Worldpay vs Elavon (UK) Full Comparison For Your Business 20206
Compare Worldpay vs Elavon including fees, card machines, contracts and features to find the best payment provider for your UK business.
Updated: April 2026
Table of Contents
Which Payment Provider Is Better for Your Business
Choosing a payment provider is one of the most important commercial decisions a UK business can make. Card payments are now a normal part of everyday trading, whether you run a shop, restaurant, salon, ecommerce store or mobile service business. The provider you choose affects your transaction fees, your cash flow, the experience your customers have at checkout and how easily your business can grow.
Two names that appear regularly in the UK market are Worldpay and Elavon. Both are established payment providers with a wide range of services. Both offer card machines, online payment solutions, virtual terminals and merchant accounts. Both work with small businesses and larger organisations. On the surface, they may seem very similar.
The reality is more nuanced. Pricing can differ. Contract terms can differ. Support levels can differ. One provider may suit your business model far better than the other.
That is why a simple headline comparison is not enough. You need to understand how Worldpay and Elavon compare in the areas that actually matter to your business. This guide explains the differences in clear, practical terms. We will cover fees, card machines, e-commerce, customer support, contracts and suitability for different business types. We will also explain how Payments World can help you compare multiple providers, secure lower transaction fees and access free card machines.
Worldpay vs Elavon Features Compared
| Feature | Worldpay | Elavon |
|---|---|---|
| Card machines | Yes | Yes |
| Online payments | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual terminal | Yes | Yes |
| Merchant account services | Yes | Yes |
| Suitable for small businesses | Yes | Yes |
| Suitable for larger businesses | Yes | Yes |
| Tailored pricing | Yes | Yes |
| Multi channel payments | Strong | Strong |
| UK market presence | Very strong | Strong |
| Direct quote usually required | Often | Often |
At a high level, both providers are credible options. The right choice usually comes down to price, business fit and the terms of the specific offer you receive.
Understanding Worldpay
Worldpay is one of the best known names in UK payments and has since merged with Global Payments Many businesses recognise the brand immediately, and it has been a common choice for merchants for many years. It provides payment services to a broad range of sectors, from independent traders through to larger national businesses. For many companies, Worldpay appeals because it feels established and familiar. Businesses often want reassurance when choosing a provider that will handle daily revenue, and a recognisable brand can offer confidence.
Worldpay offers in person payments through card terminals, ecommerce solutions for online businesses, virtual terminal options for phone payments and tailored services for more complex merchants. This broad product range means it can support businesses at different stages of growth. A startup may use a straightforward terminal and basic online checkout. A larger retailer may need multiple terminals, reporting tools and integrated systems. A provider with a wide product range can support both.
That said, brand recognition alone should never be the deciding factor. What matters most is the total value of the package you receive, including fees, service and contract terms.
Understanding Elavon
Elavon is another major payment provider operating in the UK and internationally. Elavon is owned by the US Bank. While some smaller businesses may be less familiar with the name compared with Worldpay, Elavon is well established in the payments industry.
Elavon is often considered by merchants looking for reliable payment processing with options for in store, online and remote payments. It supports businesses that want one provider across several sales channels rather than using separate systems. This can be particularly useful for modern businesses that sell in more than one way. For example, a retailer may take payments in store, through a website and by telephone. A hospitality business may take deposits online and payments on site. A service business may invoice remotely while also taking card payments face to face.
Having one provider across these channels can simplify reporting and operations. As with Worldpay, the real question is not whether Elavon is a respected provider. It is whether the offer available to your business is stronger than the alternatives.
Worldpay vs Elavon Fees
Pricing is one of the biggest factors when choosing a payment provider, but headline rates rarely tell the full story. Both Worldpay and Elavon offer tailored pricing, which means costs depend on your sector, monthly card turnover, average transaction value and whether you take payments in person, online or both.
For standard UK businesses, rates can vary significantly. Larger merchants with stronger volumes can often secure pricing from around 0.3% and in some cases slightly lower, depending on card mix and account profile. Smaller businesses will usually pay more, which is why comparing quotes properly is so important. Alongside transaction fees, there are several additional charges that businesses should understand before signing an agreement.
| Fee Type | Worldpay | Elavon |
|---|---|---|
| Card processing rates | From around 0.3% for larger merchants | From around 0.3% for larger merchants |
| Authorisation fee | From 1p | From 1p |
| PCI compliance fee | From £5 per month | From £5 per month |
| Terminal rental | Standard pricing around £29 per month, with promotional offers available | From around £15 per month on selected deals |
| Refund fee | 25p | 25p |
| Next day payment fee | 25p | 25p |
| Chargeback fee | Around £30 | Around £30 |
As the table shows, both providers can be competitive, but the best deal depends on the package offered to your business. A lower transaction rate can still work out more expensive if terminal rental or monthly fees are higher.
