Best Payment Gateway to Collect Laboratory Payments

India’s online payments are booming, and patients now expect fast, secure ways to pay—UPI, cards and wallets—both at the reception desk and from home. This guide helps you pick the best payment gateway to collect laboratory payments without disrupting care. That pressure keeps fintechs shipping new features for Indian merchants every month.

For laboratories, the real question isn’t “which gateway is biggest,” but “which one fits clinical workflows, compliance and cash flow.”

This guide cuts through the noise. We compare India‑ready gateways for labs and show how to choose, integrate and measure them without disrupting care.

What is a Payment Gateway in a Lab Context?

A gateway authorizes and processes patient payments across UPI, cards, netbanking and wallets. In labs, it should connect to LIMS, print or e‑mail invoices, reconcile settlements and surface real‑time collection data for finance.

Why It Matters for Labs

Fast, reliable payments shorten queues, reduce errors and improve patient experience. Security and compliance protect personal data. Seamless reconciliation keeps finance teams focused on insights, not manual entry.

Key Criteria for Indian Laboratories

Choose gateways that integrate quickly, support UPI, cards and netbanking, and offer high success rates. Ensure PCI‑DSS for payments and alignment with India’s DPDP Act, 2023 for personal data. Look for real‑time dashboards, automated invoicing and predictable settlements.

Best Payment Gateways for Labs in India (2025)

Paytm Payment Gateway

Quick digital onboarding and wide payment coverage make Paytm friendly for reception counters and home‑collection teams. Strong uptime and analytics support high‑volume patient flows.

Features (Lab‑relevant)

Item	Details
Payment methods	UPI, debit/credit cards, netbanking, wallet, EMI
Settlement period	Typically T+1 (may vary by account/payout settings)
Onboarding	Digital KYC; fast activation for India-based entities
Mobile/Web SDK	Android/iOS SDKs and hosted checkout; link/QR options
Integrations	Plugins for common CMS; LIMS via APIs/webhooks
Support	24×7 merchant support channels in India
Dashboard	Real-time analytics, refunds and settlement views
Lab fit	High walk-in volumes; home collection teams needing UPI/card

Pros

• Strong UPI adoption and familiar brand recognition
• Quick digital onboarding and setup
• Reliable uptime with high success rates
• Real‑time analytics and easy refunds

Cons

• Limited native cross‑border options versus bank gateways
• Fewer deep developer controls than Razorpay in some cases

Razorpay Payment Gateway

Razorpay offers broad methods, powerful dashboards and developer‑friendly APIs. Labs with in‑house tech teams appreciate saved cards, routing and granular reporting.

Features (Lab‑relevant)

Item	Details
Payment methods	UPI, domestic/international cards, netbanking (many banks), wallets, EMI, PayLater
Settlement period	Typically T+1/T+2 depending on configuration
Onboarding	Fast online onboarding with sandbox testing
Mobile/Web SDK	Robust APIs/SDKs; webhooks; checkout customisation
Integrations	Plugins for major carts; easy server-to-server callbacks
Support	Ticket + chat/phone; developer docs/community
Dashboard	Deep analytics, recon exports, refunds/partial refunds
Lab fit	Tech-forward labs needing granular control and reporting

Pros

• Wide coverage across UPI, cards, EMI/PayLater, wallets and many banks
• Developer‑first APIs/SDKs with flexible checkout customisation
• Strong analytics, refunds and reconciliation exports

Cons

• Steeper learning curve for non‑technical teams
• Some advanced features are paid add‑ons

PhonePe Payment Gateway

PhonePe is trusted for UPI speed and reliability. It’s simple to implement and suits labs serving walk‑ins who prefer UPI or wallet payments.

Features (Lab‑relevant)

Item	Details
Payment methods	UPI (very strong), cards, wallet
Settlement period	Typically T+1 to bank account
Onboarding	Streamlined digital onboarding
Mobile/Web SDK	Lightweight SDKs; payment links and QR support
Integrations	Simple APIs; usable with LIMS via webhook approach
Support	Merchant support; documentation for SMEs
Dashboard	Core analytics for collections and refunds
Lab fit	High UPI share; quick counters needing minimal setup

Pros

• Fast UPI flows and high consumer trust
• Transparent pricing and simple integration
• Works well for walk‑in counters and QR/link payments

Cons

• Fewer enterprise and international features
• Lighter developer customisation than Razorpay

HDFC SmartHub/SmartGateway

Backed by a major bank, HDFC supports international cards and multi‑currency. Its brand trust and enterprise support fit larger labs and hospital‑based diagnostics.

