Choosing a payment gateway is not just about “who charges less,” but who helps you sell more easily based on where your customers are and how you receive your money.
In a nutshell for busy business owners
Wompi: ideal for local sales in El Salvador. A simple flat fee and fast deposits to Banco Agrícola.
PayPal: perfect if your customers are located outside the country; it has extremely high brand trust, but its fixed fee per transaction can significantly affect small purchases.
Stripe: not yet directly available to Salvadoran businesses; it can be used if you have a company in a supported country (the United States, Mexico, etc.).
Honest note: Fees change over time. Use this as a guide and verify your specific situation before making a decision.
What does each one charge? Clear and straightforward
Wompi (SV): a flat fee of around 3.5% per sale.
PayPal: a percentage fee plus a fixed fee per transaction; if the buyer is abroad, it usually adds an international surcharge.
Stripe: varies by country; it is not available to entities in El Salvador.
Quick comparison (examples)
| Purchase amount | Wompi (≈3.5%) | PayPal (international example) |
|---|---|---|
| US$10 | US$0.35 | ≈ US$0.99 |
| US$50 | US$1.75 | ≈ US$2.99 |
| US$100 | US$3.50 | ≈ US$5.48 |
Quick takeaway: with small purchases, PayPal’s fixed fee has a greater impact; for local sales, Wompi is usually cheaper and simpler.
Use cases to help you decide easily
Local store (WooCommerce/Shopify) selling in USD within El Salvador → Wompi: simple, with no monthly fees and fast access to your funds.
Services or products sold to customers in the United States or Europe → Add PayPal: trust and higher conversion rates among international buyers.
You operate legally in the United States or Mexico (or plan to do so) → Consider Stripe for its ecosystem and automation capabilities.
Payment experience and access to funds
Wompi: local checkout, low friction, and frequent deposits to Banco Agrícola.
PayPal: many customers already have an account; you first receive the money in your PayPal balance and then withdraw it.
Stripe: extremely flexible for subscriptions and marketplaces, but it requires a business entity in a supported country.
Cuernosoft’s recommendation: the practical approach
If you sell primarily in El Salvador, start with Wompi.
If you also have customers abroad, add PayPal as an alternative payment method.
If you plan to grow regionally or globally and have a business structure outside El Salvador, consider Stripe.
Straightforward implementation checklist
WordPress + WooCommerce: install the payment gateway’s official plugin, activate test mode, complete two or three real test purchases, and configure emails and order statuses.
Shopify: enable the provider and place a test order; review receipts, charges, and deposits.
Daily operations: establish clear refund policies, test chargebacks, and place visible trust badges on the checkout page.
Measurement: add UTM parameters to payment buttons and links, and measure performance with GA4 to determine which method converts best.
Would you like us to set it up for you?
At Cuernosoft, we integrate Wompi / PayPal into WordPress (Elementor + WooCommerce) or Shopify, optimize your checkout, and configure tracking so you can see which payment method generates the most sales. Shall we get started? Click here to schedule a consultation
