An External Payment Provider (EPP) is one of several hundred Merchant Services Providers that offers services to businesses using Shopify. Shopify refers to these service providers as “external” because a merchant must use Authorize.net, PinWheel Payment Gateway, or a separate payment gateway as a bridge or connection between the cardholder and Shopify. A separate payment gateway typically involves a  $15.00 to $25.00 fixed monthly recurring fee. Furthermore, Shopify will add a fee of 1% or 2% to each transaction depending on the hosting package selected by the merchant. During the checkout experience, the buyer is redirected away from the Shopify checkout page to enter their credit card information.