If you're running a global business, you've probably felt the pain of watching customers abandon their carts right before checkout. The payment gateway market is exploding—projected to hit $130 billion by 2030—but here's the kicker: nearly 70% of shopping carts get abandoned because of limited payment options and slow processing. That's not just frustrating; it's expensive. This guide breaks down how traditional payment systems stack up against modern alternatives like Paybis Payment Processing, so you can decide what actually works for your business.
Traditional payment gateways are the digital middlemen connecting your online store to banks. They handle the heavy lifting: authorizing transactions, encrypting sensitive data, and moving money from your customer's account into yours.
International payments go through quite a journey. A customer enters their card details, the gateway encrypts everything and pings the acquiring bank. From there, the info bounces through card networks for verification before finally reaching the customer's bank.
Once approved, you're looking at 2 to 5 days before the money hits your account. That's assuming everything goes smoothly.
Cross-border transactions? Even messier. Traditional systems need to convert currencies, navigate different regional regulations, and route payments through correspondent banks. Each extra step adds complexity and cost.
Traditional processors have their perks—security, established reputation, reliability. But the multi-step process creates some real headaches:
Processing delays: Cross-border transfers can take days because of interbank settlements and compliance checks.
High costs: International transactions can cost up to ten times more than domestic ones. You're paying processing charges, currency conversion markups, and fees that mysteriously appear at the worst times.
Limited currency support: Most traditional gateways only handle major currencies. If your customers are in emerging markets, they're out of luck.
Compliance complexity: Fraud prevention is critical, but the heavy investment in security measures often translates to longer processing times and higher operational costs.
Outdated technology: Many platforms still rely on batch processing instead of real-time monitoring, creating unnecessary bottlenecks.
Stripe operates in 46 countries and supports 135+ currencies. It's solid for international transactions, but charges an extra 1% for currency conversion.
PayPal dominates with a 42.35% market share and presence in over 200 countries. But you'll pay dearly: a 2.5% currency conversion fee plus a 1% cross-border fee. Those costs eat into your margins fast.
Authorize.net serves the US, Canada, UK, Europe, and Australia with secure, reliable solutions perfect for small to medium-sized businesses. Great for regional operations, but if you're thinking globally, you'll need to look elsewhere.
Paybis Payment Processing is a fully integrated payment facilitation solution that lets merchants accept fiat payments from customers and receive stablecoins directly into their corporate wallets.
Built for modern, digital-first businesses, this system blends traditional fiat payment processing with instant crypto settlements. No intermediaries needed.
Think of it as an easy-to-integrate payment module for your website or app. Customers pay with their preferred fiat method, you receive crypto instantly. Paybis handles the conversion behind the scenes.
Paybis delivers plug-and-play crypto infrastructure that helps businesses scale faster and reach diverse user demographics worldwide. From fully compliant payment facilitation to stablecoin payouts and secure crypto wallets, everything's designed to be fast, easy to integrate, and hassle-free.
The whole point of crypto-backed payment gateways was to solve specific pain points—especially cross-border payments and banking restrictions that limit global reach. Today, Paybis offers an efficient platform that makes international transactions faster and simpler to manage.
More businesses are integrating crypto into their payment workflows, but reliable solutions are scarce, leading to long onboarding times. Paybis leverages a decade of experience working with top developers and compliance experts to get business accounts up and running in under 24 hours.
Want to streamline your payment infrastructure even faster? The "No-KYC flow" option lets customers make their first purchases without verification, removing friction at the most critical moment.
👉 Start accepting payments globally in under 24 hours with Paybis
Traditional gateways box you in with limited currency choices. Paybis opens the floodgates:
50+ payment methods across 180 countries
80+ fiat currencies for customer payments
This wide coverage means SaaS platforms, ecommerce stores, and service providers can accept payments in customers' local currencies with minimal foreign exchange fees. Paybis also lets businesses accept digital currencies and manage digital assets alongside traditional options.
Paybis uses live exchange calculators showing current rates for 80+ fiat currencies. No hidden markup fees buried in exchange rates like traditional gateways love to do.
Funds in your Paybis account aren't converted automatically—you choose when and if to convert, giving you control over currency management. Fees split into two simple categories:
Service fee: Paybis commission (varies by payment method)
Network fee: Blockchain transaction costs
You see exactly what you're paying. No surprises. This transparency, combined with instant settlements through stablecoin options, creates a payment system that actually fits today's digital world.
Let's get specific about how Paybis stacks up against other payment processors across features that actually matter.
Stripe charges 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction, adds 1% for international cards, and another 1% for currency conversion. PayPal runs even higher: 2.99% plus $0.49 per transaction, with a 1.5% cross-border fee and 3-4% currency conversion charge.
Businesses end up paying significantly more with traditional gateways. Paybis keeps costs clear by splitting them into service and network fees without hiding extra charges.
