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PingPong vs Stripe: 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%
  • 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 rate
You'll receiveINR
₹4,22,091
PingPong
₹4,14,673
You lose:2.4%
Stripe
₹3,94,936
You lose:7.1%
100+ reviews
Trusted by 40,000+ businesses
Over $1B processed • Licensed by RBI
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PingPong vs Stripe: understanding the key differences

Both PingPong 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.
Featurespingpongstripe
Transfer fees1% flat on withdrawal4.3% card fee per transaction
Forex markup0.5% to 2% reported, not publicly disclosedAround 2% above mid-market
FIRAFree, automatic for every transactionNot provided, request from your bank
eBRCNot publicly disclosedNot supported, closed on DGFT after your bank issues the IRM
GST-compliant invoiceNot availableNot India GST-compliant
Settlement timeNext business day after withdrawal2 to 5 business days
Customer supportDashboard live chat and account manager, not India-basedCallback-based & email support
Best suited forAmazon, Shopify and Etsy sellers taking marketplace payoutsCard billing and subscriptions

PingPong 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₹8,47,091
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
stripe2% markup
₹7,89,871
Exchange 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

PingPong vs Stripe: 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
stripe
  • 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

PingPong 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.
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
02stripe

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 PingPong and Stripe

Featurespingpongstripe
Settlement timeNext business day2 to 5 business days24 hours
Forex markup0.5-2% reportedAround 2%Zero, live rate
Transaction fee1% flat4.3% card fee$19 up to $2k, $29 up to $10k, 0.3% aboveBest
FIRAFree, automaticNot provided, via bankFree, instant, per payment
eBRC and EDPMSNot publicly disclosedNot supported, handled with your AD bankOne-click eBRC, EDPMS closure assistance
GST invoicingNot availableNot built inBuilt in, GST compliant
Customer supportLive chat, not India-basedCallback-based & emailIndia-based, on WhatsApp, call and email
Payment trackingDashboard trackingDashboard, real timeAuto tracked, remittance to bank deposit
RBI authorisationLiaison office, not PA-CBPA license only, not PA-CBFull 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 Stripe, 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. 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. PingPong suits marketplace-led e-commerce sellers, while Stripe suits card-led and subscription businesses.
Is PingPong cheaper than Stripe?+
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. Stripe is about 4.3% on cards plus a roughly 2% conversion markup, around 7% all in. PingPong is generally cheaper, though what actually lands in your bank depends on invoice size.
Which provides better exchange rates, PingPong or Stripe?+
PingPong. PingPong's forex rates are not publicly disclosed — users report a 0.5 to 2% markup built in, while Stripe's currency conversion adds about 2% above mid-market.
Do PingPong and Stripe provide FIRA for Indian exporters?+
PingPong generates a free FIRA automatically for every transaction. 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 PingPong and Stripe RBI-approved for receiving payments in India?+
PingPong operates via an RBI-approved liaison office, not a licensed PA-CB. Stripe holds a domestic PA licence (Jan 2024) but not PA-CB, and its India product is invite-only.
Is PingPong or Stripe better for freelancers or businesses?+
Amazon, Shopify and Etsy sellers who want direct marketplace payout integrations lean towards PingPong. Card-led businesses, especially SaaS and subscription products selling to global card customers, lean towards Stripe.
Is there a better alternative to PingPong 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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