Accepting online payments in the UAE: What every business needs to know
Your customers are already online. Is it easy for them to pay you there?
Businesses in the UAE know that accepting payments online has never been more important — or more complicated. There are different payment gateway options, cash-on-delivery alternatives, and more digital customers than ever.
Payment solutions, like Mamo, make it possible to get paid online in seconds. Whether you're taking bookings from your phone or invoicing clients, you don’t need a full e-commerce build or an in-house developer to accept online payments in the UAE.
In this guide, you'll learn how the UAE payment landscape is evolving, ways to accept online payments, and what to look for in a payment provider.
You'll also see how Mamo helps make finances easy for businesses of all sizes and across all industries.
The rise of online payments in the UAE
The UAE’s booming e-commerce market
The UAE’s e-commerce market has grown fast over the past few years, and it’s not slowing down. One recent analysis estimates online sales to have been around AED 27.5 billion (USD 7.5 billion) in 2023, with projections suggesting they could reach nearly AED 49 billion (USD 13.3 billion) by 2028 — a jump of more than 75% in just five years.
Among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the UAE stands out as a leader in e-commerce. Almost the entire population now has access to the Internet and smartphones, which means online shopping is now a part of everyday life.
For businesses, this means customers are prioritizing online shopping. The question is whether it’s easy for them to pay you there.
Consumer preference for digital payments
Cash is no longer a go-to in the UAE. Contactless cards, mobile wallets, and online checkouts are the norm.
Contactless payments have accounted for around 84% of all face-to-face card transactions in the UAE in recent years. This shows how comfortable people are with tap-to-pay and digital payments.
Digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay are increasing in use for in-store and online purchases. As people keep using fast, one-click payments, they expect the same convenience from the businesses they buy from.
This shift is important for businesses of all sizes — from enterprises to freelancers. If payments are slow or manual, it has an impact on the customer experience.
Just ask Lilit Avetikyan, CEO of Voyex, a leading luxury lifestyle and private aviation company.
“Mamo gave us something we couldn’t get elsewhere: speed, flexibility, and real partnership.”
Voyex chose Mamo to help speed up financial operations, so they never have to choose between high-quality client service and cashflow.
Fintech expansion + new regulations
As digital payments grow, regulators are stepping in to enhance safety and security.
- The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) introduced the Retail Payment Services and Card Schemes Regulation (RPSCS). This regulation sets out specific requirements for payment service providers.
- The UAE updated its frameworks for stored value facilities (like digital wallets and prepaid balances). They need providers to meet high standards for safeguarding and securing funds.
- Businesses in the UAE have access to secure, compliant, and trustworthy payment partners. UAE-based and DFSA-licensed fintechs like Mamo are built specifically for local needs.
What this means for businesses of all sizes
- The environment has never been better for businesses to accept online payments. It’s easier than ever to get approved and onboarded.
- There are fewer technical barriers (you don’t always need a full website or dev team).
- You can choose solutions that match how you work — whether you sell services, digital products, or in-person experiences.
Let’s look at the main ways you can accept online payments in the UAE today.
Common ways to accept online payments in the UAE
Even if you’re new to online payments, you’ve likely heard some of these terms already.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common payment options:
Payment gateways and hosted checkout pages
Payment gateways are the engine behind many e-commerce websites. They securely process card payments and are often used for online stores with product catalogs and custom checkout flows, like discount codes, shipping options, and upsells.
Many payment gateways offer a hosted checkout page, which is a secure payment page provided by your payment partner.
Instead of building your own checkout from scratch, you:
- Add a “Pay now” or “Checkout” button to your site
- Redirect customers to a secure hosted page to complete payment
- Let the provider handle security, PCI compliance, and processing
This gives you a clean checkout experience without the tech hassle of a full custom integration.
Payment links
Payment links are one of the simplest ways to start accepting payments online in the UAE.
With payment links, you:
- Create a link with the amount
- Share it via WhatsApp, email, or even a QR code
- Get paid instantly when your customer completes the checkout
This is ideal for:
- Freelancers and consultants
- Small agencies and service providers
- Clinics, gyms, or workshops
- Any business that doesn’t have (or need) a full e-commerce website
Mamo’s payment links are a no-code way to accept payments from anywhere, with tracking and same-day settlements built in.
