Is NOWPayments reliable for businesses? Is BitPay still the most trusted option? In this 2025 comparison, we break down fees, supported coins, payout speed, compliance, and user reviews to see which platform truly delivers.
By 2025, crypto payment processors are no longer a niche tool — they’ve become an essential part of how businesses and organizations move money globally. From e-commerce brands and NGOs to large enterprises, the ability to accept cryptocurrency payments and instantly convert them into fiat has shifted from “nice to have” to “must-have.” Lower costs, faster international transfers, and built-in compliance make these gateways a serious alternative to traditional banking.
In this landscape, two providers stand out: NOWPayments and BitPay. Each approaches the challenge differently — one with a broad, non-custodial model focused on flexibility, the other with a regulated, long-standing presence in the industry.
This article takes a closer look at NOWPayments vs BitPay — comparing fees, settlement speed, supported assets, business features, and security. We’ll also address questions businesses often ask, like “Is NOWPayments safe enough for enterprise use?” and “Does BitPay still justify its reputation as the industry leader?”
NOWPayments vs BitPay: Quick Overview
| Products | NOWPayments | BitPay | |
| API Integration Method | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Crypto Invoicing | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Fiat Settlement | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Mass Payouts | ✅ | ✅ | |
| White Label Solutions | ✅ | ❌* | |
| Subscription Tool | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Features | |||
| Supported Cryptocurrencies | 300+ (e.g., BTC, ETH, SOL, TRON) | 100+ (e.g., BTC, ETH, XRP, USDC) [1] | |
| Custody | ✅[2] | ✅(NB: BitPay wallet – non-custodial) [3] | |
| Payment Methods | Crypto & Fiat | Crypto & Fiat [4] | |
| Support | Types of Support | 24/7 for merchants and users | 24/7 for merchants and users |
| Support via Telegram | ✅ | ❌ | |
| AML/Fraud detection | ✅ | ✅ | |
| User registration flow | Instant registrationOnly email needed | Business Email + PasswordKYC/Personality Identification | |
| Setup Time | ~ 5 minutes | 5–10 minutes; KYC 1–7 days [5] | |
| Crypto Processing Time | ~ 5 minutes (less than 1 minute TON) | 10 minutes to 1 hour [6] | |
| Integrations | |||
| API | ✅ | ✅ | |
| POS | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Plugins | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Payment Button | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Pricing Plan | |||
| Fees | 0.5% for a mono-currency transaction1% for a multi-currency transactionCustomisable network fee offers[5] | 1-2% + 25¢ per transaction1% for mass payoutsvolume discounts available [2] | |
*no information about the availability of white label solutions on https://www.bitpay.com/online-payments
While this quick comparison highlights the core differences between NOWPayments and BitPay, the real picture becomes clearer when you look deeper.
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
- Products
NOWPayments: Powers crypto payments for e-commerce, SaaS, trading, iGaming and global services with a suite of tools including a Crypto Checkout API, Crypto Invoicing, Mass Payouts, Crypto Subscription Payments, and White Label Solutions.
BitPay: provides core services including a Crypto Checkout API, Crypto Invoicing, Fiat Settlement, Crypto Subscription Payments, and Mass Payouts.
Verdict: NOWPayments offers a more comprehensive solution with additional features like White Label Solutions. While BitPay provides core services, it lacks the White Label option, making NOWPayments the better choice for businesses looking to maintain a consistent brand identity throughout their payment process.
- Supported Cryptocurrencies
NOWPayments: Supports 300+ cryptocurrencies, including stablecoins like USDT across various blockchains (Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Solana, Tron). Its focus on stablecoins makes it ideal for the finance and regulated sectors, providing stability and compliance with industry standards.
BitPay: Supports 100+ cryptocurrencies including USDC and USDT [1], offers a more limited range but is also focused on stablecoins, catering to businesses in need of secure, regulated payment solutions.
