Stripe India: Charges, Availability, and a Better Alternative for Global Payments
If you're an Indian SaaS startup, D2C brand, freelancer, or agency getting paid from abroad, chances are you've considered Stripe.
It’s one of the biggest global names in online payments.
But here’s what most people don’t know:
💡 Stripe is not fully available in India.
💡 It charges over 6% per transaction.
💡 It does not issue FIRA, which you need to stay compliant.
Let’s break this down.
Is Stripe Available in India?
Technically, yes, but it’s invite-only. Stripe India is not open for direct sign-ups like in other countries. You have to request access and wait for approval.
Even after that, Indian accounts come with limitations:
- Only international cards are accepted
- You can’t receive payments via SWIFT, bank transfers, or wallets
- INR payouts happen through a third-party partner
- No automatic FIRA (Foreign Inward Remittance Advice) issued
Stripe India Charges: What You’ll Pay
Stripe India follows this pricing:
- 4.3% per transaction (processing fee)
- 2% currency conversion fee
- Total: 6.3% deducted from every international payment
🧾 Example: If your US client pays $10,000, you’ll lose ~$630 (around ₹52,000) to Stripe’s fees.
Does Stripe India Provide FIRA or eBRC?
❌ No. Stripe does not issue FIRA or eBRC certificates, which are mandatory for Indian businesses receiving foreign payments.
Instead, they give you a generic payment advice, and you’re expected to:
- Go to your bank
- Submit Stripe’s payment advice
- Request FIRA manually (and pay a fee)
This process takes 7–15 days and delays your ability to claim GST refunds, tax credits, or show compliant export earnings.
Why Stripe Isn’t Ideal for Indian Exporters & Freelancers?
Stripe was built for a global audience, but it’s not tailored for India’s regulatory or financial ecosystem.
| Limitations | What it means for you |
| Invite-only access | Slower onboarding, no self-serve sign-up |
| No SWIFT or local accounts | Clients can’t pay you via bank transfers |
| High transaction + FX fees | Lose 6%+ of every paymen |
| No FIRA or eBRC | Compliance burden, delayed refunds |
| Manual RBI documentation | Extra work for freelancers/exporters |
Who Is Stripe India Better Suited For?
Stripe is a powerful platform with deep developer tools, global reach, and excellent UX, but it’s not a perfect fit for everyone in India. Here’s who might benefit from Stripe despite its limitations:
✅ Stripe may work well if:
- You already have an approved Stripe India account
- Your business accepts only international card payments
- You don’t need FIRA/eBRC (e.g., you’re not claiming GST refunds or don’t fall under RBI’s export compliance rules)
- You’re a global SaaS company with recurring billing in USD
- Your volume is low and you prioritize Stripe’s developer APIs or plug-and-play integrations
In short, Stripe can be a solid choice for early-stage SaaS or D2C brands that:
- Want quick payment links
- Want customised checkout pages
- Don’t deal with Indian export compliance
- Have a tech team to integrate Stripe’s APIs
But for most Indian exporters, service providers, and freelancers who need cost-effective payments and full compliance, Stripe falls short.
That’s where Skydo becomes the better option.
A Better Stripe India Alternative: Skydo
Skydo is built specifically for Indian businesses receiving international payments, with full RBI compliance, low fees, and no manual paperwork.
✅ Here’s what Skydo offers:
- Virtual global accounts in USD, EUR, GBP
- Clients pay you like a local vendor (no SWIFT needed)
- Live exchange rate — no markup
- Flat fee: ₹1599 to ₹2399 per transaction (vs Stripe’s 6%)
- Automatic FIRA for all and eBRC generated for Amazon sellers instantly
- Works for freelancers, SaaS companies, agencies, D2C & exporters
- Fully RBI-approved
Skydo vs Stripe India: Cost & Compliance
| Features | Skydo | Stripe India |
| Availability | Open to all Indian businesses | Invite-only |
| Payment methods | Local transfers, SWIFT | Cards only |
| Forex markup | Mid market rates without any markup | 2% forex markup |
| Transaction fee | USD 19,29 and 0.3% | 4.3% + 2% (total 6.3%) |
| FIRA | Instant, free FIRA | No FIRA given |
| Time to receive INR | 1-2 business days | 3-7 business days |
Real Example: Saving with Skydo
A freelancer in India receives USDS 10,000 from a US client. Here's how what they would receive with Skydo vs Stripe India:
With Stripe India
Amount: USD 10,000
Transaction fee (4.3%)USD 10,000 × 4.3% = USD 430
Currency Conversion (2%)USD 10,000 × 2% = USD 200
Total Fee = USD 630
Amount received overall USD (10,000 − 630) = USD 9,370≈ ₹7,87,000 (at ₹84/USD)
With Skydo
Amount: USD 10,000
Transaction fee = USD 29
Currency Conversion: Nil
Total Fee = USD 29
Amount Received overall = USD (10,000 − 19 )= USD 9,981≈ ₹8,35,000 (at ₹84/USD)
Final Take
Stripe is a powerful platform, but for Indian businesses, it often comes with high costs and compliance gaps.
Skydo fills that gap. If you're looking for a Stripe India alternative that’s built for how Indian exporters and freelancers actually work, Skydo is it.
💡 Sign up in 5 minutes.
💡 Start receiving international payments the smarter way.
Does Stripe India provide FIRA for international payments?
No, Stripe India does not provide FIRA (Foreign Inward Remittance Advice). Businesses using Stripe must contact their bank to obtain FIRA for compliance purposes.
Does Stripe India support multiple payment methods?
Is Stripe Available in India?
Why is Stripe not working in India?
What is the best Stripe alternative for Indian exporters?
Can I accept international payments without Stripe?
