Transbank vs Flow vs MercadoPago: Which One Is Right for You in Chile
All three payment gateways dominate Chile -- but each one has a different profile.
What Is the Real Difference?
All three gateways process credit and debit card payments in Chile. All three work. But the details matter: fees, how quickly you get your money, ease of integration, and the quality of support when something goes wrong.
I have been integrating all three into client stores for years. Here is what I have learned.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Transbank | Flow | MercadoPago | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit card fee | 2.49% + VAT | 2.49% + VAT | 3.49% + VAT |
| Debit card fee | 1.49% + VAT | 1.49% + VAT | 0.99% + VAT (MercadoPago account) |
| Payout timeline | 2 business days | 2 business days | Up to 14 days (varies) |
| Shopify integration | Official app | Plugin / API | Official app |
| Bank transfer support | No | Yes (Servipag, Multicaja) | Yes (funds in MP account) |
| Support quality | Slow, bureaucratic | Fast, ticket-based | Standard, chatbot |
| Activation time | 5-15 business days | 1-3 business days | Instant |
Note: Fees vary based on volume and negotiation. These are the standard rates for a new store in 2024.
Which Should I Choose?
If you are just starting out: MercadoPago. It activates instantly, requires no contract, and comes with its own hosted checkout. The fee is higher, but the speed of onboarding makes up for it when you are still validating your product.
If you already have steady sales (50+ orders/month): Flow. Competitive fees, fast payouts, and they accept bank transfers -- which account for a significant share of online purchases in Chile. Their support is among the best.
If you need maximum customer trust: Transbank. It is the brand everyone knows. When a customer sees "Webpay" (Transbank's checkout brand), they feel safe. The downside is activation: the signup process can take weeks, and technical support is slow.
Can I Use More Than One?
Yes, and I recommend it. Many of the stores we build use Transbank as the primary gateway and Flow as a backup for bank transfers. Or they add MercadoPago as an extra option because some customers already have a balance there.
Running two gateways protects you against outages (which happen more often than you would think) and gives your customers choices.
What Nobody Tells You
- Transbank charges a monthly fee if you do not hit a minimum number of transactions. Ask before you sign up.
- MercadoPago holds funds if it detects unusual activity. It can freeze your money for days without a clear explanation.
- Flow has the best developer documentation of the three. If your developer is doing the integration, they will appreciate it.
The payment gateway is not a minor detail. It is the moment a customer decides to trust your store with their card. Choose wisely.
Not sure which one is right for you? Write to us with your case and we will help you decide -- no strings attached.
Want to take your business online?
Tell us what you have in mind. We reply with a clear plan and a fixed price, no strings attached.