Last Updated on May 22, 2025 by Rakesh Gupta

Offering a variety of payment methods in Salesforce is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. Businesses need to understand diverse customer payment preferences, whether it’s via credit cards, PayPal, direct debits like ACH, or alternative payment methods. 

If you’re using Salesforce, you have access to powerful tools to make payment processing easy.

Did you know that by using a Salesforce payment gateway integration, you can automate payment collection, reduce manual errors, and provide your customers with a seamless payment experience? 

For instance, by integrating tools like Asperato, Salesforce Pay Now, or exploring apps on the Salesforce AppExchange, you can transform Salesforce into a robust payment platform. Whether you’re an e-commerce business looking for salesforce payments integration or a nonprofit managing recurring donations, the right integrations can save time and improve customer satisfaction.

Imagine you run a nonprofit organization that uses Salesforce. 

Your donors want flexibility and they might prefer paying via credit cards, direct debits, or services like PayPal. Without a proper payment gateway integration in Salesforce, you’d be stuck manually tracking payments, risking delays, and creating a frustrating experience for your donors. With tools like Salesforce Payments or other Salesforce payment integration apps, you can automate these processes, ensuring every transaction is tracked in real-time and linked to donor records, freeing up time for more impactful work.

Understanding Payment Processing in Salesforce

Salesforce isn’t just a tool for managing sales and customer relationships, it’s also a platform that can handle payments efficiently. Whether you’re running an online store, managing recurring subscriptions, or processing donations, Salesforce makes it possible to integrate payment methods directly into your workflows. 

To understand how this works, it’s important to know the difference between payment gateways and payment processors.

What Are Payment Gateways and Payment Processors?

Many people confuse payment gateways with payment processors, but they’re not the same. Here’s a simple explanation:

• Payment Gateway: Think of it as a digital cashier. It collects and secures your customer’s payment details, then checks with their bank to make sure the payment can go through. Examples include PayPal, Stripe, and GoCardless.
• Payment Processor: This is the back-end system that moves the money. It communicates with the banks to transfer funds from your customer’s account to your business account.

In Salesforce, you can integrate both payment gateways and processors to create a smooth payment experience for your customers. Some tools combine these functions, making integration simpler.

How Payment Gateways Work in Salesforce

A payment gateway integration in Salesforce allows businesses to securely process payments without leaving the platform. For example, you can use tools like Asperato or a Salesforce Commerce Cloud payment gateway to connect Salesforce to your chosen payment provider. This means you can accept credit cards, direct debits, or even PayPal, while automatically keeping all payment records linked to your Salesforce data.

Salesforce Payments: Built-In Solution 

Salesforce offers a native solution called Salesforce Payments, which supports credit cards, debit cards, ACH transfers (for U.S. payments), and PayPal. This integration is particularly useful for businesses using Salesforce Commerce Cloud or other Salesforce solutions, as it seamlessly integrates payment processing with your existing Salesforce data.

There are also specific licensing requirements to use Salesforce Payments:

• Pay Now Feature: If you want to use only the Pay Now feature (for direct payments without setting up a complete commerce site), you only need a standalone Payments license. This is ideal for businesses that need a simple way to collect payments directly from customers, without the complexity of a full e-commerce setup.
• Commerce and Payments Integration: If you’re setting up a complete e-commerce solution that integrates payments into your Salesforce Commerce Cloud, you’ll need both a Commerce license and a Payments license. This combination is necessary for businesses that want a full-scale, integrated solution for managing products, customer data, and payments all within Salesforce.

Salesforce provides two main ways to set up these payments:

1. Commerce Setup Assistant: A guided setup process that automates many configuration tasks, making it easier to get started.
2. Manual Setup via the Setup Menu: A more detailed, hands-on approach for configuring payments.

So what could you get with Salesforce Payments and Commerce licenses?

