Best Shopify Payment Gateway in India: How to Integrate payment gateway on Shopify

What is the Shopify Payment Gateway

A Shopify payment gateway is the payment layer that allows a customer to complete a purchase on a Shopify store. It securely passes payment details for authorization and returns the transaction result to the merchant. It also determines which payment methods are available at checkout and how payments are processed during checkout.

In March 2026, UPI handled 22,641.11 million transactions amounting to ₹29,52,542.05 crore, according to National Payments Corporation of India. For Shopify merchants in India, that scale makes payment setup a critical business decision, not a backend formality.

This is even more important because Shopify payments is not currently available in India, which means Indian merchants must use third-party payment gateways. Indian businesses, therefore, need a supported third-party payment gateway Shopify setup to accept payments on a Shopify store. This blog explains how the payment gateway in Shopify works, compares leading options for Indian merchants, and outlines how to connect the right solution to a Shopify store.

Payment gateways in India operate under the Payment Aggregator (PA) and Payment Gateway (PG) framework issued by the Reserve Bank of India. Providers must comply with onboarding norms, data localisation rules, and transaction security standards. For Shopify merchants, this means the chosen gateway must be authorised to operate in India and capable of handling local payment methods such as UPI.

Why Third-Party Gateways Are Mandatory in India

Since Shopify Payments is not available in India, all merchants must integrate a third-party provider. These providers act as intermediaries between the merchant, customer, and banking system, enabling payment authorization, settlement, and reconciliation.

Best Payment Gateway for Shopify in India (2026 Comparison)

The best payment gateway for Shopify in India depends on how the business plans to sell, what payment methods its customers use, and how much flexibility it needs during integration. For most Indian merchants, the right choice starts with five practical checks: support for common payment methods, ease of Shopify setup, fit for domestic and international transactions, business-friendly integration options, and overall checkout experience.

How to Add a Payment Gateway in Shopify

Check Store and Business Readiness Before Setup

Before connecting a gateway, the merchant should make sure the store is active, products are listed properly, and business details are ready for provider onboarding. This step matters because payment providers generally ask for business information, bank account details, and KYC documents before live activation. For Indian merchants, that approval stage is a normal part of going live with a provider.

How to Integrate a Payment Gateway to Shopify From Admin Settings

Shopify’s official flow is simple. In the Shopify admin, go to settings, then payments. In the provider section, select Add another provider, search for the provider by name, and enter the required account credentials. After that, the merchant can activate and save the setup. Shopify’s documentation makes clear that supported third-party providers are configured directly through this flow.

Add Provider Credentials and Complete Activation

Once the provider is selected, the next step is to enter the details that connect the Shopify store to the payment account. These may include merchant ID, API key, secret key, or other credentials, depending on the provider. Shopify explains the platform side of the process, while payment companies such as PayU and PhonePe outline similar provider-side steps: merchants add credentials, then activate the payment method in Shopify.

Test the Payment Flow Before Going Live

A merchant should not stop after activation. The checkout flow needs to be tested to confirm that customers can choose a payment method, complete the transaction, and return to the order confirmation page correctly. Shopify and provider guidance both support checking the payment flow before the full launch to catch errors early.

Review Refunds, Settlements, and Customer Experience

After setup, the merchant should review the practical aspects of payment operations, including the settlement timeline, refund handling, failed payment behavior, and the customer checkout experience. A payment gateway affects more than payment collection. It also shapes how smoothly the store handles everyday transactions after launch.

Shopify Payment Gateway API

The Shopify API for payment gateways is not the same as turning on a payment provider in the Shopify admin. For most merchants, payment setup means selecting a supported provider and activating it inside Shopify. The API layer is different. It is meant for payment companies and approved partners that build or manage payment apps within Shopify’s payments framework. Shopify’s developer documentation explains that payments work through payment apps and extensions that handle steps such as creating payment sessions, capturing payments, issuing refunds, and voiding payments.

Platform-level Payment Infrastructure

At the platform level, Shopify provides payment extensions and related APIs so approved payment partners can connect their systems to Shopify checkout and payment flows. This is the part of the ecosystem where deeper payment logic is handled, not the basic merchant-side setup used by most store owners.

Merchant Setup and API Work Serve Different Roles

For a merchant, adding a gateway usually means choosing a supported provider from the payments settings and entering account credentials. For a payment company, API work involves building and maintaining the payment app experience that Shopify can use. Keeping this difference clear helps avoid confusion around the payment gateway in Shopify and how integration actually works in practice.

