Bank payments cost less to process, so the total is lower. Card is instant; some bank methods take a day or two to clear.
Where both are offered, the checkout shows you each total side by side before you choose.
Bank
Costs less to process, so the total you pay is lower. Available in the UK, parts of Europe and the US depending on the method.
- Pay by Bank (UK, and some of Europe) settles almost immediately.
- SEPA and ACH are debits that take a day or two to confirm.
Card
Instant, and available everywhere. Slightly higher total because card processing costs more.
Larger payments
Above £250.00 the checkout recommends bank. Above £1,000.00 card is still offered, with an extra 3-D Secure step from your bank.
If our checks flag something about the payment, card may not be offered on a larger purchase and bank will be. That is not a judgement about you — it is a threshold plus a signal, and bank is always available.
Recurring purchases
Memberships and Bills are card only. Bank methods are for one-off payments.