Coinbase Commerce vs Trustly
Side-by-side comparison — pricing, features, ratings, use cases. Find which Payment Gateways fits you best.
🔍 Independently researched ·
📊 Data-driven
· ★ GitHub stars from public repos
63/100
Free tier
Crypto-native merchants and small businesses who want a free, self-custodial payment gateway to accept cryptocurrencies
★ Best
💰 Pricing
🆓 Free tier available
All features are included at no cost. No monthly fee, no per-transaction fee. Merchants pay only the underlying blockchain network fee (e.g., miner fees, gas fees).
Fee notes:
- Coinbase Commerce charges 0% transaction fees for merchants—no fee for accepting crypto payments.
- Merchants pay network fees to the blockchain (e.g., Ethereum gas fees, Bitcoin miner fees) which vary by blockchain congestion.
- No monthly fees, setup fees, chargeback fees, or dispute fees.
- If you choose to settle payments in fiat via Coinbase Exchange, standard Coinbase trading/conversion fees apply (e.g., up to 0.50% for trades on Coinbase Advanced).
- No currency conversion markup for crypto-to-crypto settlement.
⚠ Watch for:
- Blockchain network fees (gas/miner fees) are paid by the merchant and can be significant during network congestion.
- Fiat conversions via Coinbase Exchange incur typical trading fees—these are separate from Coinbase Commerce.
- Third-party integrations (e.g., Shopify payment providers) may impose their own fees.
- If the payer's cryptocurrency has a high network fee, the effective cost to the merchant is higher than the 'no fee' headline.
🔧 Features
✓ Crypto✓ Coinbase Brand✓ Self Managed Keys✓ Shopify✓ Woocommerce✓ Free Tier
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- Zero platform fees: The most compelling reason to choose Coinbase Commerce is its cost. Unlike traditional payment processors that charge 2-3% per transaction, Coinbase Commerce charges no platform fee. Merchants only pay the network fee (gas) for blockchain transactions, which can be a few cents for stablecoins. For a business processing $100,000 in monthly sales, this could mean saving $2,000-$3,000 compared to credit card processing.
- Self-managed keys for full fund control: By default, Coinbase Commerce is non-custodial. Funds are sent directly from the customer’s wallet to the merchant’s wallet, which uses merchant-generated keys stored on their own server. This eliminates the risk of a third-party custodian freezing funds or going bankrupt. For businesses that prioritize control, this is a significant advantage over custodial alternatives.
- Native integrations with Shopify and WooCommerce: These plugins simplify the technical setup. A merchant can install the plugin, generate an API key from Coinbase Commerce, and start accepting crypto within an hour. The checkout experience is seamless, with customers redirected to a hosted payment page and redirected back to the store after payment. For non-technical users, this removes the barrier of integrating a payment API from scratch.
- Global accessibility and low barrier to entry: Since it’s a crypto-native solution, merchants can accept payments from anywhere in the world without needing a traditional merchant account. This is particularly useful for businesses in regions with unstable currencies or limited access to credit card processing. The $0 signup cost means even the smallest vendor can test the waters without financial commitment.
- Wide cryptocurrency support and stablecoin option: Supporting over 10 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDC, gives merchants flexibility to cater to different customer preferences. Accepting USDC or other stablecoins helps mitigate volatility, offering a stable store of value without needing to convert to fiat.
⚠ Watch out for
- No native fiat settlement: Without the optional Coinbase conversion, all payments land as cryptocurrency, which can fluctuate in value. Merchants who need to pay suppliers or taxes in fiat must either convert manually (a time-consuming process) or enable Coinbase's auto-convert feature, which introduces custodial risk and incurs conversion fees (spread). This is a major drawback for merchants who prefer to avoid crypto price volatility.
- Additional fees and risks with fiat conversion: When merchants enable the 'Convert to fiat' feature, they must link a Coinbase wallet or account, and the conversion happens through Coinbase. This effectively becomes a custodial service, defeating the non-custodial ethos. Moreover, the conversion spread (often around 0.5-1%) and potential settlement delays can erode the cost savings from zero platform fees.
- Limited customer support: Free users get access to a help center and an email support system, but response times can be slow (often 48+ hours). There is no live chat or phone support for free tier. For urgent issues like a stuck payment or integration error, this can be frustrating, especially for time-sensitive merchants.
