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Wompi vs. Mercado Pago vs. PayU in Colombia: Costs and Comparison
Fees, payment methods, payout times and withholdings for Wompi, Mercado Pago and PayU, with our recommendation for your business.
By Keyner Trillos· Updated
In short
- Wompi (Bancolombia) charges approx. 2.65% + COP 700 per transaction and pays out automatically to Bancolombia accounts.
- Mercado Pago charges approx. 2.99% + COP 900; the money sits in your Mercado Pago account and moves to banks in 24 to 48 hours.
- PayU charges approx. 3.49% + COP 900 and is strong on international cards.
- For 100% Colombian sales we recommend Wompi; for international payments, add another gateway. Always check current rates.
Your payment gateway directly affects your conversion and your margin. A fee one point higher, across thousands of sales, is a lot of money. We compare the three most used options in Colombia.
How Colombians pay online
PSE (Colombia's bank-transfer system) and mobile transfers (Nequi, Daviplata) are among the favorite methods, along with cards. Your gateway should offer the PSE button with automatic payment verification so you don't lose sales.
Fees and payment methods
| Gateway | Standard fee | Main methods | Payouts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wompi (Bancolombia) | 2.65% + COP 700 | Bancolombia button, Nequi, PSE, cards | Automatic to Bancolombia accounts |
| Mercado Pago | 2.99% + COP 900 | Mercado Pago balance, cards, PSE, cash | Instant in the account; 24 to 48 h to banks |
| PayU | 3.49% + COP 900 | International cards, PSE, cash | Withdrawal on request |
Tax withholdings
If you're a legal entity or registered for VAT, gateways may apply withholding taxes (ReteFuente, ReteICA and ReteIVA) on the amounts collected. Ask your accountant how they affect your cash flow.
What each one costs you
| Gateway | Fee | You receive approx. |
|---|---|---|
| Wompi | COP 6,000 | COP 194,000 |
| Mercado Pago | COP 6,880 | COP 193,120 |
| PayU | COP 7,880 | COP 192,120 |
Before withholdings and taxes.
Our recommendation
- 100% Colombian commerce: Wompi, for its integration with Bancolombia, Nequi and PSE and automatic payouts.
- Small businesses just starting: Bold or Mercado Pago, because opening the account is easy.
- International sales: add a gateway that is strong on foreign cards and dollar payments.
A custom store can have more than one gateway at the same time and let the customer choose. See how much an online store costs in Colombia.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best gateway for online stores in Colombia?
For domestic sales, Wompi is one of the most convenient thanks to the Bancolombia button, Nequi and PSE and its reference fee of 2.65% + COP 700. Bold and Mercado Pago stand out for how easy they are to start with.
How long do sales take to reach my account?
Wompi pays out automatically to Bancolombia accounts; Mercado Pago makes the money available in your account immediately and transfers it to banks in 24 to 48 hours.
Sources
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