Top Ecommerce Payment Trends for 2025 (and Beyond)

The payment trends landscape is constantly evolving, driven by rapid technological advancements, changing consumer expectations, and new regulations. As digital payments have become widely adopted, consumers are sticking with behaviors they picked up in recent years and opting for digital options over traditional cash and credit cards. 

For ecommerce businesses in 2025, understanding these shifts in payment trends is not just about offering convenience—it's about optimizing the checkout process to increase revenue and improve conversion. Keep reading to learn more about the latest emerging payment trends and how they’re changing the future of ecommerce. 

Why keeping up with payment trends matters for ecommerce businesses

Navigating the world of online retail includes constantly adapting to how customers want to pay. Staying informed about the latest payment trends can give your business a competitive edge. 

By offering preferred payment methods, you can reduce cart abandonment, increase average order value, and build brand loyalty. Moreover, understanding the technology and regulations behind these trends is crucial for streamlining operations, enhancing security, and ensuring your business is prepared for the future.

6 payment trends to watch in 2025 and beyond

1. The continued rise and evolution of digital wallets
2. Buy now, pay later (BNPL) matures and expands
3. Real-time payments gain traction
4. QR codes remain relevant and versatile
5. AI and machine learning in payments
6. Emerging payment technologies and methods

1. The continued rise and evolution of digital wallets

Digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Shop Pay are now a common fixture at online and in-store checkouts. Consumers increasingly prefer the speed and security of paying by phone or via saved digital credentials.

Approximately, 53% of the global population used digital wallets to complete online transactions in 2024. By 2027, digital wallet transactions both online and in-store are expected to hit $25 trillion. This widespread adoption of digital wallets underscores the necessity for businesses to offer digital wallet options to meet customer expectations.

Seamless online and in-store experiences with digital wallets

The lines between online and offline shopping continue to blur, and payment methods are following suit. Consumers expect to be able to browse online and purchase for curbside pickup, or find something in-store and have it shipped to their home. In any instance, they expect to be able to pay seamlessly regardless of the channel. 

Frictionless payment methods are key to this experience. Payment trends like digital wallets, one-click payments, and in-app purchases reduce steps in the buying process, creating a more streamlined customer experience. Businesses that merge their online and offline payment options allow customers to pay how they want, when they want, which enhances convenience and satisfaction.

Integration of digital wallets into super apps

As consumers increasingly rely on their phones for a wide range of services, expect to see the continued growth of “super apps.” 

These platforms integrate multiple services—from messaging and social media to shopping and payments—into a single ecosystem. Digital wallets are a core component of these super apps because they enable users to make purchases without leaving the app environment. This payment trend highlights the growing importance of integrated payment solutions within broader digital experiences.

2. Buy now, pay later (BNPL) matures and expands

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) services allow customers to split purchases into interest-free installments over the course of weeks or months. Initially fueled by financial uncertainty, BNPL has become a mainstream payment option that offers payment flexibility and benefits both consumers and sellers. Globally, BNPL payments are expected to surpass $560 billion by the end of 2025.

Growth in ecommerce and beyond retail

BNPL continues to grow significantly in the ecommerce space, and its reach is expanding beyond traditional retail. We’ve already seen BNPL options grow more popular for making larger purchases like home goods and other consumer durables. Expect to see BNPL options also become more prevalent for various types of services, travel, and even health care.

This expanding payment trend provides consumers with more ways to manage their budgets and allows businesses in diverse sectors to attract customers who prefer this payment method.

BNPL's impact on AOV and conversion rates

For brands, the benefits of offering BNPL are clear. It can help convert browsers into buyers, especially for higher-priced items, by making payments more manageable. This often leads to an increase in average order value (AOV). 

According to Will Beck, Pillow Cube’s director of business development, Shop Pay Installments accounts for 6.5% of the brand’s gross merchandise value (GMV). “We’ve also seen a consistent increase in our average order value rate,” he says.

Regulatory landscape and responsible lending

As BNPL has grown, so has the focus on regulation and responsible lending. Governments and financial bodies are implementing new rules to protect consumers and ensure transparency in BNPL offerings. For example, as of June 2025, Australia has updated their National Consumer Credit Protection Act to require BNPL contracts meet the same credit licensing regulations as traditional creditors.

Wherever your business operates, if you offer BNPL as a payment option, you must stay informed about regulations in your country (or countries) of operation. Partner with reputable providers who prioritize affordability checks and clear borrower terms—that will help you build customer trust while complying with legal requirements.

3. Real-time payments gain traction

Instant or real-time payments (RTP) are becoming increasingly important as consumers and businesses expect faster access to funds. These systems allow for near-instantaneous transfer of money between bank accounts, 24/7.

Understanding instant payments and A2A transfers

Real-time payments are facilitated by modern payment infrastructure that processes transactions immediately, rather than in batches. A key component of this is account-to-account (A2A) transfers, where funds move directly from one bank account to another, often bypassing traditional card networks.