Verdict: NOWPayments, with its broader stablecoin focus, is better suited for the finance and regulated sectors, while BitPay offers a more narrow selection of options.
- Custody
NOWPayments: Custodial model with non-custodial options available, offering secure handling and compliance with regulations. This is beneficial for businesses requiring secure, compliant operations.
BitPay: Primarily custodial—funds pass through BitPay’s centralized system for merchant payment processing and fiat settlement. However, BitPay also offers a self-custodial option through its BitPay Wallet, where merchants and users can maintain full control of their funds via private keys and recovery phrases for personal use.
Verdict: NOWPayments provides both custodial and non-custodial options, offering greater flexibility for businesses. BitPay, while primarily custodial, offers a self-custodial option through its BitPay Wallet, giving users more control over their funds for personal use. However, NOWPayments’ broader range of solutions makes it a more versatile choice for businesses looking for a flexible and secure payment gateway.
- Payment Methods
NOWPayments: Accepts both crypto and fiat (through third party providers), providing flexibility for global transactions, ideal for industries like e-commerce and international trade.
BitPay: Supports both cryptocurrency payments and fiat settlement for merchant payouts, making it suitable for companies focused on digital currencies but still needing fiat integration.
Verdict: NOWPayments offers more flexibility by supporting both crypto and fiat transactions, making it ideal for a broader range of industries. BitPay, while also offering fiat settlement, is best for businesses that are primarily focused on cryptocurrency but need the option to handle fiat payouts.
- Support
NOWPayments: Offers 24/7 support for both merchants and users via chat, email, and Telegram, ensuring quick resolutions for businesses in fast-paced industries like e-commerce. This makes it an excellent choice for businesses and customers who need reliable, round-the-clock assistance [6].
BitPay: Provides 24/7 support for merchants and users but only through email and a support center, with potentially slower response times. This makes it more suitable for larger enterprises that can accommodate longer wait times for customer service.
Verdict: NOWPayments offers quick and responsive support for both merchants and users, making it the better choice for industries that require constant availability. BitPay is more suited for enterprises with less urgent support needs, where slower response times are acceptable [7].
- Registration and KYC Process
NOWPayments: Implements strong AML/fraud detection, triggering KYC checks based on transaction volumes and compliance requirements. User registration is instant, requiring only an email and password for merchants to get started. For businesses dealing with fiat transactions, KYC and KYB are required, with quick ID verification. Setup time is around 5 minutes, and crypto processing time is typically 5 minutes, with TON transactions taking less than 1 minute.
BitPay: Offers AML/fraud detection, but user registration requires an email and a business email/password setup, with additional KYC and personal identification checks. Setup time ranges from 5 to 10 minutes, with KYC taking 1 to 7 days. Crypto processing time can take anywhere from 10 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the transaction.
Dashboard Features
NOWPayments: Provides a customizable dashboard for tracking payments, managing invoices, viewing balances, and generating reports.
BitPay: Offers a streamlined dashboard focused on transaction history, settlement reports, and payout management.
Verdict: NOWPayments offers faster setup, instant registration, and quicker crypto processing times, making it ideal for businesses that need flexibility and speed. BitPay is better suited for larger enterprises that focus on compliance and structured reporting, even if it means a slower setup process.
- Integrations
NOWPayments: Offers a comprehensive range of integrations, including API, POS, plugins, and payment button solutions, making it an ideal choice for industries like iGaming, trading, e-commerce, and more.
BitPay: Provides similar integrations (API, POS, plugins, payment button), focusing on industries such as fashion, automotive, electronics, and professional services.
Verdict: Both NOWPayments and BitPay provide a strong selection of integration options, but NOWPayments caters to a broader variety of industries, such as iGaming and trading, offering more versatility and flexibility for businesses with diverse needs.
- Pricing Plan
NOWPayments: Charges a 0.5% fee for mono-currency transactions and 1% for multi-currency transactions. Network fees are customizable based on the blockchain network used, and there is a 0% service fee for payouts, making it a cost-effective choice for high transaction volumes.
