BitPay vs Flatpay
Side-by-side comparison — pricing, features, ratings, use cases. Find which Payment Gateways fits you best.
💰 Pricing
- Transaction fee for pay-as-you-go: 1% per transaction (domestic and international cards same rate).
- Monthly plan transaction fee: 0.8% per transaction.
- No setup fee.
- No monthly fee unless on Monthly Plan.
- No chargeback fees for crypto payments; disputes handled by blockchain.
- Bank wire fees for payouts (typically $25 per wire).
- ACH payout may have a small fee (e.g., $0.25 per payout).
- If you opt for settlement in a different fiat currency, the FX spread may be higher.
- Enterprise custom pricing may include volume discounts but often requires substantial monthly minimums.
🔧 Features
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- BitPay has been around since 2011, making it the most established name in crypto payments. This longevity means it has weathered regulatory storms, refined its security protocols, and built a large ecosystem of third-party integrations. Merchants can trust that the platform isn't a fly-by-night operation, which is crucial when handling financial transactions.
- The automatic conversion of crypto to fiat is a standout feature. When a customer pays in Bitcoin, BitPay immediately converts it to your chosen fiat currency (USD, EUR, GBP, etc.) and deposits it into your bank account. This eliminates volatility risk entirely — you never have to worry about the price crashing after a sale. For businesses that don't want to speculate on crypto, this is a game-changer (in a practical sense, not a marketing sense).
- BitPay supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and several stablecoins like USDC, PAX, and GUSD. This flexibility allows customers to pay with their preferred asset, and stablecoins offer a checkout option that's less volatile for the payer. The multi-currency support increases your potential customer base.
- The Mass Payout feature is a unique tool for businesses that need to pay many people — freelancers, affiliates, or employees. You can batch upload a CSV with payment details and send crypto or fiat to hundreds of recipients at once. This saves hours of manual work and is particularly useful for companies operating in the gig economy or with global contractors.
- BitPay integrates seamlessly with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and PrestaShop. For a small monthly fee (or free with the basic plan for online payments), you can add a 'Pay with Crypto' button to your store. This lowers the technical barrier, making it accessible even for merchants with limited coding skills.
⚠ Watch out for
- The fee structure is a major drawback for low-price items. BitPay charges about 1% per transaction with a minimum fee of $0.50 (domestic) or $1.00 (international). For a $5 digital good, that's a 10-20% fee, which is exorbitant compared to card processors that charge a flat 2.9% + $0.30. Small-ticket merchants will feel the pinch immediately.
- Fiat settlement is not available globally. BitPay's bank deposit service is limited to a specific list of countries, which excludes many parts of Asia, Africa, and South America. Merchants in unsupported regions are forced to hold their earnings in crypto, which defeats the purpose of using BitPay for volatility protection. Check their website to see if your country is covered before signing up.
- The settlement process is not truly instant. While BitPay brands it as 'settlement in minutes,' the reality is that blockchain confirmations take a few minutes (sometimes longer for Bitcoin) and the bank transfer typically arrives the next business day. If your business relies on immediate cash flow, this delay might be an issue, though it's comparable to traditional card settlement cycles.
- Customer support has historically been a weak point. BitPay offers email and ticket-based support, but phone support is not available. Response times can be slow, especially for merchants on the free plan. Many users have reported delays in getting issues resolved, which can be stressful when money is involved.
- The dashboard and API are powerful but have a learning curve. For a non-technical merchant, setting up the API or navigating the settlement reports might be daunting. While the e-commerce plugins simplify checkout, understanding the backend—like how to initiate payouts or reconcile transactions—requires a time investment.
🎯 Best for
Businesses that want to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, or stablecoins and convert them into local fiat with minimal volatility risk, especially online stores and platforms that need to pay out multiple recipients.
🚫 Who should skip
Merchants that need same-day fiat settlement, operate in a country where BitPay's bank settlement isn't supported, or require a conventional credit-card payment gateway to cover non-crypto customers.
📚 Learning curve
Moderate — basic plugin setup is easy, but custom API integration, invoice creation, and understanding crypto confirmation times require some technical knowledge.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
BitPay is a solid choice for established businesses that want to accept crypto without the volatility risk, especially if you invoice in higher amounts and operate in supported fiat settlement countries. However, small-ticket merchants and those in unsupported regions should explore alternatives wit
💰 Pricing
- Domestic card transactions: 1.49% per transaction (varies by country; e.g., Germany 1.49%, Denmark 1.49%, Italy 1.49%, France 1.49%, Finland 1.49%, Netherlands 1.49%, UK 1.75%)
- International cards: an additional 1% fee on top of the domestic rate
- Chargeback fees: €20 per chargeback (or local equivalent, e.g., £15 in UK)
- No monthly or setup fees
- Payouts: free and daily, no payout fee
- International card surcharge: additional 1% on top of base rate
- Chargeback fee: €20 per chargeback (not always highlighted)
- Possible terminal costs: POS hardware may be sold or leased separately, with associated costs not included in the transaction fee
🔧 Features
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- Transparent per-transaction pricing with no hidden fees, subscription costs, or annual contracts. This stands in stark contrast to many competitors that require monthly commitments or charge for compliance reports. Merchants can calculate costs upfront, which is invaluable for small businesses. The simplicity also means no surprise fees from chargebacks, refunds, or terminal rental, making budgeting far easier.