Features (Lab‑relevant)

Item	Details
Payment methods	Major card schemes; UPI/netbanking via configurations; multi-currency options
Settlement period	Bank-grade settlements; typically T+1/T+2
Onboarding	Formal bank onboarding with documentation/KYC
Mobile/Web SDK	Hosted checkout + SDKs; SmartHub ecosystem
Integrations	Shopping-cart compatibility; enterprise support
Support	Dedicated bank support and RM for enterprise
Dashboard	Bank portal views for settlements/recon
Lab fit	Large labs needing bank trust and forex support

Pros

• Strong bank brand and trust
• Multi‑currency support for international patients
• Enterprise‑grade processes and dedicated RM support

Cons

• Setup and annual maintenance fees
• Longer onboarding timelines
• Less plug‑and‑play than fintech gateways

Cashfree Payments

Cashfree is popular for fast settlements and strong payout rails. Labs like it when they need to send refunds quickly or manage multi‑location finances without spreadsheet drama.

Features (Lab‑relevant)

Item	Details
Payment methods	180+ modes — UPI, cards, netbanking, BNPL/EMI, wallets
Settlement period	Standard T+1/T+2 with optional Instant Settlements (cycles from ~15 minutes; even on holidays)
Onboarding	Fast online onboarding for India-based entities
Mobile/Web SDK	REST APIs, SDKs, webhooks; payment links and QR
Integrations	Works well with LIMS via webhooks; easy recon exports
Support	24×7 support channels
Dashboard	Centralised views for collections, refunds and settlements
Lab fit	Great for multi-centre labs and those needing quick refunds/payouts

Pros

• Instant settlement option for faster cash flow
• Strong payouts and reconciliation tools
• Wide payment modes; zero setup fee

Cons

• Instant/accelerated settlements may add fees
• Advanced configurations can be complex

PayU

PayU is a mature, India‑first gateway with 150+ payment modes and deep acquirer ties. It’s a steady pick when you want broad coverage and a familiar compliance posture.

Features (Lab‑relevant)

Item	Details
Payment methods	UPI, cards, netbanking, EMIs, BNPL, QR, wallets
Settlement period	Typically T+1/T+2 depending on plan and bank rails
Onboarding	Online onboarding; backed by RBI payment-aggregator approval for merchant onboarding in India
Mobile/Web SDK	Robust APIs/SDKs; checkout customisation; webhooks
Integrations	Plugins for major CMS; server-to-server callbacks
Support	Merchant support with enterprise options
Dashboard	Detailed analytics, refunds and reconciliation exports
Lab fit	Reliable choice for mixed payment mixes across cities

Pros

• Wide method coverage across UPI, cards, netbanking, BNPL/EMI
• Stable success optimisation via multiple acquirers
• Enterprise credibility

Cons

• Pricing/features vary by plan
• More documentation steps for larger setups

CCAvenue

CCAvenue has been around for years, known for 200+ payment modes and multi‑currency processing. Labs serving international patients or corporates often shortlist it for bank coverage.

Features (Lab‑relevant)

Item	Details
Payment methods	200+ options — UPI, cards, netbanking, wallets; multi-currency cards
Settlement period	Bank-linked settlements (commonly T+1/T+2 depending on setup)
Onboarding	Formal documentation with established bank partnerships
Mobile/Web SDK	Hosted checkout, APIs/SDKs; event notifications
Integrations	Wide set of shopping-cart plugins; enterprise support
Support	Dedicated support and relationship-manager options
Dashboard	Real-time notifications and marketing/discount tools
Lab fit	Useful where multi-currency and broad netbanking coverage matter

Pros

• Multi‑currency and broad bank/netbanking coverage
• Extensive netbanking options across banks

Cons

• Heavier onboarding
• Legacy UX versus newer PGs

Instamojo

Instamojo is the friendly, no‑code‑first option. Payment links and a simple gateway help smaller labs start digital payments fast.

Features (Lab‑relevant)

Item	Details
Payment methods	100+ modes — UPI, cards, netbanking; strong Payment Links
Settlement period	Standard cycles with optional Instant/Same-Day/Next-Day payouts (fee applies)
Onboarding	Fast digital onboarding with KYC
Mobile/Web SDK	Gateway + links; buttons/embeds; basic APIs
Integrations	Works with websites and WhatsApp/social flows
Support	Help centre + merchant support
Dashboard	Single dashboard with basic analytics and tracking
Lab fit	Ideal for small labs/pathology centres going cashless quickly

Pros

• Easiest start with links/QR
• Transparent pricing
• Great fit for small labs and clinics

Cons

• Fewer enterprise‑grade features
• Limited international options

Pine Labs (Online PG)

Pine Labs connects existing Pine POS estates with online collections so labs get one view for POS and web payments. It’s handy when you want strong UPI performance, quick reconciliations, and fewer spreadsheets.

