Best Stripe Alternatives for International Payments in India (2025)
If you’re an Indian freelancer, agency, or business working with international clients, you’ve probably considered using Stripe for global payments. But here’s the catch:
Stripe is currently invite-only in India, and their standard pricing includes ~4.3% fees on cards + 2% currency conversion, which adds up fast.
The good news? You don’t have to settle. In this post, we break down the best Stripe alternatives for Indian businesses in 2025, focusing on platforms that support seamless international payments, better fees, compliance (FIRA), and faster settlements.
Why Look Beyond Stripe?
Here’s why more Indian exporters and freelancers are switching from Stripe:
- 🔒 Limited Access: Stripe isn’t publicly available in India. You need an invite or partner integration.
- 💸 High Fees: Card fees + currency markups = you can lose up to 6% per transaction.
- ❌ No UPI Support: Many Indian buyers can’t pay via their preferred method.
- ⚠️ No Instant FIRA: Makes export compliance tedious (especially for freelancers and MSMEs).
If you want to receive USD, GBP, EUR, or AUD payments easily in India and stay compliant with the RBI, these Stripe alternatives are worth exploring.
What Makes a Good Stripe Alternative?
Before we dive in, here’s what Indian businesses typically look for in a payment platform:
✅ Low or transparent fees
✅ Support for multiple currencies
✅ Fast settlements to Indian bank accounts
✅ Free and instant FIRA (Foreign Inward Remittance Advice)
✅ RBI-compliant infrastructure
✅ Local support and better customer service
Top Stripe Alternatives for Indian Businesses in 2025
Here’s a curated list of the best platforms to consider, tailored for Indian freelancers, SaaS companies, and exporters.
1. Skydo: Stripe Alternative Built for Indian Exporters
Skydo offers international bank accounts in the US, UK, EU, and Canada, so your clients can pay you like a local. You receive payments directly into your Indian account, with zero forex markup, and instant FIRA generation for every transaction.
✅ Pros:
- 0% forex markup
- Flat transparent fees (as low as 0.3% on large payments)
- Free and instant FIRA
- Built-in compliance with RBI
- Fast settlements (1–2 working days)
❌ Cons:
- Only supports inbound international payments (no cards/outbound yet)
Best for: Freelancers, IT/marketing agencies, SaaS founders receiving international payments above USD 1000.
2. Wise Business (formerly TransferWise): Best Stripe Alternative for Freelancers & Small Businesses
Wise is known for its real exchange rates and transparent fees. You can create local accounts in multiple countries and get paid directly.
✅ Pros:
- Real mid-market FX rates
- Global client base
- Multi-currency accounts
- Great UI/UX
❌ Cons:
- Can receive upto UDSD 10,000/invoice
- USD 2.50/FIRA
- Can only support freelancers and sole proprietors in India currently
Best for: Freelancers, small businesses with small-ticket cross-border transactions.
3. Payoneer: A Global Stripe Alternative with Multi-Currency Accounts
Payoneer supports 150+ currencies and integrates with marketplaces like Amazon, Upwork, and Fiverr. A solid Stripe alternative for freelancers and e-commerce sellers.
✅ Pros:
- Free FIRA
- Marketplace integrations
- Mass payouts
❌ Cons:
- 3% markup on exchange rate
- Fees vary widely depending on the payment method
Best for: E-commerce exporters, freelancers using marketplaces, global affiliates.
4. Karbon Business: India based Stripe Alternative
Karbon supports both inward and outward remittances, making it unique in this list. They charge a flat 1% fee and handle FIRA automatically.
✅ Pros:
- 1% flat fee
- Dual-direction transfers (pay and receive)
- Free FIRA
❌ Cons
- Virtual account only for USD currently
- 1% fee can add up for bigger transactions
Best for: High-volume exporters and agencies with global vendors.
5. PingPong – Stripe Alternative for E-Commerce Sellers
PingPong is designed for cross-border payments in e-commerce and for freelancers. It also charges 1% fee and issues free FIRA
Key Features/Pros:
- Free Digital FIRA
- Assisted VAT/GST compliance
- Marketplace-ready (Amazon, Walmart, etc.)
Cons:
- Opaque Forex Rates
- 1% fee can add up for larger payments
Best for: Cross-border marketplace sellers in India.
6. PayPal – The Globally Accepted Stripe Alternative
PayPal is one of the oldest and most globally recognised payment platforms. However, its fees and limited features in India can be a roadblock
Key Features/Pros:
- Universally trusted
- Easy client experience
- Integrated buyer/seller protection
Cons:
- Highest fees in the category
- Monthly FIRA
- Limited features in India
Best for: Freelancers whose clients insist on using PayPal
Other Notable Stripe Alternatives
While Skydo, Payoneer, Wise, PingPong, and PayPal are among the top competitors to Stripe, there are other payment platforms worth mentioning, especially if your business needs vary.
Indian Payment Platforms
In India, there are several other home-grown payment platforms that can serve as strong alternatives to Stripe for receiving international payments:
- Razorpay: A popular choice for Indian businesses, Razorpay allows you to accept payments in multiple currencies. It offers businesses options to receive international payments both via payment gateway and virtual accounts
- Cashfree: Another great Indian payment gateway, Cashfree offers international payment solutions with minimal setup. It's suitable for businesses looking for an affordable and simple Stripe alternative.
- CCAvenue: This Indian platform supports global payments and provides businesses with an easy way to handle transactions in multiple currencies.
- Dodo Payments: Known for its simplified international payment acceptance, Dodo Payments is another emerging player offering flexible solutions for businesses operating in India and abroad.
These platforms are excellent Stripe alternatives, depending on your business requirements, especially if you're looking for local Indian payment solutions with international capabilities.
Global Competitors
Globally, there are several other Stripe competitors, each excelling in different areas:
- Braintree: Owned by PayPal, Braintree offers comprehensive payment solutions for both online and mobile transactions. It’s a strong choice for businesses that need more robust payment infrastructure, including recurring billing and international payments.
- Adyen: A top-tier enterprise payment platform used by large global businesses, Adyen supports a wide variety of payment methods, making it a great solution for large-scale businesses with international operations.
- 2Checkout: Specializing in e-commerce, 2Checkout is a great solution for businesses looking to sell globally. Its features, including recurring billing and a range of payment methods, make it a versatile Stripe alternative.
- Paddle: Focused on SaaS billing, Paddle is a standout for software-as-a-service companies looking to manage subscriptions and handle international taxes for software sales. It’s a top pick for SaaS businesses that need simplified billing and tax management.
However, many of these platforms either do not serve Indian customers or cater to larger enterprises. Therefore, Skydo and the other alternatives we’ve discussed are more suited to Indian SMEs looking for simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility.
Parting Thoughts
Stripe may be a global leader, but it’s far from ideal for Indian freelancers, agency owners, or exporters. Whether it’s access restrictions or hidden costs, there are better platforms today, designed for India, built for growth, and easier on your margins.
Skydo, for instance, has helped 25,000+ Indian businesses get paid globally without the usual headaches, while staying 100% RBI-compliant.
💡 Want to explore Skydo? Sign up for free and set up your global account in 5 minutes.
Does Stripe work in India
Yes, Stripe works in India, but currently, it operates on an “invite-only” basis. New businesses must request an invitation and can onboard only after their application is approved
How long does it take to receive payments from international clients?
Is PayPal cheaper than Stripe?
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