Paydibs vs Curlec: Which is Best for Malaysian Businesses

Paydibs and Curlec payment gateway comparison, who is better for business.

When it comes to setting up a shop, selecting the right payment gateway is a pivotal decision that impacts everything from customer experience to your bottom line. In Malaysia, with our rapidly developing digital economies and rise of cashless payments, it’s important for businesses to catch-up to the ever-evolving trends.

Today, we will provide an in-depth comparison of Curlec and Paydibs, two leading local payment providers in the scene.

We’ll explore their features, pricing, and suitability for various business models, aiming to help you make an informed choice for your payment processing needs.

Paydibs: Tailored Solutions for Diverse Business Needs

Paydibs is a rising star in the payment gateway scene in Malaysia. The award-winning payment provider offers flexible solutions to businesses, from those operating purely online to those with physical brick and mortar stores or even operating vending machines! 

One of the most notable features for Paydibs is their seamless integration with popular e-commerce platforms such as WooCommerce and Magento, alongside SDKs and APIs for mobile app developers.

Merchants also benefit from real-time portal access for efficient transaction tracking and management with the Smart Payment Terminal.

  • Fast Payouts: Card payouts are typically processed within T+1 working day, and e-wallet payouts within T+2 working days, ensuring quick access to funds.
  • Speedy Onboarding: Businesses can expect fast approval for their applications, with deployment often completing in just 3 to 7 days.
  • 24/7 Support: They offer round-the-clock hotline help desk support, providing continuous assistance to merchants.

This focus on competitive pricing, efficient payouts, and consistent support positions Paydibs as a strong contender, particularly for businesses seeking reliable and responsive service.

Paydibs’ Main Packages Overview: 

Feature

Online Package

Terminal Package (Rent)

Terminal Package (Buy)

Mobile App Package

Ideal for

E-commerce websites, online service providers

Physical stores, businesses needing a POS device

Physical stores, businesses needing a POS device

Businesses on the go, mobile transactions

Signup Fee

Free (local merchants); USD 120.00 (foreign merchants)

Free

Free

Free

Yearly Fees

RM300 (waivable if sales > RM360,000/year)

N/A

RM120 (Yearly Connection Fee)

Free (Yearly Maintenance Fee)

Hardware Costs

N/A

RM40/month (All-In-One Smart Terminal)

RM480 (One-time purchase for Smart Terminal)

N/A

Refundable Deposit

Not applicable

RM500

Not applicable

Not applicable

Supported Payment Options

Online Banking (FPX), Credit/Debit Card, E-Wallet & QR Payment, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), International Payment

Credit/Debit Card, E-Wallet & QR Payment, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), International Payment

Credit/Debit Card, E-Wallet & QR Payment, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), International Payment

E-Wallet & QR Payment, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)

Curlec: A Comprehensive Payment Gateway Solution

Curlec, backed by the global payment giant Razorpay, has established itself as a robust and versatile payment gateway in Malaysia. Initially known for its expertise in recurring payments, Curlec has evolved to offer a full spectrum of payment acceptance methods, catering to a wide array of businesses.

One of Curlec’s core strengths lies in its commitment to providing flexible payment options. It allows businesses to accept payments through:

  • Credit & Debit Cards: Supporting major card networks like Visa and Mastercard.
  • FPX (Online Banking): Integrating with over 30 Malaysian banks for seamless bank transfers.
  • E-Wallets: Covering popular platforms such as GrabPay, Touch ‘n Go, and Boost.
  • Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL): Including options like Atome and GrabPay.

Curlec offers a tiered pricing structure designed to accommodate businesses of various sizes and transaction volumes. One notable aspect of their pricing is the absence of an annual fee across all their plans, which is really attractive for businesses.

Here’s a breakdown of their main packages:

Feature

Basic Plan

Premium Plan

Enterprise Plan

One-time Setup Fee

RM 99.00

RM 999.00

Personalised Pricing

Annual Fee

No Annual Fee

No Annual Fee

No Annual Fee

Domestic Card Rate

2.40% per transaction

2.00% per transaction

Contact Sales for custom rates

Foreign Card Rate

3.30% per transaction

2.00% per transaction

Contact Sales for custom rates

FPX Rate

1.50% or RM 1 per transaction (whichever is greater)

1.50% or RM 1 per transaction (whichever is greater)

Contact Sales for custom rates

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)

6.00% per transaction

5.00% per transaction

Contact Sales for custom rates

E-Wallet Rate

1.50% per transaction

1.30% per transaction

Contact Sales for custom rates

Ideal For

Businesses starting out, lower upfront cost

Businesses seeking better rates, higher transaction volumes

Businesses with transaction volumes over RM 1 Million

The Premium plan offers notably better transaction rates, particularly for card payments, both domestic and international, making it appealing for growing businesses with increasing transaction volumes.

Read more: Paydibs vs iPay88: The Right Payment Gateway for Malaysian SMEs

Which is Better for Business? 

