BitPay takes too much in fees — what should I use?

BitPay’s been in the game since 2011, basically ancient in crypto years. Back then, it was groundbreaking. Today? It’s slow, centralized, and overpriced.

For small businesses, BitPay charges 2% + $0.25 per transaction. If your business is “high-risk,” you’ll get hit with even more. That’s brutal for merchants running on thin margins.

The good news: you don’t need BitPay anymore. Here are three alternatives that are cheaper, easier, and actually worth using.


1. Blockonomics – No Nonsense, Just Works

Blockonomics is the anti-BitPay.

  • Flat 1% fee.
  • No custodial nonsense, money goes straight to your wallet.
  • Setup is quick; most merchants can be live in minutes.

You get invoicing, wallet-to-wallet payments, and a clean dashboard. Nothing flashy, nothing bloated. Just payments at a fair price.

👉 If you want simple and cheap, Blockonomics is the pick.


2. BTCPay – The Hardcore DIY Option

BTCPay is for people who see “command line” and don’t panic.

  • 0% fees (only network fees).
  • Open-source and self-hosted.
  • You own the whole stack: funds, data, setup.

It’s private, it’s powerful, but it’s not beginner-friendly. If you don’t like managing servers, BTCPay will frustrate you.

👉 If you’re technical and value control above all else, BTCPay is unbeatable.


3. CoinPayments – Flexible but Imperfect

CoinPayments is a smaller player that does a lot right.

  • 0.5% fee on most transactions.
  • Accepts hundreds of coins, from Bitcoin to obscure tokens.
  • Easy integrations with WooCommerce, Magento, and others.

But here’s the downside: CoinPayments has had customer service complaints in the past, mostly around slow response times and delayed withdrawals. It’s not deal-breaking, but something to be aware of.

👉 If your customers pay in a mix of tokens and you want broad support at low cost, CoinPayments works — just don’t expect white-glove support.


Final Take

BitPay had its time. But today, you’ve got better options:

  • Blockonomics for merchants who want affordable and simple.
  • BTCPay for advanced users who want full control.
  • CoinPayments for those who need wide coin support but can live with less-than-stellar support.

There’s no reason to keep paying BitPay’s 2% tax. Switch, save money, and keep more of your profits.