Features (Lab‑relevant)

Item	Details
Payment methods	100+ options — UPI, domestic/international cards, netbanking, wallets, EMI/BNPL
Settlement period	T+1 typical; same-day settlements for UPI available on Online PG tiers
Onboarding	Digital KYC; quick go-live for India-based entities
Mobile/Web SDK	REST APIs/SDKs, hosted checkout, payment links and QR; bulk link CSV upload
Integrations	Works with websites, apps, and LIMS via APIs/webhooks; unified POS + online reporting
Security	PCI DSS Level 1 posture, SSL/TLS, tokenization
Dashboard	Real-time analytics, refunds, settlements, and recon exports
Lab fit	Multi-centre labs needing unified POS + online, high-UPI flows, and faster recon

Pros

• Unified POS + online reporting reduces manual recon and errors.
• Strong UPI success with optional faster settlements steadies cash flow.
• Payment links (including bulk generation) support home collection and remote invoices.

Cons

• Cross‑border and multi‑currency are limited versus PayPal/Stripe/bank setups.
• Enterprise‑grade customisation may require coordinated onboarding.

PayPal (Cross-border)

PayPal fits international collections for India-based labs. Patients abroad can pay with PayPal or cards; funds settle to your Indian bank. It’s a smart add-on alongside a domestic UPI/card gateway.

Features (Lab-relevant)

Item	Details
Payment methods	PayPal wallet + major international cards; 200+ markets; multi-currency acceptance
Settlement period	Payouts to linked Indian bank (timing varies by currency/region)
Onboarding	Business account with KYC; aligned to RBI cross-border aggregator framework
Mobile/Web SDK	Smart Buttons, Checkout, REST APIs; subscriptions and invoicing
Integrations	Plugins for major CMS/carts; server-to-server + webhooks
Security	Encryption, risk controls, 2FA; Seller Protection on eligible transactions
Dashboard	Multi-currency ledger, disputes center, reports/exports
Lab fit	Cross-border payers (NRIs/medical tourism) paying from outside India

Pros

• Global brand trust and multi-currency acceptance increase conversions from overseas payers.
• Mature disputes and Seller Protection reduce chargeback anxiety.
• Easy to run alongside your India-first UPI/card gateway.
  

Cons

• Not for domestic INR collections in India (export receipts only).
• Fees and FX conversions can be higher than local rails; disputes need process rigor.

Pricing & Features Snapshot

Gateway	Cost Snapshot	Methods	Integration	Lab Advantage
Paytm	No setup; variable MDR	UPI, cards, netbanking, wallet	SDK/APIs; fast onboarding	High uptime; rapid adoption
Razorpay	Standard MDR; add-ons for EMI/Amex	UPI, cards, EMI, PayLater, wallets	Strong APIs; quick	Deep analytics; developer control
PhonePe	No setup; ~1–2% by method	UPI, cards, wallets	Simple	UPI speed; transparent pricing
HDFC SmartGateway	Setup + AMC	Major cards; multi-currency	Bank-grade onboarding	Brand trust; international support
Cashfree	Standard MDR	UPI, cards, netbanking, payouts	Easy	Fast settlements; payouts
PayU	Standard MDR	UPI, cards, netbanking, wallets	Mature SDKs	Success-rate optimisation
CCAvenue	Standard MDR	UPI, cards, netbanking, multi-currency	Plugins/APIs	Broad bank coverage
Instamojo	Simple plans	UPI, cards, links, QR	Easiest	Good for small labs
Pine Labs (Online)	Standard MDR	UPI, cards, netbanking	Online + POS	Unified reports
PayPal / Stripe	Cross-border fees	International cards	APIs	Global payers

How to Choose the Right Gateway

Start with payment mix and volumes. If most patients pay by UPI, prioritize UPI success and speed. If you serve international payers, ensure multi‑currency support and clear FX fees.

If you’re curious about how lab errors—from mis‑labelled samples to paperwork delays—silently erode revenue and reputation, check out our in‑depth piece on common diagnostic‑lab mistakes and how smart systems can stop them in their tracks. Read more

Check compliance and security next. Confirm PCI‑DSS, encryption and DPDP Act alignment. Finally, test integrations with your LIMS, invoice flows, refunds, settlements and dashboards before signing.

Where Each Gateway Fits

Paytm or PhonePe suit high UPI volumes and quick counters. Razorpay or PayU fit tech‑forward labs needing granular controls. HDFC or CCAvenue help with multi‑currency and bank support. Cashfree or Pine Labs work well for payout needs and unified POS + online reporting.

Taking the Next Step

Laboratories operate in a high‑stakes environment where accuracy and efficiency matter. A smooth payment process complements clinical excellence by keeping patients satisfied and finances healthy. By assessing features like integration, payment methods, security and support, labs can choose the gateway that helps them thrive.