BTCPay Server vs OpenNode

Updated: January 2026

Quick take

BTCPay Server supports self‑hosted payments that settle to your own wallet without platform intermediaries. OpenNode suits teams preferring custodial, turnkey checkouts, plugins, and managed payouts. Compare custody expectations, KYC posture, supported networks, settlement behavior, and ecommerce integrations.

BTCPay Server vs OpenNode — full comparison (Accept Bitcoin as a merchant)
Platform	Payment processor Payment Processor
Supported Networks	Bitcoin + Lightning Bitcoin + Lightning
Features	Decentralized payment processor 0% fees & no third-party Lightning Network support Technical setup Self-hosted maintenance Turnkey payment processor Fraud protection Custodial until funds are withdrawn Fees can add up for high-volume businesses No self-custody
Fees Processing fees	No fees 1% fees
Subscription Fees	No fees 1%
Conversion Fees	No fees 1%
Settlement Time	Blockchain confirmation time 1-2 days
Integration & Compatibility	Big Commerce, Drupal, Ecwid, GiveWP, Grandnode, Invoice Ninja, Magento, Nopcommerce, Odoo, OpenCart, PhocaCart, PrestaShop, Pretix, Shopify V2, Shopware, Ghost, Smartstore, VirtueMart, Wix, WooCommerce, Xenforo, Zapier, Custom Integration text
POS integration	Yes text
Custody & Control	Non-custodial Custodial (auto-settlement available)
KYC Required	No Yes
Open Source	Yes No
User Experience	N/A N/A
Profile Founder(s)	Nicolas Dorier Joao Almeida & Afnan Rahman
Company description	Most payment processors hold your funds and act as a gatekeeper between you and your customers. BTC Pay Server solves this by running on your own hardware, connecting directly to your Bitcoin wallet w... Most payment processors hold your funds and act as a gatekeeper between you and your customers. BTC Pay Server solves this by running on your own hardware, connecting directly to your Bitcoin wallet without any middleman. That means you receive 100% of every payment instantly, with no risk of frozen accounts or leaked customer data. You can host it yourself for complete independence or use a managed cloud provider to get started quickly. Most payment processors hold your funds and act as a gatekeeper between you and your customers. BTC Pay Server solves this by running on your own hardware, connecting directly to your Bitcoin wallet without any middleman. That means you receive 100% of every payment instantly, with no risk of frozen accounts or leaked customer data. You can host it yourself for complete independence or use a managed cloud provider to get started quickly. OpenNode is a Bitcoin-first payment processor that empowers businesses to accept and send Bitcoin—either on-chain or via Lightning—using simple plugins, hosted checkouts, or its developer-friendly API... OpenNode is a Bitcoin-first payment processor that empowers businesses to accept and send Bitcoin—either on-chain or via Lightning—using simple plugins, hosted checkouts, or its developer-friendly API. Organisations that want a turnkey, compliant solution—especially mid-sized to large enterprises—can onboard easily with KYC and achieve global scale without building complex node infrastructure. OpenNode is a Bitcoin-first payment processor that empowers businesses to accept and send Bitcoin—either on-chain or via Lightning—using simple plugins, hosted checkouts, or its developer-friendly API. Organisations that want a turnkey, compliant solution—especially mid-sized to large enterprises—can onboard easily with KYC and achieve global scale without building complex node infrastructure. It offers instant, low-cost microtransactions with a focus on liquidity management, channel operations, and protocol support. For merchants, this means accessing Bitcoin payments both instantly and economically, alongside automatic settlement options in fiat or BTC. By abstracting away technical complexities like node handling, liquidity, and channel balance, OpenNode allows businesses to plug-and-play and scale efficiently. It holds US regulatory licenses, manages KYC requirements, and maintains automated fiat conversions and payouts. This makes it ideal for businesses—especially blue-chip and enterprise-level—that require solid legal and financial backstops. Their long-term vision is to see global businesses and platforms integrate Bitcoin payments as seamlessly as credit cards—secure, censorship-resistant, and frictionless—while pushing forward broader adoption of Bitcoin as a unit of exchange across borders and cultures.
Founded in	2017 2018
Website	btcpayserver.org opennode.com
Availability	Available globally Available globally

FAQs

Is OpenNode custodial and does it require KYC?

Yes. OpenNode is custodial until you withdraw or auto-settle, and onboarding requires KYC.

Does BTCPay require KYC or hold my funds?

No. BTCPay is self-hosted and non-custodial, so you control the keys and there’s no platform KYC.

Which is easier for a merchant to start with?

OpenNode’s SaaS and plugins are quickest for most merchants. BTCPay is more hands-on because it’s self-hosted, trading setup time for control.