCC stores
Add Tabby and Tamara for BNPL alongside card — they are expected by Gulf shoppers.
3
Australia and NZ
Afterpay and Zip are table stakes for AU/NZ checkout.
4
Europe
Offer iDEAL (Netherlands), Bancontact (Belgium), and Sofort (Germany) alongside cards.
5
Go multi-currency
Pair APMs with multi-currency solutions so shoppers pay in their own currency.