PingPong Overview: How It Works, Features and Reviews
A practical look at PingPong for Indian exporters and e-commerce sellers. We cover how PingPong actually works, what a $10,000 payout really costs once the fee and FX markup are added, where it falls short on compliance, and how Skydo compares.
RBI's PA-CB framework
AICPA SOC2 certified
ISO: 2022 CertifiedWhat Is PingPong?
PingPong is a US-founded fintech established in 2015 and privately held, with global headquarters operations run out of Hangzhou, China. It serves more than 3 million customers worldwide and has built its reputation on a flat 1% withdrawal fee for e-commerce sellers.
For Indian businesses, PingPong lets you receive payments through virtual collection accounts in 12 currencies. Funds are converted to INR and paid out to your Indian bank, though users report a hidden FX markup of 0.5% to 2% on top of the mid-market rate. PingPong operates in India through an RBI-approved liaison office, not a licensed payment aggregator.
In India, PingPong is most commonly used by Amazon, Etsy and Shopify sellers, and by freelancers on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr.
How Does PingPong Work?
PingPong gives you receiving accounts in 12 currencies. Marketplaces and clients pay you locally, and PingPong converts to INR on withdrawal.
Multi-currency accounts
Get virtual collection accounts in 12 currencies; marketplaces and clients pay using local banking methods.
Withdraw to your Indian bank
A flat 1% fee applies, plus a hidden 0.5-2% FX markup users report.
PingPong dashboard
Track balances, request payments, download FIRAs.
Funds typically settle to your Indian bank account the next business day after withdrawal. You cannot hold balances long-term in India accounts (RBI requirement).
PingPong generates FIRA automatically and free of cost for every incoming transaction, downloadable from the dashboard. eBRC support is not publicly disclosed.
PingPong Key Features
A quick look at the PingPong features most relevant to Indian sellers and freelancers.
Multi-currency receiving accounts
Virtual collection accounts in USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, CAD and more.
Flat 1% withdrawal fee
No monthly subscription or setup fee on top.
Marketplace integrations
Direct connections with Amazon, Shopify, Etsy and more.
Free automatic FIRA
Generated for every incoming transaction at no cost.
Supplier payments
Pay international suppliers directly from your PingPong balance.
Next-day settlement
Withdrawals typically reach your Indian bank the following business day.
Payment requests
Send direct payment requests to overseas B2B clients.
Dashboard fee preview
All fee charges are shown on the account dashboard before withdrawal.
Account security
Two-factor authentication and PIN verification on withdrawals.
PingPong Pricing and Fees
PingPong advertises a flat 1% withdrawal fee. The real cost is higher once the FX markup users report is added. Here's the full breakdown for Indian sellers, with a worked example and a side-by-side calculator versus Skydo.
On a $10,000 payout, PingPong's flat 1% fee alone is $100, and users report a total cost closer to $150-300 once the FX markup is factored in. Skydo charges a flat $29 with zero FX markup. That's a difference of $120-270 on a single payment.
PingPong Pros and Cons
- Flat 1% withdrawal fee with no monthly charges
- Free automatic FIRA on every transaction
- Direct Amazon, Shopify and Etsy integration
- Next-business-day settlement
- No setup fee
- Two-factor authentication and PIN verification
- 12 receive currencies
- Dashboard fee preview before withdrawal
- Users report a hidden FX markup of 0.5% to 2%
- Operates via a liaison office, not a licensed PA-CB
- Support not India-based
- eBRC support not publicly disclosed
- GST-compliant invoicing not available
- Trustpilot rating around 2.0/5
- All-in cost scales with invoice size
- No published transaction limit for clarity
PingPong for Indian Freelancers and Exporters
PingPong works well for a specific kind of seller, and less well for others.
When PingPong makes sense.
PingPong makes sense if you're an Amazon, Shopify or Etsy seller who wants direct marketplace integration and a low headline fee, and you're comfortable with an FX rate PingPong doesn't disclose upfront.
When PingPong stops making sense.
PingPong stops making sense once your invoice sizes grow and the FX markup users report starts compounding, or if you need eBRC support, GST-compliant invoicing, or India-based support for time-sensitive queries.
PingPong User Reviews: What Customers Say
Here's what independent review platforms say about PingPong.
Reviews paraphrased from publicly available sources. They reflect individual experiences, not Skydo's endorsement.
How Does Skydo Compare to PingPong?
Here's how PingPong's headline numbers compare to Skydo's published pricing.
Transaction fee structure
1% flat
Flat $19 / $29 / 0.3%
FIRA
Free, automatic
Free, instant, per transaction
eBRC for Amazon sellers
Not publicly disclosed
eBRC closure assistance
GST-compliant invoicing
Not available
Available on the dashboard
Settlement time
Next business day
Within 24 hours
Hold foreign currency (India)
RBI prevents holding foreign currency
RBI prevents holding foreign currency
India-based support
Not India-based per independent reviews
Chat, Call and WhatsApp
RBI authorisation
Liaison office, not PA-CB
Full PA-CB licence
Best for
Amazon, Shopify and Etsy sellers who prioritise marketplace integration
Recurring B2B exports, $500-$100K invoices
Frequently Asked Questions About PingPong
Is PingPong available for businesses in India?
Yes. PingPong operates in India through an RBI-approved liaison office since 2019, and Indian sellers and freelancers can sign up directly.
How much does PingPong charge in India?
PingPong charges a flat 1% fee on withdrawal to your Indian bank. Users also report a hidden FX markup of 0.5% to 2% on top.
Can I hold USD in my PingPong account in India?
No. RBI rules don't allow Indian businesses to hold foreign currency long-term, so PingPong balances convert to INR on withdrawal like any other platform.
Does PingPong provide FIRA?
Yes. PingPong generates FIRA automatically and free of charge for every incoming transaction, downloadable from the dashboard.
Is PingPong safe to use in India?
PingPong operates through an RBI-approved liaison office and uses two-factor authentication, but it isn't a licensed payment aggregator, and its Trustpilot rating sits around 2.0/5 as of mid-2026.
What's the best PingPong alternative for Indian freelancers?
Skydo is a strong alternative for Indian freelancers, with a flat published fee, zero FX markup, and instant FIRA and eBRC.
Can I send money out of India with PingPong?
PingPong is built for receiving payments, not outward remittances. For sending money abroad, you'd use a separate LRS-compliant channel.
Should I use PingPong or Skydo?
If you want a published, verifiable exchange rate and India-based compliance support, Skydo is the stronger fit. If marketplace integration matters most, PingPong is worth considering.
Stop Guessing PingPong's Real FX Rate
- Save with a published, zero-markup FX rate instead of an estimate
- Get international bank accounts in 5 mins across US, UK, EU and more
- Real time payment tracking and instant FIRA