# Ways to Pay
source: https://developer.mastercard.com/mastercard-gateway/documentation/payment-methods/index.md

Mastercard Gateway supports multiple payment method categories, including card payments, mobile wallets, and alternative payment methods, so you can match payer preferences across markets and channels.

## How to choose payment methods {#how-to-choose-payment-methods}

Use a phased approach:

* Start with cards to establish a baseline acceptance.
* Add wallets when mobile conversion is a priority.
* Add alternative methods where local preference is high; availability varies by country or industry.

## What your Payment Service Provider (PSP) configures {#what-your-payment-service-provider-psp-configures}

Your merchant profile configuration determines the availability of payment methods. Contact your payment service provider to confirm which payment methods your setup currently enables.

## Recommended path {#recommended-path}

Select the path that matches your role and integration requirements.
Accept, process, and manage card payments across channels with speed, control, and global reach.

|                                 If you are a...                                  |                                         Then focus on...                                         |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Acquirer**, a bank or acquiring institution that enables merchants             | Enabling and settle card payments.                                                               |
| **Payment service provider**, a PSP, aggregator, or payment facilitator          | Processing and orchestrate card payments on behalf of many merchants.                            |
| **Enterprise merchant**, a large merchant integrating directly with Gateway APIs | Accepting card payments from customers with the right balance of speed, control, and compliance. |
| **Software vendor**, an ISV embedding payment flows into platforms               | Enabling card payments for multiple merchants through a platform or product.                     |

Enable fast, low‑friction payments using popular digital wallets across devices and markets.

|                                 If you are a...                                  |                                          Then focus on...                                          |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Acquirer**, a bank or acquiring institution that enables merchants             | Enabling wallet acceptance at scale.                                                               |
| **Payment service provider**, a PSP, aggregator, or payment facilitator          | Offering digital wallets as part of a merchant payments platform.                                  |
| **Enterprise merchant**, a large merchant integrating directly with Gateway APIs | Alerting customers pay using digital wallets with minimal friction and the right level of control. |
| **Software vendor**, an ISV embedding payment flows into platforms               | Enabling digital wallets for many merchants through a single product or platform.                  |

Expand reach and improve conversion by supporting locally preferred payment methods worldwide.

|                                 If you are a...                                  |                                Then focus on...                                |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Acquirer**, a bank or acquiring institution that enables merchants             | Enabling APMs within local and regional payment systems.                       |
| **Payment service provider**, a PSP, aggregator, or payment facilitator          | Offering a wide range of APMs to merchants at scale.                           |
| **Enterprise merchant**, a large merchant integrating directly with Gateway APIs | Increasing conversion and reach by offering locally preferred payment methods. |
| **Software vendor**, an ISV embedding payment flows into platforms               | Enabling multiple APMs once and expose them to many merchants.                 |

## API reference {#api-reference}

These APIs support the payment method integration capabilities.

* [Transaction](https://developer.mastercard.com/mastercard-gateway/documentation/api-reference/v100/rest/api-ops/index.md#transaction)
* [Session](https://developer.mastercard.com/mastercard-gateway/documentation/api-reference/v100/rest/api-ops/index.md#session)
* [Authentication](https://developer.mastercard.com/mastercard-gateway/documentation/api-reference/v100/rest/api-ops/index.md#authentication)

## API versions {#api-versions}

These version guidelines apply to the payment method support in Mastercard Gateway.

|             If you need             |                                                                               Then...                                                                                |
|-------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| To integrate to an API              | Use Version 100 of the Mastercard Gateway API for all new integrations.                                                                                              |
| Support for an existing integration | Refer to the [API Reference](https://developer.mastercard.com/mastercard-gateway/documentation/api-reference/index.md) to identify the minimum required API version. |

## Frequently asked questions {#frequently-asked-questions}

### Card payments {#card-payments}

Merchants accept card payments through the gateway, while PSPs and software vendors implement them on their behalf. All gateway integration options support card payments. Direct Payment requires PCI compliance, while hosted integrations reduce or remove PCI scope.

### Digital wallets {#digital-wallets}

Digital wallets are tokenized payment methods such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Click to Pay. Merchants accept digital wallets, while PSPs and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) enable them through gateway integrations. Hosted Checkout, Hosted Session, Direct Payment, Mobile SDK, and Shopping Cart Plugins support digital wallets.

### Alternative payment methods (APMs) {#alternative-payment-methods-apms}

Alternative payment methods include non-card options such as bank transfers (A2A), BNPL, mobile money, QR payments, and Request to Pay. Merchants accept APMs, while PSPs and ISVs scale them across markets. Hosted Checkout, Hosted Session, Shopping Cart Plugins, and Direct Payment. Use Direct Payment for APMs when your integration requires market-specific flows or provider-specific logic.