PingPong vs Karbon: which is better for international payments in 2026?
- PingPong is built for Amazon, Shopify and Etsy sellers, with a 1% headline fee, but users report a hidden FX markup of 0.5% to 2%
- Karbon Business charges a flat 1% fee with fast 24-48 hour settlement, but currently offers a live virtual account only in USD
- 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
PingPong
₹4,14,673
You lose:2.4%
Karbon
₹4,19,985
You lose:1.2%
100+ reviews
Trusted by 40,000+ businessesOver $1B processed • Licensed by RBI
PingPong vs Karbon: understanding the key differences
Both PingPong and Karbon 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 |  | Karbon |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer fees | 1% flat on withdrawal | ~1% flat fee |
| Forex markup | 0.5% to 2% reported, not publicly disclosed | 0-1%, live rate |
| FIRA | Free, automatic for every transaction | Automatic, bundled into the fee |
| eBRC | Not publicly disclosed | Not confirmed |
| GST-compliant invoice | Not available | Not confirmed |
| Settlement time | Next business day after withdrawal | 24-48 hours |
| Customer support | Dashboard live chat and account manager, not India-based | India-based; WhatsApp, phone, email |
| Best suited for | Amazon, Shopify and Etsy sellers taking marketplace payouts | Flat-fee USD receiving, fast settlement |
PingPong vs Karbon: 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₹8,47,0910.5-2% markup₹8,29,345
Money transferUSD 10,000
$500$10K$100K$1M
0.5-2% markupExchange rate83.94
Forex markup₹10,625
Transfer fee₹8,500
Fixed fee₹0
GST (18%)₹1,530
Total fees₹20,655
You receive₹8,29,345
Karbon0-1% markup
₹8,39,970Exchange rate85.00
Forex markup₹0
Transfer fee₹8,500
Fixed fee₹0
GST (18%)₹1,530
Total fees₹10,030
You receive₹8,39,970
PingPong vs Karbon: compliance, payment rails, and platform comparison
Compliance
Payment Rails
Platform & Support
- Operates via an RBI-approved liaison office, not a licensed PA-CB
- Free automatic FIRA on every transaction
- eBRC support not publicly disclosed
- GST-compliant invoicing not available
- One broad purpose code assigned by default, so a payment can be recorded under the wrong category
Karbon
- FIRA auto-generated for every transaction at no extra cost
- eBRC automation not explicitly confirmed
- GST-compliant records referenced but not detailed
- Guided purpose-code handling at onboarding
- SOFTEX and EDPMS handling not detailed publicly
PingPong vs Karbon: 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.01
Choose PingPong if:
You sell primarily on Amazon, Shopify or Etsy and want built-in marketplace integration.- You're comfortable with the hidden FX markup users report (0.5% to 2%)
- Your payouts are small and frequent
- You don't need eBRC or GST invoicing on the platform
- You want direct payout integrations with Amazon, Walmart, Etsy and Shopify
02Karbon
Choose Karbon if:
You want Karbon's flat 1% fee and fast settlement, and can work within its USD-first account today.- USD-led exporter wanting flat, predictable pricing
- Business comfortable with a partner-bank model
- New exporter wanting fast onboarding
- Team that values automatic FIRA bundled into the fee
Skydo: a better alternative to PingPong and Karbon
| Features | | Karbon | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Settlement time | Next business day | 24-48 hours | 24 hours |
| Forex markup | 0.5-2% reported | 0-1% | Zero, live rate |
| Transaction fee | 1% flat | ~1% flat | $19 up to $2k, $29 up to $10k, 0.3% aboveBest |
| FIRA | Free, automatic | Automatic, bundled | Free, instant, per payment |
| eBRC and EDPMS | Not publicly disclosed | Not confirmed | One-click eBRC, EDPMS closure assistance |
| GST invoicing | Not available | Not confirmed | Built in, GST compliant |
| Customer support | Live chat, not India-based | WhatsApp, phone, email | India-based, on WhatsApp, call and email |
| Payment tracking | Dashboard tracking | Dashboard timelines | Auto tracked, remittance to bank deposit |
| RBI authorisation | Liaison office, not PA-CB | Partner-bank model | Full PA-CB authorized |
Losing money on each transfer but not sure how much?
See what our clients say about us
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, PingPong or Karbon, for international payments in 2026?+−
It comes down to how your clients pay you and how much compliance you want handled. PingPong is built for marketplace sellers with a flat 1% fee and free FIRA, though users report a hidden 0.5 to 2% FX markup. Karbon Business charges a flat 1% fee with 24-48 hour settlement, but its live virtual account is USD-only today. PingPong suits marketplace-led e-commerce sellers, while Karbon suits flat-fee USD receiving.
Is PingPong cheaper than Karbon?+−
Usually not. PingPong charges a flat 1% fee, with users reporting a further 0.5 to 2% hidden FX markup, roughly 1.5 to 3% all in. Karbon charges a flat ~1% fee plus GST with a 0 to 1% forex spread, roughly 1 to 1.2% all in. Karbon is generally cheaper, though what actually lands in your bank depends on invoice size.
Which provides better exchange rates, PingPong or Karbon?+−
Karbon. PingPong's forex rates are not publicly disclosed — users report a 0.5 to 2% markup built in, while Karbon quotes a live forex rate with a 0 to 1% spread.
Do PingPong and Karbon provide FIRA for Indian exporters?+−
PingPong generates a free FIRA automatically for every transaction. Karbon generates FIRA automatically for every transaction at no extra cost. For GST refunds and export compliance an instant per-payment FIRA matters — Skydo issues one free with every payment.
Are PingPong and Karbon RBI-approved for receiving payments in India?+−
PingPong operates via an RBI-approved liaison office, not a licensed PA-CB. Karbon operates on a partner-bank model, with no independent RBI PA-CB licence publicly confirmed.
Is PingPong or Karbon better for freelancers or businesses?+−
Amazon, Shopify and Etsy sellers who want direct marketplace payout integrations lean towards PingPong. USD-led exporters who want a flat 1% fee and fast settlement lean towards Karbon.
Is there a better alternative to PingPong and Karbon 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.
Ready to save more on international payments?
Start receiving global payments with Skydo and keep more of what you earn.Bengaluru, Karnataka
Second Floor, Indiqube Serenity, Phase 2, 31, Hosur Rd,near Vishal Megamart, Muneswara Nagar, Sector 6, HSR Layout,Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560068
Compare
Company
Compare
Copyright © 2026 Skydo Technologies Private Limited