Crypto Payment Gateway Comparison: Stripe vs BitPay vs Coinbase Commerce

What Is a Crypto Payment Gateway?

A crypto payment gateway is a service that enables businesses to accept cryptocurrency payments from customers. It works similarly to traditional payment processors like Stripe or Square, but instead of handling credit card transactions, it processes payments in Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, and other digital assets.

When a customer pays with crypto, the gateway handles the conversion process, manages wallet addresses, confirms the transaction on the blockchain, and notifies the merchant that payment has been received. Some gateways automatically convert the crypto to fiat currency (like USD or EUR) and deposit it into the merchant's bank account, while others settle in cryptocurrency directly.

For businesses, the appeal is straightforward: lower processing fees compared to credit cards (typically 0% to 1.5% versus 2.5% to 3.5%), no chargebacks, access to a global customer base without currency conversion headaches, and settlement that can happen in minutes rather than days. The tradeoffs include price volatility (if holding crypto), a smaller customer base relative to card payments, and varying levels of regulatory clarity depending on jurisdiction.

Top Crypto Payment Gateways Compared

The gateway landscape ranges from established fintech players adding crypto support to purpose-built solutions designed from the ground up for digital asset payments. Each takes a different approach to fees, settlement, coin support, and integration complexity.

Fee Structures Explained

Payment gateway fees are not as simple as they appear. The headline percentage is only part of the picture. Understanding the full fee structure requires looking at who pays, when they pay, and what additional costs may apply.

Most gateways charge a percentage of each transaction. BitPay and Coinbase Commerce charge 1%, Stripe Crypto charges 1.5%, and NOWPayments charges 0.5%. BTCPay Server and Spark Pay charge 0%, but for different reasons: BTCPay is self-hosted open-source software (you cover your own server costs), while Spark Pay is a managed service with zero transaction fees.

An important distinction is whether the merchant or the customer pays the fee. Most gateways deduct the fee from the merchant's settlement amount, meaning the customer pays the listed price and the merchant receives slightly less. Some gateways allow merchants to pass fees through to customers, adding a surcharge to the checkout total.

Network fees (blockchain gas fees) are a separate consideration. Accepting Bitcoin on the base layer incurs miner fees paid by the sender, while Lightning Network and Spark transactions have minimal or zero network fees. Ethereum-based token payments can cost several dollars in gas, depending on network congestion.

Settlement Options

Settlement is how and when you receive the funds from a customer payment. This is one of the most important factors when choosing a gateway, because it directly affects your cash flow and exposure to cryptocurrency price volatility.

Fiat settlement means the gateway converts the crypto payment to traditional currency (USD, EUR, etc.) and deposits it to your bank account. Stripe Crypto and BitPay offer this option. The advantage is zero volatility risk: you receive dollars regardless of what happens to the crypto price. The downside is that bank settlement typically takes 1 to 3 business days and may involve additional conversion fees.

Crypto settlement means you receive the payment in cryptocurrency. Coinbase Commerce and BTCPay Server work this way by default. This is simpler and faster (no bank delays), but you bear the risk of price movements. Receiving Bitcoin when it drops 5% the next day means your effective payment was 5% less.

Stablecoin settlement is a middle ground. Spark Pay settles in USDB, a dollar-denominated stablecoin, instantly. This gives you the speed of crypto settlement with the price stability of fiat. You avoid both the volatility risk of holding BTC/ETH and the multi-day delay of bank wire settlement.

Integration Complexity

How much engineering effort a gateway requires depends on your technical team and existing infrastructure. The options range from copy-paste embed codes to full API integrations and self-hosted servers.

Stripe Crypto is the easiest for businesses already using Stripe. If you have a Stripe integration, adding crypto payments requires minimal code changes. Stripe handles the entire checkout flow, including the crypto-to-fiat conversion.

Coinbase Commerce and NOWPayments offer hosted checkout pages that require no backend code: you redirect customers to a payment page and receive a webhook when payment is confirmed. They also provide APIs and plugins for WordPress, Shopify, and WooCommerce for more integrated experiences.

BitPay takes a similar approach with pre-built plugins for major e-commerce platforms plus a REST API for custom integrations. BitPay also provides invoicing tools for businesses that bill clients directly.

BTCPay Server is the most complex option. It requires running your own server, syncing a Bitcoin node, and managing the infrastructure. The payoff is full control, zero fees, and complete privacy: no third party ever sees your transaction data.

Spark Pay provides an SDK and API designed for developers who want instant settlement without the infrastructure burden. The integration is lightweight, and settlement happens in real time with no intermediary processing.

