Features & Specs
If you’re running a membership site with ARMember, you already know it’s one of the most complete WordPress solutions for managing members, subscriptions, and payments. But here’s the catch: if your audience is based in Brazil, you’ll quickly notice something—most people there don’t use PayPal or Stripe for everyday transactions. In fact, many cards that work with Stripe just won’t go through in Brazil. That’s where PagSeguro comes in.
PagSeguro isn’t just another payment gateway; it’s practically the default choice for Brazilians. People trust it, businesses rely on it, and without it, you’ll lose a lot of potential customers. The ARMember PagSeguro Payment Gateway GPL addon makes sure you don’t face that problem. Once you install it, you’ll be able to accept payments in Brazilian Real (BRL) with all the local options Brazilians prefer: credit and debit cards, bank transfers, and yes—even the famous Boleto Bancário, a printed voucher system still widely used there.
Setting it up is pretty straightforward. Upload the plugin just like any other addon, go into ARMember → Payment Gateways, and you’ll see PagSeguro as a new option. All you need to do is enter your PagSeguro email and API token, choose between sandbox (for testing) or live mode, and set the notification URL inside your PagSeguro account. That last step is important because it tells ARMember when a payment is confirmed so the membership activates automatically. Skip it, and you’ll be left with users waiting for manual approval—not fun.
Now let’s go over some of the common questions people usually ask when considering PagSeguro:
What is PagSeguro?
PagSeguro is basically Brazil’s answer to PayPal, but it’s way more in tune with the local market. It was built by UOL (a major internet company in Brazil), and that’s one reason people trust it so much. The gateway supports Brazilian credit cards (including many that won’t work on international systems), debit cards, instant transfers, and Boleto Bancário payments. For a lot of people, especially those without international cards, PagSeguro is the only way they can safely buy things online.
Where is PagSeguro used and what is it for?
PagSeguro is used all over Brazil. Whether it’s e-commerce stores, membership websites, online courses, or even marketplaces, you’ll see PagSeguro as the checkout option almost everywhere. Its purpose is simple: give every Brazilian internet user a way to pay online, even if they don’t have access to PayPal or Stripe. For membership sites, this is especially valuable because it instantly makes your service accessible to the wider Brazilian market, not just those with international cards.
Does PagSeguro work with recurring payments?
Yes, it does. You can set up subscriptions for monthly, quarterly, or yearly plans right inside ARMember. This is perfect if your business model is membership-driven. The only limitation is that PagSeguro doesn’t allow daily billing cycles or free trial periods like Stripe does. But there’s an easy workaround: instead of offering a free trial, set up a heavily discounted first month. That way, people still feel like they’re trying your service before committing long-term.
Can I use it with other currencies?
No, PagSeguro only processes payments in Brazilian Real (BRL). If your site is set up for USD, EUR, or any other currency, you’ll have to switch ARMember’s currency setting to BRL for PagSeguro to work. If you’re targeting both Brazilian and international users, the smart move is to use PagSeguro for local payments and keep PayPal or Stripe active for global customers.
Why should I use PagSeguro instead of PayPal or Stripe?
The main reason is trust. Brazilians recognize PagSeguro and feel comfortable using it. Even if someone has a PayPal account, they’ll often prefer PagSeguro because it feels safer and more local. Also, many Brazilian credit cards just won’t pass through Stripe. So if you only offer PayPal and Stripe, you’ll see abandoned carts and lost sales. Adding PagSeguro solves that problem and builds instant confidence with your local audience.
Is the GPL version safe?
Yes, this GPL version is 100% original and safe to use. It’s legal, update-ready, and doesn’t include any cracks or nulled code. GPL licensing simply means you get the exact same plugin the developers created—minus the high price tag for a personal license. You still get full functionality without risking the security of your site or your users’ data.