Approved Partner Access and Payment App Capability

Shopify’s official developer material also makes clear that payment app development is controlled. These capabilities are intended for approved partners, meaning a regular merchant usually does not build its own gateway infrastructure from scratch. Instead, the merchant uses a provider that already supports Shopify’s payment environment.

Practical Relevance for Indian Shopify Merchants

In India, this distinction is important because merchants generally rely on third-party payment gateways rather than building custom payment infrastructure. The practical decision is usually about choosing the right supported gateway, completing onboarding, and activating it correctly. API-level understanding becomes relevant only when a business is evaluating technical compatibility, custom checkout requirements, or provider-side integration depth.

Benefits of Using EnKash as a Payment Gateway on Shopify

EnKash payment gateway is a valid option for accepting online payments on Shopify. It operates as an RBI-authorized online payment aggregator, which places it in the category that Indian merchants need when setting up a third-party payment gateway for Shopify.

Direct Shopify Compatibility

EnKash supports Shopify through platform plugins, and its payment button can be used on a Shopify store. This gives merchants a documented path to connect EnKash to a Shopify storefront rather than treating Shopify as an unsupported workaround.

More Than One Integration Route

EnKash provides pre-built checkout, custom integration, and platform plugin options. A merchant or technical team can choose the route that matches the store setup and implementation requirements. This makes the Shopify payment gateway easier to plan because the integration path is not limited to a single method.

Broad Payment-Option Coverage

EnKash supports more than 100 payment options for online collections. For a Shopify store in India, this is a relevant capability when comparing providers for a Shopify payment gateway setup.

Code-Free Payment Button Option

EnKash also offers a code-free payment button for websites and Shopify stores. This gives merchants an additional documented way to start collecting payments without having to begin with a fully custom implementation.

Suitable for Merchant and Developer Workflows

EnKash covers both ready-to-use checkout and deeper integration routes. A business can begin with an existing payment interface or move to SDK and API-based integration where needed. This gives Shopify merchants a clearer range of setup options under a single payment provider.

Other EnKash products that work with Shopify

A Shopify store does not always collect payments through the standard checkout alone. Some businesses also need quicker payment routes for direct sales, campaign-driven collections, or customer follow-ups outside the cart flow. Along with its core Shopify payment gateway offering, EnKash provides a few additional products to support payment collection across a Shopify store. The most relevant here are Payment Button, Payment Links, and Payment Page.

EnKash Payment Button

The EnKash Payment Button gives merchants a code-free way to add a payment action to a website or Shopify store. This is useful when the business wants customers to pay from a specific page without building a separate payment flow from scratch. It works well for targeted purchase journeys, single-offer pages, and simpler online collections.

EnKash Payment Links

EnKash Payment Links give merchants a separate way to collect money when the purchase starts outside the store. A business can share the payment request directly through channels like messaging or social platforms, rather than relying entirely on the regular storefront checkout. For a Shopify merchant, this creates an extra collection path for follow-ups, custom orders, or assisted sales.

EnKash Payment Page

The Payment Page allows a business to create a branded online page for accepting payments without a complex technical setup. For Shopify merchants, this can support use cases where a separate payment destination is needed beyond the usual product and cart flow. It adds another controlled route for online collections under the same payment setup.

Other collection tools within the EnKash stack

EnKash also offers products such as UPI Payments, QR Code, Auto Collect, e-NACH, Instant Settlements, and Affordability Suite. For this blog, Payment Button, Payment Links, and Payment Page are the closest additions around Shopify-linked online payment collection, since each can support store-related payment use cases more directly.

How to Choose a Shopify Payment Gateway Based on Your Business Type

Product-Led Online Stores

A product-focused store needs a gateway that can handle routine checkout volume without confusing buyers. Payment-method coverage becomes increasingly important in India, where customers expect familiar digital payment options at checkout. A merchant in this category should closely examine provider availability, supported payment methods, and how cleanly the gateway integrates with Shopify.

Businesses Selling Through Direct Conversations

Some sales do not begin on a product page. They begin on WhatsApp, through customer support, or after a manual order discussion. In that model, the gateway should be assessed for tools that help the business collect payments outside the regular cart journey. Payment links, payment pages, and similar collection methods become more relevant here than a standard checkout-only approach.

Merchants Planning a Quick Launch

A business that wants to start collections quickly should focus on gateways with a straightforward onboarding path and a clear Shopify activation process. In this case, long implementation cycles can slow down revenue collection before the store even settles into regular sales. The cleaner option is usually the provider with a simpler setup and documented store compatibility.

