Processor review
BTCPay Server review
Open-source, self-hosted Bitcoin and Lightning payment processor. Native LND and Core Lightning support.
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.
The self-hosted answer to crypto payment processing.
Hosting
self-hosted
Custody
non-custodial
Fiat settlement
No
Fees
0% — you run the server
Who BTCPay Server is for
- Merchants
- Developers
- Self-custody seekers
Who it's not for
- Non-technical merchants without a host
Ecommerce plugins
BTCPay Server ships plugins or first-class integrations for: WooCommerce, Shopify V2, Magento, PrestaShop, Cal.com, Zaprite, Ghost, ECWID, GiveWP, 30+ integrations.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Zero platform fees — payments settle directly to your Lightning node
- 30+ ecommerce integrations including WooCommerce, Shopify V2, Ghost, Cal.com, Zaprite
- Both LND and Core Lightning supported as backend implementations
- Self-hosted means no third party can pause, KYC, or restrict you
- VendorPay plugin enables Bitcoin staff payouts
- Managed BTCPay hosts (Voltage, LunaNode) bridge the gap for non-sysadmins
Cons
- Setup requires technical comfort or a managed host
- You are responsible for backups, channel management, and uptime
- Inbound Lightning liquidity has to be planned for; not turnkey at zero cost
Setup overview
TODO: hands-on test with a real signup, real test transaction, and a documented deployment for the relevant case (self-hosted Docker for BTCPay, dashboard signup for hosted processors). Until then, treat the comparison data as the source of truth and consult the provider's docs for the latest setup steps.
Verdict
Open-source, self-hosted Bitcoin and Lightning payment processor. Native LND and Core Lightning support. Use BTCPay Server when you need a self-hosted processor and the trade-offs above align with your operation.
FAQ
Is BTCPay Server self-hosted or hosted? +
BTCPay Server is self-hosted. You run the server (or pay a managed-BTCPay host to run it for you). You keep the keys, and there's no platform fee.
Does BTCPay Server settle to fiat? +
BTCPay Server settles in Bitcoin. You're responsible for any conversion to fiat that you need to do.
What does BTCPay Server charge? +
0% — you run the server Always verify current fees on the provider's pricing page before integrating.