For a closer look at the topic, consider bitpay competitors fees merchant crypto payments alongside the options and criteria discussed below.
Choosing the right crypto payment processor can make or break an online business. BitPay dominated the space for years, but merchants now have dozens of alternatives that offer lower fees, better coverage, and more flexible settlement options. This guide compares the top BitPay competitors across fees, features, supported networks, and merchant experience so you can pick the right solution for your store.
NOWPayments — Best All-Around Alternative
NOWPayments stands out as the most versatile BitPay alternative. The platform supports over 100 cryptocurrencies and 50+ blockchain networks, giving merchants far more flexibility than BitPay’s limited coin selection. Settlement can happen in crypto or fiat, and there are no mandatory holding periods.
Key features:
– 100+ cryptocurrencies supported
– No KYC required for transactions under $100,000
– API and plugins for Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and PrestaShop
– Fixed-rate exchange option to protect against volatility
– Invoice-based and widget-based payment flows
| Feature | NOWPayments | BitPay |
|---|---|---|
| Supported coins | 100+ | ~8 |
| Transaction fee | 0.5% | 1% |
| Settlement | Crypto or fiat | Fiat or BTC, ETH |
| KYC requirement | Optional (low volumes) | Mandatory |
| Smart contract payments | Yes | No |
NOWPayments charges a flat 0.5% per transaction, which is half of BitPay’s standard 1% rate. For high-volume merchants, this difference compounds significantly over time. The platform also offers a non-custodial option where funds go directly to the merchant’s wallet without passing through any intermediary.
NOWPayments API and Integration
The API documentation covers REST endpoints for creating invoices, checking payment status, and managing refunds. Webhooks push real-time notifications to your server when payments confirm. Third-party integrations cover the major e-commerce platforms with ready-made plugins that require minimal configuration.
Coinbase Commerce
Coinbase Commerce targets merchants who want to use Coinbase’s brand recognition while avoiding BitPay’s limitations. It supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and several stablecoins. Settlement goes directly to the merchant’s connected Coinbase Wallet or external wallet address.
Key features:
– Direct wallet settlement
– Brand trust from Coinbase ecosystem
– Simple dashboard for monitoring payments
– Support for major Layer 1 coins
– No monthly fees or hidden costs
Coinbase Commerce charges 1% per transaction, matching BitPay’s rate. However, the direct-to-wallet settlement model removes counterparty risk — funds never touch a third-party custodian. This matters for merchants handling large transactions or operating in jurisdictions where custodial arrangements face regulatory scrutiny.
CoinGate
CoinGate brings a different approach by supporting both cryptocurrency and traditional payment methods on a single platform. Merchants can accept cards and crypto through one integration, which simplifies checkout flows compared to running separate processors.
| Feature | CoinGate | BitPay |
|---|---|---|
| Supported coins | 80+ | ~8 |
| Transaction fee | 0.7% | 1% |
| Fiat on-ramp | Yes (Card payments) | No |
| Payout currency | Crypto or 20+ fiat | Fiat or BTC, ETH |
| Custom branding | Yes | Limited |
CoinGate’s 0.7% fee sits between NOWPayments and BitPay. The platform supports payouts in 20+ fiat currencies through local bank accounts in Europe, the UK, and other regions. CoinGate also offers a loyalty program that reduces fees for high-volume users down to 0.5%.
CoinGate Store Integrations
Plugins exist for WooCommerce, Magento, OpenCart, PrestaShop, and Shopify. The platform also provides a hosted payment page for businesses without their own storefront infrastructure. Custom invoice pages let merchants add logos, descriptions, and branded styling.
Stripe Crypto
Stripe’s crypto offering integrates directly into the existing Stripe payments infrastructure. If a merchant already uses Stripe for card processing, adding crypto payments requires minimal additional setup. The support team handles both crypto and fiat issues through a single channel.
Key features:
– Unified Stripe dashboard for crypto and card payments
– Automatic conversion to preferred fiat currency
– Chargeback protection not available for crypto
– Available in select markets (US, EU, UK)
Stripe charges 1% + 5¢ per crypto transaction, with a minimum fee of $0.50. The combined card-and-crypto management appeals to established businesses that want to avoid juggling multiple processor accounts. However, Stripe maintains strict control over which merchants qualify, and some industries that BitPay serves get rejected outright.
BTCPay Server — Open Source Non-Custodial Option
BTCPay Server is self-hosted Bitcoin payment software that gives merchants complete independence. There is no intermediary, no fees beyond network gas costs, and full control over private keys. This makes it the preferred choice for privacy-focused businesses and those wanting to eliminate processor risk entirely.
Key features:
– Zero transaction fees
– Full self-custody
– Lightning Network support built-in
– Multi-instance hosting for marketplaces
– Transparent open-source code
The tradeoff is technical complexity. Running BTCPay Server requires server management, security hardening, and ongoing maintenance. Merchants without development resources may find the learning curve steep. However, managed hosting providers offer turnkey BTCPay instances for merchants who want the benefits without operational overhead.
Select Pay — Emerging Processor
Select Pay operates as a newer entrant targeting high-risk and international merchants that struggle with traditional processors. The platform supports 40+ cryptocurrencies and offers multi-currency settlement through partner banks.
| Feature | Select Pay | BitPay |
|---|---|---|
| Supported coins | 40+ | ~8 |
| Transaction fee | 0.9% | 1% |
| High-risk merchant friendly | Yes | Limited |
| Instant settlement | Available | Standard T+1 |
| Global payout | Yes | Regional restrictions |
Select Pay’s 0.9% fee undercuts BitPay slightly. The instant settlement feature allows merchants to access funds immediately after confirmation rather than waiting for batch processing windows. This matters for cash-flow-sensitive businesses and those in time-sensitive industries.
Fee Structure Deep Dive
Understanding true cost requires looking beyond headline percentages. Every processor has additional costs that affect the bottom line.
Network fees vary by blockchain. Bitcoin transactions during peak congestion can exceed $20, while Ethereum gas fluctuates between $2 and $50 depending on network load. Some processors absorb these costs; others pass them to the customer.
Currency conversion spreads represent hidden fees. When converting crypto to fiat, processors apply a spread of 0.5% to 2% above mid-market rates. NOWPayments and CoinGate typically charge under 1%, while BitPay’s conversion rates sit near the higher end of the range.
Chargeback and dispute handling costs differ significantly. BitPay does not offer chargeback protection for crypto payments, meaning merchants absorb fraud losses. Stripe and some newer processors provide optional fraud detection tools that reduce exposure.
Which Processor Fits Your Business
High-volume merchants benefiting most from NOWPayments’ 0.5% rate and broad coin support. The fixed-rate exchange feature eliminates volatility risk on orders priced in volatile assets.
Merchants already using Stripe should add crypto through Stripe Crypto for unified accounting and a single support relationship. The combined dashboard simplifies reconciliation across payment types.
Bitcoin-only businesses wanting full control should deploy BTCPay Server. Zero fees and complete custody make it economically superior once the initial setup hurdle is cleared.
International merchants facing geographic restrictions with BitPay should evaluate CoinGate and Select Pay, both of which offer broader regional availability and multi-currency settlement options.
Final Considerations
The crypto payments landscape has matured well beyond BitPay’s early monopoly. Lower fees, wider coin support, non-custodial options, and better integrations exist across the competitive field. Merchants reviewing their current processor should compare actual total cost including conversion spreads, withdrawal fees, and support quality rather than headline percentage alone. Testing with a secondary processor alongside BitPay lets businesses validate performance before committing to a migration.