The Most Used Online Payment Methods in Brazil
Paulo Wesley·
·3 min read
The most used payment methods for online purchases in Brazil are Pix and credit cards. According to the Global Payments Report 2026, cited by Poder360, Pix accounted for 42% of the value of Brazilian e-commerce in 2025, credit cards for 40%, digital wallets for 10% and debit cards for 4%. To sell well, your checkout needs at least Pix and credit cards with installments. Boleto and digital wallets complete the offer, depending on your audience.
A snapshot of Brazilian e-commerce
| Payment method | Share of e-commerce value (2025) | When it is decisive |
|---|---|---|
| Pix | 42% | Quick purchases, people avoiding cards, upfront discounts |
| Credit card | 40% | Higher tickets and installments |
| Digital wallets | 10% | Users of apps such as Mercado Pago and PicPay |
| Debit card | 4% | People who avoid credit |
| Cash and others | 5% | Specific cases |
Source: Global Payments Report 2026, via Poder360. Figures vary by metric: by number of transactions, for example, credit cards still weigh heavily. What matters is the trend: Pix grew fast and became the standard.
Pix
Pix is the instant payment system created by Brazil's Central Bank in 2020. It runs 24/7, confirmation takes seconds and the cost for sellers is usually lower than for cards. In 2025 there were about 80 billion transactions. In e-commerce, the customer scans a QR code or pastes a "copia e cola" code into their banking app.
Why it matters to you: many Brazilians prefer Pix to cards, and a Pix discount (5% to 10%) is one of the most common ways to increase conversion. The full guide is in how to sell in Brazil with Pix.
Credit cards
Credit cards remain essential, mainly because of installments. Interest-free installments account for over 40% of credit card purchases, according to Abecs. For tickets above a few hundred reais, not offering installments kills the sale. Learn why in installments in Brazil: why Brazilians pay in 10x.
Points to watch:
- Card brands: besides Visa and Mastercard, accept Elo, a common Brazilian card brand, and Hipercard if possible.
- Fraud prevention: Brazil has a relevant volume of card fraud. Use fraud screening and authentication (3-D Secure) carefully so you do not block legitimate customers.
- International cards are not enough: if you charge from abroad, many Brazilian cards are not enabled for international purchases, and the purchase pays IOF tax.
Digital wallets
Apps such as Mercado Pago and PicPay store balances and cards and offer credit. Google Pay and Apple Pay are also used. Wallets accounted for about 10% of e-commerce value in 2025 and are expected to grow. If your processor offers them, turn them on.
Boleto bancário
Boleto has lost ground in online retail but remains important in sales to companies and for people who do not use cards. See boleto bancário: how it works and when it still matters.
Recurring payments (subscriptions)
For SaaS, clubs and monthly fees:
- Recurring credit card billing: the most common method for subscriptions.
- Pix Automático: launched by the Central Bank in 2025, it lets customers authorize recurring charges via Pix, without a credit card. Good for people without cards or with low limits.
- Monthly boleto: still common in traditional services.
More details for software in how to sell SaaS in Brazil.
Which combination to offer
| Your business | Recommended combination |
|---|---|
| Online store (physical goods) | Pix with discount + card installments + digital wallet |
| Info products and courses | Pix + card installments up to 12x (+ boleto if your audience asks) |
| SaaS for small businesses | Recurring card + Pix Automático + annual boleto |
| Larger B2B deals | Invoiced boleto + Pix + bank transfer |
How a foreign company offers these methods
Without a company in Brazil, use processors that serve foreign sellers and offer Pix, boleto and Brazilian cards with installments, settling abroad. With a local company, you sign up with Brazilian acquirers and banks directly. Compare the paths in can you sell in Brazil without a local company?.
Summary
Pix and credit cards with installments are mandatory. Digital wallets and boleto widen your reach. For subscriptions, combine recurring cards and Pix Automático. Getting the checkout right can be worth more than any marketing campaign. If you want help choosing a processor and payment mix, talk to BrazilDoor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most used payment method in Brazilian e-commerce?
By transaction value, Pix: 42% in 2025, according to the Global Payments Report 2026. Credit cards come right after, with 40%.
Do I need to accept boleto?
It depends on your audience. In online retail, Pix and cards cover most sales. In sales to companies and for people who do not use cards, boleto is still important.
What is the Elo card brand?
It is a Brazilian card brand created by major banks in the country. It is quite common, so it is worth accepting alongside Visa and Mastercard.
How do I bill subscriptions in Brazil?
With recurring credit card billing and, increasingly, with Pix Automático, which lets customers authorize recurring debits via Pix.
Sources
About the author
Business consultant with a degree in Accounting, MBA in Finance (UFRJ) and certified financial market analyst. Since 2014 he has helped companies from more than 10 countries understand and enter the Brazilian market.
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