When comparing Curlec and Paydibs, it becomes clear that both offer compelling payment solutions, yet they cater to slightly different priorities. Here’s a comparative look at their key aspects:

Feature 

Curlec

Paydibs

Primary Focus

Online businesses, recurring payments, high volume

Online stores, physical retail, mobile businesses (diverse packages)

Setup Fees

RM99 (Basic), RM999 (Premium), Personalised (Enterprise)

Free (local online), Free (Terminal/Mobile)

Annual Fees

None

RM300 (Online – waivable), RM120 (Terminal Buy), Free (Mobile)

Domestic Card Rate

2.40% (Basic), 2.00% (Premium)

Not explicitly stated in provided info (variable by transaction type for online/terminal)

International Card Rate

3.30% (Basic), 2.00% (Premium)

Not explicitly stated in provided info (variable by transaction type for online/terminal)

FPX Rate

1.5% or RM1 (consistent)

Included in Online Package (rate not specified)

E-wallet Rates

1.50% (Basic), 1.30% (Premium)

Included in all packages (rate not specified)

BNPL Support

Atome, GrabPay (with specific rates)

Atome, GrabPay (with specific rates)

Physical POS / Terminal

Integrations available with third-party POS

Dedicated Terminal (Rent/Buy) and Mobile App packages

Developer Tools

APIs, Plugins (WooCommerce, Shopify), SDKs

APIs, WooCommerce, Magento, SDKs for mobile

Recurring Payments

Strong dedicated features, core offering

Available, part of online payment methods

Global Card Saving

Yes

Not explicitly detailed

Disclaimer: The information regarding pricing, features, and specific details for Curlec and Paydibs in this article is based on publicly available data and information provided up to May 2025. Payment gateway offerings, fees, and terms can change. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer directly to the official websites of Curlec and Paydibs.

Making Your Choice: Factors Beyond Fees

While fees are a significant factor, a comprehensive decision involves looking at several other elements.

1. Business Model Alignment

  • For an online-first business, both offer solutions that meet business needs but Curlec’s tiered pricing might be more beneficial as transaction volumes grow due to decreasing card rates.
  • For businesses with a physical storefront or those needing a dedicated payment terminal, Paydibs offers specific Terminal packages (Rent or Buy) and a Mobile App solution, providing tangible hardware or mobile POS options. 

2. Transaction Volume and Cost Efficiency

  • A business with lower online transaction volumes might find Paydibs’ free setup for local online merchants appealing, despite the yearly maintenance fee.
  • For businesses anticipating high card transaction volumes, Curlec’s Premium plan with its 2.00% domestic and international card rate becomes very competitive, justifying its higher setup fee.

3. Payment Method Needs

Both provide strong support for FPX, credit card, local e-wallets options like Touch ‘n Go, GrabPay and Boost. BNPL options are also readily available with Atome and Paylater. Overall, both payment gateway providers meet the needs of every Malaysian business.

4. Integration Ease and Developer Support

Both gateways offer APIs and plugins for popular e-commerce platforms like WooCommerce. However, businesses with custom platforms or those needing extensive mobile app integration should evaluate the quality and documentation of each provider’s SDKs and APIs.

5. Customer Support and Reporting:

Both offer merchant dashboards for transaction tracking and 24/7 support channels like hotline and ticketing. 

However, Paydibs’real-time transaction reports provide much needed information to merchants. Paired with an accounting software, this simplifies daily operations and makes it easier for businesses to manage their finances effectively.

The Payment Gateway Verdict

Curlec, backed by Razorpay, excels in recurring payments, online-first setups, and tiered pricing that rewards higher transaction volumes.

Paydibs offers flexible packages for Malaysian businesses, including those in retail or street vendor setups. With free signup for local merchants and dedicated payment terminals, it’s ideal for SMEs starting out.

But if you think neither of the payment machines in this blog really interest you, why not check out our Top 10 Payment Gateways in Malaysia guide to see which one suits your business best?

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Frequently Asked Questions About Paydibs vs Curlec

1Which Payment Provider Is Better For Small Businesses Or Startups In Malaysia?

Paydibs is often suitable for startups due to its free setup for local online merchants and no upfront cost for terminal rent.

2How easy is integration with popular e-commerce platforms like WooCommerce or Shopify?

Both Paydibs and Curlec offer seamless API integration with WooCommerce, and Curlec also provides specific plugins for Shopify, making setup straightforward for these platforms.

3Do Paydibs or Curlec offer any solutions for physical retail stores beyond just online payments?

Yes. Paydibs offers dedicated Terminal and Mobile App packages for physical stores, while Curlec primarily focuses on online payments but can integrate with third-party POS systems.

4What are the security features of Paydibs and Curlec payment gateways?

Both Curlec and Paydibs are PCI DSS compliant, indicating high standards for payment data security and fraud prevention measures.

5Can I switch between packages with either provider if my business needs change?

Details on package switching policies (upgrade/downgrade processes, associated fees) would need to be directly confirmed with each provider through their customer service channels.

6How do they handle chargebacks and disputes?

Both providers have established procedures to manage chargebacks and disputes in line with payment network rules, with specific processes and potential fees outlined in their respective merchant agreements.