Adyen vs PayPal: which is better for international payments in 2026?
- Adyen is enterprise-grade omnichannel acquiring trusted by global brands, but it is sales-led, carries a minimum invoice, and cannot collect export payments into India
- PayPal is the checkout almost every client recognises, accepted across 200+ markets, but it takes around 9% off every invoice
- Which one is better comes down to your priorities - fees, FIRA handling, and how your clients prefer to pay
Accept payment from 150+ countries
USD
Client pays
USD 100USD 100,000
1 USD = 85.00 INR
Live fx rateYou'll receiveINR
₹4,22,091
Adyen
₹4,07,434
You lose:4.1%
PayPal
₹3,85,904
You lose:9.2%
100+ reviews
Trusted by 40,000+ businessesOver $1B processed • Licensed by RBI
Adyen vs PayPal: understanding the key differences
Both Adyen and PayPal are well-known names for international payments, but they differ in who can use them from India, fees, export documentation like FIRA, GST compliance, settlement timelines, and support. Here is how they compare side by side.| Features | adyen |  |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer fees | Interchange++ plus 0.60% + $0.13 per transaction (~3.5% est. on international cards) | 4.4% of the amount, plus a $0.30 fixed fee per transaction |
| Forex markup | Not published, contract-specific | Around 4% above mid-market |
| FIRA | Not offered at all | Weekly consolidated digital FIRA, not per transaction |
| eBRC | No eBRC, and no inward flow to need it for | Not supported, closed on DGFT after your bank issues the IRM |
| GST-compliant invoice | Not available, no invoicing product | PayPal Invoicing tool, but no India GST guarantee |
| Settlement time | 2 to 3 business days | 1 to 3 business days |
| Customer support | Ticket-based, account managers for enterprise | Email and a global help center |
| Best suited for | Enterprise omnichannel acquiring | Global reach and client familiarity |
Adyen vs PayPal: pricing and forex breakdown
Beyond the published fees, the real cost is what lands in your bank after fees, forex and GST. Move the slider to see what each one works out to, and how Skydo compares.With Skydo, you receive₹8,47,0914% markup₹7,71,838
Money transferUSD 10,000
$500$10K$100K$1M
adyenFX not published
₹8,14,882Exchange rate85.00
Forex markup₹0
Card fee₹29,750
Fixed fee₹11
GST (18%)₹5,357
Total fees₹35,118
You receive₹8,14,882
4% markupExchange rate81.60
Forex markup₹34,000
Transfer fee₹37,400
Fixed fee₹26
GST (18%)₹6,737
Total fees₹78,162
You receive₹7,71,838
Adyen vs PayPal: compliance, payment rails, and platform comparison
Compliance
Payment Rails
Platform & Support
adyen
- No FIRA or e-FIRC — not offered at all
- No eBRC support — and no inward flow to need it for
- No GST-compliant invoicing; Adyen has no invoicing product
- Purpose codes not handled — no export remittances move through Adyen
- India licences: online PA (Jul 2024) plus import-side PA-CB only
- PayPal issues a weekly consolidated FIRA, so you get one summary rather than a certificate per transaction
- eBRC is not automated, so you close it on the DGFT portal once your bank issues the IRM
- PayPal offers an invoicing tool, but it does not guarantee India GST compliance
- Payments arrive on a broad, pre-mapped purpose code rather than one you set per transaction
- SOFTEX and EDPMS filings are handled separately through your bank
Adyen vs PayPal: which one is right for you
There is no single winner. The right pick depends on who pays you, how large your invoices are, and how much paperwork you can handle.01adyen
Choose Adyen if:
You are an enterprise selling omnichannel at scale and can meet sales-led minimums.- Global brand with an Indian entity acquiring from Indian consumers
- High-volume retailer unifying online and in-store payments on one stack
- Marketplace or platform needing split payments and sub-merchant payouts
- Enterprise with developer teams ready for API integration
02
Choose PayPal if:
Your clients insist on PayPal and brand familiarity matters more than the fee you give up.- You are a business that can live with weekly consolidated FIRA and filing eBRC and GST through your bank
- You sell on e-commerce platforms that have PayPal built into checkout