- Complex dashboard for beginners: The dashboard is functional but not as polished as modern fintech apps. It can be confusing for non-technical users to understand wallet addresses, private keys, and API credentials. The initial setup requires creating an API key and configuring webhooks, which might intimidate those unfamiliar with payment gateway jargon.
- Network fees and blockchain variability: While the platform fee is zero, the network fee (gas) can be high during periods of congestion. For example, on Ethereum, gas fees can spike to $50 or more, making micro-transactions uneconomical. Merchants should consider this when pricing their products and may need to shift to cheaper networks like Polygon or Solana, which are not supported (though USDC on Polygon is supported, the platform supports Ethereum and a few others).
🎯 Best for
Crypto-native merchants and small businesses who want a free, self-custodial payment gateway to accept cryptocurrencies without monthly fees.
🚫 Who should skip
Merchants who need automatic fiat conversion, robust recurring billing, or extensive support options — they'd be better served by a full-fledged merchant processor like Stripe or BitPay.
📚 Learning curve
Moderate — Setting up a basic payment button is simple, but understanding wallet management, network fees, and integrating via API for custom use cases requires some technical know-how.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
Coinbase Commerce is the best choice for merchants who want to accept crypto with zero platform fees and full control of their funds, especially those already using Shopify or WooCommerce. It's not ideal for businesses that need fiat settlement out of the box or expect white-glove support. If you're
38/100
Free tier
Merchants in Europe and North America, particularly in iGaming, fintech, and high-ticket e-commerce, who want lower card
💰 Pricing
🆓 Free tier available
No setup or monthly fee; per-transaction fees apply.
Fee notes:
- Trustly does not publicly publish fixed transaction fee rates; fees are customized based on country, volume, and average transaction size.
- No monthly or setup fees are charged.
- Payouts are priced separately from payment acceptance.
- Chargeback fees are not published on the public website — contact Trustly sales for specific terms.
⚠ Watch for:
- Refund and reversal fees may apply
- A flat fee per transaction may be added on top of the percentage rate
- Cross-border conversion fees may apply if settling in a different currency than the customer's payment
🔧 Features
✓ Free Tier✓ Open Banking✓ Bank To Bank✓ No Card Needed✓ Eu Na Coverage
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- Reduced transaction costs: Trustly eliminates card interchange and scheme fees, which can be substantial on high-value transactions. This cost structure can lead to significant savings for merchants processing large payments, such as iGaming operators or high-end retailers. By moving money directly between bank accounts, Trustly avoids the fee stack that comes with card networks.
- Instant payment confirmation and fast settlement: Transactions are confirmed in real-time, and funds settle quickly—often within 30 seconds to a few minutes. This speed is crucial for merchants that need to authorize transactions immediately or offer same-day withdrawals, enhancing customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
- Enhanced security and fraud reduction: Trustly uses bank-level authentication and adheres to SCA regulations, reducing the risk of chargebacks and fraud. Since payments are initiated from the customer's bank account with their own credentials, the chances of unauthorized transactions are minimized. This is particularly valuable for high-risk industries like iGaming, where chargeback fraud is common.
- Wide bank coverage: With over 8,300 connected banks across Europe and North America, Trustly covers a broad geographic area. This extensive network ensures that a majority of customers in supported regions can use Trustly, making it a viable alternative to cards for many transactions.
- No app downloads or card details: Customers pay directly from their online bank account, eliminating the need to enter card details or download a separate app. This streamlined checkout process can reduce friction and increase conversion, especially for customers who prefer not to share card information online.
⚠ Watch out for
- Opaque pricing model: Trustly does not publish its pricing, and merchants must contact sales for a customized quote. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for small businesses to compare costs with other gateways and plan their budgets. The absence of self-serve pricing may also deter potential users who prefer painless onboarding.
- Inconsistent coverage by country and bank: While Trustly connects to many banks, coverage varies significantly by country. In some regions, smaller or regional banks may not be integrated, causing checkout options to disappear for customers banking with those institutions. This can lead to lost sales and a fragmented user experience.
- Excludes unbanked and card-first customers: Trustly requires customers to have online banking access. This excludes unbanked individuals and those who rely primarily on credit or debit cards. In markets where card usage is dominant, this limitation could reduce the total addressable audience, making Trustly less suitable for mass-market e-commerce.
