A quick overview of Stripe: it’s a developer-first payment gateway known for its clean APIs, extensive documentation, and ease of integration.
While Stripe serves a broad range of industries, its core user base has always been SaaS companies and e-commerce businesses. For these types of companies, Stripe is one of the best platforms out there.
But in India, not even all SaaS and e-commerce companies can use Stripe to its full potential.
If you are a B2B company, exporter, freelancer, or a service provider looking to send or receive international payments easily, Stripe is not the best platform for you.
It has limitations, including regulatory constraints, fewer payout currency options, and additional steps for compliance.
Plus, the fees are higher for B2B international transfers, and the customer support for Indian users is slow.
Which is why finding a stripe alternative in Indian with better local support, lower FX markup, and easier compliance is essential for Indian businesses.
In this article, we'll discuss the best alternatives to Stripe for Indian businesses doing international payments.
Does Stripe Work in India?
The simple answer is not completely. Stripe supports international business payments in India, but only through an invite-only process. You can’t just sign up and start using it like in other countries.
Since May 2024, Indian businesses can request access to Stripe, and after verification if they fit a certain criterion then they are allowed to use stripe. (Which most businesses don’t.)
This means businesses looking for quick setup and local support are facing a lot of issue.
Stripe was launched through a beta program in India, but they have struggled with regulatory and operational challenges. As a result, its growth has slowed, and access remains restricted.
Not to worry- stripe has a lot of alternatives in India that are built for Indian businesses doing international payment.
Top 5 Stripe Alternatives for Indian Businesses in 2025
If you're a business in India looking for a Stripe alternatives here are the top picks based on your business model.
1. Karbon
Best stripe alternative for Indian importers, exporters, and freelancers
Karbon is designed for Indian businesses sending or receiving international payments that deal with overseas clients including exporter, freelancer, or service provider. It simplifies the process of receiving foreign payments without needing a developer or API integration.
How Karbon Supports International Transfers?
Inward Remittance (Getting Paid):
• Accept international payments via SWIFT wire transfer (USD, EUR, GBP, etc.)
• For freelancers and small service providers: accept via virtual account numbers or payment links
• Clients can pay using ACH, SEPA, SWIFT, or card, depending on region
Outward Remittance (Paying Suppliers/Contractors):
• Send money abroad to vendors, platforms, or remote contractors in 30+ currencies
• No need to go through your bank or do manual paperwork each time
• Pay directly from INR; Karbon handles the FX conversion
Why it is better than Stripe?
If you're sending invoices or receiving retainers from international clients, Karbon is faster, cheaper, and more transparent than Stripe.
2. Razorpay
Best alternative for e-commerce businesses
Razorpay is one of the few Indian gateways that supports both domestic and international payments at scale. It’s made for Indian e-commerce brands selling globally.
Why it works well:
• Accepts Indian and international cards, UPI, wallets
• Easy integration with Shopify, WooCommerce, and custom sites
• International payments with settlement in INR
• Includes features like payment links, subscriptions, and checkout pages
3. PayPal
Stripe equivalent in India for e-commerce businesses
Still one of the easiest ways to accept international payments, especially for smaller e-commerce brands or DTC businesses shipping globally.
Why it works well:
• Instant setup, widely trusted by global buyers
• Accepts cards and PayPal balance from 200+ countries
• No website required (works with payment links or Shopify
• Settles to Indian bank account in INR
Downside: higher fees and strict dispute resolution in favor of buyers. But it's still a useful add-on.
4. Chargebee + Razorpay/PayPal
Best SaaS billing stack for Indian companies
If you're a SaaS business operating out of India, this combo gives you advanced billing logic while keeping payment collection India-compliant.
Why it works well:
• Full subscription management: metered billing, trials, coupons
• Supports Razorpay or PayPal as payment layer
• GST-compliant invoicing for Indian customers
• Multi-currency pricing for international users
• Handles failed payments, renewals, and customer comms
5. Zoho Subscriptions
Second Alternative to stripe in india for SaaS businesses
If you want a subscription platform built in India, for Indian SaaS companies, Zoho Subscriptions is a solid option.
Why it works well:
• Integrates with Indian payment gateways like Razorpay, Paytm
• Handles subscriptions, renewals, and recurring invoices
• In-built GST support
• Customizable checkout and hosted pages
• Works with international and domestic clients
Not as powerful as Chargebee, but easier to set up if you're a smaller SaaS team.
FAQ
Can Stripe India accept international payments?
Yes, Stripe India facilitates the acceptance of international payments for businesses. Stripe offers support for a wide array of payment methods, including credit and debit cards, digital wallets, and bank transfers, ensuring convenient transactions for international clientele engaging with Indian businesses.
Do I have to utilize multiple platforms for multiple business needs?
Many businesses use more than one platform to meet unique needs, for example, Payoneer can be applied for small personal payments while Karbon is apt for high-volume enterprise transactions.
Are Stripe competitors a good fit for small businesses?
Yes, Karbon, Wise, and PayPal Business are platforms targeted at small businesses. In addition, they supply basic features such as invoicing, low fees, and easy account opening.
What is the best Stripe alternative for multi-currency transactions?
Karbon, Wise, and Payoneer are great for doing multi-currency transactions. They support multiple currencies, making them perfect for multi-national businesses.
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