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Wero & Direct Bank Transfer: Account-to-Account Payments for Higher Conversion at Shopify Checkout
After the discontinuation of Sofortüberweisung and giropay: How you can enable payments via online banking in Shopify using Wero and Unzer Direct Bank Transfer.
Since the discontinuation of Sofortüberweisung and giropay at the end of 2024, many online shoppers in Germany have been missing a familiar payment option: paying directly from their own bank account, without a credit card or a third-party provider such as PayPal.
A 2023 survey demonstrates how significantly the absence of a payment method can affect conversion: 43% of consumers in Germany have abandoned a purchase because their preferred payment method was not available at checkout (C Space (im Auftrag von Visa): „Bevölkerungsumfrage unter Konsument:innen in Deutschland“ (2023).)
With Wero and Unzer Direct Bank Transfer there are now two new solutions available to fill this gap – both enable account-to-account payments directly from the bank account, but differ in technology, market reach and use cases. In this article, you will learn how both payment methods work and how to integrate them into your Shopify shop.
Wero: The European Answer to PayPal & Others
Wero is backed by the European Payments Initiative (EPI), a consortium of more than 16 European banks and payment service providers. The aim is to create a European-wide wallet infrastructure, making payments across Europe less dependent on international card networks and wallet providers in the long term. Unzer has been a principal member of the EPI since June 2025 and was among the first payment providers to offer Wero to online merchants. The first references include Fahrrad.de, Dirts, Decathlon, and TÜV Hessen.
At checkout, customers choose Wero as their payment method, scan a QR code or open a payment link, and confirm the payment with strong customer authentication (SCA) in their banking or Wero app. The payment is made via SEPA Instant Credit Transfer and usually takes just a few seconds. In addition to single payments, Wero will soon support recurring and event-driven payments, such as for subscriptions. Payment authorisation is secured cryptographically.
Key Advantages for Merchants:
- Real-time payment confirmation: Orders can be processed immediately.
- Cross-border usability: Customers can use Wero in all supported markets. EPI’s goal is an interoperable payment network for up to 15 European countries.
- Omnichannel potential: Wero is already available online and will soon be available at the point of sale.
- Central integration: Via UnzerOne and the Wero Shopify app from Unzer, you can connect Wero without needing individual contracts with banks or national payment systems.
- More cost-effective alternative: Wero is generally more affordable than card payments or wallets like PayPal, offering merchants potential for lower payment costs.
Currently, Wero is supported by leading banks in Germany, France, and Belgium and processes payments in euros only. In 2026, Unzer plans to expand to further use cases, such as in-store payments, subscriptions, and loyalty programmes, and to activate for customers in Luxembourg.
Unzer Direct Bank Transfer – the Successor to Sofortüberweisung
Unzer Direct Bank Transfer was developed in partnership with Mastercard and has been available in Germany since January 2025. The payment method can be used in all SEPA countries; gradual expansion to further European markets is planned.
The solution is based on Mastercard’s Open Banking platform. At checkout, customers are redirected directly to their online banking and authenticate the payment using their existing bank or banking app process—for example, via OTP (one-time password), fingerprint, or facial recognition. No extra user account or separate app is required; their existing bank login is sufficient.
The advantages for merchants:
- High security: Two-factor authentication (2FA) ensures that only authorised users can approve payments.
- Potential for higher conversion: Many customers are familiar with the online banking process and do not have to create an additional account, which lowers friction at checkout and reduces cart abandonment.
- Real-time funds check: Account balance is checked during the payment process, reducing the risk of later payment recalls.
- Easy integration: Using the official Shopify app, "Unzer Direct Bank Transfer," Unzer Direct Bank Transfer can be integrated into Shopify shops in just a few steps.
- More cost-effective alternative: Unzer Direct Bank Transfer is typically cheaper than card payments or wallets like PayPal, offering merchants further potential savings on payment costs.
Unzer also plans a white-label version of Direct Bank Transfer, allowing merchants to further adapt the payment process to their own shop branding – especially relevant for those who value a consistent brand experience.
Those who previously used Sofortüberweisung can find a migration guide for switching to Unzer Direct Bank Transfer in the Unzer documentation.
Direct Bank Transfer and Wero for Shopify from a Single Source
Unzer was one of the first payment service providers to make Wero available for German e-commerce. In parallel, Unzer offers its own open banking solution with Direct Bank Transfer—so as a Shopify merchant, you get both account-to-account solutions from a single payment provider.
The solutions in direct comparison:
Wero | Direct Bank Transfer | |
|---|---|---|
Method | Traditional bank transfer (like prepayment) | Traditional bank transfer (like prepayment) |
Provider | European Payments Initiative (EPI) | Unzer (open banking partnership with Mastercard) |
Authentication | Strong customer authentication in banking or Wero app | Strong customer authentication in banking app |
Availability | Germany, France, Belgium – further countries ongoing | Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium – all SEPA countries |
Processing time | Real time | Real time (if supported by customer bank) |
Target group | App-savvy customers looking for a European PayPal alternative | Customers used to classic online banking |
How to Integrate Wero and Direct Bank Transfer into Shopify
Both payment methods are available as official Shopify apps from Unzer:
Both solutions run via UnzerOne, Unzer’s integrated payment platform. For you, this means: one contract partner, one technical integration, and unified reporting—even if you offer both payment options in parallel.
Outlook: The Future of Wero and Direct Bank Transfer
Further development phases are planned for both payment methods in 2026.
For Wero, additional use cases are the focus. Planned features include point-of-sale payments, support for subscriptions and loyalty programmes, and launch for customers in Luxembourg.
Direct Bank Transfer is to become available in further markets outside Germany and Austria as Unzer expands across Europe.
FAQ
Is Direct Bank Transfer the same as Wero?
No. Unzer Direct Bank Transfer is an open banking solution developed in partnership with Mastercard. Wero, on the other hand, is a European wallet from the European Payments Initiative (EPI). Both enable account-to-account payments, but differ in their technical setup and usage concept.
How quickly are payments processed with Wero and Direct Bank Transfer?
Wero processes payments via SEPA Instant Credit Transfer, usually within seconds. Unzer Direct Bank Transfer checks the account balance almost in real time. The actual disbursement timing to merchants depends on each payout process. Both methods support real-time transfers—provided the customer’s bank supports them.
Are there fees for Direct Bank Transfer or Wero?
Fees depend on your individual agreement with Unzer and may vary depending on your business model. As both methods circumvent card networks, the usual interchange fee applied to card payments does not apply. For specific terms, please contact Unzer directly.
How are refunds processed?
Both Wero and Unzer Direct Bank Transfer support full and partial refunds; it is not possible to cancel a transaction before payment is completed.
Can customers use Wero cross-border?
Yes. Customers can pay just as easily when abroad as at home in participating Wero markets (currently Germany, France, Belgium), provided their bank supports Wero. In the long term, the EPI aims to achieve interoperability across 15 European countries.
Do customers need a special app to pay with Wero?
No. Customers simply need a banking app that supports Wero, or the standalone Wero app. Payment approval then happens directly via their chosen app.
How complex is the technical integration in Shopify?
Both payment methods are available as official Unzer Shopify apps and are easy to integrate without complex bespoke development. Since both Wero and Unzer Direct Bank Transfer are processed via UnzerOne, there is no need for dual contracts even when using both payment methods simultaneously.