Feature	Salesforce Payments License Only	Salesforce Payments + Commerce License
Pay Now Setup	✅	✅
Pay Now Payments Links–Predefined Amount	✅	✅
Pay Now Payment Link–Checkout With Order	❌	✅
Payments Blended Rate Pricing	❌	✅
Payments Interchange Plus Pricing	❌	✅
Commerce Basic Setup	❌	✅
Salesforce Checkout	❌	✅
Express Checkout Options	✅	✅
One-Click Checkout with Passwordless Login	❌	✅
Salesforce Payments APIs	✅	✅
Salesforce Payments in B2B and D2C Checkout	❌	✅

Table source:  Salesforce Payments Licenses

As we can see from this table, if you need more features, you should also acquire a Commerce license. However, if you want to reduce costs, it may be time to consider third-party solutions.

Steps to Integrate Additional Payment Methods in Salesforce

Adding payment methods in Salesforce can help businesses provide a smoother experience for customers while reducing manual work for finance teams. Whether you need to accept credit cards, PayPal, ACH, or SEPA direct debits, integrating a Salesforce payment gateway ensures seamless transactions. Here’s how to set it up.

Step 1: Verify Your Payment Gateway Supports the New Method

• Check whether your existing payment gateway (Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.Net, Braintree, etc.) supports the method you want to add (e.g., ACH, Apple Pay, Google Pay, SEPA, Wire Transfers).
• Review the gateway’s API documentation or Salesforce AppExchange settings for available payment options.

Step2: Enable the Payment Method in Your Gateway

• Log in to your payment processor’s dashboard (e.g., Stripe Dashboard, PayPal Business, or Authorize.Net).
• Navigate to Payment Settings and enable the new method.
• Some methods (e.g., ACH, SEPA) may require additional verification or underwriting.

Step 3: Configure the Payment Method in Salesforce

• If using Salesforce Payments, enable additional payment methods, then choose the method and connect it to your gateway.
• If using a third-party payment app from AppExchange:
  • Install the payment app from the AppExchange, Aperato example.
  • Connect Salesforce to your preferred payment provider (e.g., Stripe, GoCardless, PayPal).
  • Configure payment workflows to automate transactions and tracking.

Step 4: Customize Payment Settings

To optimize Salesforce payment processing, you can configure such settings:

• Assign payment gateways, and define which transactions should use Stripe, PayPal, or ACH.
• Automate notifications and set up Salesforce Flow to send payment receipts and reminders.
• Enable fraud protection, and make your payment gateway support PCI compliance and security checks.

Step 5: Test Payments Before Going Live

Before launching the integration, test all payment processes:

• Run test transactions using different payment methods.
• Verify that all payments are logged correctly in Salesforce (Opportunities, Orders, or Accounts).
• Send test invoices and confirm that customers receive payment confirmations.

Testing helps ensure a smooth payment experience for both customers and internal teams.

Step 6: Train Your Team and Start Accepting Payments

Your team should understand:

• How to process refunds inside Salesforce
• How to track and manage payment history
• How to handle failed transactions and retries

Once the team is trained, you can start accepting payments directly in Salesforce, eliminating the need for manual processing.

Step 7: Go Live & Monitor Transactions

• Switch from Sandbox to Production.
• Conduct real payment transactions and monitor results in Salesforce.
• Set up automated notifications for failed payments.

Step 8: Secure Payment Data

• Salesforce Shield Encryption for sensitive information.
• Ensure compliance with PCI-DSS and GDPR.
• Restrict access using Salesforce permissions and field-level security.

Why Choose a Third-Party Payment App for Salesforce Payment Integration? 

The full potential of Salesforce Payments can only be unlocked with Salesforce Commerce Cloud. But what if I’m using Sales Cloud or Service Cloud? In that case, the best option is an app from the AppExchange marketplace. I’ll use Asperato as an example, a payments app by Asperato. 

