Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | CloudPaya | Stripe | PayPal | Coinbase Commerce |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crypto Payments | 50+ coins | USDC only | No | 10+ coins |
| Non-Custodial | Yes — direct wallet | No | No | No — custodial |
| KYC Required | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Account Required | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Global Availability | 195+ countries | ~46 countries | ~200 (limited features) | ~100 countries |
| Transaction Fees | 0.5% – 1% + fixed | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.99% + fixed | 1% |
| Monthly Fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Settlement Speed | Instant (on-chain) | 2–7 business days | 1–3 business days | Varies (custodial) |
| Self-Hosted Option | Yes | No | No | No |
| REST API | 40+ endpoints | 300+ endpoints | 200+ endpoints | Limited |
| Platform Plugins | 8 plugins | 15+ plugins | 10+ plugins | 3 plugins |
| Webhook Notifications | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| JS Checkout Widget | Yes — embeddable | Stripe Elements | PayPal Buttons | Basic |
| White-Label / Multi-Tenant | Yes — SaaS built-in | Stripe Connect | Limited | No |
CloudPaya vs Stripe
Stripe is the dominant payment processor for online businesses, but it has significant limitations for crypto payments and global availability:
- Crypto support: Stripe only accepts USDC on limited networks. CloudPaya accepts 50+ cryptocurrencies across 10+ blockchains including Bitcoin, USDT, Ethereum, Solana, BNB, and more.
- Availability: Stripe operates in ~46 countries. Businesses in Africa, the Middle East, and most of Southeast Asia cannot create Stripe accounts. CloudPaya works in 195+ countries.
- Custody: Stripe holds your funds and pays out on a schedule (2-7 days). CloudPaya is non-custodial — crypto goes directly to your wallet.
- Fees: Stripe charges 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction. CloudPaya starts at 0.5% + $2 for larger transactions.
- KYC: Stripe requires full KYC and business verification. CloudPaya requires none.
Verdict: Choose CloudPaya if you need crypto payments, operate in a country Stripe doesn’t support, or want non-custodial settlement with lower fees. Choose Stripe if you primarily need traditional card processing with a mature ecosystem.
CloudPaya vs PayPal
PayPal supports crypto purchases within its platform but does not let merchants accept cryptocurrency as a payment method:
- Crypto merchant payments: PayPal does not support merchants receiving crypto. CloudPaya is built entirely for this.
- Fees: PayPal charges 2.99% + fixed fee. CloudPaya starts at 0.5%.
- Custody: PayPal controls your funds entirely. CloudPaya never touches merchant funds.
- Restrictions: PayPal freezes accounts, imposes holds, and limits many business categories. CloudPaya has no such restrictions.
Verdict: PayPal is not a crypto payment gateway for merchants. If your business needs to accept cryptocurrency payments, CloudPaya is the direct solution.
CloudPaya vs Coinbase Commerce
Coinbase Commerce is a crypto payment gateway, but it differs from CloudPaya in key architectural decisions:
- Custody: Coinbase Commerce is custodial — they hold your funds. CloudPaya is non-custodial with direct wallet settlement.
- KYC: Coinbase Commerce requires full identity verification. CloudPaya does not.
- Coins: Coinbase supports 10+ cryptocurrencies. CloudPaya supports 50+.
- Plugins: Coinbase offers ~3 integrations. CloudPaya provides 8 platform plugins.
- API: Coinbase has a limited API. CloudPaya provides 40+ REST endpoints with full Swagger documentation.
- Self-hosted: CloudPaya can be self-hosted. Coinbase Commerce cannot.
Verdict: Choose CloudPaya for non-custodial payments, broader crypto support, more plugins, and self-hosting capability. Choose Coinbase Commerce if you specifically want Coinbase brand recognition and don’t mind custodial processing.
When to Choose CloudPaya
- You need to accept cryptocurrency payments (not just card payments)
- Your business is in a country not supported by Stripe or PayPal
- You want non-custodial settlement — funds go to your own wallet
- You don’t have or don’t want to use a bank account
- You want the lowest possible fees (starting at 0.5%)
- You need a REST API for custom crypto payment integrations
- You want to self-host your payment gateway
- You need white-label crypto processing for a SaaS platform
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CloudPaya better than Stripe for crypto?
For crypto payments, yes. Stripe supports only USDC, requires KYC, and is unavailable in most of Africa and MENA. CloudPaya accepts 50+ coins, requires no KYC, and works in 195+ countries with non-custodial settlement.
Can I replace Stripe with CloudPaya?
CloudPaya replaces Stripe for crypto payment processing. If your customers pay in cryptocurrency, CloudPaya handles the full flow — checkout widget, API, webhooks, plugins. For traditional card payments, you would still need Stripe or a similar processor.
Does CloudPaya work in Africa and the Middle East?
Yes. CloudPaya works in all countries with no restrictions. It is specifically built for businesses in Africa, MENA, Latin America, and Southeast Asia where Stripe and PayPal are unavailable.
What is the cheapest crypto payment gateway?
CloudPaya offers some of the lowest fees in the industry: 0.5% + $2 for transactions over $1,000, with no monthly fees, setup costs, or withdrawal charges. Coinbase Commerce charges 1%, and Stripe charges 2.9% + 30¢.