BTCPay Server vs NOWPayments
BTCPay Server has the higher grade on both axes: Safety 6.8 against 4.4, and Privacy 8.9 against 1.7.
BTCPay Server
Self-hosted open-source Bitcoin payment processor with no fees and no third party
Privacy
8.9/ 10
Excellent
Safety
6.8/ 10
Fair
ID never required KYC 0 Docs reviewed Full review →
NOWPayments
Hosted crypto payment gateway linked to ChangeNOW, with fees from 1%
Privacy
1.7/ 10
Poor
Safety
4.4/ 10
Caution
ID on risk flag KYC 3 Docs reviewed Full review →
Side by side
| BTCPay Server | NOWPayments | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Payment Gateways | Payment Gateways |
| KYC policy | ID never required | ID on risk flag |
| Custody | Non Custodial | Mixed |
| Sign-up | No account needed | Email required |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Tor onion address | No | No |
| Coins | BTC, LTC, XMR | BTC, ETH, XMR, USDT, LTC, TRX |
| Pay with | Crypto, Lightning | Crypto, Monero |
| Fees | 0% processing fees; hosting costs only | From 1% with loyalty discounts, excluding network fees |
| Founded | 2017 | 2019 |
| Jurisdiction | Decentralised / none | Not published |
| Incidents on record | 1 | 0 |
| Published tests (180 days) | 0 | 0 |
Only BTCPay Server
No registrationNo email neededNo phone neededAccepts LightningOpen sourceNon-custodialSelf-hostable
Both
5+ years operating
Only NOWPayments
Accepts MoneroThird-party liquidityAML screeningMay request IDRequires emailClosed source
Where they sit among payment gateways
Questions
Is BTCPay Server or NOWPayments safer?
BTCPay Server has the higher Safety grade: BTCPay Server 6.8, NOWPayments 4.4, out of 10.
Does BTCPay Server or NOWPayments require KYC?
BTCPay Server is KYC level 0 (ID never required). NOWPayments is KYC level 3 (ID on risk flag).
Which has more incidents on record?
BTCPay Server has 1 and NOWPayments has 0 documented incidents in the registry.