Free calculator
Bitcoin Payment Fee Calculator
Compare the real cost of accepting one sale through cards, through a bitcoin processor and over Lightning. Enter the rates you have been quoted and see the difference per order and per month.
| Method | Per order | Effective rate | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Card processor | 2.47 | 3.30% | 1,237.50 |
| Bitcoin processor | 0.75 | 1.00% | 375.00 |
| Lightning | 0.38 | 0.50% | 187.50 |
Where the difference comes from
Flat-rate card pricing bundles interchange, scheme fees, acquiring margin and fraud risk into one percentage plus a fixed amount. The fixed component is what punishes small orders: 30 cents on a $5 sale is 6% before the percentage is even applied.
- Card cost per sale = order x rate + fixed fee
- Hosted bitcoin processors: commonly 0.5% to 1%, no fixed fee
- Self-hosted gateway: network and liquidity costs only
- Chargeback fees and disputes do not apply to settled bitcoin payments
Weigh the saving against realistic uptake. If only a small share of customers pay in bitcoin, the monthly figure below is an upper bound — but the absence of chargebacks and the lower cost on small payments are often the stronger arguments.
Frequently asked questions
- What does it cost to accept bitcoin?
- Hosted bitcoin and Lightning processors commonly charge 0.5% to 1% with no fixed per-transaction fee. Self-hosted gateways charge nothing beyond network and liquidity costs, but you carry the operating burden.
- How does that compare with card processing?
- Flat-rate card pricing is typically around 2.9% plus a fixed fee per transaction, which is why the gap widens on small orders. Interchange-plus pricing can beat that at volume.
- Are there hidden costs in bitcoin acceptance?
- Consider conversion spread if you settle into fiat, withdrawal or payout fees, on-chain fees when sweeping funds, and volatility exposure if you hold. Chargeback costs, by contrast, disappear.
- Do I have to choose one or the other?
- No. Most merchants keep cards as the default and add a bitcoin or Lightning option alongside, which lets them measure real uptake before changing anything about the main checkout.
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Estimates only. Rates, network conditions and provider pricing change, so confirm figures with your processor before relying on them. Compare payment processors.