Benefits for businesses and consumers

For businesses, RTP can significantly improve cash flow by providing immediate access to funds from sales. This can streamline operations, simplify reconciliation, and enable faster payouts to suppliers or employees. For consumers, it means instant payment confirmation and faster access to goods or services. The demand for this speed is driving adoption across various industries.

Cross-border real-time payment developments

While RTP initially focused on domestic transactions, instant payment systems are increasingly becoming interoperable across international borders. Developments in cross-border RTP are making international transactions faster, cheaper, and more transparent, which is particularly beneficial for ecommerce businesses selling globally.

4. QR codes remain relevant and versatile

After experiencing a resurgence, QR code payments have become a commonplace part of the payment and retail landscape. They are used in numerous settings to facilitate quick actions, including as a payment shortcut. The QR codes payments market is projected to reach $66.9 billion by 2034.

QR codes in contactless and mobile commerce

QR codes are a key element of the broader shift toward contactless payment experiences and mobile commerce. They enable a seamless interaction between the physical world and digital actions, making it easier for customers to complete transactions without physical cards or cash. Instead, the QR code prompts users to pay via their digital wallet, a payment app like PayPal or CashApp, or even an instant A2A transfer. 

Integrating QR codes into the customer journey

Ecommerce businesses can integrate QR codes into their marketing and sales strategies in a variety of ways. For example, you can use QR codes on product packaging with a link to reorder that product—a tactic particularly useful for nondurable goods. It’s also common to use QR code payments to streamline the mobile checkout process at pop-up shops, or incorporate them into outdoor advertising to drive traffic to specific product pages with integrated payment options.

5. AI and machine learning in payments

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are playing an increasingly significant role in the payments industry, primarily by enhancing security and personalizing the customer experience.

Enhancing fraud prevention and security

One of the most critical applications of AI in payments is in combating fraud. AI-driven systems can analyze vast amounts of transaction data in real-time to detect anomalies and identify potentially fraudulent activity with greater accuracy than traditional methods. This helps protect both businesses and consumers from financial crime. 

For ecommerce businesses, leveraging AI for fraud prevention is crucial for minimizing chargebacks and protecting revenue.

Personalization of payment experiences

AI can also be used to personalize the checkout experience. By analyzing customer behavior and preferences, AI algorithms can present the most relevant payment options to individual shoppers. That personalization can streamline the payment process and increase conversion rates. This might include highlighting a preferred digital wallet or a relevant BNPL option.

AI for data analysis and insights

Beyond security and personalization, AI tools help businesses analyze payment data to gain valuable insights into customer behavior, spending patterns, and market trends. This data can inform marketing strategies, optimize pricing, and identify opportunities for growth.

6. Emerging payment technologies and methods

While digital wallets, BNPL, real-time payments, and QR codes are currently prominent, the payments landscape is fertile ground for innovation. Several other emerging technologies could shape how consumers pay in the coming years.

Voice commerce and voice-activated payments

As smart speakers and voice assistants become more integrated into daily life, voice-activated payments are emerging as a new frontier. This allows consumers to make purchases using simple voice commands, offering a hands-free and convenient payment experience. This emerging payment trend is particularly useful for reorders or simple transactions within a connected home ecosystem.

Cryptocurrencies and CBDCs

While still largely volatile and subject to regulatory uncertainty, cryptocurrencies and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) represent potential future payment methods. As adoption grows and regulatory frameworks evolve, these digital currencies could offer new ways for businesses and consumers to transact, particularly in a global context.

Embedded finance

Other innovations like embedded finance—the integration of financial services directly into non-financial platforms—are making payments more seamless and contextual. Embedded finance could include features like in-app lending or one-click checkout options integrated directly into a merchant's website or app, powered by underlying API-driven infrastructure.

Understanding the impact of payment trends on your business

Staying ahead of payment trends is not just about adopting the latest technology; it's about strategically leveraging these changes to benefit your business and your customers. 

When you update your payments strategy to include some of the latest payment trends, the following points are a few ways you’ll make a positive impact on your business operations and customer relationships. 

Improving customer experience and conversion rates

Offering a variety of preferred payment options caters to diverse customer needs and preferences. When you include payment methods like digital wallets, BNPL, and even voice-activated options, it reduces friction at checkout. That makes it easier and faster for customers to complete their purchases, which directly leads to improved conversion rates.

Streamlining operations and reducing costs

Adopting efficient payment processing methods can streamline your back-end operations. For example, real-time payments settle more quickly, and API-driven solutions help you more seamlessly integrate payment processes in your checkout process. Using AI in fraud prevention measures can also reduce costly chargebacks and manual review processes. These efficiencies can free up resources and reduce overall transaction costs.

Navigating security and regulatory considerations

As payment methods evolve, so do the security threats and regulatory requirements. Businesses must prioritize robust security measures to protect sensitive customer data, and adopting AI tools to help with that is becoming more common. Staying compliant with evolving regulations—especially in evolving areas like BNPL—is crucial for avoiding penalties and maintaining customer trust.