Online stores need reliable payment gateways to ensure smooth checkout experiences. Over the years, Amazon has offered several payment solutions for eCommerce platforms, including Amazon Flexible Payments Service (FPS).
The WooCommerce Amazon FPS Gateway was a WordPress plugin that allowed store owners to accept payments through Amazon’s secure checkout system. However, this solution is now outdated and no longer supported.
In this SEO guide, we’ll explain what WooCommerce Amazon FPS Gateway is, how it worked, its features, installation process, and why it is no longer recommended for modern WooCommerce stores.
What is WooCommerce Amazon FPS Gateway?
The WooCommerce Amazon FPS Gateway is a legacy payment plugin that integrated Amazon Flexible Payments Service into WooCommerce, allowing customers to pay using Amazon accounts, credit cards, or bank transfers through Amazon’s hosted checkout page.
At the time, it was designed to:
- Enable secure external checkout via Amazon
- Support multiple payment methods
- Handle WooCommerce orders after payment confirmation
However, Amazon officially discontinued FPS years ago, and the plugin is now considered obsolete.
Why Was WooCommerce Amazon FPS Gateway Used?
Before modern gateways like Stripe and Amazon Pay, FPS was popular because it allowed:
Key Advantages (At the Time)
- Secure Amazon-hosted checkout
- No need to store sensitive card data on your website
- Support for bank accounts and Amazon balances
- Compatibility with WooCommerce Subscriptions (early versions)
It was designed for developers and businesses that wanted to leverage Amazon’s ecosystem for payments.
How WooCommerce Amazon FPS Gateway Worked
The payment flow was simple:
- Customer adds products to cart
- Proceeds to WooCommerce checkout
- Selects Amazon FPS payment option
- Redirected to Amazon secure payment page
- Completes payment on Amazon
- Redirected back to WooCommerce order confirmation page
Amazon then sent payment notifications (IPN) back to WooCommerce to update order status automatically.
Key Features of WooCommerce Amazon FPS Gateway (Legacy)
1. Hosted Amazon Checkout
Customers were redirected to Amazon for secure payment processing.
2. Multiple Payment Methods
Supported:
- Credit cards
- Bank transfers
- Amazon account balance
3. WooCommerce Order Sync
Automatically updated order status after successful payment.
4. Sandbox Testing Mode
Allowed developers to test transactions before going live.
5. Subscriptions & Pre-Orders Support (Limited)
Earlier versions supported WooCommerce extensions like subscriptions and pre-orders with token-based billing.
How to Install WooCommerce Amazon FPS Gateway (Historical Setup)
Note: This is for educational purposes only since the service is discontinued.
Step 1: Upload Plugin
- Go to WordPress Dashboard
- Navigate to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin
- Upload ZIP file
Step 2: Activate Plugin
- Click Install Now
- Then click Activate
Step 3: Configure Settings
- Go to WooCommerce → Settings → Payments
- Select Amazon FPS Gateway
Step 4: Add AWS Credentials
- Enter:
- AWS Access Key
- AWS Secret Key
- Save configuration
Step 5: Enable Test Mode
- Run sandbox transactions before production use
Why WooCommerce Amazon FPS Gateway Is No Longer Used
The biggest issue is simple:
Amazon FPS has been discontinued
Amazon officially retired FPS and replaced it with modern solutions like Amazon Pay.
Reasons for Discontinuation:
- Outdated API system
- Replaced by Amazon Pay
- Security and compliance improvements
- Lack of modern WooCommerce support
Modern Alternative to WooCommerce Amazon FPS Gateway
If you are running a WooCommerce store today, you should use:
Recommended Payment Gateways:
- Amazon Pay (official replacement)
- Stripe WooCommerce Gateway
- PayPal Checkout
- Square Payment Gateway
These platforms offer:
- Faster checkout
- Better security
- Mobile optimization
- Ongoing updates
Use Cases (When FPS Was Active)
1. International eCommerce Stores
Used to accept Amazon-based payments globally.
2. Digital Product Stores
Allowed instant access after payment confirmation.
3. Subscription Businesses
Supported recurring billing (limited functionality).
Why Payment Gateway Choice Still Matters
Even though FPS is discontinued, the concept remains important:
A good WooCommerce gateway should provide:
- Fast checkout experience
- Global payment support
- Strong fraud protection
- Easy WooCommerce integration
- Reliable order synchronization
Why Use PluginPro for WooCommerce Ecosystem
Even though WooCommerce Amazon FPS Gateway is no longer active, PluginPro.org provides modern WooCommerce plugins that replace its functionality.
1. Save Up to 95% Budget
Premium WooCommerce plugins at affordable pricing.
2. 100% Clean Code
Safe, optimized, and performance-tested plugins.
3. Unlimited Website Usage
Use plugins across multiple WooCommerce stores.
4. Easy Updates
Stay compatible with latest WordPress and WooCommerce versions.
5. Instant Download
Get plugins immediately after purchase.
6. Trusted Platform
Thousands of WordPress users rely on PluginPro.
Conclusion
The WooCommerce Amazon FPS Gateway was once a powerful payment solution for WordPress stores, enabling Amazon-based transactions through a secure hosted checkout system. However, it is now obsolete due to Amazon discontinuing the FPS service.
Today, modern alternatives like Amazon Pay, Stripe, and PayPal provide faster, safer, and fully supported payment experiences for WooCommerce stores.
If you’re building a modern eCommerce system, focus on updated gateways that ensure security, performance, and long-term compatibility.
And with PluginPro.org, you can build a complete WooCommerce ecosystem with premium tools at a fraction of the cost.