- No immediate integration with all platforms: Although Trustly offers plugins for major e-commerce platforms like Magento and WooCommerce, some custom or enterprise systems may require additional development effort. This could be a hurdle for merchants with bespoke infrastructure, potentially leading to longer setup times and extra costs.
- Limited to certain high-value use cases: Trustly is best suited for high-value transactions, but for small-ticket items, the advantages (like low fees) are less pronounced. Additionally, the target audience is often specific—such as iGaming players or fintech users—meaning the payment method may not be ideal for general e-commerce stores with diverse consumer bases.
🎯 Best for
Merchants in Europe and North America, particularly in iGaming, fintech, and high-ticket e-commerce, who want lower card costs, instant bank payments, and fast payouts.
🚫 Who should skip
Businesses targeting customers who strongly prefer cards, digital wallets, or BNPL, or those operating in countries with limited Trustly bank coverage.
📚 Learning curve
Moderate — the customer flow is simple, but merchant integration, authentication testing, and compliance review require technical effort.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
Trustly is a solid choice for businesses processing high-value transactions in iGaming, fintech, and e-commerce, offering reduced costs and speed. However, its opaque pricing and bank coverage limitations make it less suitable for small businesses or those with a broad consumer base. If you need fas
📊 Use Case Suitability
Higher score = better fit. Scores from editorial review.
Use CaseCoinbase CommerTrustly
Accepting crypto payments for e-commerce stores (Shopify/WooCommerce)95—
Official plugins for Shopify and WooCommerce make setup straightforward, and the
Collecting donations or tips in cryptocurrency90—
The free payment buttons and direct wallet addresses are simple to embed on land
Global SaaS subscriptions with crypto billing80—
The API allows subscription-style recurring payments, though merchants must mana
High-volume retail with instant conversion to fiat70—
Auto-conversion to fiat reduces exposure to volatility, but the additional conve
iGaming Deposits and Payouts—95
Trustly has strong gaming industry adoption, instant deposits, and fast withdraw
Fintech Account Funding—90
Trading apps, wallets, and digital banks use Trustly to let users push money fro
E-commerce Checkout for High-Value Orders—85
Bank-to-bank payments remove card limits and reduce fraud risk for expensive pur
Marketplace and Platform Payouts—80
Trustly's payout products allow marketplaces and platforms to send funds directl
🧭 Which One Should You Pick?
Choose Coinbase Commerce if...
- You are: Crypto-native merchants and small businesses who want a free, self-custodial payment gateway to accept cryptocurrencies
- 👍 Zero platform fees — only network fees apply, making it cost-effective for small and large merchants
- 👍 Self-managed keys give merchants full control over funds without needing to trust a third-party cust
- 👍 Native integrations for Shopify and WooCommerce, allowing fast setup for popular e-commerce platform
- 💰 Free tier available
- ⚠ Trade-off: No fiat settlement by default unless you enable Coinbase conversion, which adds
Choose Trustly if...
- You are: Merchants in Europe and North America, particularly in iGaming, fintech, and high-ticket e-commerce, who want lower card
- 👍 No card interchange or scheme fees, which reduces payment costs on high-value transactions.
- 👍 Instant payment confirmation and fast settlement improve merchant cash flow and enable same-day with
- 👍 Bank-level authentication and strong customer authentication reduce fraud and chargeback risk.
- 💰 Free tier available
- ⚠ Trade-off: Pricing is opaque; merchants must request a quote and there is no self-serve pri
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coinbase Commerce really free to use?
Yes, there are no platform fees for merchants. You only pay the cryptocurrency network fees (gas fees) when transactions occur on the blockchain.
Which cryptocurrencies does Coinbase Commerce support?
It supports 10+ cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, USDC, and other ERC-20 tokens. The exact list varies by region and network.
Does Coinbase Commerce provide self-custody of funds?
Yes, with the self-managed keys option, merchants retain control of their private keys. Funds go directly to your wallet, not through a Coinbase-controlled intermediary.
What e-commerce platforms does it integrate with?
It offers official integrations for Shopify and WooCommerce, plus plugins for other platforms. You can also use its API for custom integrations.
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