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Wise, Stripe or Razorpay: Cheaper Ways to Get Paid Than PayPal in India

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Editorial team, serviceexportguide.com
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9 min read

Short answer

PayPal India charges 4.40% plus a fixed fee per international commercial transaction in 2026.1 Stripe charges 3% on Visa and Mastercard cards issued abroad, plus 2% for conversion.2 Razorpay charges 1% on MoneySaver bank transfers with a 0% FX markup.3 Wise charges a USD 2 equivalent per transfer to INR (India help article; its India receive pricing page describes a free e-FIRC).49

Applies toRules involvedPlatforms comparedLast verified
Indian exporters paid by card, PayPal or bank transfer5PA-CB limit ₹25 lakh per transaction; EDF from 1 October 202667Skydo, Razorpay, Karbon Business, PayPal, Stripe, Wise831 October 2026

1,000 USD = ₹94,243 at the reference rate for 13 November 2026 (European Central Bank data).

Estimated rupees received, on published fees

Sorted by estimated rupees received, highest first. Only providers that publish both their fee and their conversion markup for this currency and method can be estimated.

#Provider and routeBest forFee (+GST)MarkupYou receiveCost
1Karbon BusinessLowest estimated costBank transfer to a Karbon virtual USD accountUS bank transfers and marketplace payouts₹942plus GST, rate not stated0%₹93,131 to ₹93,3011.00 to 1.18%
2RazorpayMoneySaver Export Account: bank transfer to virtual account details (Standard plan)Local transfers from the US, UK and eurozone₹1,000plus GST, rate not stated0%₹93,063 to ₹93,2431.06 to 1.25%
3WinvestaGlobal Collections Account, standard plan (up to 2,000 a month per currency)Local transfers with a published per-payment fee₹1,4350%₹92,8091.52%
4SkydoPayment link (InstaLinks) paid by ACH debitLocal bank transfers from major markets₹1,885plus GST, rate not stated0%₹92,019 to ₹92,3582.00 to 2.36%
5PayoneerLocal bank transfer to Payoneer receiving account detailsMarketplace payouts such as Amazon or Upwork₹0no GST stated1 to 4%₹90,473 to ₹93,3011.00 to 4.00%
6PayPalInternational commercial transaction received into a PayPal account (PayPal checkout or invoice)Clients paying by card or PayPal balance₹4,175no GST stated3 to 4%₹86,465 to ₹87,3667.30 to 8.25%

Not estimated because pricing is not fully published: Cashfree Payments, Dodo Payments, PingPong, Stripe, Tazapay, TransFi, Wise.

Where a provider says GST applies to its fee but not at what rate, the range runs from no GST to 18%, the rate Skydo, Stripe and Winvesta state on their pages. Estimates use each provider's published fee, conversion markup, GST on fees and FIRA charge, checked 2026-10-28, against the reference rate. They exclude charges taken by intermediary banks and your own bank, and the rate a provider actually applies at the time of conversion. Check the provider's pricing page before you choose. The order is calculated only from these published numbers; no provider can pay to change its position, and there are no affiliate links.

Wise, Stripe and Razorpay each publish lower headline percentages than PayPal for some payment routes, but which is cheaper depends on how your client pays. PayPal India charges 4.40% plus a fixed fee per international commercial transaction and a currency conversion fee of 3.0% or 4.00% above its base rate.1 Stripe charges 3% on Visa and Mastercard cards issued abroad plus 2% if conversion is required, and Razorpay charges 1% on MoneySaver bank transfers with a 0% FX markup.23 Wise charges a USD 2 equivalent per transfer to the INR account (India help article; its India receive pricing page describes a free e-FIRC) plus a conversion fee it does not publish as a percentage for INR.49 See PayPal alternatives for every provider.

How do Wise, Stripe, Razorpay and PayPal compare on cost in India?

