OpenNode vs Strike

OpenNode and Strike are both hosted, custodial Bitcoin payment platforms. They overlap in some areas — both accept Lightning, both offer fiat settlement, both target merchants — but they have meaningfully different shapes.

Short answer: OpenNode if you’re a merchant or developer integrating Lightning into an existing ecommerce stack. Strike if you want a consumer-app brand customers may already trust, or you need broader country support.

At a glance

	OpenNode	Strike
Primary product	Merchant payment processor	Consumer Lightning app + merchant tools
Custody	Custodial	Custodial
Lightning support	Yes	Yes (Lightning-native)
On-chain support	Yes	Yes
Stablecoin support	No	No (Strike focuses on BTC + local fiat)
Fiat settlement	Yes, supported regions	Yes (USD, EUR, GBP and SEPA in EU)
KYC	Required	Required
Country availability	Many countries (verify per-region)	US (49 states, excl. NY), EU since April 2024, UK, 200+ countries claimed
Ecommerce plugins	Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, Drupal Commerce	Shopify (varies by region)
Best for	Merchants needing API + plugin integrations	Creators, consumer-facing merchants, multi-country flows

How they differ in practice

Product shape. OpenNode is a pure B2B payment processor — there’s no consumer app. You sign up as a merchant, get API keys, integrate. Strike is primarily a consumer payments app that also exposes merchant tools. If your customers already use Strike (very common in the US, increasingly common in EU/UK), accepting Strike payments has a UX advantage: zero friction for the buyer.

Lightning-native vs Lightning-supportive. Strike was built around the Lightning Network from day one — it’s not a layer added on top of an exchange. OpenNode is also Lightning-first but positions itself as infrastructure for merchants rather than a wallet for consumers.

Geography. Strike’s EU launch in April 2024 and UK rollout shortly after expanded its addressable merchant footprint significantly. OpenNode has historically had broader country coverage for merchant accounts. Verify your specific country at signup; this is the kind of detail that changes.

Fee transparency. OpenNode’s pricing is published and predictable — Lightning-between-accounts free, 1% on-chain withdrawals. Strike’s published consumer fees are clearer than its merchant fees; verify your terms before committing.

When to pick OpenNode

• You’re integrating Lightning into a WooCommerce, Magento, or Drupal Commerce store.
• You need a clean REST API for a custom site or SaaS.
• Your fee model needs to be predictable in writing.
• You’re in a country where Strike isn’t fully rolled out.
• You want one provider that does Lightning + on-chain + plugins.

When to pick Strike

• Many of your customers already use Strike — Lightning checkout becomes “pay with the app you have.”
• You need broad multi-country support (200+ countries claimed across Strike’s various flows).
• You’re a creator wanting a consumer-recognized brand on your payment page.
• You’re in the EU or UK and want a Lightning-native payments app with SEPA integration.

The middle path

Both. Run OpenNode (or BTCPay) for ecommerce-plugin checkout — Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento — where pre-built integrations save time. Use Strike’s payment links for direct consumer-facing payments where your customers benefit from a familiar app.

What we did not test

This page is an editorial draft. Strike’s merchant feature parity between US, EU, and UK is still evolving; verify current capabilities for your region. OpenNode pricing should be checked at signup. See our methodology.

Next step

• Considering self-hosted instead? Read BTCPay Server vs OpenNode.
• Bigger picture: the best Lightning payment processors.
• Building a setup: how to accept Lightning payments.

FAQ

Which one is cheaper? +

OpenNode publishes a fee schedule: Lightning-to-Lightning between OpenNode accounts is free, on-chain withdrawals are 1%. Strike does not publish a comprehensive merchant fee table — verify your terms before integrating.

Which one is available in my country? +

Strike has launched in the US (49 states; not New York), the EU (April 2024), the UK, and claims 200+ country support for some flows. OpenNode operates in many countries but availability and fiat-settlement vary by region. Always check current country availability at signup.

Can I use both? +

Yes. Some merchants run OpenNode for ecommerce-plugin checkouts (Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento) and Strike for direct consumer-facing payment links. They are not mutually exclusive.