- You take small, one-off payments under $500 where the fee stings less
- You want the buyer and seller protection PayPal offers on eligible transactions
Skydo: a better alternative to Adyen and PayPal
| Features | adyen | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Settlement time | 2 to 3 business days | 1 to 3 business days | 24 hours |
| Forex markup | Not published | Around 4% | Zero, live rate |
| Transaction fee | ~3.5% est. on intl cards | 4.4% + $0.30 | $19 up to $2k, $29 up to $10k, 0.3% aboveBest |
| FIRA | Not offered | Weekly consolidated | Free, instant, per payment |
| eBRC and EDPMS | Not supported | Not supported, handled with your AD bank | One-click eBRC, EDPMS closure assistance |
| GST invoicing | Not available | No India GST guarantee | Built in, GST compliant |
| Customer support | Tickets, enterprise account managers | Email, global help center | India-based, on WhatsApp, call and email |
| Payment tracking | Real-time dashboard | Limited | Auto tracked, remittance to bank deposit |
| RBI authorisation | PA + import-side PA-CB only | In-principle PA-CB (May 2025) | Full PA-CB authorized |
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100+ reviews
Trusted by 40,000+ businesses
“I'm looking for straightforward, transparent pricing. With most payment providers, it's hard to understand the actual fees and exchange rates, making it difficult to know what I'm really paying.”ShashankCEO, HCODE
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Adyen or PayPal, for international payments in 2026?+−
It comes down to how your clients pay you and how much compliance you want handled. Adyen is enterprise-grade omnichannel acquiring trusted by global brands, but onboarding is sales-led with a minimum invoice, and its India cross-border licence covers import flows only. PayPal is recognised almost everywhere and easy for clients who already have an account, but it is the priciest at around 9% all in. Adyen suits enterprise omnichannel acquiring, while PayPal suits the widest client reach.
Is Adyen cheaper than PayPal?+−
Usually yes. Adyen prices at Interchange++ plus 0.60% + $0.13, working out to roughly 3.5% on international cards — and its India licence covers import-side flows only, so Indian exporters cannot collect through it. PayPal runs about 4.4% plus a fixed fee and a roughly 4% forex markup, around 9% all in. Adyen is generally cheaper, though what actually lands in your bank depends on invoice size.
Which provides better exchange rates, Adyen or PayPal?+−
Neither is clearly cheaper. PayPal at least publishes its pricing — a forex markup of about 4% built into its exchange rate — while Adyen does not publish FX pricing — it is contract-specific, and Indian merchants settle in INR only.
Do Adyen and PayPal provide FIRA for Indian exporters?+−
Adyen provides no FIRA or e-FIRC at all. PayPal issues a weekly consolidated FIRA rather than one per payment. For GST refunds and export compliance an instant per-payment FIRA matters — Skydo issues one free with every payment.
Are Adyen and PayPal RBI-approved for receiving payments in India?+−
Adyen is an RBI-authorised online payment aggregator (July 2024) with PA-CB for outward, import-side flows only. PayPal holds in-principle PA-CB authorisation from the RBI (May 2025).
Is Adyen or PayPal better for freelancers or businesses?+−
Enterprises with an Indian entity acquiring omnichannel at scale lean towards Adyen — it is not an option for exporters collecting from abroad. Freelancers whose clients prefer PayPal, or who want the widest recognition, lean towards PayPal.
Is there a better alternative to Adyen and PayPal for receiving money in India?+−
Skydo is built for Indian exporters and freelancers. It charges a flat fee ($19 up to $2k, $29 up to $10k, 0.3% above) that works out cheaper than a percentage fee as invoices grow, with zero forex markup, instant FIRA on every payment, one-click eBRC and EDPMS closure assistance, built-in GST-compliant invoicing, full RBI PA-CB authorisation, and India-based support.
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Start receiving global payments with Skydo and keep more of what you earn.Bengaluru, Karnataka
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