Give GoCardless Gateway is a specialized payment integration for the GiveWP donation platform that enables organizations to accept Direct Debit payments. The gateway provides a bank-to-bank donation method that significantly reduces transaction costs compared to credit card networks. It supports both one-time and recurring contributions through a streamlined setup process.
WPExclusive members get access to the GoCardless gateway as part of a full plugin and theme library — plans from $9.99/month. See the full GiveWP collection →
What Is Give GoCardless Gateway?
Give GoCardless Gateway is developed by GiveWP and is a payments plugin for WordPress. It belongs to the payments category on WPExclusive, alongside other tools for nonprofit organizations.
The plugin solves the problem of high processing fees and expired credit cards by utilizing the GoCardless network for automated bank withdrawals. It is designed for nonprofits in the UK, Europe, and Sweden who want to stabilize their long-term funding through reliable Direct Debit agreements.
Give GoCardless Gateway Features
The feature set is built around providing a secure, lower-cost alternative to traditional card processors while maintaining a professional checkout experience.
Direct Debit Processing
The GoCardless gateway uses an automated payment method that charges donations directly from bank accounts. By avoiding card networks, fees are capped at 1% per transaction with a maximum of £2 and a minimum of 20p. This makes the plugin ideal for processing large donations where percentage-based card fees would be prohibitive.
Recurring Donation Support
The plugin integrates with the Recurring Donations extension to manage ongoing subscriptions. Bank-to-bank payments do not expire like credit cards, which reduces churn and increases the lifetime value of each donor. Once a mandate is established, the donation renewals happen automatically without further donor intervention.
Developer and Testing Tools
Integration is built for simplicity with a no-API key connection process. It includes a native GoCardless Sandbox mode, allowing administrators to test the entire donation flow before going live. The plugin also provides granular control over how the payment method appears on specific donation forms.
Pricing
The retail price for a single site license is $79 per year. WPExclusive members access it as part of their subscription package, which includes priority updates and support for every plugin in the library.
| Plan | Price | Sites | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single License | $79/year | 1 Site | Updates + Support |
| WPExclusive Membership | From $9.99/month | Unlimited | GoCardless gateway + full library |
For developers managing multiple sites, a WPExclusive membership covers the GoCardless gateway plus hundreds of other plugins and themes — usually less than one premium license.
Latest Version
The current version is 2.0.2. The plugin receives regular updates to maintain compatibility with the core GiveWP framework and WordPress 6.6+. WPExclusive updates plugin files promptly after each release.
How to Install
- Download the GoCardless gateway .zip from your WPExclusive member account
- In WordPress: Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin
- Select the .zip and click Install Now → Activate
- Navigate to Donations → Settings → Payment Gateways to enable GoCardless
- Connect your account using the automated setup button (no manual keys required)
Use Cases
UK and European Registered Charities
Organizations needing to reclaim tax benefits can use this plugin alongside the Give Gift Aid extension to maximize local revenue streams via BACS and SEPA schemes.
High-Volume Donation Portals
Nonprofits processing large individual sums or high monthly volumes utilize the GoCardless gateway to move away from 2.9% credit card fees toward a 1% capped model.
Agencies and Developers Managing Multiple Client Sites
Maintaining high-end donation stacks across multiple nonprofit clients is more cost-effective with a WPExclusive membership, which provides the necessary gateway files without purchasing redundant retail keys.
vs Alternatives
| Feature | GoCardless gateway | Give Stripe Gateway | Give Dwolla Gateway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payment Type | Direct Debit | Credit Card / ACH | Bank Transfer (US) |
| Low Capped Fees | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Starting Price | $79 | $79 | $79 |
| Available on WPExclusive | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Browse the full payments plugins on WPExclusive →
Pros and Cons
✅ Strengths
- Fees are capped at £2, making it the most affordable option for large donations
- Bank mandates do not expire, significantly lowering involuntary subscription churn
- Direct Debit Guarantee security provides peace of mind for cautious donors
- One-click connection process eliminates manual API key configuration
⚠️ Limitations
- Direct Debit payments typically take 3-5 days to clear unlike instant card payments
- Developer auto-updates require an active license key. WPExclusive publishes updates manually when new versions are released.
Is Give GoCardless Gateway GPL Licensed?
Yes. Give GoCardless Gateway is distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) — the same license that governs WordPress itself. GPL gives any user the legal right to use, study, share, and redistribute the software. This is the legal framework that makes WPExclusive’s membership model possible.
WPExclusive distributes 100% original, unmodified files — the same release the developer publishes. No injected code, no alterations, no security risks.
Get Give GoCardless Gateway on WPExclusive
WPExclusive membership starts at $9.99/month, $87/year, or $149 lifetime — giving you Give GoCardless Gateway plus every plugin and theme in the library, on unlimited sites.
Explore the full GiveWP collection → or browse all WordPress plugins →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Give GoCardless Gateway do?
Give GoCardless Gateway is an add-on for the GiveWP plugin that facilitates Direct Debit payments. The gateway allows donors to pay via automated bank withdrawal rather than through credit cards.
Is Give GoCardless Gateway free?
Every GiveWP gateway is a premium extension. You can access the gateway through a WPExclusive membership starting from $9.99/month.
What is the latest version of Give GoCardless Gateway?
The current stable release is version 2.0.2. The plugin is actively maintained — WPExclusive members always receive the most current release.
How much does Give GoCardless Gateway cost?
The developer charges $79 per year for a single site. Via WPExclusive, it is included in plans from $9.99/month.
Is it legal to use Give GoCardless Gateway via WPExclusive?
The plugin is GPL licensed, which explicitly permits redistribution. WPExclusive provides original, unmodified files — fully within GPL terms.
What are the best alternatives to Give GoCardless Gateway?
Common alternatives include Give Stripe Gateway and Give Dwolla Gateway. All are available on WPExclusive within the same membership.
