Headless Commerce Payment Processing: API-First Infrastructure for Custom Checkout
Modern ecommerce teams building headless or composable architectures need a payment layer that matches — a clean API, comprehensive SDKs, and payment infrastructure that works with any frontend rather than dictating it.
GetPayment's API-first payment platform integrates with Next.js, React, Vue, and custom mobile applications. Full control over checkout UX, no platform fees, and PCI compliance architecture designed for headless builds.
Why Teams Choose API-First Payments for Headless Commerce
Platform-bundled checkout creates dependencies that limit performance, customization, and cost optimization. Here's what you gain by going headless.
Platform checkout lock-in limits UX optimization and adds checkout fees (0.5–2% on Shopify)
Own your checkout entirely. No platform fees. A/B test every element. Run the same checkout on web, mobile app, and any other surface via API
PCI compliance burden when building custom checkout
Iframe-based card tokenization limits your PCI scope to SAQ-A — the lightest possible tier. No card data ever touches your servers
Fragmented SDKs across card schemes, wallets, and local payment methods
Single API endpoint handles cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, ACH, BNPL, and 50+ local payment methods. One integration, all methods
Slow integration timelines blocking headless commerce launches
Comprehensive SDK, documentation, code examples, and dedicated technical onboarding. Most teams go live within 2 weeks
Complete Headless Payment API
Every API capability you need to build a world-class headless checkout experience — without the limitations of bundled platform solutions.
RESTful API
Clean, versioned REST API with idempotency keys, comprehensive error codes, and consistent response structures. Full OpenAPI specification available.
JavaScript SDK
Lightweight JS SDK with React, Vue, and vanilla JS support. PCI-compliant card element components that tokenize before data reaches your servers.
PCI SAQ-A Scope
Tokenization architecture keeps card data out of your systems entirely. Iframe-based card capture means minimal PCI scope for your engineering team.
Webhooks & Events
Real-time event system for all payment state transitions. payment.authorized, payment.captured, refund.created, dispute.opened — with retry and delivery guarantees.
Idempotent Requests
All mutating API calls accept idempotency keys, eliminating duplicate charge risk from network retries or client-side failures in high-traffic environments.
Multi-Currency API
Single API endpoint handles 135+ currencies. Presentment currency and settlement currency managed independently. Real-time FX rates via API.
3DS2 Native Integration
Native 3D Secure 2.0 flow manageable entirely through API — no page redirects. Handle the 3DS challenge flow in your own UI for the best user experience.
Reporting API
Full analytics API: transactions, settlements, chargebacks, authorization rates by card type. Pipe data directly to your analytics infrastructure or BI tools.
Sandbox Environment
Full-featured sandbox with test card scenarios for all decline codes, 3DS states, and chargeback scenarios. Mirror of production API for reliable pre-launch testing.
Headless Payments FAQ
Build Your Headless Checkout
Get API credentials and start testing in sandbox today. Our technical team supports your integration from day one.