Wise, Stripe, Razorpay and PayPal compare on cost by route: PayPal and Stripe price card and wallet payments, and Wise and Razorpay price bank transfers to account details.1243 The table adds the three lowest-cost providers for a USD 5,000 receipt on published fees, ordered by estimated cost, cheapest first, then providers without enough published pricing to estimate, A to Z.10311

PlatformBest forFeeFX markupSettlementFIRARBI PA-CB statusSource
SkydoLocal bank transfers from major markets12USD 19 up to USD 2,000, USD 29 up to USD 10,000, 0.3% above, plus GST100% markup on the mid-market rate (product page); retail rate set by Skydo or its partner banks (terms)1328Within 24 hours (product page); T+1 to T+3 business days (terms)1328Free FIRA on every payment13PA-CB I & O, authorised 8 January 20268Official pages1210138
RazorpayLocal transfers from the US, UK and eurozone14Bank transfers 1% (flat ₹1,000 below ₹1,00,000); cards up to 3%; GST extra3150% on MoneySaver bank transfers3T+1 for bank transfers; T+7 working days for cards1416FIRS emailed within 24 hours of settlement14PA-CB I & O8Official pages14315168
Karbon BusinessUS bank transfers and marketplace payouts171% transaction fee on its PayPal comparison page110% (freelancer page); 0.5% to 1.0% (PayPal alternative page)171124 to 48 hours17FIRA for every transaction from a banking partner17Not on the RBI list itself; its terms run export receipts under a partner the RBI lists as a PA-CB188Official pages1711188
PayPalClients paying by card or PayPal balance54.40% plus a fixed fee, for example USD 0.3013.0% or 4.00% above the base exchange rate1Up to 5 business days to the bank19Free weekly digital FIRA from February 202620Existing PA-CB with in-principle authorisation; not on the authorised list218Official pages511920218
StripeCard checkout and subscriptions223% Visa or Mastercard issued abroad, 3.5% Amex, 4.3% non-INR presentment2Additional 2% if conversion is required2Daily payouts of card payments made 5 business days earlier23Payment advice from Standard Chartered Bank; FIRC from your own bank24PA-O only; cross-border services invite-only825Official pages2222324825
WiseBank transfers to local account details4Equivalent of USD 2 per transfer to the INR account (help article); free e-FIRC (receive pricing page)49Conversion fee varies by currency; no INR percentage published9INR in 1 to 2 days4e-FIRC per transfer within 3 working days4PA-CB I, authorised 12 March 20268Official pages498

The international payment fee calculator and FX markup calculator let you test your own invoice.

Which platforms are named as cheaper PayPal alternatives, and can Indian exporters use them?

Indian exporters can use the platforms named as cheaper PayPal alternatives if they meet each one's sign-up rules. Stripe's international payments need an invite and a registered business, while Razorpay, Cashfree and PayU need business KYC.22142627

PlatformWho can sign upReceives export payments into India?Best for
SkydoIndividuals aged 18 or over, proprietorships and companies, for business payments only28Yes, through local account details and a SWIFT account12Local bank transfers from major markets12
RazorpayIndian businesses with Razorpay KYC; MoneySaver lists individuals, proprietorships, partnerships, LLPs and companies14Yes, by ACH, FPS, SEPA or SWIFT to virtual account details14Local transfers from the US, UK and eurozone14
Karbon BusinessIts forex terms require a user incorporated under the laws of India18Yes, by transfer to a virtual USD account17US bank transfers and marketplace payouts17
PayPalIndian residents with a verified PAN, a linked Indian bank account, a purpose code and full KYC5Yes, as an export payment service under its India user agreement5Clients paying by card or PayPal balance5
Cashfree PaymentsRegistered businesses in India only26Yes, through Global Collections and the international card gateway2629Registered businesses paid by local transfer26
PayUInternational payments are enabled separately by a PayU Key Account Manager; eligible entity types not published27Yes, international card checkout with INR settlement30Card or PayPal checkout with INR settlement30
StripeInvite only; sole proprietorships, LLPs and companies; individuals get domestic payments only2231Yes, card and wallet payments from abroad for invited businesses22Card checkout and subscriptions22
WiseWise Business only: sole traders, proprietorships, private limited companies, LLPs and general partnerships32Yes for Wise Business; Wise personal accounts in India cannot receive money433Bank transfers to local account details4
  • Card-paying clients: Wise does not offer card acceptance to India-based businesses, so a client who insists on a card needs Stripe, Razorpay, Cashfree, PayU or PayPal.342153536
  • Bank-transfer clients: Razorpay, Wise, Skydo and Karbon give account details for local or SWIFT transfers.1441217

What does each cheaper PayPal alternative charge?