How to Choose a Payment Gateway

The right gateway depends on your business type, technical capacity, and priorities. Here are the key decision points:

• If you already use Stripe and want to add crypto with minimal effort, Stripe Crypto is the path of least resistance. You get fiat settlement and a familiar developer experience.
• If you need to support a wide range of cryptocurrencies for a global customer base, NOWPayments (200+ coins) or BitPay (100+ coins) provide the broadest coin coverage.
• If your customers are crypto-native and you want to hold the proceeds in crypto, Coinbase Commerce offers a clean, trusted checkout experience with direct crypto settlement.
• If privacy and sovereignty matter most, BTCPay Server lets you accept Bitcoin without any third party involvement. You run the software, you hold the keys, and there are zero fees.
• If instant settlement, zero fees, and developer simplicity are your priorities, Spark Pay settles in USDB instantly with no transaction costs. It is well suited for businesses that want the benefits of crypto payments without volatility risk or processing delays.

Consider also the chargeback question. All crypto payment gateways share one advantage over card payments: cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible. There are no chargebacks. For businesses in industries with high chargeback rates (digital goods, subscriptions, international sales), this alone can justify the switch. However, it also means you need a clear refund policy, because disputed payments cannot be reversed by the network.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest crypto payment gateway?

BTCPay Server and Spark Pay are the cheapest options, both charging 0% transaction fees. BTCPay Server is free because it is self-hosted open-source software, meaning you pay only for your own server infrastructure. Spark Pay is a managed service with zero transaction fees and instant USDB settlement. Among hosted third-party gateways, NOWPayments has the lowest fee at 0.5% per transaction.

How do crypto payment gateways work?

When a customer chooses to pay with crypto, the gateway generates a unique payment address or invoice. The customer sends cryptocurrency to that address. The gateway monitors the blockchain for the incoming transaction, waits for sufficient confirmations, and then notifies the merchant that payment is complete. Depending on the gateway, the crypto may be converted to fiat currency automatically or held in a wallet for the merchant. The entire process takes anywhere from a few seconds (Lightning, Spark) to several minutes (on-chain Bitcoin, Ethereum).

Can I accept Bitcoin on my website?

Yes. Any of the gateways listed above support Bitcoin payments. The simplest options are Coinbase Commerce (hosted checkout, minimal code), BitPay (plugins for WordPress, Shopify, WooCommerce), and Spark Pay (SDK/API with instant settlement). For a fully self-sovereign setup, BTCPay Server lets you accept Bitcoin directly to your own wallet with no third party involved.

Do crypto payments have chargebacks?

No. Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible once confirmed on the blockchain. There is no mechanism for a customer to initiate a chargeback through a bank or card network. This eliminates chargeback fraud entirely, which is a major cost for online merchants using traditional payment processors. However, merchants should maintain a clear refund policy and handle disputes directly with customers.

What is the best payment gateway for small businesses?

For small businesses with limited technical resources, Coinbase Commerce and Stripe Crypto are the best starting points. Coinbase Commerce offers a simple hosted checkout page that requires no backend code. Stripe Crypto is ideal if you already use Stripe for card payments. Both have straightforward setup processes and documentation. If cost is the primary concern, Spark Pay offers zero-fee processing with a lightweight SDK integration.

How does Stripe handle crypto payments?

Stripe Crypto allows merchants to accept USDC payments through their existing Stripe integration. The customer pays in USDC, and Stripe automatically converts the stablecoin to fiat currency (USD or EUR) for the merchant. Settlement follows the same timeline as regular Stripe payouts. The integration uses Stripe's existing Checkout and Payment Intents APIs, so merchants familiar with Stripe can add crypto support with minimal additional code.

What is BTCPay Server?

BTCPay Server is a free, open-source, self-hosted payment processor for Bitcoin and Lightning Network. You install it on your own server, connect it to your own Bitcoin node, and accept payments directly to your wallet with zero transaction fees and no third-party involvement. BTCPay Server supports point-of-sale terminals, e-commerce plugins, payment requests, and crowdfunding. The tradeoff is operational complexity: you are responsible for running and maintaining the server infrastructure.

How does Spark Pay differ from other gateways?

Spark Pay combines zero transaction fees with instant settlement in USDB, a dollar-denominated stablecoin. Unlike traditional gateways that take 1 to 3 business days for fiat settlement, Spark Pay settles immediately. Unlike crypto-only gateways, settlement in USDB means no exposure to Bitcoin or Ethereum price volatility. The SDK/API integration is designed for developers who want a simple, fast payment flow without managing blockchain infrastructure. Learn more at docs.spark.money.

This tool is for informational purposes only. Gateway fees, settlement options, and supported currencies may change. Always verify current terms directly with each provider before making integration decisions.