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Half of Your Customers Switch Payment Methods at Checkout

Choosing how to pay might seem like a simple decision. But in the world of e-commerce, it’s a powerful moment of user choice. One that has direct consequences for conversion, cost, and experience. Our recent data shows a key insight that every merchant should pay attention to: 50.68% of users actively switch from the pre-selected payment method during checkout.

In other words,half of your customers bypass the default. Here’s what that means, and what to do about it.

The Role of the Default Payment Method

The first payment method shown in checkout carries more weight than most merchants realize. From a user experience perspective, it sets the tone: it’s the path of least resistance, and many shoppers will follow it, if it matches their preferred way to pay. Our data confirms this behavior:

  • Roughly 50% of shoppers choose the default payment method
  • The other 50% scroll down or select something else This is known in UX design as the “default effect.” People often stick with what's easiest, but only when it aligns with their expectations or habits. Which means:
  • The right default reduces friction
  • The wrong default introduces hesitation, or worse, abandonment
50% switch payment methods

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Why Do Customers Switch?

There are a few reasons why a shopper might actively change their payment method:

  • Incentives: Some users want to use a specific card to collect points or cashback
  • Limits: Credit limit issues may push them to alternative options like BNPL
  • Trust: Local or well-known wallets (like Swish, PayPal or iDEAL) feel safer
  • Accessibility: They might be shopping from a country where your default option isn’t common This behavior isn’t a problem. In fact, it’s a valuable signal: customers want control. If they don’t see a payment method that feels right, they’ll work to find it, or exit the funnel.

The Business Case for Smarter Payment Configuration

It’s easy to assume that streamlining checkout means offering fewer choices. But in this case, less is not more. Here’s why offering a variety of relevant payment methods and placing the right one on top can have a big business impact:

Optimize the Default

The pre-selected method should reflect your users’ most preferred option in each market. This minimizes the need for switching and creates a smoother checkout. With tools like Briqpay, you can dynamically choose which method appears first.

Offer Real Choice

For the 50% who don’t go with the default, having multiple trusted options makes all the difference. Studies from the Baymard Institute show that 11% of users abandon their cart if their preferred payment method isn’t available. Adding more options, such as digital wallets or local methods, can increase checkout completion rates by up to 30%.

Balance UX and Cost

Every payment method carries a different processing fee. It’s tempting to prioritize the cheapest, but pushing customers toward methods they don’t trust can lead to lost revenue. The right strategy? Guide users gently, make the preferred (and possibly most cost-effective) option the default, but ensure that popular alternatives are easily accessible.

Key Takeaways for Ecommerce Teams

  • Default isn’t everything. Half of your users will change it. So make it count, but don’t rely on it.
  • Offer flexibility. The more relevant choices you provide, the more likely customers are to complete their purchase.
  • Test and adapt. Payment behavior varies by market, device, and audience. Tools like Briqpay make it easy to adjust in real time without redeveloping your checkout.

At Briqpay, we help e-commerce teams turn payment flexibility into a competitive edge. Our single integration unlocks any provider, any market, and gives you full control of your checkout, all from one interface.

Want to talk payments?

Book a meeting and let's talk about the future of payments. We will help you discover how you can leverage payments to maximize your checkout

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