Each cheaper PayPal alternative charges a published fee for card payments, bank transfers or both, and a separate conversion cost on some routes.12

PlatformBank transfer routeCard or link routeConversionBest for
SkydoUSD 19 up to USD 2,000, USD 29 up to USD 10,000, 0.3% above, plus GST10InstaLinks ACH Debit 2%, minimum $9; no card fee published370% markup on the mid-market rate (product page); retail rate set by Skydo or its partner banks (terms)1328Local bank transfers from major markets12
Razorpay1% per transaction, flat ₹1,000 below ₹1,00,000, GST extra3Up to 3% plus 18% GST150% on bank transfers; card markup not published3Local transfers from the US, UK and eurozone14
Karbon Business1% transaction fee on its PayPal comparison page11Not published170% (freelancer page); 0.5% to 1.0% (PayPal alternative page)1711US bank transfers and marketplace payouts17
PayPal4.40% plus a fixed fee per international commercial transaction1No separate card rate published13.0% or 4.00% above the base rate1Clients paying by card or PayPal balance5
Cashfree PaymentsGlobal Collections price on request352.99% Visa and Mastercard, 2.95% Amex35No markup claimed on Global Collections38Registered businesses paid by local transfer26
PayUNo bank transfer collection route published363% Standard Plan, GST extra36Margin not published39Card or PayPal checkout with INR settlement30
StripeNo bank transfer receiving fee published23% Visa or Mastercard, 3.5% Amex, 4.3% non-INR presentment, 18% GST on fees240Additional 2% if conversion is required2Card checkout and subscriptions22
WiseEquivalent of USD 2 per transfer to the INR account (help article); free e-FIRC (receive pricing page)49Card acceptance not available for India-based businesses34Varies by currency; no INR percentage published9Bank transfers to local account details4

Stripe and Razorpay charge 18% GST on their fees, and PayU quotes its fee with GST extra.401536

Which option is cheapest at $500, $2,000 and $5,000?

The cheapest option at each size depends on the route: on a bank transfer, a provider with no card fee and a low per-payment charge usually wins, and on a card payment the percentage fee decides. The table below uses published fees at today's rate.101

PlatformBest forINR on USD 2,000INR on USD 5,000INR on USD 10,000Cost on USD 5,000
SkydoMost INRTransfer to Skydo local account details or international SWIFT accountLocal bank transfers from major markets₹1,86,373₹4,67,991₹9,39,2060.68%
Karbon BusinessBank transfer to a Karbon virtual USD accountUS bank transfers and marketplace payouts₹1,86,262 to ₹1,86,601₹4,65,655 to ₹4,66,503₹9,31,311 to ₹9,33,0071.00 to 1.18%
RazorpayMoneySaver Export Account: bank transfer to virtual account details (Standard plan)Local transfers from the US, UK and eurozone₹1,86,262 to ₹1,86,601₹4,65,655 to ₹4,66,503₹9,31,311 to ₹9,33,0071.00 to 1.18%
PayPalInternational commercial transaction received into a PayPal account (PayPal checkout or invoice)Clients paying by card or PayPal balance₹1,72,958 to ₹1,74,760₹4,32,436 to ₹4,36,940₹8,64,899 to ₹8,73,9087.27 to 8.23%

Not estimated because pricing for USD is not fully published: Stripe, Wise.

Ranked by INR received on USD 5,000. Reference rate: European Central Bank data for 13 November 2026. Fees, conversion markup, GST on fees and FIRA charges as published by each provider, checked 28 October 2026. Ranges appear where a provider publishes a range or does not state its GST rate. Intermediary bank charges are excluded. See the methodology.

For example, on a USD 2,000 card payment, PayPal's fee is 4.40% plus USD 0.30, before a conversion fee of 3.0% or 4.00%, while Stripe charges 3% plus 2% if conversion is required, and Cashfree 2.99% on Visa or Mastercard.1235 On the same amount by bank transfer, Razorpay charges 1% and Skydo USD 19, which is 0.95%, each before GST.310

What documents do you get from each cheaper PayPal alternative?

