Processor comparison
The best Lightning payment processors in 2026
Compare BTCPay Server, OpenNode, IBEX, Speed, and Strike Pay for accepting Lightning payments as a merchant or developer.
Affiliate disclosure. Some links on this page are partner links. LN Cash may earn a commission if you sign up. This does not change which tools we recommend — see our methodology and the full disclosure.
Lightning payment processors split into two clean camps: self-hosted (BTCPay Server, which charges nothing but asks you to run a node) and hosted (OpenNode, Speed, IBEX, Strike, which charge a fee but hide all the infrastructure).
The honest answer for most small merchants is: if you have a technical co-founder or a consultant, start with BTCPay Server because the long-term cost is hard to beat. If you don't, start with a hosted processor and revisit BTCPay once volume justifies the setup. Speed has scaled rapidly — it now processes around $1.5B in annual volume and powers high-profile US deployments — making it a stronger hosted option than it was two years ago.
Short answer
- Best self-hosted
- BTCPay Server — no fees, you run the node
- Best hosted
- OpenNode — fastest to ship
- Best for merchants
- BTCPay Server — POS-ready
- Best for developers
- BTCPay Server — API-first
Full comparison
| Tool | Hosting | Custody | Fiat settlement | KYC | API | POS | Fees | Setup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BTCPay Server The self-hosted answer to crypto payment processing. | self-hosted | non-custodial | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | 0% — you run the server | advanced |
| OpenNode Hosted Bitcoin payments with an API and a dashboard. | hosted | custodial | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | Lightning between OpenNode accounts: free. On-chain withdrawals: 1%. | beginner |
| Speed Hosted Lightning checkout with stablecoin support. | hosted | custodial | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Variable — verify on Speed's pricing page before integrating. | beginner |
| IBEX Enterprise Lightning infrastructure with deep LATAM roots. | hosted | custodial | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Negotiated by contract. | advanced |
| Strike Lightning-native payments app with global rollout. | hosted | custodial | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | Verify current terms on Strike's pricing page — fees and merchant checkout features vary by region. | beginner |
Individual reviews
The self-hosted answer to crypto payment processing.
Open-source, self-hosted Bitcoin and Lightning payment processor. Native LND and Core Lightning support.
- · API
- · Point of sale
Hosted Bitcoin payments with an API and a dashboard.
Hosted Bitcoin + Lightning payment processor with fiat settlement in supported regions.
- · API
- · Fiat settlement
Hosted Lightning checkout with stablecoin support.
Hosted Lightning payment platform with BTC, USDT, and USDC support. Tether-backed; powers high-profile US merchants.
- · API
- · Point of sale
- · Fiat settlement
Enterprise Lightning infrastructure with deep LATAM roots.
Lightning-as-a-Service infrastructure for fintechs, telcos, and enterprise merchants. Strong LATAM presence.
- · API
- · Point of sale
- · Fiat settlement
Lightning-native payments app with global rollout.
Lightning-first consumer wallet and merchant payment tools. Operates in the US, EU, UK, and 200+ countries.
- · API
- · Fiat settlement
Our pick by use case
- Single-person creator selling digital products: hosted processor + Shopify V2 or WooCommerce plugin.
- Café or small physical shop: Speed (hosted, POS-friendly) or BTCPay Server with a Zeus tablet running POS mode.
- Indie SaaS with Lightning as one of several payment methods: hosted, API-first (OpenNode or Strike).
- High-volume merchant or fintech, especially LATAM: IBEX, with a real partnership conversation.
- Merchant who wants stablecoin support alongside Lightning: Speed (BTC, USDT, USDC).
- Anyone who wants to never pay a platform fee on incoming sats: BTCPay Server.
Where to next
- Deep dive: BTCPay Server vs OpenNode.
- Explainers: LNURL · Lightning Address.
- Country pages: Czech Republic · Taiwan.
FAQ
Self-hosted or hosted — which should I pick? +
Self-hosted (BTCPay Server) gives you zero platform fees and full custody, but you are responsible for running and maintaining the server (or paying a managed-BTCPay host like Voltage or LunaNode, ~$8/month). Hosted (OpenNode, Speed, IBEX, Strike) trades a fee and a custodial relationship for setup speed and a managed dashboard. A reasonable rule: if you can describe a Linux server uptime SLA, self-host; otherwise, pick hosted and migrate later.
Do payment processors need KYC? +
Hosted custodial processors generally require KYC because they touch fiat settlement and operate as regulated Crypto-Asset Service Providers under frameworks like MiCA in the EU. BTCPay Server, being self-hosted and non-custodial, has no built-in KYC. Country-specific obligations on you as a merchant may still apply.
Will my customers need a Lightning wallet to pay? +
Yes. The processor generates the invoice; the customer pays it from their wallet. Many processors also accept on-chain Bitcoin as a fallback for customers who don't have Lightning yet.