That is why many businesses use Payments World to compare the market properly. We help UK businesses secure lower transaction fees, reduce monthly costs and access free card machines where available.
Get in touch today for a free, no obligation quote review.
Why Transaction Fees Matter More as You Grow
When turnover increases, payment fees become even more important. A small saving on each transaction can become a significant annual saving. A business processing £10,000 per month in card sales may notice some benefit from a lower rate. A business processing £50,000 or £100,000 per month can see a far larger impact.
Growth is also the point where many merchants become eligible for better pricing. Yet many remain on historic rates because they never review their provider. They stay with the setup chosen years earlier, even though their volume and bargaining power have changed.
Whether you are considering Worldpay or Elavon, it is sensible to review pricing regularly rather than assuming your current deal is still competitive.
Card Machines and In Person Payments
Both Worldpay and Elavon offer card machines for UK businesses, but the best hardware depends on how you trade rather than the logo on the device.A busy retail counter may need a reliable countertop terminal connected to broadband. A restaurant may prefer portable devices that staff can carry to tables. A tradesperson may need a mobile terminal with strong connectivity while working on site. A pop up business may value simple setup and portability above all else, this is why choosing a card machine starts with your business model.
Worldpay offers a range of terminal solutions designed for different sectors. Businesses that want a well known provider with broad support options often include it in their shortlist. Worldpay tend to offer the DX8000 card machine as their flagship and comes as standard, you can secure this for as little as £1 per month.
Elavon also provides a range of devices, including options for fixed locations and more mobile trading environments. It is commonly considered by businesses looking for flexibility and multi channel support, Elavon often offers the PAX A920 pro which you can get for around £15 per month on rental.
For the latest offers on card machines, please visit our card machines page.
Online Payments and Ecommerce
If your business sells online, your payment provider plays a central role in conversion and customer trust. A poor checkout experience can reduce completed sales. Slow settlement can affect cash flow. Limited integrations can create extra admin.
Both Worldpay and Elavon offer online payment capabilities, but the right choice depends on how your business operates. A simple e-commerce store may need a straightforward hosted checkout with reliable payment acceptance. A subscription business may need recurring billing tools. A larger retailer may need advanced fraud controls, reporting and integrations with stock or customer systems.
Many businesses now trade across several channels at once. They sell through a website, social platforms, telephone orders and physical locations. In these cases, it can be useful to work with a provider that can support a joined up approach rather than separate systems. When comparing online payment options, focus on the customer journey as well as cost. Is checkout smooth on mobile. Are common payment methods supported. Can refunds be processed easily. Is reporting clear. Does the setup work with your website platform. These operational details can matter just as much as pricing.
Worldpay charges £19.95 per month for an e-commerce MID, this also comes with the features of pay by link and virtual terminal. Your transactional rates will depend on your turnover but we’d say they’ll land somewhere between 0.5% and 1.5% per transaction.
Elavon doesn’t charge for a MID as standard, but there are other fees such as click fees ontop of auth fees. your rates will be around 0.5% also but the click fee varies between £0.08 – £0.15 per transaction.
Virtual Terminal and Remote Payments
Not every business takes payment through a website. Many still accept card payments over the phone or send payment links remotely. This is common in sectors such as professional services, bookings, hospitality, healthcare and trade services.
A virtual terminal allows staff to process payments securely without a customer being physically present. This can be useful for deposits, advance bookings or clients who prefer to pay by telephone.
Both Worldpay and Elavon offer remote payment options, but features and costs can vary. If remote payments are important to your business, this should form part of the comparison rather than being treated as an afterthought.
Payout Speed
A lower fee is useful, but not if slow settlement creates cash flow pressure. Many businesses depend on regular card settlements to pay wages, buy stock and manage supplier commitments. Delays can create stress even when sales are strong. When comparing providers, ask how often funds are settled and what timetable applies to your account. Some businesses may value next day settlement highly. Others may be comfortable with a different schedule if overall value is better.
Both Elavon and Worldpay offer T+1 which is trading day plus one day for settlement (next day) this is five days per week with payments taken on a Friday, Saturday & Sunday all being settled on Monday. Please bear in mind there is a fee for next day payments of £0.25p each day from each provider. Both providers also offer standard T+3 at no additional cost.
Cash flow needs vary by sector. A seasonal business may prioritise flexibility. A hospitality business with regular stock purchases may care deeply about payout timing. A high growth retailer may need dependable settlement to fund expansion. The cheapest looking quote is not always the strongest commercial decision if settlement terms are weak.
Worldpay vs Elavon Contracts & Exit Fees
One of the most overlooked areas in payment processing is the contract.Businesses naturally focus on rates and hardware, but the contract can determine how easy or expensive it is to change providers later.