Each cheaper PayPal alternative gives some proof of the inward payment, and PayPal's own weekly digital FIRA is free from February 2026.20

PlatformProof of receiptHow you get itBest for
SkydoFree FIRA on every payment13Issued for each receiptLocal bank transfers from major markets12
RazorpayForeign Inward Remittance Statement (FIRS)14Emailed within 24 hours after settlementLocal transfers from the US, UK and eurozone14
Karbon BusinessFIRA from an unnamed banking partner17For every transactionUS bank transfers and marketplace payouts17
PayPalWeekly digital FIRA; custom FIRA 100 INR plus 18% GST each20Download under Reports, then TaxClients paying by card or PayPal balance5
Cashfree Paymentse-FIRA for Global Collections38Within 1 day, per its pageRegistered businesses paid by local transfer26
PayUFIRC on request39Through your Key Account ManagerCard or PayPal checkout with INR settlement30
StripePayment advice from Standard Chartered Bank24Take it to your own bank to request a FIRCCard checkout and subscriptions22
Wisee-FIRC4Emailed within 3 working daysBank transfers to local account details4

The e-BRC is self-certified by the exporter on the DGFT portal from the bank's inward remittance messages.41 See is a PayPal FIRA enough for my records.

What changes in 2026 for Indian exporters leaving PayPal?

Indian exporters leaving PayPal in 2026 work under new FEMA export regulations from 1 October 2026 and should check each provider's RBI status.78

  • 2026 Regulations: The Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026 came into force on 1 October 2026 and replaced the 2015 Regulations.7
  • EDF for every service exporter: From 1 October 2026 every exporter of services gives an Export Declaration Form (EDF) to the AD bank within 30 days from the end of the month of invoicing, and non-software exporters may instead file it on or before the date payment is received.7
  • SOFTEX: RBI Circular No. 20 supersedes the earlier SOFTEX circulars with effect from 1 October 2026.42
  • Realisation period: Export proceeds must be realised within nine months from the invoice date, or twelve months if invoiced or settled in Indian rupees.43
  • PA-CB limit: A cross-border payment aggregator (PA-CB) can handle up to ₹25 lakh per transaction, for inward and outward transactions.6
  • Provider status: RBI's status list as on 16 October 2026 shows PayPal as an existing PA-CB with in-principle authorisation, and Wise was authorised as PA-CB I on 12 March 2026.218

Read EDF for service exporters and PayPal fees in India.

How did we verify this?

We checked this page against the sources below on 31 October 2026. Provider fees, conversion markups and RBI payment aggregator (PA-CB) status were checked on 28 October 2026. Rupee amounts use European Central Bank reference rates for 13 November 2026. Read our methodology or report an error.