BitPay: 1-2% + $0.25 per transaction, with 1% for mass payouts. Volume discounts are available.
Verdict: NOWPayments is more cost-effective for high-volume businesses, while BitPay’s pricing suits enterprises that prioritize stability and predictability.
Solutions for other Businesses
NOWPayments
- Offers B2B solutions for merchants, fintech companies, NGOs, and enterprises.
- Includes APIs, plugins, and white-label solutions for seamless integration into e-commerce platforms, wallets, and custom systems.
- Features like mass payouts, recurring billing, and donation tools are ideal for subscription services, affiliates, and global businesses.
- Trusted by businesses worldwide, recognized as #1 in Forbes’ Top 2025 Cryptocurrency Payment Gateways.
BitPay
- Provides API and e-commerce plugins for crypto payments.
- Focuses on fiat settlements and crypto debit cards, ideal for enterprises with strong regulatory compliance needs.
- Ranked #3 in Forbes’ Top 2025 Cryptocurrency Payment Gateways.
Verdict: NOWPayments excels in flexibility, offering advanced features for a wide range of industries, while BitPay suits enterprises seeking regulatory stability and fiat infrastructure.
Pros & Cons Summary
| Feature | NOWPayments | BitPay |
| Pros | Fast sign-up, no KYB for basic use, 24/7 support | Strong compliance |
| Supports 300+ cryptos on various blockchains, both crypto & fiat payment options | Streamlined dashboard focused on core features | |
| Custodial model with non-custodial options available, secure handling of funds | Robust intergrations | |
| Customizable dashboard with detailed reports | Trusted Brand | |
| Competitive fees | ||
| Cons | Limited fiat payments (e.g., debit cards) | Slower registration, KYC delays |
| No sandbox | Limited Customer Support (email only), no immediate support | |
| Best For | Large enterprises needing a wide range of cryptocurrencies and flexible payment solutions | Businesses focused on cryptocurrency with optional fiat payouts, financial services, and regulated sectors |
Real User Reviews & Community Feedback
NOWPayments enjoys a generally positive reputation, with users praising its speed, reliability, and helpful support. Merchants highlight smooth integrations and fast payment processing. While some mention the effort required for custom setups, most agree it delivers on its promises. On Reddit, users appreciate its non-custodial model and transparency but note occasional delays in detecting or sending payments and slower support [4].
BitPay has mixed reviews, with frequent complaints about slow KYC verification, frozen funds, and poor support response times. Enterprises value its regulatory compliance and fiat settlement tools, but individual users often express frustration with failed transactions and long refund delays. On Reddit, criticism includes anti-Bitcoin practices, slow refunds, and some even calling it a “scam.” [5]
General Sentiment: NOWPayments is praised for its speed, flexibility, and customer care, making it popular among merchants seeking fast onboarding and reliable payouts. BitPay, despite its regulatory strength, faces trust issues due to poor user experience and rigid policies. For most businesses, the choice boils down to whether they prioritize agility and user satisfaction (NOWPayments) or regulatory assurance and fiat settlement infrastructure (BitPay).
Why Clients Choose NOWPayments Over BitPay
While both NOWPayments and BitPay are well-established in the crypto payment space, many businesses prefer NOWPayments for its faster settlements (typically under 24 hours), broad support for 300+ cryptocurrencies and 75+ fiat currencies, and versatile integration tools like widgets, POS interfaces, and white-label wallets.
In contrast to BitPay, which limits merchants to around 100 cryptocurrencies and requires a more stringent onboarding process, NOWPayments offers a more flexible and user-friendly experience. Features such as recurring billing, donation support, and mass payouts make it an appealing choice for companies and NGOs seeking speed, asset variety, and customizable payment options, all while ensuring security and compliance.
Final Verdict: NOWPayments or BitPay?
