Quick note (1st October 2025):
This post was originally published at the end of August. At Barclaycard’s request, we temporarily withdrew it to allow them time to notify their merchants directly.
We’re now making the announcement public again so all affected merchants have the guidance they need.
After over ten years of supporting merchants with our Barclaycard ePDQ plugins, on 21th Aug 2025 we received confirmation from Barclaycard that Smartpay Checkout (commonly known as ePDQ) will be fully withdrawn.
Key dates to know:
- Barclaycard will end support for ePDQ on 31st March 2026.
- All existing ePDQ merchants will receive an official termination notice from Barclaycard in August 2025.
- Merchants will need to switch to an alternative payment gateway before 31st March 2026 to avoid any disruption to payments.
What This Means for Our ePDQ Plugin
As of today, 21th Aug 2025, we’ve:
- Stopped processing renewals for the ePDQ plugins.
- Extended all current ePDQ support contracts until 31st March 2026, at no extra cost.
This ensures you’ll continue to receive full support from us until Barclaycard’s end-of-life date.
Recommended Alternative Payment Gateways
We have several fully supported WooCommerce payment gateway plugins that can replace ePDQ. Here are three popular options:
1. Lloyds Cardnet Connect for WooCommerce
A secure and trusted solution from Lloyds Bank, offering simple, reliable online payments for UK businesses.
View Plugin →
Email sales: cardnetsalescentre@Lloydsbanking.com
2. Opayo for WooCommerce
Trusted by thousands of merchants, Opayo offers advanced fraud protection and seamless WooCommerce integration.
View Plugin →
Email sales: OpayoSales@elavon.com
3. AIBMS Authipay for WooCommerce
A fast, reliable, and cost-effective solution from AIB Merchant Services. Perfect for merchants looking for a smooth transition from ePDQ.
View Plugin →
Email sales: sales@aibms.com
More Options Available
These three are just a few of the gateways we support. We also have plugins for several other providers, so if you’d like to explore more options, you can view all our payment gateway plugins here →.
Update as of October 3rd 2025:
Barclays are recommending merchants move to Cardstream. We already have a Cardstream for WooCommerce plugin in the works, you can sign up to the waitlist here. The first 50 merchants who join will receive a free full setup from our team.
That said, we strongly advise merchants to shop around. You have time, and each business has different needs. We won’t push one provider over another, the right choice depends on your setup.
If you have any questions or worries, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help in any way we can.
Important Announcement: Barclaycard ePDQ Support Ending – Here’s What It Means for You now
Supporting Your Transition
We know switching payment gateways can feel daunting, so our team is here to:
- Help you compare providers based on your business needs.
- Guide you through the integration process step by step.
- Provide an exclusive discount code for all existing ePDQ merchants who switch to one of the gateways we support.
We’re committed to making this as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Our Commitment
This isn’t just another plugin for us, ePDQ was where AG began. We know how much our merchants have relied on it, and we’re here to help you find the right path forward for your business.
If you’d like advice on choosing your next gateway or want to chat through your options, get in touch with our friendly support team at support@weareag.co.uk.
Additional guidance for subscription merchants:
If your store relies on saved cards or subscription renewals, please be aware that moving to a new provider is not always straightforward. Tokens can’t usually be migrated between providers, which means you’ll need to plan how to handle existing subscriptions and renewals.
We recommend starting to map out your options early, so you have a clear action plan in place well before ePDQ support ends.
Again, our team is here if you need advice or a sounding board.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is Barclaycard ePDQ ending?
Barclaycard has confirmed that Smartpay Checkout (ePDQ) will be fully withdrawn, with support ending on 31st March 2026.
Do I need to do anything right now?
Not immediately. Barclaycard will send an official termination notice to all ePDQ merchants in August 2025.
However, we strongly recommend starting to plan your switch to a new gateway as soon as possible to avoid last-minute disruption.
Will my current ePDQ plugin keep working?
Yes, until 31st March 2026. After that date, Barclaycard will switch off ePDQ services, and payments will no longer process through the gateway.
Do I need to renew my ePDQ plugin licence?
No. As of 21th August 2025, we’ve:
- Stopped processing renewals for the ePDQ plugin
- Extended all existing support contracts until 31st March 2026 at no extra cost
You’ll continue to receive full support until Barclaycard’s cut-off date.
What alternatives do you recommend?
We’ve got several fully supported WooCommerce payment gateway plugins ready to replace ePDQ. Three popular options are:
We also support many other gateways View all our plugins →
Will you help me migrate to a new provider?
Absolutely! We can:
Provide an exclusive discount code for existing ePDQ merchants moving to one of our supported gateways
Help you compare providers based on your business needs
Walk you through the integration process step by step
What if I do nothing?
If you take no action, you won’t be able to accept payments through ePDQ after 31st March 2026.
We strongly recommend transitioning well before the deadline to avoid downtime.