  1. [1]PayPal India, PayPal Merchant Fees (page last updated 28 March 2024) (checked 2026-10-28)
  2. [2]Stripe India, Pricing (checked 2026-10-28)
  3. [3]Razorpay, Multi-Currency Account for International Bank Transfers (MoneySaver Export Account pricing) (checked 2026-10-28)
  4. [4]Wise Help Centre, Receiving payments for Indian businesses (checked 2026-10-28)
  5. [5]PayPal India, User Agreement for PayPal Services (last updated 13 January 2025) (checked 2026-10-28)
  6. [6]RBI: Master Direction on Regulation of Payment Aggregator dated 15 September 2025, paragraph 11(d) (transaction limit)
  7. [7]RBI: Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026, FEMA 23(R)/2026-RB, amended up to 22 September 2026, regulations 3 and 4
  8. [8]RBI: Certificates of Authorisation issued under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (Payment Aggregators and PPI issuers), list dated 30 October 2026 (checked 2026-10-31)
  9. [9]Wise India, Fees for getting paid (Wise Business receive pricing) (checked 2026-10-28)
  10. [10]Skydo FAQs, How much does Skydo charge? (checked 2026-10-28)
  11. [11]Karbon Business, PayPal Alternative comparison page (checked 2026-10-28)
  12. [12]Skydo FAQs, What countries can I get paid locally through Skydo? (checked 2026-10-28)
  13. [13]Skydo, Receive international payments as a freelancer in India (product page) (checked 2026-10-28)
  14. [14]Razorpay Docs, International Bank Transfer (MoneySaver Export Account) (checked 2026-10-28)
  15. [15]Razorpay, Pricing, International Payments and International Bank Transfers tabs (checked 2026-10-28)
  16. [16]Razorpay Docs, International Payments FAQs (checked 2026-10-28)
  17. [17]Karbon Business, Karbon for Freelancers (checked 2026-10-28)
  18. [18]Karbon Forex Terms and Conditions, Interropac Private Limited (checked 2026-10-28)
  19. [19]PayPal India Help, How do I transfer funds to my bank account? (checked 2026-10-28)
  20. [20]PayPal India, Foreign Inward Remittance Advise (FIRA) (checked 2026-10-28)
  21. [21]RBI: Status of Applications received under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, as on 16 October 2026, Tables D and E (checked 2026-10-28)
  22. [22]Stripe Docs, Accept international payments from India (checked 2026-10-28)
  23. [23]Stripe Support, Payout schedule for Stripe accounts in India (checked 2026-10-28)
  24. [24]Stripe Support, FIRC/payment advice for international transactions in India (checked 2026-10-28)
  25. [25]Stripe Support, Cross-border payment services in India (checked 2026-10-28)
  26. [26]Cashfree Payments Docs, Global Collections overview (checked 2026-10-28)
  27. [27]PayU Docs, PayU India International Payments (checked 2026-10-28)
  28. [28]Skydo, Terms of Use, last updated 9 April 2026 (checked 2026-10-28)
  29. [29]Cashfree Payments Docs, International Payment Gateway (IPG) overview (checked 2026-10-28)
  30. [30]PayU India, International Payment Gateway (checked 2026-10-28)
  31. [31]Stripe Support, Supported payment methods, currencies and businesses for Stripe accounts in India (checked 2026-10-28)
  32. [32]Wise Help Centre, How to verify your Indian business to receive payments (checked 2026-10-28)
  33. [33]Wise India, Receive pricing (personal accounts) (checked 2026-10-28)
  34. [34]Wise Help Centre, Getting paid to your Wise Business by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay (checked 2026-10-28)
  35. [35]Cashfree Payments, Payment Gateway Charges (India), International Cards, Global Collections and Cross Border FAQ (checked 2026-10-28)
  36. [36]PayU India, Pricing (checked 2026-10-28)
  37. [37]Skydo FAQs, What are the fees for using Payment Links? (checked 2026-10-28)
  38. [38]Cashfree Payments, Global Collections: International wire transfer for Indian businesses (checked 2026-10-28)
  39. [39]PayU Docs, FAQs: International Payments and Dynamic Currency Conversion (checked 2026-10-28)
  40. [40]Stripe Support, Taxes on Stripe fees for India-based businesses (checked 2026-10-28)
  41. [41]DGFT: eBRC system, self-certification of eBRC from bank IRMs, Trade Notice 33/2023-24 dated 10 November 2023
  42. [42]RBI: A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 20 dated 16 January 2026
  43. [43]RBI: Notification FEMA 23(R)/(1)/2026-RB dated 22 September 2026, amending regulation 5 (realisation period)

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest PayPal alternative in India for card payments?+

For card payments, published fees before GST are 2.99% at Cashfree for Visa and Mastercard, 3% at PayU, up to 3% at Razorpay, and 3% at Stripe plus 2% if conversion is required. PayPal charges 4.40% plus a fixed fee and a conversion fee.35361521

Is Razorpay cheaper than PayPal for international payments?+

On bank transfers, Razorpay's MoneySaver Export Account charges 1% with a 0% FX markup, GST extra. PayPal charges 4.40% plus a fixed fee and a conversion fee of 3.0% or 4.00%. On cards, Razorpay charges up to 3% plus 18% GST.3151

Does Wise accept card payments for Indian businesses?+

Wise does not offer card acceptance to India-based businesses. Wise lists card, Apple Pay and Google Pay acceptance only for Wise Business accounts in the EEA, UK, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada and the US. Indian businesses receive bank transfers to local account details instead.344

What is PayPal's currency conversion fee in India?+

PayPal India's fee page lists 3.0% above the base exchange rate for converting balances and payments received, and 4.00% for conversions in all other cases, with INR listed at 4.00%. The page does not say which applies when a balance is converted for transfer to an Indian bank.1

How long do Stripe payouts take in India compared with PayPal?+

Stripe pays out daily, with each payout including international card payments processed five business days earlier, after a seven-day wait for the first payout. PayPal asks users to allow up to 5 business days for funds to reach the bank account.2319

Is GST charged on Stripe and Razorpay fees?+

Yes. Stripe says GST at 18% is charged on its fees for India-based businesses, and Razorpay's pricing page lists international card fees of up to 3% plus 18% GST. PayU also quotes its 3% international fee with GST extra.401536

This page is general information for Indian service exporters, not tax or legal advice. Rules change and outcomes depend on your facts, so confirm with a chartered accountant before acting.

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