- Daily payouts to your bank account improve cash flow significantly. Unlike traditional acquirers that settle weekly or monthly, Flatpay ensures merchants receive funds rapidly. This is crucial for restaurants or retail stores that have immediate operating expenses. Faster access to revenue reduces the need for overdrafts or short-term loans, effectively saving money.
- Strong European coverage across seven major markets—Germany, Denmark, Italy, France, Finland, Netherlands, and the UK. This operational footprint allows merchants with cross-border customers to accept payments in multiple currencies, though not settle in them. The local entity presence ensures compliance with each market’s regulations, which is a logistical headache that Flatpay absorbs for its users.
- Support for modern payment methods including contactless cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and major local schemes like iDEAL in the Netherlands, Bancontact in Belgium (though Belgium isn’t active), and Klarna in select markets. This variety helps merchants cater to consumer preferences, especially in the Nordic region where digital wallets are ubiquitous. Having these options out-of-the-box enhances conversion rates for e-commerce businesses.
⚠ Watch out for
- Limited geographic availability—only seven European countries are supported. Merchants outside these markets cannot use Flatpay at all, and businesses with cross-border expansion plans may quickly outgrow the service. Even within Europe, gaps like Spain, Poland, and Austria are notable absences, forcing some merchants to seek additional providers.
- No advanced fraud prevention or risk management tools. Flatpay relies on standard security measures and does not offer dedicated fraud screening, velocity checks, or custom rules that larger e-commerce platforms might need. This makes it less suitable for high-risk businesses or those with large transaction volumes where chargebacks are a concern.
- Transaction fees may be higher than interchange-plus pricing for very high-volume merchants. Flatpay’s simple flat rate is convenient, but for merchants processing €50,000+ per month, a tiered or interchange-plus model could yield lower effective costs. The lack of volume discounts means the biggest merchants pay the same rate as smaller ones, which could be a dealbreaker for scale-ups.
- Customer support is only available via email and a help center, with no phone or live chat. While response times are reportedly reasonable, businesses that require immediate assistance during a payment outage might find this insufficient. The absence of a dedicated account manager or priority line is a drawback for those who value personal interaction.
🎯 Best for
European small-to-medium businesses that want transparent payment processing with no fixed costs, daily payouts, and both POS and online support.
🚫 Who should skip
Businesses outside Flatpay's active markets, high-risk merchants, or companies needing complex global multi-currency payment features.
📚 Learning curve
Minimal — the setup process is straightforward, with simple dashboard navigation, plugin installation, and standard payment terminal configuration.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
Flatpay is a solid choice for small to medium-sized businesses in covered European markets that value transparent pricing and daily payouts. It is less suitable for high-volume merchants needing advanced fraud tools or international expansion beyond its seven countries. Bottom line: if you operate i
📊 Use Case Suitability
Higher score = better fit. Scores from editorial review.
🧭 Which One Should You Pick?
Choose BitPay if...
- You are: Businesses that want to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, or stablecoins and convert them into local fiat with minimal volatilit
- 👍 First mover and established name in crypto payments, with a track record since 2011 and a large ecos
- 👍 Accepts multiple major cryptocurrencies plus stablecoins, while allowing merchants to receive fiat s
- 👍 Automated conversion and local-bank settlement removes crypto volatility exposure, making accounting
- 💰 Free tier available
- ⚠ Trade-off: Per-transaction fees are around 1%, plus a minimum fee per payment, which can be
Choose Flatpay if...
- You are: European small-to-medium businesses that want transparent payment processing with no fixed costs, daily payouts, and bot
- 👍 Transparent pricing with no hidden fees, monthly subscriptions, or long-term contracts—only a clear
- 👍 Daily payouts to your bank account, improving cash flow compared to weekly or monthly settlement.
- 👍 Strong European coverage across 7 markets, including DE, DK, IT, FR, FI, NL, and UK.
- 💰 Free tier available
- ⚠ Trade-off: Limited to specific European countries; businesses outside these markets cannot
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does BitPay charge a monthly fee or only per-transaction fees?
BitPay doesn't charge a monthly fee for its standard gateway; you pay per transaction instead. The typical processing fee is about 1% per transaction, with a minimum fee per payment. Signing up is free, but it's not a free payment processor.
Which cryptocurrencies can I accept with BitPay?
BitPay supports Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and several stablecoins like USDC, USDP, and Euro Coin. You can also accept Litecoin, Dogecoin, and other popular assets depending on your merchant country. The exact list varies by region and is set by BitPay's compliance rules.
How does fiat settlement work and how fast is it?
When a customer pays in crypto, BitPay converts the amount at the current rate and settles the fiat equivalent to your bank account. That protects you from volatility, but bank settlement is usually not instant and arrives on the next business day or per your settlement schedule. The 'instant' part refers to locking the conversion rate at the time of payment.
Does BitPay integrate with e-commerce stores like Shopify or WooCommerce?
Yes, BitPay offers official plugins for Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, PrestaShop, and more. It also has a REST API and webhooks for custom integrations. Non-technical users can quickly add a crypto payment button or checkout link.
🔗 More Payment Gateways Comparisons
🔀 Explore Alternatives
📧 Save this comparison
We'll email you a link to this comparison. No spam.