Bitcoin E-Commerce Plugins: WooCommerce, Shopify, and More

Bitcoin Payment Plugins Compared

Accepting Bitcoin on an e-commerce store requires choosing a payment gateway plugin that integrates with your platform. The options range from fully self-hosted open-source processors to turnkey hosted APIs, each with different tradeoffs around fees, custody, and technical complexity.

This comparison covers the five most widely adopted Bitcoin payment plugins for online merchants: BTCPay Server, OpenNode, Blockonomics, CoinGate, and Shopify third-party crypto integrations. Most of these solutions now support the Lightning Network, which enables near-instant confirmation and sub-cent fees for customer payments.

For a broader overview of payment processing options beyond plugins, see our payment gateway comparison tool and the Bitcoin merchant payments guide.

BTCPay Server: Full Sovereignty for Merchants

BTCPay Server is a free, open-source, self-hosted Bitcoin payment processor released under the MIT license. It charges zero transaction fees: the merchant only pays network mining fees for on-chain transactions or routing fees for Lightning payments. The current release series is v2.3.x, which introduced subscriptions, instance monetization for operators, 14 language packs, and expanded integrations. The earlier v2.1.0 release added a redesigned multisig wallet, Shopify V2 integration, and fee acceleration.

BTCPay Server supports over 30 e-commerce platforms through 40+ published plugins, including WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento 2, PrestaShop, Drupal, WHMCS, Ghost, and ECWID. Custom integrations are possible via its Greenfield API. It runs an integrated Lightning node (LND or Core Lightning) and supports on-chain payments using the merchant's own extended public key. Funds go directly to the merchant's wallet with no intermediary.

The tradeoff is setup complexity. Running BTCPay requires a server (VPS, Docker container, or dedicated hardware). LunaNode and Voltage offer one-click cloud deployments starting around $8/month, but ongoing maintenance (software updates, Lightning channel management, backups) remains the merchant's responsibility. A pruned Bitcoin node requires approximately 600 GB of storage and 6 to 24 hours for initial blockchain sync. For merchants with technical resources, BTCPay is the strongest option for self-custody and payment sovereignty.

OpenNode: Hosted Lightning API

OpenNode is a custodial Bitcoin payment API built around the Lightning Network. It charges a 1% transaction fee with no monthly subscription and no setup fees. Lightning transfers from OpenNode are free, and currency conversion from BTC to fiat carries no additional charge. Bank transfer settlement costs 0.2% for local currency or a $15 flat fee for international wires.

OpenNode supports WooCommerce, Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento, PrestaShop, and OpenCart through official plugins, plus Node.js and PHP libraries for custom integrations. Merchants can configure automatic conversion to USD or EUR, receiving bank transfers without touching Bitcoin directly. The Split Settlement feature allows merchants to receive a configurable percentage of each payment in BTC and fiat. The tradeoff is custodial risk: OpenNode holds funds until the merchant withdraws or settles, creating counterparty dependence.

Blockonomics: Non-Custodial Simplicity

Blockonomics occupies a middle ground between BTCPay's full sovereignty and hosted solutions' convenience. It charges a 1% transaction fee (with the first 20 transactions free) but operates non-custodially: payments are routed directly to the merchant's Bitcoin wallet using their xpub key. Blockonomics never holds merchant funds.

Platform support includes WooCommerce, Shopify, Squarespace, Wix, Magento, PrestaShop, WHMCS, OpenCart, and Easy Digital Downloads. Blockonomics does not currently support Lightning Network, so all payments settle on-chain. It also does not provide fiat conversion: merchants receive BTC and handle their own off-ramping. The service requires no KYC for merchants, making onboarding as simple as providing an xpub key and installing a plugin.

CoinGate: Multi-Cryptocurrency Gateway

CoinGate is a custodial payment gateway based in Lithuania that supports over 70 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, USDT, and USDC. It charges a 1% transaction fee with no monthly fees on the standard plan. In December 2025, CoinGate became the first Lithuanian company to obtain both a MiCA license and a Payment Institution license from the Bank of Lithuania.

CoinGate provides plugins for WooCommerce, Magento 2, PrestaShop, WHMCS, OpenCart, and Shopware. Its standout feature is settlement flexibility: merchants can choose to receive payouts in BTC, EUR (via SEPA), USD (via wire), or stablecoins like USDT and USDC. Lightning Network support is enabled by default for all merchants accepting BTC. CoinGate also offers no-code payment buttons and a POS app for in-person sales.

Shopify Crypto Payments

Shopify does not offer native Bitcoin checkout as part of its core platform. However, in 2025 Shopify introduced native USDC payments on Base (co-developed with Coinbase and Stripe) built directly into Shopify Payments. For Bitcoin specifically, merchants must use third-party apps from the Shopify App Store.

The most notable Bitcoin integration is Strike, which enables Lightning Network payments with automatic conversion to USD for US-based merchants. BTCPay Server released its Shopify V2 plugin in February 2025, built on Shopify's Payments Apps V2 API, which integrates directly into the Shopify checkout flow without redirecting customers to an external page. Other Shopify-compatible crypto apps include OpenNode, CoinGate, Coinbase Commerce, and BitPay. Shopify does not charge additional transaction fees on sales processed via alternative payment providers, though individual provider fees still apply.

Platform Compatibility

Not every plugin works on every e-commerce platform. The following table shows official plugin availability across major platforms.

How to Choose the Right Plugin

The best Bitcoin e-commerce plugin depends on your technical capacity, custody preferences, and whether you need fiat conversion.

