This guide helps you choose and implement the best payment methods for your business using Tonder’s unified API. Learn when to use each payment method and how to create a comprehensive payment strategy for your customers.
For detailed technical specifications, see the Payment Methods Reference.

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How Payment Methods Work

All payment methods in Tonder work through the same unified Process Transaction endpoint. You simply change the payment_method.type and provide any method-specific parameters. This makes it easy to offer multiple payment options without managing different integrations. 
{
  "operation_type": "payment",
  "amount": 100.00,
  "currency": "MXN",
  "customer": { /* customer data */ },
  "payment_method": {
    "type": "CARD" // or "SPEI", "OXXO", "MERCADOPAGO", "SAFETYPAY"
  },
  "client_reference": "order-123"
}

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Available Payment Methods

Tonder supports multiple payment methods to accommodate different customer preferences and business needs. Each method has unique characteristics that make it suitable for specific use cases and customer segments.
These methods provide immediate payment confirmation and are ideal for digital transactions:
MethodBest ForProcessing Time
Card PaymentsE-commerce, instant confirmationImmediate
Mercado PagoDigital-savvy customersImmediate
These methods use the banking network for secure, high-value transactions:
MethodBest ForProcessing Time
SPEI Bank TransfersHigher-value transactions, B2BReal-time
These methods allow customers to pay with cash at physical locations:
MethodBest ForProcessing Time
OXXO Cash PaymentsCustomers without bank accounts24-48 hours
SafetyPay Cash PaymentsAlternative cash payment regions24-48 hours

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Choosing the Right Payment Methods

Selecting the appropriate payment methods for your business depends on your target audience, transaction patterns, and market characteristics. Here are recommendations for different business types and market conditions:
E-commerce platforms need to accommodate diverse customer preferences and transaction sizes. Some primary recommendations are:
  • Use card payments for immediate confirmation.
  • Use OXXO for cash-preferred customers.
  • Use SPEI for higher-value purchases.
B2B platforms typically handle higher transaction values and need reliable payment methods. Some primary recommendations are:
  • Use SPEI bank transfers for business transactions.
  • Use card payments for smaller purchases and international cards.
In regions where cash payments are common, offer multiple cash payment options. Some primary recommendations are:
  • Use OXXO for the widest store coverage in Mexico.
  • Use SafetyPay as an alternative for regions without OXXO.
  • Use card payments for customers with cards.

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Implementation Strategy

Follow this step-by-step approach to successfully integrate multiple payment methods into your application. This strategy helps you build a robust payment system that adapts to different customer needs and market conditions.

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Step 1: Start with Core Methods

Begin with the most essential payment methods for your market:
1

Implement card payments first

Cards provide immediate confirmation and work for most customers.
2

Add OXXO for cash payments

Essential for the Mexican market where cash is still popular.
3

Consider SPEI for higher amounts

Bank transfers are trusted for larger transactions.
4

Expand based on customer feedback

Add digital wallets and alternative methods based on demand.

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Step 2: Design Your Payment Flow

Create a payment flow that handles different payment methods appropriately. This code example shows how to build a dynamic payment method selector that presents relevant options based on order amount and customer location: 
// Example: Payment method selector
class PaymentMethodSelector {
  constructor(orderAmount, customerLocation) {
    this.amount = orderAmount;
    this.location = customerLocation;
  }
  
  getAvailableMethods() {
    const methods = [
      {
        type: 'CARD',
        name: 'Tarjeta de crédito/débito',
        processingTime: 'Inmediato',
        icon: 'credit-card',
        recommended: true
      },
      {
        type: 'OXXO', 
        name: 'Pago en OXXO',
        processingTime: '24-48 horas',
        icon: 'store',
        description: 'Paga en efectivo en cualquier OXXO'
      }
    ];
    
    if (this.amount >= 500) {
      methods.push({
        type: 'SPEI',
        name: 'Transferencia bancaria',
        processingTime: 'Inmediato',
        icon: 'bank',
        description: 'Transfiere desde tu banca en línea'
      });
    }
    
    return methods;
  }
}

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Step 3: Handle Different Response Types

Each payment method returns different response patterns that you need to handle appropriately. This code example demonstrates how to process responses from different payment methods and route customers to the appropriate next step: 
// Handle various payment method responses
const handlePaymentResponse = (response, paymentType) => {
  switch (paymentType) {
    case 'CARD':
      if (response.status === 'authorized') {
        showSuccessPage(response);
      } else if (response.next_action) {
        // Handle 3DS redirect
        redirectTo3DS(response.next_action.redirect_to_url.url);
      }
      break;
      
    case 'OXXO':
    case 'SAFETYPAY':
      // Show payment voucher
      displayCashVoucher(response.payment_instructions);
      break;
      
    case 'SPEI':
      // Show bank transfer instructions
      displayBankInstructions(response.payment_instructions);
      break;
      
    case 'MERCADOPAGO':
      // Redirect to Mercado Pago
      redirectToWallet(response.next_action.redirect_to_url.url);
      break;
  }
};

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Best Practices for Multiple Payment Methods

Implementing multiple payment methods successfully requires careful planning and attention to user experience. Follow these best practices to create a seamless payment experience that maximizes conversion rates and customer satisfaction.
  • Show processing times clearly for each method.
  • Recommend payment methods based on order amount and customer profile.
  • Provide fallbacks when preferred methods fail.
  • Maintain consistent UI across all payment methods.
  • Use the same Process Transaction endpoint for all payment methods.
  • Implement proper error handling for each method type.
  • Set up webhooks to track asynchronous payments (OXXO, SPEI, SafetyPay).
  • Store payment method preferences for returning customers.
  • Analyze payment method performance (success rates, customer preference).
  • Optimize for your customer base (age, location, transaction size).
  • Monitor abandonment rates by payment method.
  • Test different payment method orders in your checkout flow.

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Monitoring and Analytics

Track these metrics for each payment method. This code example shows how to track payment method interactions and store them in an analytics system: 
const trackPaymentMethod = (method, action, metadata = {}) => {
  analytics.track('payment_method_interaction', {
    method: method,
    action: action, // 'selected', 'completed', 'failed'
    amount: metadata.amount,
    customer_segment: metadata.segment,
    timestamp: new Date().toISOString()
  });
};

// Usage examples
trackPaymentMethod('CARD', 'selected', { amount: 150, segment: 'returning' });
trackPaymentMethod('OXXO', 'completed', { amount: 250, segment: 'new' });

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Next Steps