Businesses With Deeper Technical Requirements

Some companies need more control over how payment flows are built into the store. This usually applies when internal systems, reporting needs, or custom user journeys play a larger role in operations. In such cases, the gateway should be reviewed for integration options, developer support, and implementation flexibility rather than only its storefront setup path.

What Merchants Get Wrong When Choosing a Shopify Payment Gateway

• Many merchants choose a provider too quickly because the brand feels familiar. A better decision comes from checking compatibility, setup route, and payment support together.
• Some stores ignore how customers in India actually pay online. A gateway without strong support for commonly used payment modes can weaken payment collection from the start.
• Provider onboarding is overlooked more than it should be. Store setup inside Shopify is only one part of the process, because account approval and business verification can still affect launch timing.
• Business model differences are easy to miss during comparison. A regular D2C store, an assisted-sales business, and a custom-order seller do not rely on the same payment flow.
• Some decisions focus only on checkout and ignore nearby collection tools. Payment links, buttons, and hosted payment pages can carry real value depending on how the business sells.

Conclusion

For businesses in India, the right Shopify payment gateway should support common payment methods, integrate seamlessly with the store, and optimize online collections throughout the checkout journey. This choice has a direct bearing on checkout continuity, payment processing, and the day-to-day handling of incoming transactions.

EnKash is relevant in this context because it offers a documented route for payment collection on Shopify and extends that capability through additional products such as Payment Button, Payment Links, and Payment Page. Taken together, these options give businesses greater flexibility in how they collect payments across different selling environments. The strongest payment setup is therefore the one that combines clear implementation, relevant payment support, and operational reliability to serve both immediate sales needs and ongoing business requirements.

FAQs

What payment gateway does Shopify support in India?
Shopify supports third-party payment gateways in India because Shopify Payments is not available there. Indian merchants can connect a supported provider in the Shopify admin Payments section and use that provider for online payment acceptance.

How to integrate a payment gateway to Shopify for an Indian store?
A merchant can connect a payment gateway to Shopify by opening Settings, selecting Payments, choosing another provider, entering the required account credentials, and activating the setup. Live payment acceptance usually begins after the provider account is approved and configured correctly.

What does a third-party payment gateway Shopify setup mean?
A third-party payment gateway Shopify setup means the store uses an external payment provider instead of Shopify Payments. This is the standard setup for Indian merchants, since Shopify Payments is unavailable in India and payments must be handled through a supported outside provider.

What should businesses compare before choosing the best payment gateway for Shopify in India?
The Best payment gateway for Shopify in India should be judged on provider availability, supported payment methods, Shopify compatibility, setup process, and payment collection needs. A strong choice is one that can be implemented clearly and works well for the store’s actual sales flow.

How does the payment gateway in Shopify affect customer checkout?
The payment gateway in Shopify affects which payment methods customers see, how payments are processed, and how smoothly the checkout flow works. For Indian stores, this matters because customer payment behavior is heavily shaped by digital methods such as UPI, cards, and net banking.

What role does UPI play in Shopify payment gateway selection in India?
UPI plays a major role in Shopify payment gateway selection in India because it is a dominant online payment method in the country. A gateway that supports UPI is more relevant for Indian e-commerce businesses that handle everyday digital payments.

What is the difference between the Shopify admin setup and the Shopify API for the payment gateway?
Shopify API for payment gateway refers to the deeper payment infrastructure used by approved partners to manage functions such as payment sessions, captures, refunds, and voids. Merchant setup differs because it typically involves selecting and activating a supported provider in the Shopify admin.

What makes EnKash relevant for Shopify merchants in India?
EnKash is relevant for Shopify merchants in India because it operates in the third-party provider category that Indian stores need for payment acceptance. Its documented Shopify integration, payment gateway support, and additional collection tools make it a viable option for Shopify-based payment setup.

What other EnKash products can support Shopify-based payment collection?
EnKash products, such as Payment Button, Payment Links, and Payment Page, can support Shopify-based payment collection outside the standard store checkout. These tools are useful when a business wants direct payment routes tied to campaigns, custom orders, or assisted sales flows.

What should merchants check before going live with a Shopify payment gateway?
Merchants should check provider approval, account credentials, supported payment methods, checkout flow, and transaction testing before going live with a payment gateway in Shopify. These checks help confirm that payments can be accepted properly once the store starts taking customer orders.