Secure payment processing is a critical requirement for businesses handling customer transactions, particularly within contact centre environments.
PCI-PAL is a recognised provider of PCI-compliant payment solutions, using DTMF suppression technology to secure telephone transactions. SOTpay, developed by Gala Technology, provides secure telephone payments alongside digital, multi-channel, and fully integrated payment capabilities.
Both platforms support secure, compliant payment processing. The difference lies in how payments are handled, how flexible the platform is, and how far it extends beyond the phone call.
PCI-PAL is commonly used by businesses that:
SOTpay is designed for businesses that:
| Feature | SOTpay | PCI-PAL |
|---|---|---|
| Telephone payments | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Core strength |
| DTMF-based payments | ❌ Not used | ✔️ Core approach |
| Pay by link | ✔️ Core capability | ✔️ Supported |
| Multi-channel payments (SMS, chat, social) | ✔️ Strong | ⚠️ Limited |
| Ecommerce checkout | ✔️ Supported | ❌ Not designed for |
| Open Banking payments | ✔️ Yes | ⚠️ Limited |
| Accounting integrations (Xero, QuickBooks) | ✔️ Integrated | ⚠️ Indirect |
| Payment flexibility | ✔️ High | ⚠️ Telephony-led |
| PCI compliance handling | ✔️ Compliant | ✔️ Compliant |
PCI-PAL uses DTMF suppression to protect cardholder data during telephone payments. Customers enter their details using their keypad, with tones masked from agents and recordings.
SOTpay takes a different approach by removing the need for keypad entry altogether. Instead, secure digital payment journeys, such as pay-by-link, allow customers to complete transactions on their own device, reducing reliance on call-based input.
DTMF suppression has long been used to support PCI compliance in contact centres by masking sensitive data during calls.
As payment behaviour evolves, many businesses are now adopting digital-first payment journeys that:
This shift reflects a broader move towards flexibility and efficiency, rather than a complete replacement of existing systems.
SOTpay enables businesses to take payments without requiring customers to enter card details via keypad.
Instead, secure payment links can be sent during or after a call, allowing customers to complete transactions quickly and securely.
This helps:
PCI-PAL is primarily designed for telephone-based environments.
SOTpay enables payments across:
This allows businesses to collect payments wherever customer interactions take place.
Both SOTpay and PCI-PAL provide PCI DSS-compliant payment environments.
SOTpay is designed to reduce PCI scope by removing sensitive card data from your business environment wherever possible. Payments are handled within secure, customer-controlled sessions, rather than passing through internal systems or call infrastructure.
This approach helps:
SOTpay integrates directly with platforms like Xero and QuickBooks, allowing payments to be automatically matched to invoices and financial records.
This helps:
As customer expectations evolve, businesses need more than a single payment channel.
SOTpay allows you to:
DTMF-based platforms are typically well suited to:
However, they may be more limited when businesses need:
Both platforms offer pricing based on:
For many businesses, total cost is influenced by:
PCI-PAL offers secure telephone payments using DTMF suppression, particularly within contact centre environments.
SOTpay supports secure telephone payments while extending payment capability across digital channels, ecommerce, and integrated business systems.
For businesses looking to move beyond telephony-led payment methods and build a more flexible, scalable payment strategy, SOTpay offers a broader and more complete solution.
If your business is evolving beyond traditional telephone payments, a unified payment platform can improve efficiency, reduce friction, and support long-term growth.
Explore SOTpay’s full range of Payment Solutions.
