When BTCPay Server fits
Choose BTCPay Server if Bitcoin or Lightning is your main payment method and open-source software with no processing fee matters most.
SELF-HOSTED COMPARISON
Wholly Crypto vs BTCPay Server
BTCPay Server is a strong choice for Bitcoin and Lightning. Wholly Crypto is built around running a multi-chain checkout from one merchant console.
| What matters | Wholly Crypto | BTCPay Server |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Your Linux VPS. No Docker required. | Self-hosted; its documentation recommends Docker. [1] |
| Payment methods | 30 networks, Bitcoin Lightning through LND/NWC and verified tokens. Add supported custom EVM and Solana tokens. | Bitcoin and Lightning, with community altcoin and plugin options. [2] |
| Software fee | Default 1% of the original invoice fiat value, charged from separate prepaid credit. | No software processing fee. Hosting and network costs still apply. [1] |
| Receiving funds | Direct to your wallets. Optionally send to Kraken, Binance or Coinbase and convert there. No bank payouts. | Non-custodial payments; wallet and Lightning setup depend on your deployment. [1] |
| Setup & operation | Licensed binary software. External HTTPS/WSS nodes, projects, stores and wallet tools in one console. | Open-source, with a Bitcoin node and an optional Lightning node in the standard setup. [1] |
All options can involve network fees. Self-hosting also needs a server, secure backups and maintenance. Asset counts are not directly comparable: a token is not a separate network.
Bitcoin, with a Lightning option.
Wholly Crypto accepts Lightning through your external LND node or a compatible Nostr Wallet Connect wallet. Enable it per store alongside on-chain Bitcoin. Customers scan a Lightning invoice; settlement does not wait for block confirmations.
Choose your custody model: your own node, managed self-custody or a custodial provider. NWC alone does not tell you who holds the keys. Receiving capacity and separate channel backups matter; sending and refunds stay in the connected wallet. Read the Lightning guide →
Receive crypto. Choose what to keep.
Wholly Crypto can send supported coins and tokens to your Kraken, Binance or Coinbase account, manually or through sweep rules. Choose a direct spot market to convert a credited deposit to fiat or another crypto.
This is optional exchange conversion, not bank settlement. Exchange custody, verification, regional limits, trading fees and network fees apply. Your customer payment still arrives in your wallet first. Exchange features →
When Wholly Crypto fits
Choose Wholly Crypto if you want several chains, stablecoins and store-specific payment settings together, without running blockchain nodes inside your payment server.
Explore the features →Before you choose
BTCPay is not Bitcoin-only: community integrations add other assets. Check the maintenance and requirements of each plugin you plan to use. [1] BTCPay guide ↗ · [2] Altcoins and plugins ↗
Wholly Crypto needs prepaid credit for automation. If it runs out, customer payments and checkout creation continue, but IPN, webhooks, Sweep, new exchange conversions, new projects/stores and installing updates pause. How credits work →
See if it fits your store.
Try the checkout without sending funds, or look through the setup guide.