Asperato is a flexible, multi-provider payment solution with advanced automation capabilities. The benefits of using this app are:

Benefit #1 

 Asperato enables businesses to integrate multiple payment gateways in Salesforce without writing code. It supports leading payment providers, including:

• Stripe – Ideal for credit card and subscription payments
• GoCardless – Perfect for ACH and direct debit transactions
• PayPal – A trusted solution for global online payments 
• Braintree, Worldpay, Opayo, Vanco, Moneris, CyberSource, Authorize.net – Additional options for secure and scalable payment processing 
• Checkout.com, Adyen, IntelliPay, Airwallex – Advanced gateways supporting global transactions and multi-currency payments

With Asperato, businesses can switch between payment providers as needed without requiring custom development or manual configuration. This flexibility ensures that companies can optimize payment processing based on transaction type, customer preference, and geographic region—all within Salesforce.

Benefit #2

With Asperato, businesses can set up automated payment workflows in Salesforce, reducing time spent on manual processing.

• Automatically collect payments for invoices, subscriptions, and orders
• Retry failed transactions without manual intervention
• Trigger payment confirmations and notifications inside Salesforce

By automating Salesforce payment integration, Asperato helps businesses avoid revenue loss due to payment failures and improve cash flow management.

Benefit #3

Security is a top priority for any Salesforce payment gateway integration. Asperato ensures PCI DSS compliance and data encryption, making sure transactions are processed securely.

• Tokenized payments to protect sensitive customer data
• Fraud detection and prevention measures
• Fully compliant with global payment regulations

By using Asperato, businesses can ensure their Salesforce payment gateways meet industry security standards.

Benefit #4 

Many businesses operate on subscription-based models and need reliable recurring payment processing. Asperato makes it easy to:

• Automate recurring billing for subscription-based services
• Manage direct debit payments for long-term customers
• Allow one-time instant payments with minimal setup

Benefit #5

No-Code Setup with Full Salesforce Integration

Asperato is designed to work seamlessly within Salesforce, allowing businesses to manage payments directly in their existing workflows.

• Works natively inside Salesforce, requiring no third-party software
• Compatible with Salesforce Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, and Commerce Cloud
• Easily configurable with Salesforce Flow and Process Builder

With no coding required, Asperato makes payment gateway integration in Salesforce accessible to businesses of all sizes.

For businesses using Core Clouds, like Sales Cloud or Service Cloud, integrating a third-party payment app is the best way to unlock the full potential of Salesforce payment integration.

Top 5 FAQs About Payment Gateway Integration in Salesforce

Setting up payment gateway integration in Salesforce helps businesses process transactions smoothly, reduce manual work, and offer customers secure and flexible payment options. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about Salesforce payment methods, billing integration, and payment gateways.

1. What payment methods can I use with Salesforce?

Salesforce supports a variety of payment methods, including credit and debit cards, direct debits (such as ACH for the U.S., SEPA for Europe, and BACS for the UK), and digital wallets like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Additionally, through integration with payment gateways, Salesforce can process various payment types, including bank transfers and wire payments.

To accept these payments in Salesforce, businesses can either use Salesforce Payments or integrate a third-party payment gateway from AppExchange. Apps like Asperato allow businesses to connect with multiple providers, including Stripe, PayPal, and GoCardless, ensuring seamless payment processing inside Salesforce.

2. How can I integrate PayPal with Salesforce?

There are two ways to set up Salesforce PayPal integration:

• Salesforce Payments: If your business is using Salesforce Commerce Cloud, PayPal is already a supported payment option. If you’re using Salesforce Pay Now, PayPal can also be enabled with a Salesforce Payments license.
• Third-Party Payment Gateways: If you’re not using Commerce Cloud, you can still accept PayPal payments with a third-party solution. This allows businesses to use Salesforce billing payment gateways without needing additional Salesforce licenses.

By integrating PayPal with Salesforce, businesses can automate payment tracking, reduce processing errors, and offer a more convenient checkout experience.