- For large enterprises and global businesses seeking maximum flexibility, scalability, and future-proof crypto integration → NOWPayments is the clear winner.
NOWPayments is engineered for complex, high-volume operations. Its unparalleled support for over 300 cryptocurrencies ensures businesses can meet the diverse preferences of a global customer base. The platform provides a comprehensive suite of enterprise-grade tools—including mass payouts, subscription services, and sophisticated API integrations—that are essential for scaling operations seamlessly. With features like auto-conversion, 24/7 dedicated support, and a custodial model that gives enterprises full control of their funds, NOWPayments offers the agility and customization that modern, forward-thinking large businesses require.
- For established US-centric enterprises prioritizing traditional fiat settlement and long-standing regulatory compliance → BitPay remains a competent choice.
BitPay’s primary strength lies in its deep integration with the traditional financial system, offering streamlined fiat settlements in major currencies like USD, EUR, and GBP. As one of the oldest players in the space, its compliance framework is well-tested, particularly for the US market. However, its support for fewer than half the cryptocurrencies of NOWPayments and a more rigid, custodial model can limit flexibility and global reach. BitPay is best suited for businesses whose primary goal is to accept crypto as a payment method while maintaining an operational workflow centered on predictable, slow-moving fiat bank settlements.
Verdict: Choose NOWPayments for growth, innovation, and global scale. Consider BitPay for its established fiat rails in mature markets.
FAQ: NOWPayments vs BitPay 2025
Is NOWPayments safe to use in 2025?
Yes, NOWPayments is considered safe to use. The platform operates with a non-custodial model, meaning merchants retain control over their funds. It employs robust security measures, including two-factor authentication (2FA), whitelisted wallets and IPs, and advanced fraud monitoring.
Is BitPay regulated and legit?
Yes, BitPay is a regulated and legitimate service. It is a licensed money transmitter in the U.S. and is regulated by the Dutch Central Bank in the Netherlands . These regulatory approvals ensure that BitPay complies with financial regulations and anti-money laundering (AML) laws in the jurisdictions where it operates.
Which is cheaper: NOWPayments or BitPay?
NOWPayments generally offers lower fees. It charges a fixed service fee of 0.5% for single-currency payments and 1% for multi-currency payments . In contrast, BitPay’s transaction fees range from 1% to 2% plus a fixed 25¢ per transaction, depending on the merchant’s monthly transaction volume.
Which gateway is better for large enterprises?
NOWPayments is ideal for large enterprises due to its scalability, support for 300+ cryptocurrencies, 75+ fiat currencies, and features like mass payouts, white-label solutions, and crypto subscription payments. BitPay, on the other hand, is suited for enterprises prioritizing regulatory compliance, offering features like crypto debit cards, payroll functionality, and daily fiat settlements, but with a more limited cryptocurrency selection. If your business needs flexibility and global reach, NOWPayments is the better option, while BitPay is more suitable for those requiring strict regulatory adherence and fiat infrastructure.
Does NOWPayments require KYC?
NOWPayments does not require Know Your Customer (KYC) verification for most users. However, it adheres to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) policies and may request KYC verification if a transaction is flagged as suspicious or if certain thresholds are met.
Can I use BitPay without a bank account?
Using BitPay without a bank account is possible but limited. While you can accept cryptocurrency payments through BitPay, converting those funds into fiat currency typically requires a linked bank account. Additionally, BitPay’s prepaid debit card services require identity verification (KYC).
How We Compared NOWPayments vs. CoinsPaid (Methodology)
This comparison was based on:
- BitPay Supported Cryptocurrencies
- NOWPayments Official Site
- BitPay non-custodial wallet
- Fiat to crypto transactions (BitPay)
- BitPay Official Site
- BitPay Support (as of August 31, 2025).
- Reddit Discussions.
- Trustpilot Reviews.
- NOWPayments support – KYC AML Procedure.
- BitPay Blog – Getting Started with BitPay