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BlockBee vs BTCPay Server: Hosted vs Self-Hosted Crypto Payments
BTCPay Server and BlockBee both pay into wallets you control. Compare running costs, supported coins, maintenance and setup to see which fits.
Short answer
BTCPay Server is free, open-source software that you run yourself, or that someone runs for you. It charges no processing fee, but you pay for hosting and you handle updates, backups and security. It focuses on Bitcoin; community plugins add a few other coins.
BlockBee is a hosted service. There is nothing to install or maintain, it supports 100+ cryptocurrencies and tokens, and it charges 1% per transaction, falling to 0.25% with volume. Both send payments to wallets you control.
Disclosure: BlockBee publishes this comparison. We checked BTCPay Server's website and documentation on 30 September 2026.
At a glance
| BTCPay Server | BlockBee | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Open-source software you host | Hosted payment service |
| Processing fee | None | 1%, down to 0.25% with volume, plus network fees |
| Running costs | Your server or a host, roughly $10–70 a month depending on the provider | None |
| Maintenance | You apply updates, back up and monitor | BlockBee |
| Coins | Bitcoin, Lightning and a short list of community-maintained altcoins | 100+ cryptocurrencies and tokens, including USDT and USDC on several networks |
| Who holds the funds | Your wallet | Your wallet; each payment is forwarded once confirmed |
| Integrations | WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento, PrestaShop, WHMCS and many more | WooCommerce, Magento, PrestaShop, OpenCart, Odoo, WHMCS, REST API and libraries |
| Built-in tools | Point of sale, payment links, crowdfunding, invoicing | Checkout, payment links, subscriptions, payouts, web POS, Telegram bot |
Cost: free software is not free to run
BTCPay Server charges no fees, which makes it attractive at high volume. Its deployment guide lists one-click hosting from about $10 to $30 a month, and virtual private servers from about $10 to $70. On top of that you pay for your own time, or a developer's, to keep the server updated, backed up and secure, including applying security updates promptly.
BlockBee has no running costs. You pay per transaction: 1%, falling to 0.25% as your volume over the previous 30 days grows, plus the network fee to forward each payment. Each coin has a minimum fee. See the fees page.
A rough rule: at low and medium volume, a percentage fee often costs less than a server plus the time to run it. At very high volume, a zero-fee self-hosted setup can cost less, if you have the skills in-house.
Coins and networks
BTCPay Server's altcoin FAQ says Bitcoin is the project's only focus. Other coins, such as Litecoin, Monero and USDT on Tron, come from community plugins and integrations, and their communities maintain them.
BlockBee supports 100+ cryptocurrencies and tokens on networks including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tron, Solana, Polygon, Base, BNB Smart Chain, Arbitrum and TON. If your customers pay mostly in stablecoins, this is the bigger difference.
Custody: both keep you in control
Neither service holds your money for you.
- With BTCPay Server, payments go to a wallet you connect, and your private keys are never uploaded to the server.
- With BlockBee, each payment arrives at an address created for that order and is forwarded to your wallet once the blockchain confirms it. BlockBee keeps no balance for you to withdraw.
For the wider picture, see custodial vs non-custodial payment gateways.
If you use a third-party BTCPay host, you trust that host to keep the server running and honest. BTCPay's third-party hosting page explains the trade-offs.
Setup and maintenance
BTCPay Server: choose a host or server, deploy it, connect a wallet, then install the plugin for your store. After that, you keep it updated and backed up.
BlockBee: create an account, add a wallet address for each coin you accept, then install a plugin, use the hosted checkout or call the API. BlockBee runs the infrastructure.
Either way, test with a real payment before going live. BlockBee has no sandbox or testnet; a small real payment above the minimum, such as about $2 of Litecoin, keeps the test cheap.
Which should you choose?
Choose BTCPay Server if:
- you accept mostly Bitcoin or Lightning;
- you have technical staff, or a host you trust;
- your volume is high enough that a percentage fee costs more than running a server;
- you want open-source software you can inspect and change.
Choose BlockBee if:
- you want to accept many coins and stablecoins on several networks;
- you don't want to run or secure a server;
- you want subscriptions, payouts or payment links alongside checkout;
- you prefer a fee per transaction to fixed running costs.
Frequently asked questions
Is BTCPay Server really free?
The software is free and charges no processing fee. Running it isn't: you need a server or a host, plus time for updates, backups and security.
Does BlockBee hold my funds like a custodial processor?
No. BlockBee forwards each confirmed payment to your wallet and keeps no balance for you.
Can I accept USDT with BTCPay Server?
BTCPay lists USDT on Tron through a community plugin, and USDt through Liquid. BlockBee supports USDT on several networks, including Tron, Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, Base, BNB Smart Chain and TON.
Can I move from BTCPay Server to BlockBee?
Yes. Install BlockBee's plugin for your store, add your wallet addresses and test a real order before you switch payment methods. Keep BTCPay running until open invoices are paid.
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