---
title: "Get started with Adyen"
description: "An overview of the steps to start accepting payments using Adyen."
url: "https://docs.adyen.com/get-started-with-adyen"
source_url: "https://docs.adyen.com/get-started-with-adyen.md"
canonical: "https://docs.adyen.com/get-started-with-adyen"
last_modified: "2024-03-19T16:59:00+01:00"
language: "en"
---

# Get started with Adyen

An overview of the steps to start accepting payments using Adyen.

[View source](/get-started-with-adyen.md)

## Step 1. Create a test account

##### Adyen webinars

Sign up for one of our [upcoming webinars](https://help.adyen.com/academy) to learn more about managing your Adyen account, risk, reporting, and more.

Get started with Adyen by [creating a free test account](https://www.adyen.com/signup). Your test account gives you access to the [test Customer Area](https://ca-test.adyen.com/), which is a unified dashboard where you can manage your Adyen integration across regions and currencies.

Your [test Customer Area](https://ca-test.adyen.com/) account allows you to:

* Make test payments.
* Invite team members.
* Apply for a live account.
* Start building your integration.

A test account lets you try out Adyen's integrations, but does not guarantee that you will be able to process live payments.

If you want to process live payments, check the [list of prohibited or restricted products and services](https://www.adyen.com/legal/list-restricted-prohibited). If your business is eligible, contact our [Sales team](https://www.adyen.com/contact/sales) before you apply for a live account to find out whether Adyen is right for you.

## Step 2. Build your integration

Start building your integration using your test account. You can also start your [application for a live account](#apply-for-your-live-account). You may want to wait for your application to be approved before you build your whole integration.

Choose your integration to match your business needs:

[![](/user/pages/docs/00.get-started-with-adyen/checkout.svg?decoding=auto\&fetchpriority=auto)](/online-payments/integration-checklist)

###### [Online payments](/online-payments/integration-checklist)

[Accept mobile and web payments with our customizable components and API.](/online-payments/integration-checklist)

[![](/user/pages/docs/00.get-started-with-adyen/pos.svg?decoding=auto\&fetchpriority=auto)](/point-of-sale)

###### [In-person payments](/point-of-sale)

[Accept point-of-sale payments integrated with your POS app or using standalone terminals.](/point-of-sale)

[![](/user/pages/docs/00.get-started-with-adyen/platforms.svg?decoding=auto\&fetchpriority=auto)](/adyen-for-platforms-model)

###### [Adyen for Platforms](/adyen-for-platforms-model)

[Accept payments on your platform or marketplace.](/adyen-for-platforms-model)

[![](/user/pages/docs/00.get-started-with-adyen/plugins.svg?decoding=auto\&fetchpriority=auto)](/plugins)

###### [Plugins](/plugins)

[Connect your existing commerce systems to our platform for a seamless payment flow.](/plugins)

## Step 3. Apply for your live account

A live account allows you to accept payments from your shoppers using Adyen. Because Adyen is a payment provider and acquirer, we are legally obliged to do detailed checks when you apply for a live account.

Before applying for a live account, make sure you have done the following:

1. Check the [list of prohibited or restricted products and services](https://www.adyen.com/legal/list-restricted-prohibited).
2. If your business is eligible, contact our [Sales team](https://www.adyen.com/contact/sales) to find out whether Adyen is right for you.
3. [Review the requirements for a live account](/get-started-with-adyen/application-requirements).

Reach out to your Adyen contact to take your account live.

## Step 4. Sign the contract and get your live account

If your application for a live account is approved, we send you the contract. If your integration uses card payments, we also send you a data security attestation form. Complete this form based on your technical integration to ensure [compliance with Payment Card Industry (PCI) standards](/development-resources/pci-dss-compliance-guide).

When we have received your signed contract and the completed data security attestation form, you get access to your [live Customer Area](https://ca-live.adyen.com/). The user who created the test account receives the login instructions by email.

## Step 5. Get ready to accept live payments

To start accepting live payments using your live account, you must first configure your account. The settings from your test account are not copied to your live account.

Use our go-live checklists to make sure you have got everything correctly set up before accepting live payments:

[![](/user/pages/docs/00.get-started-with-adyen/checkout.svg?decoding=auto\&fetchpriority=auto)](/online-payments/go-live-checklist)

###### [Online payments](/online-payments/go-live-checklist)

[Get ready to accept web or mobile payments.](/online-payments/go-live-checklist)

[![](/user/pages/docs/00.get-started-with-adyen/pos.svg?decoding=auto\&fetchpriority=auto)](/point-of-sale/get-started/go-live-tapi)

###### [In-person payments](/point-of-sale/get-started/go-live-tapi)

[Get ready to accept point-of-sale payments.](/point-of-sale/get-started/go-live-tapi)

[![](/user/pages/docs/00.get-started-with-adyen/platforms.svg?decoding=auto\&fetchpriority=auto)](/adyen-for-platforms-model)

###### [Adyen for Platforms](/adyen-for-platforms-model)

[Get ready to accept payments from your merchants.](/adyen-for-platforms-model)