Some agreements may include minimum terms, notice periods, auto renewal clauses or early termination charges. None of these are necessarily unusual, but they should be understood clearly before signing. Problems often arise when businesses sign quickly, then decide later that the pricing or service is not right for them. If exit terms are costly, changing provider becomes more difficult.
Whether you choose Worldpay or Elavon, always review the agreement in full. Ask questions if any charges or renewal terms are unclear. Payments World can help businesses compare not only rates, but also the commercial terms attached to each offer.
Customer Support and Service
Support quality is easy to ignore until something goes wrong. A payment terminal failure during a busy Saturday, a delayed settlement, a refund issue or an online checkout problem can quickly become urgent. At that point, fast and competent support matters far more than marketing promises.
Both Worldpay and Elavon provide business support, but experiences can vary depending on account type and issue complexity. When assessing support, consider practical points. How do you contact the team. Are phone lines available when you trade. Is onboarding help included. Is technical support available for integrations. Will you have an account manager or general support queue.
Which Is Better for Small Businesses
Small businesses often need simplicity, clear pricing and dependable hardware more than advanced enterprise tools. If you run a local shop, salon, cafe or independent service business, you may want a provider that is easy to set up and straightforward to use. You may also want to avoid paying for features you do not need.
Both Worldpay and Elavon can be suitable for smaller merchants. The better option usually depends on the specific quote, monthly charges and whether the package matches how you trade. A small business should be cautious about choosing based only on brand name. Practical fit and value matter more.
Worldpay currently offers a terminal for £1 per month for the first 12 months when signing an 18 month contract (£29 thereafter). You can find thids deal by clicking this link.
Which Is Better for Growing Businesses
As businesses grow, priorities often change. You may need multiple terminals, staff permissions, stronger reporting, online and in person payments under one setup, or lower rates linked to higher volume.
This is where a provider relationship should evolve with your business. The setup that worked when you processed modest monthly turnover may no longer be the best option once volume rises. Both Worldpay and Elavon can support growing merchants, but growth is also when market comparison becomes most valuable. Increased volume can strengthen your negotiating position, and better deals may become available.
We can offer rates with either provider as low as 0.3% depending on the size of your business. Get in touch to find out more.
Which Is Better for Ecommerce
For online first businesses, the comparison should focus on conversion, integrations, fraud management and total online processing cost. A slow or awkward checkout can reduce completed purchases. Poor reporting can waste time. Weak fraud controls can create losses. Limited platform compatibility can create technical frustration.
If ecommerce is central to your business, the right provider is the one that supports smooth customer journeys and efficient operations while keeping costs sensible. You cna find more out about our online payments and e-commerce offerings here
Hidden Costs to Watch For
Many merchants compare providers based on one visible fee while missing other costs that appear later. These may include terminal rental, PCI charges, monthly minimums, gateway fees, replacement hardware costs, chargeback administration charges or early exit fees.
Hidden costs are not always hidden intentionally, but they are often overlooked during a quick sales conversation.The safest approach is to ask for a clear breakdown of all regular and occasional charges before agreeing to proceed.
Why Many Businesses Overpay
A large number of businesses stay with the same provider for years without reviewing their deal. Sometimes they are busy. Sometimes they assume switching will be difficult. Sometimes they simply do not realise how much the market has changed. Meanwhile, rates may have become uncompetitive or better packages may now be available elsewhere.
Even a short review can uncover lower transaction fees, better hardware options, improved support or more suitable technology. In many cases, the savings available are greater than business owners expect.
How Payments World Can Help Your Business
Choosing between Worldpay and Elavon is only useful if they are your best options. Often, they are not. Payments World compares multiple banks and payment providers to help UK businesses secure lower transaction fees, better contract terms and the right payment setup for how they trade.
Instead of being tied to one provider, we search the market for the most competitive deal available. That can include free card machines, lower monthly costs and better support. Whether you are switching provider or starting from scratch, we make it easier to find the right solution and avoid overpaying.
Conclusion
Both Worldpay and Elavon are strong payment providers, but the best option depends on your business needs and the deal you are offered. The key is to look beyond the brand name and compare the full package, including fees, contract terms, support, payout speed and how well the service fits the way you take payments. There is no single winner for every business. The right choice is the provider that offers the best overall value for your business now and as you grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Not always. Both providers offer tailored pricing, so the cheapest option depends on your turnover, sector and transaction profile.
Yes, although you should check your contract terms first for any notice periods or exit fees.
Yes, contact payments world and we can help you secure the lowest possible rates for your business. We compare over 25 different banks!.
Yes, Payments World can still help you get a payments gateway, we work with a range of different providers including elavon and worldpay and are usually able to find you a great deal for your business.
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