How to pay
How to pay for games in the UK, store by store
Which UK game stores take PayPal, Apple Pay, paysafecard or mobile billing, how their wallets and refunds work, and what the law adds on top. Checked store by store for UK accounts.
Which store takes what
The methods each store accepts from UK accounts, according to its own help pages. Some stores show more options at checkout than they publish, so a method missing here may still appear for you.
| Store | Debit or credit card | PayPal | Apple Pay | Google Pay | paysafecard | Store gift cards | Mobile billing | Pay later |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | ||||||||
| PlayStation Store | ||||||||
| Xbox and Microsoft Store | ||||||||
| Nintendo eShop | ||||||||
| Epic Games Store | ||||||||
| GOG | ||||||||
| Battle.net | ||||||||
| EA app |
The eight stores
Each guide covers accepted methods, wallets and gift cards, refunds, pre-orders and spending controls, plus the games from our reviews that the store sells.
PC, Mac, Steam DeckPaying at SteamCard and PayPal, wallet codes from £4, and the 14-day, two-hour refund rule.PS5, PS4Paying at PlayStation StoreThe widest menu of methods, including Apple Pay, paysafecard and mobile billing, but refunds stop once a download starts.Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, WindowsPaying at Xbox and Microsoft StoreCards, all four big mobile networks and gift cards; refunds are decided case by case.Switch 2, SwitchPaying at Nintendo eShopVisa, Mastercard and PayPal for adults, a £340 balance cap and no change-of-mind refunds.PC, MacPaying at Epic Games StoreCards, PayPal and O2 or Three billing, with a Steam-style refund rule on items marked refundable.PC, MacPaying at GOGDRM-free games and the most generous refund in this guide: 30 days, even after you have played.PC, MacPaying at Battle.netBlizzard's launcher takes cards, PayPal and paysafecard, with a £200 balance cap and a 14-day refund rule.PCPaying at EA appVisa, Mastercard, Amex and PayPal, an EA Wallet funded only by gift cards, and a 24-hour refund window.
Refund windows at a glance
Refund rules differ more than prices do. GOG gives 30 days even after play; Nintendo refuses change-of-mind refunds altogether. Check this before you buy something expensive.
| Store | Refund window for games | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Steam | 14 days and under 2 hours played | Official policy |
| PlayStation Store | 14 days, only if you have not started downloading | Official policy |
| Xbox and Microsoft Store | No fixed window; case by case | Official policy |
| Nintendo eShop | No change-of-mind refunds; pre-orders cancellable until 7 days before release | Official policy |
| Epic Games Store | 14 days and under 2 hours, on items marked refundable | Official policy |
| GOG | 30 days, even after playing | Official policy |
| Battle.net | 14 days and 2 hours or less played | Official policy |
| EA app | 24 hours after first launch, or 14 days if never launched | Official policy |
Rent or buySubscriptions comparedGame Pass, PlayStation Plus, Nintendo Switch Online and EA Play: prices, tiers and which of our games they include.
UK lawYour rights when you paySection 75, chargebacks, the surcharge ban and what the Consumer Rights Act says about digital games.
Stay in controlLimits and controlsMonthly spending caps, purchase approval and family settings on every platform.
Questions readers ask
Is it safer to pay for games by credit card?
For a single purchase over £100 (a deluxe edition, a console bundle), a UK credit card gives you section 75 protection: the card company is jointly liable if the seller breaks the contract. Debit cards rely on chargeback instead, which is a card-scheme process rather than a legal right. For everyday game prices under £100, both routes depend on chargeback. See your rights.
Does paying through PayPal keep section 75?
Usually not. Citizens Advice explains that paying through a third party such as PayPal normally breaks the link section 75 needs, even if a credit card sits behind your PayPal account. PayPal's own buyer protection applies instead, with 180 days to open a dispute.
Can a store charge me extra for paying by card or PayPal?
No. Since 13 January 2018 UK sellers cannot add a surcharge for consumer debit or credit cards, and the government confirmed the ban covers services such as PayPal.
Can I get my money back for a digital game I did not like?
Only if the store's own policy allows it. Once a download starts with your consent, the 14-day cooling-off right under the Consumer Contracts Regulations normally ends. Steam, Epic and Battle.net offer 14 days and about two hours of play; GOG offers 30 days; PlayStation only before the download starts; Nintendo not at all.
Are gift cards a good way to control spending?
They cap what can be spent, which helps with children's accounts. Two caveats: money added to a PlayStation wallet cannot be refunded, and on Xbox a child spending gift-card balance does not trigger Ask to buy approval. Some card issuers also treat buying gift cards like a money transfer, with fees and interest from day one.
Why does the same game cost different amounts on different stores?
Publishers set prices per platform, and console versions often cost more than PC. Hogwarts Legacy, for example, lists at £49.99 on Steam and Switch but £64.99 on PS5 and Xbox. Every review on this site lists the price at each store.