Global clients often default to PayPal, Wise or Stripe when paying Indian freelancers, agencies and exporters. On the surface these platforms feel similar, but the real difference shows up in the final amount that reaches your Indian bank account and how long it takes for the money to settle.
This blog breaks down how each platform charges its fees, how much you actually lose in currency conversion and how long it takes for funds to land in your account. These factors directly impact cash flow and profitability for Indian service providers, SaaS builders and digital sellers.
Understanding PayPal Fees and Settlement Time
PayPal remains the most recognised global payment method, but it is also known for having one of the highest fee stacks for Indian users.
PayPal Fee Structure
- International commercial payment fee: 4.4 percent + a fixed fee (for USD this is usually 0.30 dollars).
- Currency conversion markup: around 3 to 4 percent above the mid market rate.
- Additional cross border charges may apply depending on the customer location.
What this means in practice
If a client pays you 2000 dollars, PayPal takes a percentage fee, a fixed fee and then converts the remaining amount at a rate that is several percent below the true market rate. The total loss becomes noticeable on larger invoices.
PayPal Settlement Time
- Most Indian users report 1 to 3 business days for the money to reach their bank account after processing.
- Settlements can be delayed during compliance checks or holidays.
PayPal offers convenience and global acceptance but it is expensive and not ideal for high value payments.
Stripe Fees and Settlement Time in India
Stripe is considered more transparent and modern, but access in India is limited because onboarding is based on approvals.
Stripe Fee Structure
- Typical fee for international card transactions: about 4.3 percent.
- Currency conversion markup: roughly 2 percent above the mid market rate.
- Additional fees may apply for dispute handling or specialized billing features.
Compared to PayPal, Stripe often results in slightly better take home value because the FX markup is lower.
Stripe Settlement Time
- Stripe payouts to Indian bank accounts usually take up to 5 business days after the payment is processed.
- This can feel slow for freelancers or agencies operating on tight cash flow.
Stripe works well for recurring billing or SaaS models, but long settlement time may be a drawback.
Wise (formerly TransferWise) Overview
Wise is not a payment gateway like PayPal or Stripe. Instead, it is a cross border money transfer platform with a strong focus on transparent forex conversion.
Wise Fee Structure
- Wise uses the mid market exchange rate with a small service fee.
- Conversion and transfer fees vary by currency pair.
- No hidden cross border layers or percentage fees tied to the invoice value.
Wise is useful when you want to reduce forex loss, but clients must agree to pay through Wise. It is not a universal invoicing or gateway system.
Wise Settlement Time
- Settlement speed varies depending on the sending currency and banking routes.
- Transfers to India can be fast but are not instantaneous for all routes.
Wise is ideal for transparent FX but not always suitable as a primary payment collection method for export services.
Side by Side Comparison
| Factor | PayPal | Stripe | Wise |
| Transaction fee | 4.4 percent + fixed fee | Around 4.3 percent | Varies by route |
| FX markup | High, about 3 to 4 percent | Lower, about 2 percent | Uses mid market rate with a small fee |
| Effective cost | Highest among the three | Moderate | Usually lowest |
| Settlement time | 1 to 3 business days | Up to 5 business days | Depends on sending route |
| Suitability | Occasional payments and global clients | SaaS and recurring billing | FX friendly transfers |
PayPal costs the most. Stripe offers better transparency but slower payouts. Wise is FX friendly but cannot replace a payment gateway for many use cases.
What this means for Indian businesses
If you are receiving large international invoices, the percentage fee plus FX markup can create a real dent in revenue. A 2000 or 5000 dollar invoice processed through PayPal or Stripe can lose a significant amount once both fee layers are applied. Settlement delays also hurt cash flow.
India focused platforms that offer flat fees, better FX rates and faster settlements provide more value for exporters, freelancers and service providers who depend on predictable income.
A better option for Indian exporters and freelancers
Platforms built specifically for Indian cross border collections offer simpler pricing and faster settlements compared to global gateways. BRISKPE is one such option.
BRISKPE uses a low flat fee model with zero FX markup, supports multi currency collection and provides fast T plus one or T plus two settlement timelines. It also offers smooth compliance with inward remittance requirements and export documentation standards.
If you want to maximise your take home earnings from international clients while avoiding high percentage fees and slow settlements, consider exploring BRISKPE as your primary collection method.
Visit BRISKPE to learn more and see how much you can save on every transaction.
