Setting up online payments in Pakistan no longer requires businesses to pay high upfront fees before making their first sale. Today, many licensed payment gateways now offer free or low-cost onboarding and charge merchants primarily when a transaction is completed.
This has made digital payments more accessible to small businesses, freelancers, and growing eCommerce brands that want to start accepting online payments without a large upfront investment.
In this guide, we compare payment gateways in Pakistan with no or low setup fees, using information from their official pricing pages and other publicly available sources. We’ll look at their transaction fees, payment methods, settlement terms, and key features to help you find the right fit for your business.
Why Setup Fees Matter for Pakistani Businesses
Generally, a typical payment gateway can charge for four things such as:
- A one-time setup fee
- A monthly or annual maintenance fee
- A transaction fee (which is called MDR)
- And sometimes a chargeback handling fee
For a new business, the setup and maintenance costs are the ones that hurt most, since they apply even before any revenue comes in. In comparison a gateway with a 0% setup fee lets you go live and pay only when you actually get paid, which is a much safer model for small and early stage businesses.
1. AssanPay
AssanPay is a Pakistan-based payment gateway built for businesses that want to accept cards, eWallets, and bank transfers, and whatsapp payments without heavy technical setup. It does not charge any setup or integration fee, which puts it ahead of most bank-run gateways that still require onboarding costs. Transaction fees depend on the payment method used and typically range between 2.5% and 3.5%.
What makes AssanPay useful for small and mid-sized merchants is its flexible payment setup. Businesses can accept payments through QR codes, making it easier to collect payments from customers across WhatsApp and social media. For merchants with an online store, AssanPay also integrates with WordPress, WooCommerce, and Shopify, while a single dashboard helps track transactions and settlements in real time. For businesses looking for simple pricing and multiple payment options in one place, Assanpay is worth considering.
2. PayFast
PayFast, commercially licensed by the State Bank of Pakistan, was the first Pakistani payment gateway to enable Raast Person-to-Merchant payments. Its pricing page states that there are no annual or subscription fees, and no setup or maintenance charges. Merchants pay a 3% Merchant Discount Rate, exclusive of tax.
PayFast supports multiple payment methods, including cards, bank accounts, mobile wallets, and Raast. Its established presence in Pakistan and broad payment infrastructure make it a recognised option for merchants looking for an established payment gateway.
3. Safepay
Safepay is a Pakistani fintech backed by Y Combinator and Stripe. It offers a developer-friendly API and a simple checkout experience. Its Standard plan has no setup or monthly fees. Safepay charges 2.9% + Rs 30 on domestic card payments, plus 0.3% for international cards, excluding taxes.
Safepay supports cards, digital wallets, and Raast through one integration. It also offers plugins for platforms such as Shopify and WooCommerce. With clear, publicly listed pricing.
4. Alfa Payment Gateway
Bank Alfalah’s Alfa Payment Gateway offers a simple way for businesses to accept online payments. There are no setup or annual fees, according to the bank’s official APG page. Merchants can also sign up digitally and get an instant merchant account.
APG supports credit and debit cards, Alfa Wallet, Alfalah bank accounts, JazzCash, Raast Dynamic QR, and Pay by Link. The Pay by Link feature is particularly useful for businesses that sell through social media or do not have a website or app.
Pricing is transaction-based, with rates subject to the merchant’s transaction volume and selected settlement mode. Bank Alfalah does not currently publish a single fixed MDR for all merchants on its APG page.
5. Rapid Gateway
Rapid Gateway is a newer payment gateway in Pakistan with clear, publicly listed pricing. It charges 2% on wallet payments such as JazzCash and Easypaisa, and 2.5% on card payments. There are no setup or monthly fees.
Merchants receive their funds on a T+1 basis, meaning payments are settled into their bank account on the next business day.
Rapid Gateway brings cards, Raast, JazzCash, Easypaisa, and bank transfers together through one API and dashboard.
Comparison at a Glance
| Gateway | Setup Fee | Typical Transaction Fee | Best For |
| AssanPay | None | 2.5% – 3.5% | WhatsApp/QR payments/ Multiple payment options |
| PayFast | None | 3% (excl. tax) | Established brands, Raast payments |
| Safepay | None | 2.9% + Rs 30 (excl. tax) | Shopify/WooCommerce stores |
| Alfa Payment Gateway | None | 2.25% – 3% | Bank Alfalah account holders |
| Rapid Gateway | None | 2% wallets / 2.5% cards | Wallet-heavy customer base |
Rates and terms can change, so always confirm current pricing directly with the provider before signing up.
How to Choose the Right Gateway
The lowest setup fee should not be the only factor. Consider how your customers prefer to pay, whether you need wallet support alongside cards, how quickly settlements reach your account, and how well the gateway integrates with your existing platform.
For businesses selling through WhatsApp or Instagram, AssanPay offers QR payments and conversational commerce to make it easier to collect payments within customer interactions. If you run a Shopify or WooCommerce store, look for a gateway that offers reliable platform integration and a smooth checkout experience.
Still comparing payment gateways?
See how AssanPay’s pricing stacks up. Zero setup fees, transparent rates, no hidden charges.
Get a Free Quote
Frequently Asked Questions
01: Which payment gateway has no setup fee in Pakistan?
AssanPay, PayFast, Safepay, Alfa Payment Gateway, and Rapid Gateway all operate without a setup fee. Merchants only pay a transaction fee on successful payments.
02: What is a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR)?
MDR is the percentage a payment gateway deducts from each successful transaction. In Pakistan, it typically ranges between 2.5% and 3.5% depending on the provider and payment method.
03: Can I accept payments without a website in Pakistan?
It depends on the payment gateway you choose. However, most established gateways, including AssanPay, require a business website as part of the verification process.
04: Is a payment gateway with 0% setup fee less secure?
No. Setup fees and security are unrelated. The State Bank of Pakistan regulates all the gateways listed here. These gateways also follow standard security protocols such as 3D Secure and encrypted transactions.
05: How long does it take to get approved as a merchant in Pakistan?
Generally, most PSPs approve merchants within a few days to two weeks once documentation is complete, while bank-run gateways can take longer due to additional verification.
Final Thought
Pakistan’s licensed payment gateways now commonly offer low or zero setup fees. The more important factors are transaction rates, settlement timelines, payment methods, and how well a gateway fits your sales channels and business needs. For example, AssanPay supports multiple payment methods and integrations, making it worth considering alongside other leading gateways. Comparing these options based on your transaction volume, customer preferences, and platform requirements will help you choose a gateway that balances cost, convenience, and reliable payment processing.
