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PingPong vs PayU: 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%
  • 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
  • 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 rate
You'll receiveINR
₹4,22,091
PingPong
₹4,14,673
You lose:2.4%
PayU
₹4,01,455
You lose:5.5%
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Trusted by 40,000+ businesses
Over $1B processed • Licensed by RBI
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PingPong vs PayU: understanding the key differences

Both PingPong and PayU 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.
FeaturespingpongPayU
Transfer fees1% flat on withdrawal3% on international cards (2% domestic)
Forex markup0.5% to 2% reported, not publicly disclosed1.5-2.5% (anecdotal)
FIRAFree, automatic for every transactionNot documented publicly
eBRCNot publicly disclosedNot documented
GST-compliant invoiceNot availableNot published
Settlement timeNext business day after withdrawalT+2 standard (domestic)
Customer supportDashboard live chat and account manager, not India-basedIndia-based, ticket and email
Best suited forAmazon, Shopify and Etsy sellers taking marketplace payoutsConsumer checkout, recurring card billing

PingPong vs PayU: 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₹8,47,091
Money transferUSD 10,000
$500$10K$100K$1M
pingpong0.5-2% markup
₹8,29,345
Exchange 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
PayU1.5-2.5% markup
₹8,02,910
Exchange 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

PingPong vs PayU: compliance, payment rails, and platform comparison

pingpong
  • 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
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

PingPong vs PayU: 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.
01pingpong

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
02PayU

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

Skydo: a better alternative to PingPong and PayU

FeaturespingpongPayU
Settlement timeNext business dayT+2 (domestic)24 hours
Forex markup0.5-2% reported1.5-2.5% (anecdotal)Zero, live rate
Transaction fee1% flat3% intl cards$19 up to $2k, $29 up to $10k, 0.3% aboveBest
FIRAFree, automaticNot documentedFree, instant, per payment
eBRC and EDPMSNot publicly disclosedNot documentedOne-click eBRC, EDPMS closure assistance
GST invoicingNot availableNot publishedBuilt in, GST compliant
Customer supportLive chat, not India-basedIndia-based ticketsIndia-based, on WhatsApp, call and email
Payment trackingDashboard trackingDashboard reportsAuto tracked, remittance to bank deposit
RBI authorisationLiaison office, not PA-CBFull PA aggregation (2025)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
Shashank
“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 PayU, 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. 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. PingPong suits marketplace-led e-commerce sellers, while PayU suits consumer checkout and recurring card billing.
Is PingPong cheaper than PayU?+
Usually yes. 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. PayU lists 3% for international cards, with an anecdotal 1.5 to 2.5% forex markup on top, landing near 5% all in. PingPong is generally cheaper, though what actually lands in your bank depends on invoice size.
Which provides better exchange rates, PingPong or PayU?+
PingPong. PingPong's forex rates are not publicly disclosed — users report a 0.5 to 2% markup built in, while PayU carries an anecdotal 1.5 to 2.5% forex markup on top of the card MDR.
Do PingPong and PayU provide FIRA for Indian exporters?+
PingPong generates a free FIRA automatically for every transaction. PayU does not document FIRA provision publicly for exporters. For GST refunds and export compliance an instant per-payment FIRA matters — Skydo issues one free with every payment.
Are PingPong and PayU RBI-approved for receiving payments in India?+
PingPong operates via an RBI-approved liaison office, not a licensed PA-CB. PayU holds full RBI authorisation across online, offline and cross-border payment aggregation (2025).
Is PingPong or PayU better for freelancers or businesses?+
Amazon, Shopify and Etsy sellers who want direct marketplace payout integrations lean towards PingPong. Consumer e-commerce brands selling to overseas buyers at checkout lean towards PayU.
Is there a better alternative to PingPong and PayU 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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