If you want full control and zero fees: BTCPay Server is the clear choice. You own your keys, run your own infrastructure, and pay nothing beyond network fees. This is the standard recommendation for merchants who have developer resources or are comfortable with server administration. For context on self-custody tradeoffs, see our research on self-custodial vs custodial wallets.

If you want self-custody without running a server: Blockonomics delivers non-custodial payments with a simple plugin install. You pay 1% per transaction but avoid the operational burden of maintaining infrastructure. Note that Blockonomics does not support Lightning, so on-chain fees and confirmation times apply.

If you need fiat settlement: OpenNode and CoinGate both convert Bitcoin to fiat automatically. OpenNode is Bitcoin-only and Lightning-first, with free Lightning transfers and a 0.2% bank transfer fee. CoinGate supports 70+ cryptocurrencies and offers EUR settlement via SEPA, making it better suited for merchants serving international customers or accepting multiple coins.

If you run a Shopify store: start with the Strike integration for Lightning-native USD settlement, or install the BTCPay Server V2 app if you prefer self-custody with in-checkout payment flow.

For merchants already accepting stablecoin payments, combining a Bitcoin plugin with stablecoin checkout provides customers the broadest set of payment options. Solutions like Spark enable merchants to accept both Bitcoin and dollar-denominated stablecoins like USDB within the Bitcoin ecosystem, avoiding the need to bridge across multiple blockchains.

Lightning Network Support

The Lightning Network has become the standard for merchant Bitcoin payments, eliminating the confirmation delays and high fees that previously made on-chain Bitcoin impractical for retail checkout. Lightning transactions settle in seconds and cost fractions of a cent.

BTCPay Server gives merchants the most control over their Lightning setup, running a full LND or Core Lightning node with direct channel management. At the Bitcoin Conference 2025 in Las Vegas, BTCPay Server processed over 4,100 Lightning and NFC Bolt Card transactions in a single eight-hour period. OpenNode and CoinGate abstract Lightning entirely, handling routing and liquidity behind the scenes. Strike also supports Lightning without requiring merchants to manage channels.

Blockonomics is the notable exception: it processes on-chain Bitcoin transactions only, meaning customers face standard network fees and 10+ minute confirmation times.

For a deeper comparison of Lightning payment infrastructure, see our Lightning Network 2026 state of the network analysis and the Lightning routing fee comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way to accept Bitcoin on my website?

BTCPay Server is the only zero-fee option. It charges no transaction fees, no monthly fees, and no percentage cuts. The merchant pays only Bitcoin network fees (on-chain mining fees or Lightning routing fees) plus server hosting costs (as low as $8/month on LunaNode or free on self-hosted hardware). For merchants processing more than a few hundred dollars per month in Bitcoin, the savings over a 1% hosted solution add up quickly.

Can I accept Bitcoin on Shopify?

Yes, but not through Shopify's built-in payment system. Bitcoin payments on Shopify are handled through third-party apps such as Strike (for Lightning payments with USD settlement), BTCPay Server (V2 plugin with in-checkout integration), OpenNode, CoinGate, or Coinbase Commerce. Each app has its own fee structure. Shopify does not charge additional transaction fees for alternative payment providers. For USDC payments specifically, Shopify now offers a native integration on Base.

Do I need to hold Bitcoin to accept Bitcoin payments?

No. Hosted solutions like OpenNode, CoinGate, and Strike can automatically convert incoming Bitcoin payments to fiat currency (USD or EUR) and settle to your bank account. This eliminates Bitcoin price exposure entirely. The merchant receives dollars while the customer pays in Bitcoin. This conversion service typically costs 1% per transaction plus a small bank transfer fee.

What is the difference between custodial and non-custodial Bitcoin payment plugins?

A custodial plugin (OpenNode, CoinGate) receives customer payments into the provider's wallet and holds them until the merchant withdraws. This introduces counterparty risk: if the provider is hacked or becomes insolvent, merchant funds may be at risk. A non-custodial plugin (BTCPay Server, Blockonomics) sends payments directly to the merchant's own wallet, so no third party ever holds the funds. Non-custodial setups eliminate counterparty risk at the cost of the merchant handling their own key management.

Which Bitcoin payment plugin supports the most e-commerce platforms?

BTCPay Server has the broadest coverage with over 40 published plugins spanning 30+ platforms, including WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento, PrestaShop, WHMCS, Drupal, Ghost, and ECWID. Blockonomics and CoinGate also have wide support across platforms like OpenCart, Squarespace, and Wix. All four provide REST APIs for custom integrations beyond their official plugins.

How does BTCPay Server compare to BitPay?

BTCPay Server was originally created as a free alternative to BitPay. The core differences: BTCPay is free and open source with zero transaction fees, while BitPay charges 1% and is a proprietary custodial service. BTCPay requires self-hosting, while BitPay is fully managed. BTCPay gives merchants full control over their keys and data, while BitPay handles custody and regulatory compliance. For merchants who want sovereignty, BTCPay is the standard. For merchants who want a hands-off managed service with fiat settlement, BitPay (or OpenNode or CoinGate) reduces operational burden.

Can I accept Lightning Network payments on WooCommerce?

Yes. BTCPay Server, OpenNode, and CoinGate all offer WooCommerce plugins with Lightning Network support. BTCPay Server runs an integrated Lightning node, while OpenNode and CoinGate handle Lightning routing through their hosted infrastructure. Lightning payments confirm in seconds and cost a fraction of a cent, making them practical for any transaction size. Blockonomics supports WooCommerce but does not offer Lightning. For more on Lightning addresses and merchant use cases, see our Bitcoin micropayments guide.

This tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Fee structures, platform support, and feature availability change frequently. Always verify current pricing and compatibility on each provider's official website before making integration decisions.