Debit cards dominate as the preferred online payment method across both genders in the UK, according to 2026 data on preferred online payment methods by gender. Half of female respondents () favour debit cards for online purchases, with male respondents close behind at , making it the clear leading choice for both groups.
Credit cards rank second overall, though with a more notable gender gap — of men prefer them compared to of women. PayPal or similar services follow in third place, preferred by of men and of women, representing a relatively consistent pattern across genders.
Buy Now, Pay Later services show the sharpest divergence between groups: women are more than twice as likely as men to select this option ( versus ), reflecting a broader trend of female consumers gravitating toward flexible payment solutions. Bank transfer also skews slightly female ( versus ), while cash on delivery and e-wallet options remain marginal for both groups.