3. How can I connect Salesforce Billing with a payment gateway?

Integrating a payment gateway with Salesforce Billing is essential for businesses managing recurring payments, invoices, or subscriptions. Here’s how you can achieve this:

1. Salesforce Billing Integration:
   1. Native Integration: Salesforce Billing can be configured to send data to your chosen payment gateway, facilitating automated billing, invoicing, and tax calculations.
2. Third-Party Payment Gateways:
   1. Asperato: Connects Salesforce to multiple payment processors, enabling automated payments, refunds, and subscription billing.
   2. Other apps

Important Note: Salesforce Billing requires Salesforce CPQ to function. It’s recommended to install the same release versions of both packages to ensure compatibility.

If your business doesn’t utilize Salesforce CPQ, integrating a third-party payment gateway with Salesforce can be an effective alternative to manage invoices, process payments, and automate billing processes.

4. Can I use multiple payment gateways in Salesforce?

Yes. Many businesses want to offer multiple payment options to customers, and Salesforce integration with payment gateways makes that possible.

• Salesforce Payments has built-in options but is mainly designed for Commerce Cloud users.
• Third-party gateways from AppExchange let businesses connect to multiple providers like Stripe, PayPal, Worldpay, and Adyen, without extra development work.

With a Salesforce payment gateway AppExchange app like Asperato, businesses can switch between payment providers based on customer location, currency, or transaction type, ensuring smooth and cost-effective payment processing.

5. How do I choose the right payment gateway for Salesforce?

Selecting the best payment gateway integration with Salesforce depends on a few key factors:

• Does it accept credit cards, ACH, SEPA, PayPal, or digital wallets?
• Is it built for Core Salesforce Clouds?
• Is it PCI DSS compliant and does it have fraud protection?
• Can it process payments in different currencies and countries?
• Does it support subscription payments and automated invoicing?

Choosing the right Salesforce payment gateway integration helps businesses streamline payments, reduce manual work, and improve cash flow. Whether you need Salesforce PayPal integration, Stripe payment gateway integration in Salesforce, or a complete billing system, the right solution depends on your business needs.

For companies using Sales Cloud or other Salesforce Clouds, a third-party payment gateway from AppExchange is often the best way to expand payment options, automate processes, and ensure secure transactions inside Salesforce.

Wrapping Up: Making Payments Easy in Salesforce

Handling payments inside Salesforce doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re running an e-commerce store, a subscription-based business, or a nonprofit, offering flexible and secure payment options is essential. While Salesforce Payments provides a built-in solution, it works best for Commerce Cloud users. For those using other Salesforce Clouds, a third-party payment gateway integration Salesforce is the best way to unlock seamless Salesforce payment integration.

A solution like Asperato makes it easy to connect multiple payment providers, automate transactions, and handle recurring and one-time payments without custom development. With support for credit cards, PayPal, ACH, SEPA, and other global payment methods, businesses can offer customers more flexibility while ensuring secure, PCI-compliant transactions.

Beyond just processing payments, Salesforce payment gateway integration helps businesses reduce manual effort, improve cash flow, and keep all financial data in one place. Features like automated invoicing, retrying failed payments, and real-time reporting ensure a smooth experience for both customers and finance teams.

By choosing the right payment gateway integration in Salesforce, the right Salesforce payment options, businesses can transform their CRM into a complete financial management system, simplifying transactions, reducing errors, and making it easier than ever to get paid.

Author

Dorian is a 4x Certified Salesforce Administrator and Developer with extensive experience in customizing Salesforce to the client’s needs. He started his journey in IT as a CRM admin and kept his focus on Salesforce ecosystem. He loves exploring new integrations in Salesforce and spotting alternative ways to optimize business processes inside the CRM. He is currently working as a full-time Salesforce developer and contributing content to the SFApps.info educational portal

Formative Assessment:

I want to hear from you!

What is one thing you learned from this post? How do you envision applying this new knowledge in the real world? Feel free to share in the comments below.