QR code and Point-of-Sale (POS) solutions
Some businesses, especially restaurants and on-location experiences, use:
- QR codes on tables, menus, or receipts — or,
- POS terminals at the counter
Both options let customers pay by scanning or tapping. It’s a good fit if most transactions happen in person, but less useful if your business is remote, service-based, or online.
Digital wallets and BNPL
Finally, there are payment methods that sit on top of these systems:
- Digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, which let customers pay with saved cards
- BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) providers like Tabby, which allow customers to split payments over time
Many UAE businesses use a mix of payment links, hosted checkout, and local payment methods. Mamo brings all of these together in one place, without forcing you into a complicated tech stack. See how Mamo compares to other payment platforms.
What to look for in an online payment partner in the UAE
Once you know your options, the next step is choosing the right partner.
Key criteria to consider, especially as an SME, startup, or freelancer:
1. Fast, simple onboarding
You shouldn’t be waiting weeks to get started.
Look for a provider that offers:
- Clear requirements
- A simple onboarding process
- Access to payments quickly once approved
2. Multi-currency support
Many UAE businesses work with regional and international clients.
Being able to accept multiple currencies makes it easy for customers to pay and reduces friction around invoices and conversions.
3. Many payment methods supported
Your customers all pay in their own way, and they expect to use a payment method that is fast and familiar.
A strong payment partner should support:
- Major cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express
- Local and regional schemes: like mada where relevant
- Digital wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay
- BNPL options: for businesses where installments make sense
The more choice and convenience you offer, the more likely people are to actually complete their purchase.
Example: If a customer reaches checkout and can’t use the payment method they want, they may abandon their cart, delay the decision, or look for another solution.
By giving people familiar, trusted options when they’re ready to pay, you reduce second-guessing and increase the chance a payment goes through on the first try. When customers are in control of how they pay, they buy — and come back.
Offer relevant payment options, lose fewer sales at checkout.
4. Same-day settlements
Cashflow is everything for a business. Still, some providers take 2–5 business days to settle payments.
That delay can make it hard for businesses to pay suppliers, cover salaries, or reinvest in growth.
With same-day settlements, you can access your money much faster. This is a major advantage for high-volume or fast-moving businesses.
5. Transparent fees
Payment pricing doesn’t need to be mysterious.
Look for:
- Clear fees
- No hidden charges
- No surprise add-ons for settlement, support, or basic features
6. High acceptance rates and reliable uptime
Every failed transaction is a potential lost sale, which is why it's important that payments actually go through.
Look for:
- Average acceptance/approval rates
- How they handle declines and retries
- Their track record on downtime and service interruptions
7. Regulation and security
Protect your business and customers by choosing a payments solution that’s:
- Licensed and regulated in the UAE (for example, by the DFSA, the ADGM, or the Central Bank of the UAE)
- Transparent about how they handle disputes, chargebacks, and fraud
- Clear about their security practices and compliance
8. Integrations and automation
Payments need to connect to:
- Invoicing systems
- Accounting software, like QuickBooks and Xero
- E-commerce platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce
- Internal tools and dashboards
Look for a solution with:
- APIs
- Direct integrations
- Options to automate recurring payments
9. Local support from real people
When something is critical to your business (like payments) support matters.
Your payment partner should:
- Have a team based in the UAE
- Understand local business regulations
- Offer fast support through chat or other channels
When you have a question or something isn’t working as expected, you shouldn’t be left waiting with a support ticket in hand.
Check out how businesses of all sizes are using Mamo to get paid and grow, faster than ever.
Accepting payments online in the UAE, the easy way
Getting paid online doesn't have to be expensive or for big e-commerce brands only.
With the right solution, you can:
- Take payments online instantly
- Offer customers the digital payment options they're already using
- Keep your cashflow happy with fast settlements
- Stay compliant with local regulations — without becoming a payments expert yourself
UAE businesses deserve simpler, faster, friendlier finance, and that’s exactly what Mamo offers.
Start accepting online payments with Mamo today. 👉 Sign up now and access same-day settlements — with no setup fees or monthly charges.
