--- title: Start accepting credit card payments description: Learn what you'll need to start processing payments for your business. --- [Skip to content](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/what-is-a-payment-gateway#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![7100C_PAY_PaywayPms_Logo-bird_full color](https://support.payway.com/hs-fs/hubfs/7100C_PAY_PaywayPms_Logo-bird_full%20color.png?width=100&height=100&name=7100C_PAY_PaywayPms_Logo-bird_full%20color.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - Go to payway.com Go to payway.com Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Help Center](https://support.payway.com/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [Payment Processing 101](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/payment-processing-101?hsLang=en) 3. [Payment Gateway](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/payment-processing-101?hsLang=en#payment-gateway) # Start accepting credit card payments ## Learn what you'll need to start processing payments for your business. A **payment gateway** sits between the merchant and the processor, who passes transactions to the card network (MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, etc). The role of the payment gateway is that of a secure information conduit that complies with credit card processing security rules and regulations. Once the card information is entered, the payment gateway transmits the card data to the network who then passes it on to the card’s issuing bank for authorization. Payway provides the payment gateway and merchant account setup (if needed) so that your business can start accepting payment transactions. For subscription-based businesses, Payway  built its recurring payment gateway to be responsive to the needs of businesses operating with a recurring payment business model: - **Experience.** Payway has over 35 years experience in subscriptions so they can provide the tools necessary to set-up recurring payments, such as scheduling. - **[PCI-Validated P2PE.](https://www.payway.com/features/security)** The best way to ensure your customer is protected with a gateway that is both certified and PCI-compliant. - **[Account Updater.](https://www.payway.com/features/account-updater)** This is a must for any recurring payment business. It queries the banks regularly to ensure the card data is correct, cutting down on decline rates and reducing churn. - **[Automated Level III Processing.](https://www.payway.com/level-iii-processing)** Auto-detects and fills in information necessary for corporate and procurement cards to process at a lower interchange rate – oftentimes leading to significant savings. - **Multiple payment methods. **Payway works with multiple payment methods, going beyond your typical charge and credit cards. Having options such as [Apple Pay](https://www.payway.com/features/digital-wallets/apple-pay) and [Google Pay](https://www.payway.com/features/digital-wallets/google-pay) wallet opens the door to more customers. Direct Debit ACH scheduling should be another sought out feature – it allows merchants to get paid directly from a customer’s bank account, and they in turn pay less in processing fees.  - [Using Payway Payment Manager](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/using-payway-payment-manager?hsLang=en#main-content) - [User admin](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/using-payway-payment-manager?hsLang=en#user-admin) - [Integration Guides](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/integration-guides?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Apple Pay](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/integration-guides?hsLang=en#apple-pay) - [Google Pay](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/integration-guides?hsLang=en#google-pay) - [Payment Processing 101](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/payment-processing-101?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Payment Gateway](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/payment-processing-101?hsLang=en#payment-gateway) - [Pricing & Fees](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/payment-processing-101?hsLang=en#pricing-fees) - [Payment Types](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/payment-types?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Contactless Payments](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/payment-types?hsLang=en#contactless-payments) - [ACH Payments](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/payment-types?hsLang=en#ach-payments) - [Payment Security](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/payment-security?hsLang=en#main-content) - [P2PE (Point-to-Point Encryption)](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/payment-security?hsLang=en#p2pe-point-to-point-encryption) - [Tokenization](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/payment-security?hsLang=en#tokenization) - [3D Secure](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/payment-security?hsLang=en#3d-secure) - [Merchant Account Services](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/merchant-account-services?hsLang=en) - [Payment Gateway Features](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/payment-gateway-features?hsLang=en) - [Failed Payment Recovery](https://support.payway.com/knowledge/failed-payment-recovery?hsLang=en) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://support.payway.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo%20for%20email-1.jpg?width=100&height=24&name=logo%20for%20email-1.jpg "Chill listening crop-3")](https://payway.com) Copyright © 2026, Payway