For a closer look at the topic, consider crypto payment gateway alongside the options and criteria discussed below.
Choosing the right crypto payment gateway comes down to one thing: what you actually pay per transaction and what you get for that money. Two providers dominate the conversation among merchants looking to accept digital currencies — NOWPayments and CoinRemitter. Both offer free tiers, both support major coins, and both charge low processing fees. The differences show up in coin count, withdrawal structure, and the tools included without extra cost.
This guide breaks down the pricing models so you can decide which fits your business volume and tech stack. We will cover the base fee structures, hidden costs, supported assets, and the add-on products that turn a simple checkout into a full payment system.
NOWPayments Pricing Overview
NOWPayments operates as an open-source crypto payment gateway with a straightforward fee model. Merchants pay between 0.5% and 1% per transaction depending on their selected plan. The platform does not charge any sign-up or monthly fees for its standard tier, making it easy to test without commitment.
The free tier gives access to every supported cryptocurrency — over 600 coins and tokens across dozens of blockchains. That breadth is one of NOWPayments’ strongest selling points. If your store sells niche digital goods or targets markets where alternative coins are common, having hundreds of options available out of the box removes friction from checkout.
Withdrawals from NOWPayments happen instantly to your wallet or exchange address. The platform does not hold funds, and there is no minimum withdrawal threshold beyond what each blockchain requires. Conversion to fiat is possible through integrated partners, though those conversions carry their own spread.
NOWPayments Plan Tiers
| Feature | Free Plan | Pro Tier | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processing Fee | 0.5% | 0.4% | Custom |
| Supported Coins | 600+ | 600+ | 600+ |
| API Rate Limit | Standard | Higher | Unlimited |
| Payout Options | Crypto only | Crypto + Fiat | Custom |
| Webhook Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated Support | Community | Priority | Account Manager |
The jump from Free to Pro costs nothing upfront but reduces your per-transaction fee by 0.1 percentage points. For a merchant processing $100,000 monthly, that difference adds up to roughly $120 saved per year. Enterprise pricing is negotiated individually and typically targets high-volume processors needing custom settlement routes.
CoinRemitter Pricing Structure
CoinRemitter takes a different approach to pricing. Its free plan supports Bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, Dash, Binance Coin, Zano, and a handful of stablecoins — roughly ten major assets. That list covers the most widely used cryptocurrencies for everyday transactions, but it leaves out altcoins that some merchants might want to offer.
The processing fee sits at 0.23% on withdrawals, which is lower than NOWPayments’ base rate. However, the fee applies when you move funds out of CoinRemitter rather than when customers pay. This distinction matters because it means the actual cost depends on how frequently you withdraw and how much you hold in the platform at any given time.
CoinRemitter offers a Premium plan priced at $99.99 per month. Upgrading unlocks Ethereum, USDT (ERC20 and TRC20), USDC (ERC20), Tron, higher API request limits, unlimited addresses per wallet, and round-the-clock support. The free tier caps API calls at 100 per minute and allows 500 wallet addresses.
CoinRemitter Plan Comparison
| Feature | Free Plan | Premium Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $0 | $99.99 |
| Processing Fee | 0.23% on withdrawal | 0.23% on withdrawal |
| Supported Coins | ~10 major coins | All + 5 additional |
| API Requests/Minute | 100 | 500 |
| Wallet Addresses | 500 per wallet | Unlimited |
| Support Hours | Limited | 24/7 |
| Early Feature Access | No | Yes |
The premium price tag may seem steep compared to NOWPayments’ free entry point, but it makes sense for businesses that need higher throughput and priority support. Developers building custom integrations benefit significantly from the increased API rate limit.
Hidden Costs to Watch
Both platforms advertise transparent fees, but several indirect costs affect your bottom line:
Blockchain network fees (gas) are never covered by the gateway itself. When a customer pays with an ERC20 token, they bear the Ethereum network fee. Some gateways absorb this; neither NOWPayments nor CoinRemitter does on the free tier.
Conversion spreads apply when you route payments through automatic converters. NOWPayments offers auto-conversion to stablecoins during checkout, which protects you from volatility but uses an internal exchange rate with a small spread. CoinRemitter’s Gas Station feature attempts to offset this by subsidizing gas fees on select networks.
Chargeback protection exists on neither platform by design — crypto transactions are irreversible. If a customer disputes a payment, the merchant absorbs the loss unless external insurance is purchased separately.
Which Platform Saves More Money?
For low-volume merchants under $50,000 monthly, NOWPayments’ free tier is harder to beat. Zero monthly cost, immediate access to hundreds of coins, and a simple integration make it ideal for startups, indie developers, and small shops testing crypto acceptance.
CoinRemitter becomes more economical once withdrawal frequency and volume justify the $99.99 monthly fee. The 0.23% withdrawal fee is competitive, and the higher API limits matter for stores running custom backends or processing hundreds of microtransactions daily. Businesses already built around Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Dogecoin specifically will find CoinRemitter sufficient without paying for extras.
If your operation needs fiat on-ramps, multi-currency invoicing, or white-label branding, NOWPayments provides more built-in tools at every tier. CoinRemitter compensates with lightweight widgets — pricing displays, presale forms, and payment buttons — that require minimal development effort.
Final Takeaway
Neither platform charges hidden setup fees or forces long-term contracts. The decision hinges on three factors: how many coins you need, how much you process monthly, and whether you want fiat conversion baked in. NOWPayments wins on breadth and flexibility. CoinRemitter wins on raw fee percentage for high-volume crypto-only operations willing to pay a flat monthly rate.