PayU vs Stripe: which is better for international payments in 2026?
- PayU is a domestic-first gateway with full RBI authorisation, but its international product is a card checkout, not a collections account — so B2B invoicing doesn't fit
- Stripe is the global standard for card payments, but it is invite-only in India, accepts cards alone, and all-in costs run ~7% on international invoices
- 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
PayU
₹4,01,455
You lose:5.5%
Stripe
₹3,94,936
You lose:7.1%
100+ reviews
Trusted by 40,000+ businessesOver $1B processed • Licensed by RBI
PayU vs Stripe: understanding the key differences
Both PayU and Stripe 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 | PayU |  |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer fees | 3% on international cards (2% domestic) | 4.3% card fee per transaction |
| Forex markup | 1.5-2.5% (anecdotal) | Around 2% above mid-market |
| FIRA | Not documented publicly | Not provided, request from your bank |
| eBRC | Not documented | Not supported, closed on DGFT after your bank issues the IRM |
| GST-compliant invoice | Not published | Not India GST-compliant |
| Settlement time | T+2 standard (domestic) | 2 to 5 business days |
| Customer support | India-based, ticket and email | Callback-based & email support |
| Best suited for | Consumer checkout, recurring card billing | Card billing and subscriptions |
PayU vs Stripe: 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₹8,47,0912% markup₹7,89,871
Money transferUSD 10,000
$500$10K$100K$1M
PayU1.5-2.5% markup
₹8,02,910Exchange rate83.30
Forex markup₹17,000
Card fee₹25,500
Fixed fee₹0
GST (18%)₹4,590
Total fees₹47,090
You receive₹8,02,910
2% markupExchange rate83.30
Forex markup₹17,000
Card fee₹36,550
Fixed fee₹0
GST (18%)₹6,579
Total fees₹60,129
You receive₹7,89,871
PayU vs Stripe: compliance, payment rails, and platform comparison
Compliance
Payment Rails
Platform & Support
PayU
- FIRA handling is not documented publicly at all
- No eBRC generation documented for exporters
- No documented GST-compliant sales invoicing
- Purpose code handling is not documented publicly
- Card checkout only, and no bank transfer collections
- No FIRA from Stripe — partner bank emails a payment advice, FIRC via your own bank
- No automated eBRC, generate manually through DGFT
- Invoicing shows GSTIN but is not India GST-compliant, no IRN or QR
- One RBI purpose code per account, fixed at onboarding
- SOFTEX and EDPMS handled separately via your bank
PayU vs Stripe: 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.01PayU
Choose PayU if:
You want PayU's domestic reach and can absorb 3% plus a 1.5 to 2.5% forex markup on top.- Consumer e-commerce brand selling to buyers overseas
- Ed-tech or SaaS business billing global customers by card
- Business already running PayU for domestic payments
- Seller who needs recurring card billing
02
Choose Stripe if:
You want Stripe's card checkout and developer stack, and can absorb a ~7% all-in cost.- SaaS business already inside Stripe's invite programme
- Checkout-first sellers whose customers pay by card
- Teams that need subscriptions and billing automation
- Businesses that can live with payment-advice-based FIRC paperwork
Skydo: a better alternative to PayU and Stripe
| Features | PayU | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Settlement time | T+2 (domestic) | 2 to 5 business days | 24 hours |
| Forex markup | 1.5-2.5% (anecdotal) | Around 2% | Zero, live rate |
| Transaction fee | 3% intl cards | 4.3% card fee | $19 up to $2k, $29 up to $10k, 0.3% aboveBest |
| FIRA | Not documented | Not provided, via bank | Free, instant, per payment |
| eBRC and EDPMS | Not documented | Not supported, handled with your AD bank | One-click eBRC, EDPMS closure assistance |
| GST invoicing | Not published | Not built in | Built in, GST compliant |
| Customer support | India-based tickets | Callback-based & email | India-based, on WhatsApp, call and email |
| Payment tracking | Dashboard reports | Dashboard, real time | Auto tracked, remittance to bank deposit |
| RBI authorisation | Full PA aggregation (2025) | PA license only, not PA-CB | 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, PayU or Stripe, for international payments in 2026?+−
It comes down to how your clients pay you and how much compliance you want handled. PayU is a domestic-first gateway with full RBI authorisation, but its international product is a card checkout, not a collections account — B2B invoicing does not fit. Stripe is the global standard for card payments with strong developer tools, at around 7% all in, but it is invite-only in India and accepts cards only. PayU suits consumer checkout and recurring card billing, while Stripe suits card-led and subscription businesses.
Is PayU cheaper than Stripe?+−
Usually yes. PayU lists 3% for international cards, with an anecdotal 1.5 to 2.5% forex markup on top, landing near 5% all in. Stripe is about 4.3% on cards plus a roughly 2% conversion markup, around 7% all in. PayU is generally cheaper, though what actually lands in your bank depends on invoice size.
Which provides better exchange rates, PayU or Stripe?+−
Neither builds a meaningful markup into the rate. PayU carries an anecdotal 1.5 to 2.5% forex markup on top of the card MDR, and Stripe's currency conversion adds about 2% above mid-market. The cost difference between them comes from fees rather than the exchange rate.
Do PayU and Stripe provide FIRA for Indian exporters?+−
PayU does not document FIRA provision publicly for exporters. Stripe does not issue FIRA — its partner bank emails a payment advice and you obtain FIRC via your own bank. For GST refunds and export compliance an instant per-payment FIRA matters — Skydo issues one free with every payment.
Are PayU and Stripe RBI-approved for receiving payments in India?+−
PayU holds full RBI authorisation across online, offline and cross-border payment aggregation (2025). Stripe holds a domestic PA licence (Jan 2024) but not PA-CB, and its India product is invite-only.
Is PayU or Stripe better for freelancers or businesses?+−
Consumer e-commerce brands selling to overseas buyers at checkout lean towards PayU. Card-led businesses, especially SaaS and subscription products selling to global card customers, lean towards Stripe.
Is there a better alternative to PayU and Stripe 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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