According to Bankrate, customers using Dynamic Currency Conversion in Europe pay an average 5% markup over interbank exchange rates. Some cases hit as high as 13.7%.
Paybis uses up-to-the-minute exchange calculators with minimal markup, delivering rates much closer to interbank rates. The platform also streamlines currency conversions and speeds up international payments.
In the US, ACH transactions usually settle within 1–3 business days. Wire transfers, especially international ones, take 2–5 business days.
Crypto transactions? Seconds to minutes, depending on network congestion and transaction amounts.
Stripe provides many API options but requires technical expertise. PayPal charges $25 monthly plus $0.10 per transaction for custom checkout through Payflow Pro.
Paybis offers a single integration point and an intuitive interface. You don't need an expert developer team to get started.
Traditional gateways face tough compliance challenges across countries. The same goes for crypto, with regulations like MiCA in the EU and recent Stable and Genius Acts in the US.
Paybis enforces strict AML and KYC compliance requirements, and we handle compliance for our clients.
Our licenses include:
MSB registration in the US
MSB registration in Canada
FinProm registration in the UK
VASP registration in Poland
Some business scenarios work better with alternative payment systems. Here's where choosing the right solution becomes crucial:
iGaming: Accept global fiat payments with instant crypto settlements, full chargeback protection, no rolling reserves, and MCC 7995 compliance.
Fintech PSPs: Streamline backend operations through single integration providing multi-acquirer access and alternative payment method support.
Digital Services: Deliver worldwide service access while receiving crypto payments settled in real time.
eCommerce: Expand into new markets with multi-currency capabilities, smooth fiat-to-crypto conversion, and robust fraud prevention.
Looking to reduce payment friction and expand globally? Paybis provides the infrastructure modern businesses need to compete effectively in international markets.
👉 See how Paybis can transform your payment processing
Processing fees: Paybis uses clear service fee structure with network charges. Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. PayPal charges 2.99% + $0.49 per transaction.
International/cross-border fees: Paybis has no concealed markups. Stripe adds 1%. PayPal adds 1.5%.
Currency conversion fees: Paybis offers low markup with immediate rates. Stripe charges 1%. PayPal charges 2.5–4%.
Currency support: Paybis supports 80+ fiat currencies and 1000+ cryptocurrencies. Stripe supports 135+ currencies. PayPal supports 25 currencies.
Geographic coverage: Paybis operates in 180+ countries. Stripe operates in 46 countries. PayPal is available in 200+ countries.
Settlement time: Paybis settles in minutes with crypto options. Stripe takes 2–5 business days. PayPal takes 2–5 business days.
Onboarding time: Paybis takes 15 minutes. Stripe and PayPal take 6–8 months to set up merchant accounts.
KYC requirements: Paybis offers "No-KYC flow" option for original purchases. Stripe and PayPal require standard KYC.
Integration: Paybis uses direct URL integration. Stripe requires technical expertise. PayPal charges $25/month + $0.10/transaction for custom checkout.
As digital commerce breaks down borders, payment systems need to evolve. While Stripe and PayPal dominate the market, they come with real limitations: high fees, slow settlements, complex setup. Paybis addresses these challenges directly, offering faster onboarding, transparent pricing, and instant crypto settlements that give global businesses a competitive edge. For companies operating internationally or looking to expand into emerging markets, Paybis provides the modern payment infrastructure that traditional gateways simply can't match.
Are there any situations where traditional payment gateways might be preferable to Paybis?
Traditional gateways may still suit businesses primarily operating in regions with high card adoption or those facing strict regulatory requirements. Companies concerned about cryptocurrency volatility might prefer traditional options. Evaluate your specific needs and circumstances when choosing a payment solution.
How long does it take to set up an account with Paybis compared to traditional gateways?
Paybis offers streamlined verification taking about 15 minutes for first-time users, with subsequent transactions processed in just 5 minutes. This is significantly faster than the typical lengthy merchant account setup required by many traditional payment gateways.
Can Paybis help businesses reach customers in emerging markets?
Yes. Paybis is particularly useful for businesses targeting emerging markets. It supports over 80 fiat currencies, allowing e-commerce stores to serve customers in regions with limited banking infrastructure but growing digital payment adoption.
How do Paybis's fees compare to those of traditional payment gateways?
Paybis uses a transparent fee structure with service fees and network fees, without hidden markups. Traditional gateways like Stripe and PayPal typically charge higher fees, especially for international transactions, with additional costs for currency conversion and cross-border transfers.
What advantages does Paybis offer over traditional payment gateways for global businesses?
Paybis offers several advantages: support for 50+ payment methods across 180 countries, real-time exchange rates with minimal markups, faster settlement times through cryptocurrency options, simplified onboarding, and transparent fee structure. These features make it particularly beneficial for businesses operating internationally.